By Chad Clow / The Great Outdoors
Selecting the right ammunition is a much more important variable in successful hunting than the average person thinks. Everyone knows well enough to use the correct caliber for the firearm, but what of the type of bullet? the weight of the bullet? even the manufacturer?
The answers to these questions can impact accuracy, expansion and, most importantly, success. Unsuccessful hunts mean a clean miss or worse – a wounded animal. Nobody wants this to happen. So take the time to make sure you are using the best ammunition for your firearm.
The best ammunition can and will vary from weapon to weapon, even if they are the same caliber. For large game (deer, moose, bear, etc.), expansion and caliber size should be a main concern on top of the importance of accuracy. Smaller game need less expansion, but certainly smaller calibers with higher accuracy are common choices.
How you hunt, where you hunt and what you are hunting for will inevitably dictate the right ammunition. Once you have the right caliber, right bullet type and bullet weight, it is recommended you purchase several different brands of ammunition and test them all to see which bullets actually shoot best through your gun. Measure three shot groups with each ammunition choice (once your scope, if used, is sighted in) and compare the results. Try to shoot the rounds at a common, feasible distance that you will most likely encounter when and where you are hunting.
For example, it would be nice to shoot accurately at 300 yards, but if you hunt thick wooded areas you may not even be able to see 100 yards, let alone 300, so sight in and compare at a more feasible distance. Lastly, practice, practice and practice some more. You will become more familiar with your firearm and its safety, be able to respond much more quickly and accurately under pressure and, most importantly, you won’t miss or have to track a wounded animal for miles. See your local favorite firearm/ammunition dealer for more information on all the different types of ammunition, and to help you decide what is best for you and your firearm.
Chad Clow is general manager for The Great Outdoors on
Route 202 in Winthrop.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
