Though the worst shortages are behind us, quality ammunition remains pricey, particularly for popular cartridge types such as .22 LR, 9x19mm (9mm Luger), .357 Mag, .45 ACP, 6mm Creedmoor, .308 Win, and large-caliber hunting rounds. And 12ga shotgun ammo remains in short supply. In this article we list 15 reliable online sources for factory-loaded ammo. You may want to bookmark this page so you can quickly scan and price-check multiple vendors. In addition, you can use a service such as AmmoSeek.com. NOTE: There are complex laws restricting online ammo purchases by California residents.
Why Should You Shop for Ammo Online?
By shopping online for ammo, you can save money, get a wider selection, and often get bulk discounts. GunDeals.com explains the advantages: “Online purchases will save you a lot of money, and that is the biggest advantage, but that is not all, it will also save your time, deliveries are usually really fast, but one of the most important advantages is definitively the huge selection. You will be able to find any ammo brand online[.]” With online retailers you can quickly compare prices, and you will often get a discount on a large order (300 rounds or more) that is not available in local stores. Note, with some large vendors such as Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse you can order online then pick up in a local store.
Are There Restrictions on Online Ammo Purchasing?
In most (but not all) U.S. states is it legal to order ammunition online to be shipped to your residence. However, you MUST check your State and local laws and regulations. In some states and/or cities, it is ILLEGAL to purchase ammunition online for shipment across state lines with direct delivery. For example, in California, all ammo must be purchased from a licensed ammo dealer/vendor with a state background check (so much for the Second Amendment)*. Likewise Washington DC, Hawaii, and Alaska do not allow online ammunition purchases. And there are restrictions in New York City.
*In some instances ammo can be purchased online from an out-of-state seller who will then ship to an authorized, in-state California vendor who may transfer the ammo for a fee with background checks as required by CA law.
Good news from MDT — it now offers its popular Field Stock Chassis System for CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X rimfire barreled actions. These stocks allow for free-floating barrel, and have adjustable cheek height and length of pull. These Field Stock Chassis Systems are polymer with aluminum V-Blocks precisely machined for particular actions. The fore-ends fit M-LOK accessories. Bolt right-hand bolt and left-bolt configurations are offered, with polymer stocks in black or flat dark earth (FDE) colors.
The new CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X variants of the MDT Field Stock Chassis System are available now for $299.95. For more details, visit the MDT Sporting Goods Website.
Key Features of MDT Rimfire Field Stock Models
Tailored Fit for CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X: Ensures perfect integration with the CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X rimfire rifles, enhancing their performance and ergonomics. Adjustable Buttstock: Offers an adjustable cheek riser and adjustable length of pull, providing a custom fit for improved ergonomics. Free-Floating Barrel Design: Maximizes accuracy by minimizing contact interference from the chassis. V-Block Bedding System: Stabilizes the action and improves shot consistency. The V-block is crafted to precisely fit CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X rimfire rifles.
Durable Materials: Built with quality materials designed to withstand varied environmental conditions while maintaining comfort. Fore-end Attachment Options: M-LOK fore-end accepts accessories for hunting and competition.
In the archives of The First Shot (the CMP’s Online Magazine), SGT Walter E. Craig of the USAMU discusses physical conditioning for competitive shooters, particularly High Power competitors. Fitness training is an important subject that, curiously, is rarely featured in the shooting sports media. We seem to focus on hardware, or esoteric details of cartridge reloading. Yet physical fitness also matters, particularly for High Power shooters. In his article, Craig advocates: 1) weight training to strengthen the Skeletal Muscle System; 2) exercises to build endurance and stamina; and 3) cardiovascular conditioning programs to allow the shooter to remain relaxed with a controlled heart beat.
SGT Craig explains: “An individual would not enter a long distance race without first spending many hours conditioning his/her body. One should apply the same conditioning philosophy to [shooting]. Physical conditioning to improve shooting skills will result in better shooting performance[.] The objective of an individual physical training program is to condition the muscles, heart, and lungs thereby increasing the shooter’s capability of controlling the body and rifle for sustained periods.”
In addition to weight training and cardio workouts (which can be done in a gym), SGT Craig advocates “some kind of holding drill… to develop the muscles necessary for holding a rifle for extended periods.”
For those with range access, Craig recommends a blind standing exercise: “This exercise consists of dry-firing one round, then live-firing one round, at a 200-yard standard SR target. For those who have access only to a 100-yard range, reduced targets will work as well. Begin the exercise with a timer set for 50 minutes. Dry-fire one round, then fire one live round and without looking at the actual impact, plot a call in a data book. Continue the dry fire/live fire sequence for 20 rounds, plotting after each round. After firing is complete, compare the data book to the target. If your zero and position are solid, the plots should resemble the target. As the training days add up and your zero is refined, the groups will shrink and move to the center.”
Fitness training and holding drills help position shooters reach their full potential. Here is 6-Time U.S. National Long Range Champion John Whidden.
Training for Older Shooters
Tom Alves has written an excellent article A Suggested Training Approach for Older Shooters. This article discusses appropriate low-impact training methods for older shooters. Tom explains: “Many of the articles you will read in books about position shooting and the one mentioned above are directed more toward the younger generation of shooters in their 20s. If you look down the line at a typical high power match these days you are likely to see quite a few folks who are in their middle 30s and up. Many people in that age range have had broken bones and wear and tear on their joints so a training program needs to take that into account. For instance, while jogging for an extended period for heart and lung conditioning may be the recommended approach for younger folks, it may be totally inappropriate for older people.”
In recognition of Father’s Day, Savage Arms launched a rebate program for its Axis and Axis II rifles. You can SAVE $75.00 on Savage Axis and Axis II purchases made between 6/1/2024 and 7/31/2024. So there are 21 more days (3 weeks) to take advantage of this promotion. DEADLINE for mail-in or online submission is 8/31/2024.
Savage Axis and Axis II rifles are a reliable, budget-priced rigs for hunting/varminting. These rifles are currently offered in a variety of configurations, starting at $429.00 MSRP. Both right-hand and left-hand actions are offered, with both polymer and wood stocks in a variety of colors, including many camo options. NOTE: The XP models include a mounted and boresighted 3-9x40mm optic. That makes the Axis XP and Axis II XP very affordable ready-to-go options for hunters.
Savage currently offers 39 Axis and Axis II model rifles. There are many choices of stock colors and the Axis XP and Axis II XP models come with a mounted scope. Here are 7 popular Savage Axis and Axis II models. CLICK HERE to see ALL 39 current offerings.
What is Parallax?
Parallax is the apparent movement of the scope’s reticle (cross-hairs) in relation to the target as the shooter moves his eye across the exit pupil of the riflescope. This is caused by the target and the reticle being located in different focal planes.
Here’s a good explanation of scope parallax. This video has been watched over 790,000 times.
Why is it Important?
The greater the distance to the target and magnification of the optic, the greater the parallax error becomes. Especially at longer distances, significant sighting error can result if parallax is not removed.
How to Remove Parallax
This Nightforce Tech Tip video quickly shows how to remove parallax on your riflescope.
While keeping the rifle still and looking through the riflescope, a slight nod of the head up and down will quickly determine if parallax is present. To remove parallax, start with the adjustment mechanism on infinity and rotate until the reticle remains stationary in relation to the target regardless of head movement. If parallax has been eliminated, the reticle will remain stationary in relation to the target regardless of eye placement behind the optic.
Most bolt-action rifle shooters work the bolt with their trigger-pulling hand. This is because most rifles sold to right-handed shooters come with right-side bolts, while “lefty” rifles come with left-side bolts. This “standard” configuration requires the shooter to take his dominant, trigger-pulling hand off the stock to cycle the bolt, then re-position his hand on the stock, and “re-claim” the trigger. Often the shooter must lift or move his head to work the bolt, and that also requires him to re-establish his cheek weld after each and every shot. Not good.
This really doesn’t make much sense for precision shooting with fore-end support*. There is a better way. If you leave your trigger hand in position and work the bolt (and feed rounds) with the opposite hand, then you don’t need to shift grip and head position with each shot. All this requires is a weakside-placed bolt, i.e. a left bolt for a right-handed shooter or a right bolt for a left-handed shooter. The video below shows a “Lefty” working a right bolt. Note how efficient this is:
As our friend Boyd Allen explains: “If you think about it, if you are going to work with a factory action where your options are left bolt and left port or right bolt and right port, and you are building a rifle that will only be shot from a rest, using the left/left for a RH shooter or using a right/right for a LH shooter works better than the conventional configuration”.
Shoot Like a Champ and Work the Bolt with Your Weakside Hand
Derek Rodgers is a recent F-TR World Champion, a King of 2 Miles champion, AND is the only person to have won BOTH the U.S. F-Open and the U.S. F-TR National Championships.
And guess what? Derek runs this kind of “opposite” bolt set-up. Yep, Derek shoots right-handed with a left bolt. Though Derek is a right-hander, he shoots with a Left Bolt/Left Port (LBLP) action. He pulls the trigger with his right index finger, while working the left-side bolt with his left (weakside) hand. This allows him to stay in position, and maintain his cheekweld. He places his right hand on the grip, while manipulating the bolt (and feeding rounds) with his non-trigger-pulling hand.
Past F-TR World Champion and Past King of 2 Miles Derek Rodgers
This is the rifle with which Derek won the 2013 F-TR National Championship.
*For true standing, off-hand shooting (whether in competition or on a hunt), a conventional strongside bolt placement makes sense, since the non-dominant arm must support the front of the rifle all the time. When shooting from bipod or rest, it’s a different story.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. EuroOptic — Sako S20 Hunter, 6.5 PRC, $999.99
⏺ Excellent hunting rifle now with $699 price reduction
Need a quality deer rifle with outstanding accuracy and reliability — plus a great factory trigger and a smooth-running action? Consider the Sako S20 Hunter. Chambered in the popular 6.5 PRC with a 24″ barrel, this Sako S20 rifle is $999.99 on sale — a $699.01 discount from the original $1699.00 list price. Along with the 6.5 PRC other chamberings are available with this close-out sale: 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Win Magnum. NOTE: This rifle can accept a Sako S20 Precision stock for target shooting, so you can have two rifles in one.
2. Graf & Sons — Leupold Optics Sale and $200 VX-5HD Savings
⏺ Great savings — Up to 30% on scopes, spotters, and more
Leupold produces a wide variety of quality optics, most made-in-USA. With the current Leupold Optics Sale at Graf’s you can save on riflescopes, spotting scopes, and rangefinders. Leupold SX-2 spotting scopes are $100 Off. The Leupold RX-1400i Rangefinder is now just $159.99 (20% OFF). You can also save $200 on VX-5HD rifle scopes from a 1-5x24mm to a 4-20x52mm. This $200 savings is built into the price at Graf’s and other participating dealers and is offered through 7/13/2024. CLICK Here for Leupold Deal details.
3. Bullet Central — Bix’N Andy Dakota Trigger Sale
⏺ Save 20% on fine adjustable triggers for popular action types
If you’re looking for a new trigger check out the Bix’N Andy Dakota Trigger Line. With a crisp, adjustable trigger pull from 14 oz. to 4.4 lbs. and options for many popular action types, Bix’N Andy Dakota triggers work great for everything from Hunting rigs to F-Class and ELR rifles. Right now save 20% on Dakota triggers with code FCDAKOTA20.
4. Creedmoor Sports — Berger Bullet Sale
⏺ Significant discounts on very popular, top-quality Berger bullets
We’re in the heart of competition season and if you’re needing more bullets check out the Berger Bullet Sale over at Creedmoor sports. There’s a wide range of bullet calibers and weights on sale, with savings up to 20%. For example, the popular 180gr 7mm Match Hybrid target bullets are marked down from $76.95 to $61.95 per hundred/ That’s a $15 discount, nearly 20%.
5. Midsouth — Unix Large Rifle Primers Case of 5000, $499.99
⏺ If you need Large Rifle Primers, this is a good option given current shortages
Quality large rifle primers have been hard to find recently. But Midsouth has obtained a big shipment of good quality Unis Ginex Large Rifle Primers. Get 5000 primers for only $499.99 — that’s $100.00 per thousand, a very decent price these days. European-made Ginex Primers are made to high standards good materials and consistent quality. NOTE: Powder Valley also has these same quality Unis Ginex LR Primers for a few dollar less — $494.99 for 5000-ct case.
6. Amazon — Birchwood Casey Auto-Reset Plates with Plate Rack and Folding Target Stand, $148.50
⏺ Good high-quality steel, with three self-resetting 6″ plates
For a shooting experience you can see and hear, shoot the Birchwood Casey Spring Target Plates with Rack. These auto-resetting Steel targets use springs to auto-reset after impacts. The 6″-diameter target plates are 3/8″ thick AR500 steel which makes them extremely rugged. All metal components feature a durable powder-coated finish. This 3-target plate rack system features a folding target stand for easy transport.
Here’s a double-duty gun vise that serves both for maintenance chores and for shooting at the range. The Hyskore Cleaning and Sighting Vise can hold your rifle for repairs and maintenance while it can also serve as a shooting rest for sight-in sessions. This Hyskore Vise is fully adjustable for any length gun. It offers precision elevation adjustment with 4-point leveling and an adjustable fore-end support. This vise is constructed from welded steel with a powder coat finish.
⏺ Very useful product — buy one caliber gauge or multi-caliber kit
Proper neck tension is critical for precision loading. These Burstfire Neck Tension Case Mouth Gauges accurately measure the exact diameter inside the necks of your cases, ensuring consistent and precise neck tension. You can get a single caliber gauge plus handle for just $24.87 on Amazon. There are seven caliber options. If you shoot multiple calibers, we recommend the full Burstfire gauge kit which includes handle, carry case, and inserts for SEVEN calibers: .224, .243 (6mm), .264, .277, .284 (7mm), .308, and .338. The full kit costs $83.87 on Amazon, a good deal compared to other neck gauge kits on the market.
9. Amazon — The ABCs of Reloading, 10th Edition, $17.54
⏺ Excellent, comprehensive reloading resource at bargain price
Now in its 10th edition, the ABCs of Reloading is a well-respected print resource for persons getting starting in hand-loading. This latest edition covers all the key steps in reloading — case prep, case body sizing, powder dispensing, bullet seating, and measuring loaded rounds. The book also explains how to select and adjust dies, and it reviews popular presses, die options, and reloading tools. This excellent resource is now just $17.54 at Amazon, a 47% savings.
⏺ Great price for 100 targets good for sight-in and load development
Here are quality printed paper targets, useful for Sight-In, Load Development, and Precision Practice. Right now you can get 100 of these red/white grid Redfield Precision Sight-In Targets for just $11.98 at CDNN. That price — just 12 cents per target — is a bargain! A 10-pack of this same target is $4.49 on Amazon.
——————– As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
The 2024 CMP National Matches at Camp Perry officially commence Thursday, July 11, 2024. The summer schedule concludes Saturday, August 10 with the Palma Match and awards. Click the links below to register for events at the 2024 National Matches. View other event info on the CMP website.
The National Matches is comprised of the CMP National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, National Games Matches, National Smallbore Matches, National Air Gun Championships, and the National Mid-Range and Long Range Matches. Along with the competitions, the National Matches includes a variety of training clinics for all experience levels. The CMP will also run a sales center where accessories and ammo can be purchased. CLICK HERE to review the 2024 National Matches schedule and event info on the CMP website.
CMP 2024 National Matches Calendar
The 2024 CMP National Matches at Camp Perry Run Thursday, July 11, 2024 through Saturday, August 10, 2024. Here is the full CMP schedule (CLICK to ZOOM to see details in online spreadsheet):
NOTE: This CMP Calendar is hosted online in spreadsheet format. This allows you to increase display size, and also to search for specific words. CLICK HERE to view full spreadsheet calendar.
For today’s Sunday GunDay story we offer a short history of the legendary .50 BMG cartridge, tips on loading, and some fun photos from FCSA matches in the Western USA.
Fans of Heavy Artillery should visit Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA) website. There you’ll find range maps, photo collections and animated slide-shows On the FCSA photo gallery page, you’ll find a map. Click on any gray range link to see images from that venue. There are also a series of articles covering FCSA competition along with the “care and feeding” of the big 50-caliber rifles.
About the .50 BMG Cartridge
The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, aka 12.7×99mm NATO or 50 Browning) is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Under STANAG 4383, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries.
John Browning had the idea for this round during World War I in response to a need for an anti-aircraft weapon, based on a scaled-up .30-06 Springfield design, used in a machine gun based on a scaled-up M1919/M1917 design that Browning had initially developed around 1900. According to the American Rifleman: “The Browning .50 originated in the Great War. American interest in an armor-piercing cartridge was influenced by the marginal French 11 mm design, prompting U.S. Army Ordnance officers to consult Browning. They wanted a heavy projectile at 2700 FPS, but the ammunition did not exist. Browning pondered the situation and, according to his son John, replied, ‘Well, the cartridge sounds pretty good to start. You make up some cartridges and we’ll do some shooting’.”
Are you a died-in-the-wool .50 BMG fan? Got a hankerin’ for heavy artillery? Then visit the FCSA Photo Gallery page. There you’ll find hundreds of photos from Fifty Caliber Shooting Association (FCSA) matches and 50 Cal fun shoots in eleven states plus Australia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. To access the photos from the Gallery Page, start by selecting a shooting club and state with the brown buttons. After selecting the location, then click on the colored buttons for the event date.
Photo sets go all the way back to 2002, so you can see the evolution of the hardware over the years. Sample multiple archives to see the differences in terrain from one range to another — from Raton’s alpine setting to the hot, dry Nevada desert. This Gallery is really a treasure-trove of .50-Cal history. Here are a few sample images.
Reloading Powder and Special Tools for .50 BMG
Alliant’s Powder for 50-Caliber Applications
In 2009 Alliant unveiled Reloder 50, a slow-burn-rate powder designed primarily for long-range, .50-caliber rifle shooters. According to Alliant, the burn rate is “a little slower than Winchester 860″ and the powder is showing excellent lot-to-lot consistency. Load density is optimized for the 50 BMG and similar cases. Like Reloder 17, Reloder 50 employs a process which penetrates the kernels with the burn-rate-controlling chemical. This should allow a longer, flatter pressure curve, yielding more velocity than conventional powders can deliver. Alliant says that Reloder 50 offers “superior velocity and the ability to burn cleaner (with less residue)”. Reloder 50 comes in both 1-lb (#150527) and 8-lb (#150528) containers.
Forster and Lyman .50 BMG Trimmers
Big Fifty enthusiasts asked for a dedicated .50 BMG case trimmer, so Forster and Lyman created .50 Cal trimmers specifically for that cartridge. The cutter tip on the Forster .50 BMG Case Trimmer is much sharper than the cutter on the Lyman 50 Cal AccuTrimmer. However, with the Forster tool you will pay more for that superior cutting ability — the Forster .50 BMG trimmer is $125.18 at Precision Reloading compared to $85.21 on Amazon for the Lyman .50 BMG trimmer. Our advice is go ahead and pay the extra money for the Forster — the cutter head is much sharper, and we prefer the Forster’s collet-style case-holder. The Forster gets the job done more quickly, with less effort. NOTE: Grab the Forster while you can — we believe Forster has halted production (but it is still in stock at Precision Reloading and some other vendors).
Giraud .50 BMG Case/Bullet Comparator Giraud Tool makes a comparator for 50-Cal cartridges. The double-ended comparator is quite versatile. In one orientation you can measure base-to-ogive bullet length and also measure cartridge OAL from rim to bullet ogive. When reversed, you can use the comparator to measure cartridge headspace. The $33.00 Giraud .50 BMG Comparator gauge is constructed of 303 stainless and fits most any vernier, dial, or digital caliper. CLICK HERE for more info.
Here is an important safety reminder for readers who employ hand priming tools with trays of multiple primers. In this instance a primer detonated while being seating in a pistol cartridge case. This caused a “flash-over” which instantly ignited multiple other primers in the tray. That, in turn, caused a small explosion which broke the tray and Hornady Handheld Priming Tool. The user, a Forum member, reported this in our Shooters’ Forum in 2021.
Report by Forum Member about Primer Flash-Over Incident
I had a small scare the other day while reloading. My experience might be a helpful reminder to people to keep safe and follow proper procedures and not be sloppy.
A primer popped (went off) when being seated and (while hot) flashed over into the tray causing other primers in the tray to detonate. That, in turn, broke my Hornady Handheld Priming Tool and injured my hand.
Here is my loading area after the incident. Note the damage to the hand priming tool. I’m not not sure where the rest of the pieces are.
Injuries to User — Multiple Cuts on Hand and Forearm
This photo shows the resulting cuts to hand. Fortunately they seem superficial. Note — I was wearing latex gloves so my hand had some protection.
The blast also blew my glasses off my face and they landed about six feet away. Be careful folks and wear your eye protection! EDITOR: Guys — This is yet more compelling evidence why handloaders should always wear eye protection!
More Details — Primers Were Federal LP, Case Primer Pockets Had Been Checked
The forum member noted: “Just in case people are interested, I didn’t notice anything different from usual. Cases were Privi Partizan (PPU) factory brass on their fourth firing. The primers were Federal Large Pistol. The cases had been ultrasonic cleaned and the primer pockets checked prior to priming. I had primed around 50 cases during this session before the accident.”
Here is a close-up of “flashed” primers — note the empty but dented cups and triangular “anvils”:
Two other Forum members reported feeding issues with this particular Hornady handheld priming tool and one other member, Kiwi Greg, suffered a multi-primer detonation causing injury: “I had the same thing happen a few years ago now with the same Hornady hand primer with 50-75 [Federal 215M primers] in the tray. Made a bit of a mess of both my hands, blew primers and tray all around my large workshop. Scared the [heck] out of my employee who was near me at the time. Some stitches, bandages and it was all good, [but with] some wicked scars… I think a primer had turned side-on when being put into Bertram .408 CT brass which had nice tight pockets and required more force than usual. I use RCBS [priming tools] now with a flat bar that slides across to prevent sympathetic detonations. I hadn’t heard of it before, but found out it wasn’t that uncommon after it happened.”
In the archives of 
For today’s Sunday GunDay story we offer a short history of the legendary .50 BMG cartridge, tips on loading, and some fun photos from FCSA matches in the Western USA.
Alliant’s Powder for 50-Caliber Applications
Report by Forum Member about Primer Flash-Over Incident
