Best Ammo Brands of 2024
Have you ever wondered what differentiates a good shooting session from a great one? The ammunition you choose can make all the difference in shooting. Whether plinking at cans or defending yourself, having the right ammo can significantly impact your shooting experience.
This blog will examine some of the top ammo brands known for their reliability, accuracy, and effectiveness in various shooting activities. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which type of ammo and what brand suits your shooting needs, helping you make informed decisions that enhance your skills and overall experience.
How Do We List out the Best Ammo?
In compiling our list of top ammo brands, we drew insights from diverse team members at Cordelia Gun Exchange. Our extensive testing of firearms across different calibers and environments, both new and seasoned, informed our selection process. We leveraged our collective shooting expertise and purchasing experience to identify brands based on availability, performance, and the breadth of offerings in each manufacturer’s catalog.
Best Ammo Brands for Plinking, Accuracy, & Self-Defense
1. Federal Premium
Federal Premium is one of the leading brands in the ammunition industry, with a reputation for producing top-notch, reliable products. Their wide range of ammunition options caters to every shooting need, from hunting to target shooting. Their specially designed bullets and casings provide superior accuracy and performance, making them popular among hunters and competitive shooters.
- Shooting: Federal Premium is known for consistent performance and reliability across various calibers.
- Precision: Their ammunition is well-regarded for accuracy, making it a favorite among precision shooters.
- Speed: Offers good velocity and consistent speeds.
- Accuracy: Excellent accuracy due to quality control and use of high-grade components.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable | Expensive compared to budget brands |
| Consistent performance | |
| Great accuracy |
2. Sellier & Bellot
Sellier & Bellot has been a Czech-based ammunition manufacturer since 1825. With such a long history, it’s no surprise that they have mastered producing high-quality ammunition. Their products are known for their precision, reliability, and versatility, making them a top choice for military and law enforcement agencies.
- Shooting: Sellier & Bellot provides reliable ammunition for recreational shooting and competition.
- Precision: Known for producing consistent groups at the range.
- Speed: Offers good velocity and reliable performance.
- Accuracy: Provides good accuracy for its price range.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Inconsistencies in primer ignition |
| Reliable performance |
3. Speer
Speer has earned a reputation for creating innovative and high-quality ammunition since its inception in 1943. They offer a variety of ammo types, from target shooting to self-defense rounds. Their ammunition is known for its consistent performance and reliable expansion, making it a popular choice among hunters and self-defense enthusiasts.
- Shooting: Speer ammunition is known for its quality and reliability across various applications.
- Precision: Offers good precision and consistency.
- Speed: Provides adequate velocity for practical shooting.
- Accuracy: Known for producing tight groups and reliable performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality components | Expensive compared to budget options |
| Reliable performance |
4. CCI
Cascade Cartridge Inc. has produced top-notch ammunition for over 60 years. Its products are known for their clean-burning powder, consistent performance, and precision. CCI offers various options for every shooting need, including rimfire, centerfire, and shotshell ammunition.
- Shooting: CCI is recognized for its consistent ignition and reliability.
- Precision: Known for producing accurate results, especially in rimfire calibers.
- Speed: Offers good velocity and performance.
- Accuracy: Provides reliable accuracy, particularly in target shooting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable ignition | Higher cost for premium versions |
| Consistent performance |
5. Hornady
Hornady is a well-known brand in the firearms industry, and for good reason. With a focus on innovation and precision, Hornady has developed some of the most advanced ammunition on the market. Their products have a reputation for excellent consistency and accuracy, making them a favorite among competitive shooters.
- Shooting: Hornady ammunition is highly regarded for its consistent performance and quality control.
- Precision: Known for excellent precision and tight groups.
- Speed: Offers high velocity and reliable ballistic performance.
- Accuracy: Hornady is synonymous with accuracy due to meticulous production standards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Innovative designs | Higher cost for premium versions |
| Superior accuracy | |
| Great performance |
6. Fiocchi
Fiocchi ammunition is a solid choice for shooters seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank. Fiocchi is known for its Italian craftsmanship and offers recreational shooters and hunters various options.
- Shooting: Fiocchi ammunition is readily accessible and performs consistently across various calibers.
- Precision: Delivers commendable precision suitable for general shooting and hunting needs.
- Speed: Offers competitive velocities, ensuring effectiveness in most shooting scenarios
- Accuracy: Maintains reliable accuracy, especially considering its affordability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective option | Occasional variability in quality |
| Consistent performance across different calibers | Availability may vary depending on location |
| Italian craftsmanship ensures reliability |
7. Winchester
Winchester has produced quality ammunition for over 150 years, earning a reputation for reliability and accuracy. Their product line offers many options, including hunting, target shooting, and self-defense rounds. Winchester’s innovative designs and top-quality materials make them popular among recreational and professional shooters.
- Shooting: Winchester ammunition is known for its reliability and widespread availability.
- Precision: Offers good accuracy and consistency.
- Speed: Provides competitive velocities across various calibers.
- Accuracy: Known for reliable accuracy in hunting and target shooting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Established brand | Some specialized lines can be pricey |
| Reliable performance |
8. PMC
PMC (Precision Made Cartridges) offers precision-made ammunition at an affordable price. It is known for its high-quality components and strict quality control standards, ensuring that each round performs at its best. PMC offers a variety of options, including full metal jacket, hollow point, and specialty rounds.
- Shooting: PMC ammunition is known for consistent performance and reliability.
- Precision: Offers good precision for the price point.
- Speed: Provides competitive velocities.
- Accuracy: Known for reliable accuracy in target shooting and training.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good value for money | Some lines may lack premium features |
| Reliable performance |
9. Remington
Remington has been a household name in the firearms industry for over 200 years. Their ammunition is known for its consistent performance and reliability. Remington offers many options, including hunting, defense, and target shooting rounds, making them a top choice for all shooting enthusiasts.
- Shooting: Remington ammunition is widely recognized for its reliability and history.
- Precision: Offers good accuracy and consistency.
- Speed: Provides competitive velocities.
- Accuracy: Known for reliable accuracy in various shooting applications.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Popular brand | Quality control issues have been reported in recent years |
| Wide range of offerings |
10. TulAmmo
TulAmmo is a Russian brand that has gained popularity for its affordable and reliable ammunition. They offer many options, including steel-cased and bi-metal bullets, making them cost-effective for target shooting and hunting. TulAmmo is known for consistent performance and reliable ignition, making it a favorite among budget-conscious shooters.
- Shooting: TulAmmo provides affordable ammunition suitable for high-volume shooting.
- Precision: Offers acceptable precision for general shooting.
- Speed: Provides adequate velocity for practical shooting.
- Accuracy: Generally reliable accuracy for its price range.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective for practice and training | Non-reloadable |
| Some rifles may need to cycle better with steel-cased ammo. |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best ammo brand can significantly impact your shooting experience. Federal Premium, Sellier & Bellot, Speer, CCI, Hornady, Fiocchi, Winchester, PMC, Remington, and TulAmmo are top brands that produce high-quality, consistent, and reliable ammunition. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, hunter, or self-defense enthusiast, these brands offer various options to meet your shooting needs. With these trusted brands, you can be confident that your ammunition will perform at its best when needed.
FAQs
Q. What is the best ammunition stock to buy?
Federal Premium, Hornady, and Winchester are top choices for their reliability and performance across various shooting applications.
Q. What is the best ammunition brand?
Federal Premium and Hornady are widely recognized for their consistent quality and performance, making them popular among shooters.
Q. What is the best ammunition?
The best ammunition depends on your specific needs. Hornady Critical Defense is renowned for self-defense, while the Federal Premium Gold Medal Match excels in precision shooting.
