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Buying ammo online is a great, easy way to save money and prepare to hit the range whenever the opportunity arises. Shopping for ammunition online tends to be cheaper than in a retail store, especially if you buy bulk ammo. You also have a greater variety of options to choose from, which makes it easier to find the best ammo for your firearm and application. With tons of brands, bullet types, weights, and more, you can perfectly match your rounds with your shooting situation. While the process is simple, it can be a bit overwhelming for those who haven't done it before, so we put together this guide to help you buy ammunition online like a seasoned pro.
Can You Buy Ammo Online?
The short answer is: yes, but the exact situation depends on your state and local laws.
Before you shop for ammo, you should:
- Look up your state and local laws for any restrictions on buying ammunition
- Check the retailer's policies
Not all retailers can ship to all states, and almost every retailer does not accept returns on ammunition. OpticsPlanet policies and restrictions on the sale of ammo can be found here: Our Policy
How to Shop for Ammo Online
If you meet the appropriate age and legal requirements, the next step is to find the best cartridge for your needs.
Know What Type of Ammunition Your Firearm Uses
This is a relatively easy step that some first-time gun owners overlook. You need to know what caliber of ammo your weapon uses. If you buy the wrong caliber of ammo and try shooting it, you can cause serious harm to yourself, others around you, or your gun. Whether you need 9mm ammo, .223 ammo, .308 ammo, or something else, we have a massive selection here to cater to all of the most popular calibers and plenty of the uncommon calibers.
How to Determine Your Gun's Caliber
Finding your caliber is actually pretty simple. You can usually find your firearm's caliber:
- Listed in the owner's manual
- Marked on the barrel of your firearm
- Marked on the slide of your handgun
- Marked on the receiver of your rifle
If your upper receiver doesn't have a caliber marking, you can buy caliber-marked dust covers to stay organized.
Buying the Best Ammo for Your Application
Once you know what caliber you need, determining your application will help you narrow down the types of ammunition you should consider purchasing. Training/practice ammo is very different in price from hunting ammo or self-defense ammunition. Even the type of game you are hunting can play a factor in which ammo you need.
Rifle ammo and pistol ammo are both available in a variety of bullet types. Choosing the right bullet is key to maximizing your weapon performance, and range training and personal defense require two different bullet types: "Ball" Ammo and Hollow Points.
Ball Ammo
Ball ammo is a term commonly used for Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) or Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) ammunition. FMJ/TMJ ammo is what you want to buy for target shooting and practicing at the range. Why? Because ball ammo is generally cheaper than self-defense rounds, so you can train with more rounds for less money.
At the gun range, you can expect to shoot a ton of cartridges at targets. This high volume of shooting can become pricey, but FMJ ammo lets you practice your shot at the best value.
Hollow Point Ammo
While great for training, FMJ ammo makes for a poor self-defense round. That's because ball ammo will over penetrate your target, posing a threat to anyone and anything behind your target. Hollow points, or open tip ammunition, is what you want for self-defense or hunting. Hollow point (HP) bullets are engineered to mushroom outward and expand when they hit a target, allowing them to stop game or a threat significantly better than ball ammunition.
Shotgun Ammo
Shotgun ammo is a bit different than rifle or pistol rounds, and there are a few different types of shotgun ammo:
- Birdshot: uses the smallest pellets and is best for small game and target/clay shooting
- Buckshot: uses larger pellets, making it better suited for large game and self-defense
- Slugs: a single, solid projectile that provides greater range and power but requires a more precise shot
The shot size and shot material are very application-dependent. Shotgun shells are classified by "Gauge" rather than "Caliber," but the same principle applies in that what is on the box of ammunition should match what is on the firearm. Not all types of shotgun ammunition are compatible with all types of choke tubes either and can cause damage if improperly combined.Â
For a more in-depth look at buying the right ammo for your needs, read our guide on Selecting Ammo by Application.
List of Common Ammo Terms
While we have an entire Glossary of Ammo Terms, here are some of the most important that you should know when buying ammo online:
- Bullet Weight: The weight of a bullet is expressed in grains, often abbreviated as "gr". Bullet weight makes a difference in how the bullet performs. It will impact how the firearm recoils, and it will have an impact on the overall trajectory of the bullet. Generally speaking, a lighter bullet will have greater velocity and maintain trajectory better while a heavier bullet of the same caliber will have greater terminal ballistics.
- Bullet Type: Bullets are made in various shapes and constructions depending on the intended applications. They can be made of a variety of materials such as copper, lead, steel, polymer, rubber and even wax.
- Muzzle Velocity: This is the speed of a projectile at the moment it leaves the muzzle of the firearm, which means your barrel length affects muzzle velocity. It is most commonly expressed as feet per second (ft/s). Higher muzzle velocities provide a straighter trajectory and often provide better terminal ballistics. Higher velocity ammunition (often labeled "P" or "+P") generally means higher felt recoil though.
- Terminal Ballistics: This is the behavior and effects of a projectile when it hits and transfers its energy to a target. Bullet design and the velocity of impact largely determine the effectiveness of its impact.
- Shot Size: Shotshells are loaded with different sizes of "shot" or pellets. The smaller the number, the larger the shot.
Hopefully, after reading this guide you understand the value in purchasing ammunition online and have a good understanding of how to select the ammunition that you need. Now you are ready to effortlessly place your order online.
Where to Buy In-Stock Ammo Online
We have ammo in stock and ready to ship at OpticsPlanet! Browse all of today's in-stock ammo, or use the links below to shop in-stock ammunition for your firearm or caliber.
