Your Browser is Outdated
So the great ammo shortage continues, or is back, or is just the new normal. Although the pandemic ammunition shortage of 2020 eased up a bit after a year or so, we're still experiencing ripples because many new gun owners and first-time shooters have entered the market. This isn't just self-defense ammo, either. Recent years have also seen a rise in first-time hunters, a group that has been in a slow but steady decline since the 1960s (based on percentage of total population). People aren't just buying guns for the nightstand or everyday carry, they're also heading out into the woods to try hunting for the first time, mostly going whitetail deer hunting.
The closer you get to the hunting season, ammo for certain hunting calibers can become scarce, so you have to strike while the iron's hot when you see what you need. If you have your heart set on a certain load and can't find it in stock, now is the time to get it on backorder (yesterday would have been even better). As waterfowl and deer seasons rapidly approach, getting ahead of the game (pun intended) is more important than ever.It used to be true that you could buy one or two boxes of ammo for big game hunting and be set for up to a decade. In certain cases, this may still be true, but a lot of folks are finding that they can't even get that. The short supply and concern that there won't be enough hunting ammo next year have led some down the road of hoarding. Before hunting season starts, you should have at least two boxes of ammo if you're going after big game. You'll need to make sure you zero your rifle scope, especially if you've had to settle on a new load if your old tried-and-true is just too elusive right now because it's so popular. Zeroing your rifle takes at least three rounds, and keep in mind that hunting rifle calibers are usually sold in boxes of 20.
*Note, this information is as of July 2022.
What Type of Bullet Is Best for Hunting?
Match, self-defense, and target ammo are very poorly suited to hunting. It is true that match ammo can be good for hogs and coyotes, as they aren't often harvested for their meat. However, this ammo just doesn't measure up or perform well enough to be considered ethical for big game hunting. When you're looking for centerfire hunting ammunition, you'll want to look for ammo designed specifically for that. The best bullet types for hunting vary by target species, but here are the basics to look for:
*Note: you may see these bullet types on some target or self-defense ammo, but that does not mean it is suitable for use as hunting ammo.
- Jacketed Soft Points (JSP)
- Jacketed Hollow Points (JHP)
- Ballistic Tip (Polymer Tip)
- Copper (Non-Toxic)
You may see other types and hybrids on the market, and those will do fine as long as you check to ensure they're specifically designed to be hunting ammo. One specific example of this is waterfowl ammo, which is specifically designed without lead bullets. Instead, the shot from these shells is made of a non-toxic metal that won't leech into the water around the hunting area after you fire a shell. For example, HEVI-Shot make a wide variety of shotgun shells utilizing bismuth, steel, and other materials.
Does Anyone Have Hunting Ammo?
As hunting season gets closer, hunting ammunition inventory is likely to drop among all retailers. The answer is probably yes, there is hunting ammo available. But is it the hunting caliber, grain weight, and bullet style you're looking for? That can be iffy, and you might have to settle and try something new. We have put together these easy search links for you so you can browse and buy the ammo you need right away:
What Caliber Is Recommended for Hunting?
There are a wide variety of hunting rifles and hunting calibers available on the market. However, there may not be much hunting ammo available. Even seasoned gun buyers take into account the availability of ammunition in any given caliber, and have been doing so for decades (if not hundreds of years). Everyone has their favorites, like .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, etc. You should be able to find hunting rifle ammo in the most popular calibers if you start early. If you're looking for some of the newer calibers on the market, like 300 Blackout Subsonic Ammo, 6.5 Grendel hunting ammo, etc., it's best to get way ahead of hunting season and buy several boxes of ammo whenever you find it.
How Much Are Hunting Rifle Bullets?
This varies a lot depending on what caliber you're using. They can range anywhere from about $1.00 per round all the way up to $15.00/round for large-caliber stuff designed for dangerous game and extremely long-range hunting. Most of the more common calibers from quality manufacturers will average $2.00 to $3.00 per round. While these rounds are more expensive than traditional target ammo, this is because they're specially designed to take down animals quickly and ethically without ruining the meat.
Buy Hunting Ammo from OpticsPlanet today!
Don't wait for hunting season to be around the corner before stocking up on hunting ammo! You can find a wide variety of ammunition and Hunting Gear here at OpticsPlanet: we restock our inventory frequently and offer backorders that are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Want to learn more? Check out our library of Hunting Gear Guides from our in-house experts and enthusiasts. Happy hunting!
