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  #1  
Old 10-05-2018, 06:48 PM
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Default Your go to ammo?

What Brand ammo do you usually reach for? For general range shooting/ plinking, or hunting?

Not talking about reloads, good for you if you do, but it's not what I'm asking.

What is brand catches your eye first, would you prefer to buy over another? I tend to use American Eagle if cost is good, and tend to buy it over other brands. Or Federal.

How about you?
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Old 10-05-2018, 07:13 PM
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Federal American Eagle for me.
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Old 10-05-2018, 07:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ribwizzard View Post
What Brand ammo do you usually reach for? For general range shooting/ plinking, or hunting?

Not talking about reloads, good for you if you do, but it's not what I'm asking... ...[snip]...
How about you?
TOO BAD... You might find much needed information (for you), that could help you in the long run.

Sorry, but I find that I can cut costs per load/cartridge by +75% and sometimes even more than that, by reloading. Of course, I need to judiciously choose when and how much to purchase at a time, but the savings are real.

FWIW, if you have the kind of budget that your query alludes to, then by all means just ONLY buy your practice ammunition. The rest of us have found "better" ways of feeding our "...desire/hobby..." ...to each his own and best of luck in your best ammo pursuit...
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Old 10-05-2018, 07:28 PM
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I agree on Federal Brands.. Lake City is good stuff..and all my 22's favor Federal.
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Old 10-05-2018, 08:01 PM
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Just got some American Eagle the other day. But I go with what's on sale too. When I was a kid on a rifle team, .22 indoor, I shot 3 points higher with Winchester over Remington. After 8 years of obungler I'm happy to see the shelves full again.
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Old 10-05-2018, 08:06 PM
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@OP,

I prefer to shoot my reloads, but IFF (if and only if) my supply of reloads are very low or I don't have enough cast bullets, I will purchase factory ammo. My purchase is influenced by the brass that I prefer to reload.

For:
38s: my preference is Remington, followed by Federal (or American Eagle), Winchester, then Speer.
9mm: I prefer Remington.
45s: my preference is Federal, followed by Remington, then Winchester.

I don't really "plink", but practice for matches, so I don't buy just any ammo. For my magnums, due to muscular-skeletal injuries, I shoot only my reloads. For self defense ammo, I have an assortment of ammo: Critical Defense, Silvertips, Black Talon, and Golden Sabers. For 45 self defense, I rely on hardball.
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Old 10-05-2018, 08:39 PM
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Each plinking ammo caliber I shoot, is a different brand, based on price and other parameters. Are you curious about a particular caliber?

All my self-defense ammo, regardless of caliber or gauge, is Federal Personal Defense.
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Old 10-05-2018, 09:02 PM
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Speer Lawman is my go-to range ammo, their 158gr TMJ +P for .38 Special and 147gr TMJ for 9mm. For lighter kicking .38 Special ammo I've been using PMC 132gr FMJ ammo, but I'm not that picky about it; I still have some boxes from a case I bought a while back.

In the past I've used American Eagle without a problem, and it'd probably be my next choice if I couldn't find the Speer Lawman or PMC ammo.
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Old 10-05-2018, 09:42 PM
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I like Magtech, Fiocchi, and Speer for range and carry loads. I avoid Winchester white box from WalMart. I tend to buy a case or half-case when on sale at one of several online sellers.
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Old 10-05-2018, 10:10 PM
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I've parted with the last of my rifles and autoloaders and all but one revolver, and now am down to only my EDC .38 Special J-frame and an old double 12 gauge for defensive use. For the shotgun it's Remington #4 buckshot. Practice ammo for the .38 is Winchester white box 130 grain FMJ. I carry Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158 grain LWCHP-GC, which is ballistically the same as the hotter, older Remington +P FBI load. The +P version of the Buffalo Bore is approaching the low end of .357 velocity, and has too much thump for my crippled-up hands.
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Old 10-06-2018, 05:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigggbbruce View Post
I agree on Federal Brands.. Lake City is good stuff..and all my 22's favor Federal.
I noticed that lake city prices are a little higher .figured it must be a premium ammo
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Old 10-06-2018, 05:45 AM
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Hornady for me
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Old 10-06-2018, 07:04 AM
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I reload so I only buy 22lr. Not all barrels are made the same and react the same. I buy what works in each gun. Federal Auto Match and Winchester copper plated seem to work. I’ve been told to use ammo that’s 1250 fps or better in 22lr and found it to be wise advice. Others will argue but it comes down to what works. If you don’t use the wrong stuff at least once then you’re not trying hard enough.
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Old 10-06-2018, 07:26 AM
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I thought CCI would be a favorite for .22?
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Old 10-06-2018, 07:28 AM
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For cheap, reliable, and reloadable, I used to go through a lot of Magtech.
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Old 10-06-2018, 07:52 AM
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For plinking, whatever is available and cheap.

For defensive use, Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST.
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Old 10-06-2018, 08:14 AM
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Remington and Federal seem to be what I buy the most.
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Old 10-06-2018, 11:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ribwizzard View Post
I thought CCI would be a favorite for .22?
I've got one .22LR pistol that only feeds the CCI Mini-Mags. My other .22s eat everything else fine.


The CCI seem to have the fewest duds.
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Old 10-06-2018, 11:48 AM
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Reloads. For .22, CCI SV.


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  #20  
Old 10-06-2018, 12:00 PM
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The only factory I shoot much of is 9mm. For many years I have shot the aluminum variety. It was first CCI Blazer and lately it has been Federal. It is all made by the same company and works fine. I shoot outside and don't worry if I can't find all of the empties.

My carry ammo is Federal jhp's.
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Old 10-06-2018, 12:10 PM
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I reload so the only factory ammo I buy is 22lr or 9mm because it has come down in price so much it isn't worth my time to reload it. The cost savings just aren't there for 9mm.

I use steel cased ammo for 9mm whether it be Winchester Forged or Tula. Whichever is cheaper.

My revolvers only get fed with my reloads.
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Old 10-06-2018, 12:18 PM
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I'll shoot anything that isn't steel cased. The last couple of years I've been buying from smaller online manufacturers - PrecisionOne and Freedom Munitions. I've shot thousands of the FM and only hundreds of the P-One, but I haven't had any problem with either.
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Old 10-06-2018, 12:55 PM
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For plinking/range time, in 9mm, mostly Winchester NATO, Blazer, and PPU NATO.
For .45, mostly Fiocchi and some Federal. Bulk deals usually.


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Old 10-06-2018, 08:08 PM
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I only shoot .22 and 9mm.
9mm I prefer S&B 124 gr NATO
.22 I like Federal Automatch and CCI Mini Mags

I buy in case lots from either sg ammo or target sports
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Old 10-06-2018, 08:16 PM
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For the range whatever is priced right, seems like I shoot a lot of Blazer Brass. I stick with Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot for defense.
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Old 10-06-2018, 10:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbatime View Post
For plinking, whatever is available and cheap.

For defensive use, Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST.
Same for me
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Old 10-06-2018, 10:56 PM
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PPU for me, when available for my weapon of choice at the range.
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Old 10-06-2018, 11:49 PM
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When I did buy ammo I bought what was on sale at the time for range use. Back then Remington UMC ammo was often on sale. I probably shot everything that is sold but liked American Eagle, Remington UMC, PPU and Winchester White Box most. Independence .357 Magnum ammo was good stuff too.
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Old 10-07-2018, 02:29 AM
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whatever is on sale, Usually buy Fiocchi , I dont buy much ammo. Pretty much just 22 and shotgun and now 300 AAC, as I am not set up to load, dotn have any small rifle primers and probably wont shoot it enough to justify cost. So just buying bulk Magtec for it.
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Old 10-07-2018, 04:18 AM
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Self defense: Buffalo Bore, Speer, & sometimes Federal depending on caliber

Target shooting, plinking, competition: Hand loads

.22 target shooting/competition: CCI standard velocity 40 grain

.22 Rifles: CCI Mini-mags 40 grain

Bird Hunting: 12 Ga. shot shells that are 40 - 60 years old and inherited from my Dad. Mostly Winchester & Remington with a little Peters and Federal thrown in. They all work just fine including he paper hulls - never had one fail! The Pheasants don't seem to care.

Informal Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays: What ever is on sale. Usually Federal blue box, Remington Club Loads.

Competition Skeet & Trap: Winchester AA
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  #31  
Old 10-07-2018, 06:43 AM
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I seem to buy mostly Fiocchi ammo. Maybe I like the box. I usually order 5 or 10 at a time and then save the brass for reloading.

In .22 LR its 40 gr CCI Mini Mags and 40 gr Aguila High Velocity Copper Plated rounds.
The CCI feeds 2 target pistols and the cheaper Aguila feeds 2 long guns.

Last edited by Boudiepitbull; 10-07-2018 at 06:52 AM.
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Old 10-07-2018, 09:38 AM
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Plinking and competition 9 mm ammo, after doing a 2000 round stint: Speer 147 gr.

I’ll settle for Remington 9 mm 115 gr, if I have to. I tried Defender Remanufactured Ammo 115 gr but it’s pretty dirty to me.

Plinking and Range:

380 ACP:
I like Federal.

22 LR:
Eley Club, CCI, Eley Target, Eley Team


———————————
Everything else, I Reload:

357 Magnum
44 Magnum
45 ACP
Subsonic 9 mm
Rifle: 6.5 Grendel, 300 AAC, 308, 223, 7 mm-08



454 Casull
460 S&W
500 Magnum




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Old 10-07-2018, 10:56 AM
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I agree with Mr. Lowry's #15.
Most of my .38 sp. and .357 loads are 158 gr. so I grabbed a bunch of MagTech of the same weight for practice. I've heard claims of the ammo being smoky and dirty but haven't noticed enough to be a concern.
I save the brass because someday I'll be reloading.
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Old 10-07-2018, 11:13 AM
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Federal and Fiocchi fmj for practice, whichever is cheaper. It's usually Fiocchi. Federal HST for SD ammo.
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Old 10-07-2018, 11:47 AM
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New to the sport and I am learning a good bit about the guns but know less about ammo. Shooting Fiocchi looks like the best “store bought” ammo for me. No ftf yet and my sight and hand shake probably determine how close I can get to consistency.
Recently bought some Perfecta and also Precision One, so I’m trending towards cheaper rounds because for me to enjoy shooting it has to be reasonably priced.

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