Firearms season is closing in for many states across the United States. Once again, it is time for hunters to do their part in the conservation of our natural resources. For many hunters, having a shot opportunity only occurs a few times per season. When the time comes, it is crucial to have the odds stacked in your favor as much as possible. This means equipping yourself with the appropriate gear, having fine-tuned shooting abilities, and applying your best woodsmanship. Hunting is a reactionary sport. In the field, there is not much you can control, you adapt and overcome. However, you can control your preparation. Properly preparing yourself drastically increases your odds of success. Who doesn’t like to succeed? You can achieve these greater odds by investing a little time in scouting, shooting your firearm, and doing some ammunition research. Arguably the most important factor, on top of proper hunting safety, is selecting the right rifle ammo. Choosing the correct rifle ammo for your hunting scenario directly contributes to your accuracy and reachable distance, which directly affects your harvest success in the field. The main factors you should pay attention to when selecting a cartridge consist of: caliber, bullet weight, and bullet style. You should hone your choices of these factors based on what we’ll call, “field factors”, hunting environment and game size. The technical factors can be confusing but stick with us and we’ll dissect them so you can walk away with some newfound knowledge and insight about selecting the best rifle cartridges for hunting, and an additional bit of rimfire.

Hunting Use Case	Common Calibers	Key Features
Small Game: Squirrel, rabbits, otters, beavers	22 LR 22 WMR 17 HMR	50 - 100 yards, small scale knockdown power, rapid expansion, efficiency and accuracy.
Varmints and Predators: Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, prairie dogs, raccoons	223 Rem 22-250 Rem 204 Ruger	50 - 500 yards, extreme velocity, rapid expansion, medium scale knockdown power.
Big Game : Deer, antelope, hogs	308 Win 30-06 SPRG 7mm Rem Mag	50 - 300 yards, mid-high velocity, controlled expansion, great knock down power.
Western Big Game: Elk, moose, dall/bighorn Sheep, mountain goat, caribou, bear, mountain lion	300 Win Mag 300 PRC 300 Rem Ultra Mag	50- 500 yards, controlled expansion, tremendous knock down power and penetration.

Caliber

Caliber is defined by Remington R&D Engineers as: “the internal measurement of the groove diameter of the barrel”. Bullets are then fabricated to match this measurement so they can be safely fired. The most common caliber for big game hunters is a 30-caliber bullet, which can be loaded in a wide assortment of different cartridges including: 30-06 SPRG, 308 Win, 300 Win Mag, 30-30 Win, 300 BLK, or 300 Rem Ultra Mag.

Bullet Weight (grains)

Bullet weight is exactly what it sounds like, the physical weight of the bullet. The bullet is then loaded into the primed brass with powder, creating a cartridge. This bullet weight measurement ONLY includes the bullet, not the weight of the whole cartridge. At Remington, we offer upwards of 20 various weights in our rifle line and seven weights in our rimfire line.

Bullet Type

When it comes to rifle bullet types, Remington offers a whooping 29 different types for rifle ammo and our rimfire line offers 13. These variations in bullet type can be between the point style, the material the bullet is made from, the manufacturer of the bullet, or the processes the bullet undergoes during fabrication.

Rifle Ammo for Small Game Hunting

Small game hunting is a great way to introduce beginners into the hunting space. Small game hunting often consists of walking, stalking, and physical action, rather than sitting stationary, waiting on a deer. Squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and coyotes fall under this category.

• 22 Golden Hunter

  • This round is Remington’s premier 22 Long Rifle hunting cartridge. The 22 LR caliber is one of the most popular calibers in the world. The 22 LR is known for its low recoil, accuracy, low noise, and versatility in the shooting space.
    • Bullet type and weight
      • Golden Hunter is loaded with a 40-gr hollow point bullet, perfect for small game hunting. What is the purpose of a hollow point bullet? Does this compromise the durability of the bullet? These are two questions you may be asking yourself. Hollow point bullets are designed to perform on impact. This means that the bullet will react in a way that provides the most expansion, allowing for greater damage to the intended small game.
    • Applications
      • 22 Golden Hunter earns its stripes on small games such as Squirrels and rabbits. The effective range of this cartridge falls right in the slot of 100 yards. Combining this cartridge with a scoped firearm allows you to be efficient with the lead you are putting down range at these further ranges. This means that the squirrel perched on branch 50 yards away, or the rabbit sitting on an edge of a mowed path, are in trouble.

  

• Premier Magnum Rimfire 22 WMR 33 Grain

  • The 22 WMR is the amped up version of the traditional 22 LR. Still displaying low recoil, this cartridge is well suited at taking down larger small game like raccoons, beavers, otters and even coyotes.
    • Bullet type and weight
      • Differing from 22 Golden Hunter, this round has an AccuTip-V style of bullet. This tip is constructed of polymer which is pointed. This bullet style helps with flight over longer ranges and provides the shooter with better consistency and accuracy.
    • Applications
      • This amped up 22 cartridge separates itself from the traditional 22 LR because of its higher velocity and improved accuracy. If you are taking more shots at that 100-yard line, this product is fit for the job. Taking a step further, this round can surely handle a coyote with a well-placed shot.

Rifle Ammo for Predator and Varmint Hunting

Partaking in predator hunting is an important part of being a hunter. Proper culling of predator population can significantly improve fawning and poult numbers during the spring. It can also reduce stress in livestock herds and prevent predation on the young. Common predators include foxes and coyotes, but wolves become more prevalent as you cross certain latitudes in North America. Additionally, controlling pesky varmints, such as prairie dogs, can help reduce the spread of disease to livestock and can help reduce crop or property damage.

• Premier AccuTip-V 223 Rem 50 Grain

  • The performance of the 223 Remington, on top of abundance in store, makes it an easy grab for predator hunters. Most often, the firearms used for predator hunting are tactical style rifle. Their prevalence is due to their semiautomatic capability, high-capacity magazines, and add on features such as thermal optics or suppressors. All of which improves the shooters’ ability to get shots on target.
    • Bullet type and weight
      • The nature of predator hunting is you need to be quick and accurate with your shooting abilities. 223 Rem’s velocity, accuracy, and 50 gr bullet size helps bullets get on target quickly and accurately over range. This cartridge has a polymer AccuTip which improves the ballistic coefficient and ensures rapid expansion on target. A bullet with less drag, yields a higher BC, increasing your accuracy over range, thus extending your effective range.
    • Applications
      • Often, predator hunters use AR style rifles, which are mostly chambered in a 223 Rem or a variation. This is the popular choice because the features of these rifles align with the nature of predator hunting, fast paced. Being able to have an instantaneous chambering of another round after a discharge makes a huge difference if a follow up shot is required, or if there are multiple targets. Additionally, much of predator hunting is done over an open field, so shot ranges can be anywhere between 50 or 300 yards, which is no problem for 223 Rem.

  

• Premier AccuTip-V 204 Ruger 40 Grain

  • With a slightly lighter bullet than our 223 ammo, this 204 Ruger comes with tremendous velocity and match grade accuracy. You don’t need a big caliber to take down predators and varmints. This blazing fast 20-caliber cartridge can do a number on prairie dogs, groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, or any nuisance around.
    • Bullet type and weight
      • This 204 Ruger cartridge is loaded with a 40-gr bullet that shows an impressive muzzle velocity of 3900FPS. This makes it an excellent choice when it comes to controlling predators and smaller varmints. Much like our 223 Rem, this bullet is an AccuTip-V style which improves the ballistic coefficient, accuracy, and velocity. Due to its smaller 20 caliber stature, 204 Ruger’s bullet experiences less wind drift and maintains higher velocities over its course of travel.
    • Applications
      • The 204 Ruger is an ultra-fast and flat shooting cartridge. Being able to hit a small target quick target, like a prairie dog, from 100+ yards out is an easy job for this round. Additionally, due to the reduced wind drift of the 20-caliber bullet, 204 Ruger is an exceptional choice for long range predator hunting. This cartridge is known for being popular in predator hunting competitions around the United States because of these factors. If you find yourself in more long-range scenarios, this is the cartridge that will provide the results you desire.

Rifle Ammo for Big Game Hunting

Big game hunting encompasses deer, elk, bear, sheep, antelope and a handful of other species across continents. Remington is proud to provide the most extensive line of big game hunting ammo on the ammunition market, hands down. This selection includes our iconic Core-Lokt family. When it comes to taking down big game, bullet expansion, penetration, and long-range capabilities are the most important factors.

• Core-Lokt 30-06 SPRG 150 Grain

  • The 30-06 Springfield was introduced as a US military cartridge in 1906. The cartridge gets its name from its 30-caliber diameter, year of introduction, and original chambering in the Springfield armory-built M1903 service rifle. The ‘06 went on to be used in two world wars and remained in military use as late as the 1970s. Aside from its war winning capabilities, the ’06 has a reputation of being the ultimate match maker for big game animals across the world. Check out Remington’s broad selection of 30-06 ammo.
    • Bullet type and weight
      • The bullet loaded into this cartridge is a pointed soft point (PSP). It is important for a big game cartridge to have a pointed soft point or a tipped variation. Big game animals are much tougher than small game; you need a bullet that retains energy and can penetrate through a denser target. Hollow points would be ineffective because of their rapid expansion and energy transfer. A hollow point expands all its energy on impact, so it does not have enough energy to punch through big game hide and reach the vitals. A PSP expands slower, creating deep wound channels through the cavity, and the heavier bullet weight increases momentum, allowing for deeper penetration.
    • Applications
      • The best part about the ’06, aside from its American heritage, is that it is the one stop shop for the most common big game animals ranging from a whitetail deer to a Rocky Mountain elk. As you can imagine, the shot environments between these two critters can differ vastly but the high BC, heavier bullet weight, and respectful velocity handles big game with ease.

  

• Other popular calibers suitable for big game

  • 308 Winchester Ammo
  • 300 Win Mag Ammo
  • 270 Win Ammo

Rifle Ammo for Target Shooting

Target shooting requires ammo that is affordable, accurate and consistent. Whether you are hitting the range for practice or competing in a competition, proper selection can ensure reliability and help consistency.

• UMC Centerfire Rifle 223 Rem 55 Grain

  • Common amongst paper punchers and national competitors across the world, this 223 Rem load is available in Remington Ammunitions UMC product line. Our UMC product line specializes in high-volume shooters, perfect for any range enthusiasts.
    • Bullet type and weight
      • Competing in competitions or punching paper does not require a specific bullet weight or type. Traditional FMJ ammo, just like this UMC 223 ammo. FMJ bullets are the traditional “cup and core bullets” known for their dependable accuracy and reliable feeding in all firearms.
    • Applications
      • For many shooters, 3-Gun competitions, are an exhilarating and great way to showcase your shooting abilities. Additionally, 3-Gun is a great event to meet new friends and learn from experienced shooters. In this case, many competitors opt for an AR style rifle chambered in 223 Remington. And since there is a lot of lead being slinged, this product fits the shoe perfectly. Also, this product is perfect for hitting your back 40 acres and plinking miscellaneous targets with your friends. All in all, this UMC 223 is perfect for any occasion.

  

• Other common rifle ammo for target shooting

  • Bulk 223 Ammo
  • Bulk 300 BLK Ammo
  • 6mm Creedmoor Ammo

Conclusion

In conclusion, proper selection of rifle ammunition depends largely on the type of game you’re seeking and the environment in which that game resides. While the smaller, quicker, game require high speeds and precise accuracy, big game require a heavier, controlled expansion, bullet that can travel long distances. Hopefully this article has provided insight into selecting your ideal rifle ammo for hunting and target shooting this fall. Whether you are a small game enthusiast, whitetail fanatic, or a diehard westerner, explore more of Remington’s wide selection of rifle ammunition by clicking here.