For the record, I have already used three different types of search engines to find the info that I’m looking for before posting my question here.

I’m looking for a chart that describes all the different kinds of ammo that is available to a civilian and a description of their typical uses.

I’m getting ready to purchase a rifle, a shot gun, and a hand gun for hunting and home defense. Considering the fact that any decent weapon I get is going to cost hundreds of dollars(at least) and might save my life one day I want to be darn sure that I’m getting exactly what I need.

Does anybody know if such a chart or web link exist? I already know that all I really need to do is go talk to a gun smith, tell him exactly what kind of uses that I intend to use a firearm for, and he can tell me what kind of ammo I should use, but I want to do my own research instead of depend on somebody else’s opinion since guns are so expensive.

.357 for the handgun. Heavy bullets for hunting, lightweight(125gr) for home defense.

12 gauge for the house, loaded with #4 buck. If married and she does not like recoil, trim down to a 20 gauge, same payload. If you only want the gun for the house, keep the barrel at 18".

Depending on what you need the rifle for, I'd settle on nothing smaller than a .308. The cartridge is adequate (with the right bullets) for all big game in America, Semi and bolt action rifles are available in abundance. Down the road, you should also get a quality .22 rimfire for fun, practice, small game hunting, and all around general blasting stuff on the cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by 21043250:
For the record, I have already used three different types of search engines to find the info that I’m looking for before posting my question here.

I’m looking for a chart that describes all the different kinds of ammo that is available to a civilian and a description of their typical uses.

I’m getting ready to purchase a rifle, a shot gun, and a hand gun for hunting and home defense. Considering the fact that any decent weapon I get is going to cost hundreds of dollars(at least) and might save my life one day I want to be darn sure that I’m getting exactly what I need.

Does anybody know if such a chart or web link exist? I already know that all I really need to do is go talk to a gun smith, tell him exactly what kind of uses that I intend to use a firearm for, and he can tell me what kind of ammo I should use, but I want to do my own research instead of depend on somebody else’s opinion since guns are so expensive.

Hello --- Good question. After I read your post yesterday, I googled Federal Ammunition. First thing that pops up is "Federal Premium" go there. I'd give you the link but the owners of mil.com have been frowning on us doing that and several members have been "spanked" by the Mods. for doing that.

Federal makes Rifle/Handgun/Shotgun ammo and their website is very good. Lots of info and ballistics/trajectory/Feet-per-second/muzzle velocity/foot pounds. They really did a fine job on that website.

They will have listings of a cartridge-- say for instance a .30-06 Springfield (Govt) and by bullet weight (150 grain) Metal case (FMJ) and next to that cartridge they will have a picture of a target. Click on that particular choice and they give all the info from muzzle velocity to bullet drop at different yardages.
[ Btw- If you are going to be hunting animals such as Deer/Elk/Bison you will not want a FMJ (copper coated full metal case bullet. You will need a bullet with the soft nose (lead exposed) so that when the bullet hits the animal it expands and makes a wound channel, with blood loss, so that the critter dies within a few yards... instead of wounding the critter and it runs off into the trees and you never find it.]

There are many kinds of game to hunt but if you live in Colorado, chances are it will be Deer, Elk, Mountain lion (cougar), Grouse, Pheasant, maybe a Bear. Look at the charts and they will have pictures/images of certain game animals which each cartridge is best used for.

If you are new to firearms then scroll around Federal's website and you will get a nice little education. Also google Remington Arms they make ammo and weapons and have some ballistics charts on their site. Of course they will be trying to sell you a Remington, but it is a free ed- you ma ka shun - . Enjoy.

{Now get yourself a name instead of the numbers and a name in your profile page... usually people on this website named "This Member" are either spies from sand covered oil exporting countries, or peacenik agents from the bay area. Hope you aren't either one of them.} swremwin,out.

For handgun ammunition, I use my department issued (and mandated for off-duty) ammunition. We use the Speer Gold Dot cartridges. 180grain in .40, 185 grain in .45. Can't recall on the others. It's an outstanding round. I have seen some newer expanding ammo out there that feeds like ball, but consistenetly expands. However, I don't have any experience with it.

ok, changed my name. Thx for the info ya'all

quote:

Originally posted by Fourth_Horseman:
ok, changed my name. Thx for the info ya'all

Another source of much information is at your local Library. If you live very much in a rural area, check and see if the county has a bookmobile which comes to certain areas each week.

{Years ago at Camp Pendleton there was a Bookmobile ...about the size of a winnebago motorhome... that visited the outlying camps about every 2 weeks. Good deal.}

Look for either "Gun digest" or "Shooter's Bible" and also older copies of Gun magazines and Field and Stream/Outdoor Life,etc.. You can learn much info- regardless of the year of the book/magazine. Basic ballistic info doesn't change much... just new cartridge info sometimes. Look for books by Townsend Whelen, Jack O'Conner, Charles Askins, P.O. Ackley, Jeff Cooper.

If you want to learn about Reloading your own ammo, look for books by Dean Grennel and Richard Lee.