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Guides, comparisons, and buying advice for ammunition. Whether you're a new shooter or just looking for the right load, start here.

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9mm ballistics

9mm Luger ballistics data for 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr loads. Muzzle velocity, energy, bullet drop, and how barrel length changes performance. Updated March 2026.

5.56 ballistics chart

5.56 NATO ballistics data for M193, M855, and 77gr match loads. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and wind drift from 16\" and 20\" barrels. Updated March 2026.

.300 Blackout ballistics

.300 Blackout ballistics for supersonic and subsonic loads. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and barrel length effects. Suppressor performance data included.

Market Intelligence

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Why Ammo Prices Keep Rising in 2026 — Even Without Panic Buying

Several major ammunition brands signaled price increases heading into 2026. This time it's not panic buying — it's raw material bottlenecks, export controls, military demand, and shipping disruptions all hitting the same system at once.

Basics

Foundational knowledge for new and experienced shooters.

FMJ vs hollow point

FMJ is for range training. Hollow points are for self-defense. Learn the differences in construction, cost, expansion, and when each bullet type matters.

What does grain mean in ammunition?

Grain is the unit of measurement for bullet weight. Learn how grain weight affects recoil, velocity, accuracy, and which grain is best for your use case.

Steel case vs brass case ammo

Steel-cased ammo is cheaper but is it safe? Compare steel vs brass case ammo on price, reliability, accuracy, and wear. Honest breakdown with real cost analysis.

What is +P ammo and is it safe for my gun?

+P ammo is loaded to higher pressure for more velocity. Learn what +P means, which guns can handle it, and whether the performance gain is worth the tradeoffs.

Subsonic vs supersonic ammo

Subsonic ammo eliminates the sonic crack for suppressor use. Learn when subsonic matters, terminal performance tradeoffs, and which calibers do it best.

Ballistics & Data

Velocity, energy, and drop tables for common calibers.

9mm ballistics

9mm Luger ballistics data for 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr loads. Muzzle velocity, energy, bullet drop, and how barrel length changes performance. Updated March 2026.

5.56 ballistics chart

5.56 NATO ballistics data for M193, M855, and 77gr match loads. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and wind drift from 16\" and 20\" barrels. Updated March 2026.

.300 Blackout ballistics

.300 Blackout ballistics for supersonic and subsonic loads. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and barrel length effects. Suppressor performance data included.

Buying Guide

How to find and buy ammunition at the best prices.

How to buy ammo online

A step-by-step guide to buying ammunition online. Learn where to buy, what to look for, shipping laws, bulk pricing, and how to avoid overpaying.

Cheapest calibers to shoot

The cheapest calibers to shoot ranked by typical cost per round. Why some ammo stays cheap, what drives prices up, and where to find the best deals right now.

Deep Dives

Single-caliber deep dives into ammo types and grain weights.

5.56 ammo types explained

M193, M855, soft point, OTM, and barrier rounds — 5.56 NATO ammo types explained. What each type does, when to use it, and how it affects what you should buy.

9mm ammo — 115 vs 124 vs 147 grain

Compare 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr 9mm ammo. How grain weight affects recoil, accuracy, price, and which weight is best for range, carry, and suppressor use.

Caliber Comparisons

Side-by-side breakdowns to help you choose the right caliber.

.300 Blackout vs 5.56 for home defense

Compare .300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO for home defense. Over-penetration, suppressor use, barrel length, terminal performance, and cost per round.

5.56 NATO vs .223 Remington

.223 Remington vs 5.56 NATO: compare prices, chamber compatibility, and ballistic differences. Learn which you can safely shoot and which is cheaper per round in 2026.

9mm vs .45 ACP

Compare 9mm and .45 ACP ammunition side by side — cost per round, ballistics, magazine capacity, and recoil. Updated March 2026 with live market data.

.308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor

.308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor compared: ballistics, recoil, barrel life, ammo cost, and which caliber fits your shooting. Updated March 2026 with current prices.

7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO

7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO: ballistics, cost per round, recoil, terminal performance, and availability compared. The AK vs AR caliber debate with real data.

9mm vs .380 ACP

Compare 9mm and .380 ACP ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, gun size, and carry options. Updated March 2026 with live market data.

9mm vs .40 S&W

Compare 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, and why law enforcement switched. Updated March 2026 with live market data.

9mm vs 10mm Auto

Compare 9mm and 10mm Auto ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, recoil, and use cases from urban carry to woods defense. Updated March 2026.

9mm vs .38 Special

Compare 9mm and .38 Special ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, platform differences, and carry options. Semi-auto vs revolver, data-driven.

9mm vs .357 Magnum

Compare 9mm and .357 Magnum ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, capacity, and recoil. Semi-auto vs revolver power comparison with market data.

Best Ammo

Use-case-specific picks with methodology and alternatives.

Best .22 LR ammo for plinking and target

Best .22 LR ammo for plinking, target shooting, and small game. Budget bulk picks, mid-grade accuracy, and match-grade options with current prices.

Best .380 ACP self-defense ammo for pocket pistols

Best .380 ACP ammo for self-defense in pocket pistols. Top picks for expansion from short barrels, methodology, and alternatives when stock is limited.

Best 5.56 ammo for home defense AR-15

Best 5.56 NATO ammo for home defense in an AR-15. Top picks for reduced over-penetration, terminal performance, and reliability with selection methodology.

Best 9mm ammo for concealed carry

Best 9mm concealed carry ammo by category — budget, mid-tier, and premium. Selection methodology, alternatives for when your pick is out of stock, and current prices.

Best 12 gauge home defense ammo for short barrels

Best 12 gauge home defense ammunition for 18" and shorter barrels. Buckshot, slug, and specialty picks with methodology, over-penetration data, and alternatives.

Best .300 Blackout subsonic ammo for suppressor use

Best .300 Blackout subsonic ammunition for suppressed shooting. Selection methodology, top picks for quiet shooting, alternatives, and the terminal performance tradeoff.

Best .308 ammo for whitetail deer

Best .308 Winchester ammunition for whitetail deer hunting. Selection methodology, top picks by budget, alternatives when out of stock, and typical cost per round.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor for long range shooting

Best 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition for long range precision shooting. Match-grade picks by budget, selection methodology, alternatives, and what to expect on cost.

Best .45 ACP self defense ammo

Best .45 ACP self-defense ammunition for concealed carry and home defense. Selection methodology, top JHP picks, 1911 compatibility notes, and current prices.

Best 9mm range ammo

Best 9mm range ammo ranked by cost per round, reliability, and accuracy. Brass vs steel case, bulk buying tips, and what grain weight to train with.

Best ammo for AR-15

Best AR-15 ammunition by use case: range training, home defense, and precision shooting. M193, M855, soft point, OTM, and barrier loads compared with current prices.

Best ammo for Glock 19

Best ammo for the Glock 19 by use case: range training, concealed carry, and home defense. Selection methodology, top picks, and current prices.

Best turkey loads

Best 12-gauge and 20-gauge turkey loads for 2026 spring season. TSS, lead, heavyweight tungsten, and budget options compared by pattern density, range, and cost.

Browse Calibers

Compare ammunition prices across 27 calibers and multiple retailers.