Ammunition boxes and range equipment
Before you click ‘add to cart’ on that 9mm or 5.56 ammo online, pause and think about how you’ll be using it. A thoughtful approach to bulk ammo will ensure that you get everything you need to hit your practice goals and won’t waste precious (expensive!) ammo.
Know What You’re Training For
Maybe you’ve signed up for a gun class or match. In that case, consider the skills you’ll need to sharpen before you show up to that event. A 9mm pistol skills class, for example, might call for practice drawing from concealment, managing stoppages, reloading under pressure, and hitting targets at various distances. League night might emphasize speed and target transitions, and a .223/5.56 carbine class might emphasize shooting from various positions.
Put the Month on Paper
Knowing what kinds of skills you want to work on should help you determine how many rounds you’ll need over the course of your training. For example, if you’re signing up for a class or league night at the end of the month, a reasonable four-week practice schedule (bookmark science.org/content/article/why-taking-breaks-key-learning-new-skills if you want the longer version) might include:
- A first range trip to verify your zero and take some baseline accuracy data
- A series of follow-up practice sessions focused on developing particular skills
- A last practice session that incorporates many of the same skills you’ll use at your class/match
Give Each Session a Round Count
It’s tempting to just use all of your ammo as fast as possible, but that doesn’t really help you develop skills. Instead, think about pacing yourself and tying each range trip to the next. For a four-week training schedule, try ordering 1,000 rounds of ammo. Use some to verify your zero and get baseline data, use a larger number of rounds to hone particular skills, and hold some back to see if you’re ready for that class or match – AmmoMan’s bulk ammo page is one route to consider.
Consistency Matters From Trip to Trip
Common handgun and rifle ammunition
If you’re shooting 9mm out of a pistol, you’re primarily interested in consistent performance so you can hone your trigger control, sight alignment/tracking, and grip. Recoil/point of impact/reliability should stay the same so you can measure your progress from one range trip to the next. If you’re shooting .223/5.56 out of a carbine, you’re also interested in consistency, but you’re also trying to figure out which ammo/magazine combos work best in your gun.
This is especially important if you’re going to be firing a bunch of strings from various positions. Problems that didn’t manifest themselves while casually plinking at the bench may rear their ugly heads as your rifle heats up and you start cycling more rounds through it.
Leave Time for Shipping and Testing
Remember that the ammo has to be processed and shipped before it can make it to your door. Some local ordinances may restrict what you can order, how it can be delivered, and what paperwork may be required. It’s probably best to confirm those details before ordering, rather than after you’ve already signed up for that class or match.
Test a Sample When It Arrives
Pull out some of the ammo you received and verify that it’s the correct caliber and that you received everything you paid for. Then, take some of it to the range and make sure it runs well in your gun. This way, you don’t discover that your ammo doesn’t function well in your gun on the morning of your class/match!
Keep a journal. Write down the date, the type of drill, distance, number of rounds, any malfunctions, etc. Especially if you are using different lots of ammunition or different weights of bullets, jot it down. It will help you figure out if you’re not meeting your goals because of sloppy shooting, getting tired, or something else.
It will also help you get a better idea of how much ammunition you go through so that when you’re ready to place a bulk order you will have a better idea how much to order instead of just guessing.
Store the Remainder With Care
Think about where you’re going to store that ammo before you order it. Especially if you’re ordering a bunch of cases. Factory packaging is convenient because the ammo’s identity (caliber, bullet type/weight, etc.) is easy to see. If you want to dump your ammo out of the boxes, at least try to keep the various types/calibers separated and clearly mark the containers. It might sting a little, but try not to mix ammo from different lots. If that’s not possible, at least separate/lolabel the different lots so you can use them one at a time.
Use What Is Left When the Date Arrives
When it’s time to attend your match/class, ask yourself whether or not you’re ready. If you’re lacking confidence in some of the skills you’ve been practicing, burn through some of your remaining ammo working on those skills. Then, pack up the rest of your ammo for the range trip.