Why Does My Gun Shoot One Ammo Better Than Another?
Why Does My Gun Shoot One Ammo Better Than Another? If your gun shoots one type of ammunition more accurately than another, that does not necessarily mean there is a problem with either the firearm or the ammunition. Different loads can produce noticeably different results in the same firearm. The reason is that ammunition is […]
How to Track Your Ammunition Inventory
How to Track Your Ammunition Inventory How to track your ammunition inventory becomes increasingly important as a collection grows. When ammunition is spread across multiple calibers, boxes, storage locations, and range trips, simply remembering what you have is no longer reliable. A good inventory system should answer a few basic questions at any time: You […]
How to Organize a Large Ammunition Collection
How to Organize a Large Ammunition Collection How to organize a large ammunition collection becomes increasingly important as different calibers, bullet weights, loads, brands, and quantities start accumulating. Without a consistent system, it is easy to lose track of what you have, mix different cartridges together, overlook older stock, or spend unnecessary time searching for […]
Does Ammunition Age?
Does Ammunition Age? Does ammunition age? Yes, ammunition can deteriorate over time, but age alone does not determine whether a cartridge remains usable. How ammunition is stored, including its exposure to heat, humidity, moisture, chemicals, and physical damage, can have a major effect on its condition. A box of properly stored ammunition that is several […]
What Happens to Ammunition Exposed to Fire?
What Happens to Ammunition Exposed to Fire? What happens to ammunition exposed to fire? Excessive heat can permanently damage ammunition even when the cartridges never ignite. High temperatures can degrade the primer and smokeless propellant, potentially changing how the ammunition performs if it is later fired. Because heat damage may not be visible and cannot […]
What Happens to Ammunition Exposed to Water?
What Happens to Ammunition Exposed to Water? What happens to ammunition exposed to water? It depends on the type of ammunition, how much water it encountered, and how long the exposure lasted. Limited exposure to rain or moisture is different from ammunition that has been completely submerged. Water can cause corrosion, affect the cartridge case, […]
What to Do With Damaged Ammunition
What to Do With Damaged Ammunition What to do with damaged ammunition depends on the type and extent of the damage, but the first rule is simple: do not fire ammunition that is visibly damaged or suspected to be damaged. Corrosion, deep dents, significant scratches, water exposure, fire exposure, damaged primers, and other unusual conditions […]
Can Ammunition Be Damaged During Shipping?
Can Ammunition Be Damaged During Shipping? Can ammunition be damaged during shipping? Yes. Ammunition is packaged specifically for transportation, but shipping can still expose a package to impacts, rough handling, moisture, temperature extremes, or other conditions that may damage the packaging or, in some cases, the cartridges themselves. A damaged outer box does not automatically […]
What Does the Lot Number on Ammo Mean?
What Does the Lot Number on Ammo Mean? What does the lot number on ammo mean? An ammunition lot number identifies a particular production batch of ammunition. Manufacturers use lot numbers to help track ammunition through production, packaging, distribution, quality control, and, when necessary, product recalls. Unlike the cartridge designation or headstamp, the lot number […]
How to Identify an Unknown Cartridge
How to Identify an Unknown Cartridge Finding an unidentified cartridge can be confusing, especially when the ammunition has been separated from its original box or has markings you do not recognize. The safest approach is to identify the cartridge from multiple reliable clues rather than guessing from its appearance alone. How to identify an unknown […]