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Choosing the right ammunition for your rifle can be a daunting task, whether you are a seasoned competitive shooter or preparing for your first deer stalking trip. The purpose of this guide is to illustrate the different types of ammunition available and outline the key factors you must consider when purchasing rounds for your centrefire or rimfire rifle.

While this guide draws on extensive personal experience, we will focus specifically on premium offerings from Hornady and reliable training solutions from Sellier & Bellot (S&B) which are both proudly supported by Edgar Brothers.

Rest assured, all factory-loaded ammunition from these brands is manufactured to strict industry standards set by organisations such as the Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) and the Commission Internationale Permanente (C.I.P.). This guarantees that factory ammunition is safe, reliable, and consistent across a vast range of firearms.

Choosing Centrefire Ammunition by Application

The most critical factor when selecting ammunition is its intended application. A projectile designed to win a 1,000-yard target match will perform very differently in the field compared to a dedicated hunting bullet.

Match and Target Shooting

Match-grade ammunition represents the pinnacle of a manufacturer's quality control. These rounds command a premium price because every component; from the primer and propellant charge to the brass and seating depth, is meticulously inspected for maximum consistency.

Target ammunition typically utilises Very Low Drag (VLD) style bullets, such as Hornady’s ELD® Match (Extremely Low Drag-Match), or traditional Boat Tail Hollow Point (BTHP) designs.

  • VLD Bullets: Boast exceptionally high ballistic coefficients (BC) thanks to aggressive geometry and polymer tips, making them superior for long-range performance and wind deflection.
  • BTHP Bullets: Offer slightly less extreme geometry, making them highly "forgiving" and accurate across a broader range of rifles and environmental conditions.

Note: Match bullets are designed for aerodynamic stability, not terminal expansion. They should never be used for hunting live quarry.

Popular Match Offerings:

Target Practice and Training

For high-volume target practice and training, "bulk" ammunition is ideal. These rounds typically feature Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) projectiles with either a boat tail or flat base. Because FMJ bullets have a simpler design, they are more cost-effective to produce. Like match bullets, FMJ rounds do not reliably expand upon impact and are strictly unsuitable for hunting due to the risk of "pencilling" through the quarry.

Popular Training Offerings:

Varmint and Fox Control

Varmint ammunition is specifically engineered for thin-skinned, small-set game such as foxes. Bullets like the Hornady V-MAX® are typically lighter for their calibre, allowing for blistering muzzle velocities and exceptionally flat trajectories. This reduces the margin of error when calculating distance for fast, fleeting shots.

These projectiles are designed for explosive, rapid expansion upon impact, transferring kinetic energy immediately. A modern evolution of this is the Hornady V-Match® line featuring the ELD-VT® (Extremely Low Drag Varmint-Target) bullet, which combines the high BC of a target bullet with the rapid expansion of a varmint bullet.

Popular Varmint Offerings:

Big Game Hunting and Deer Stalking

When hunting larger prey like deer, controlled expansion and deep penetration are paramount. Big game ammunition relies on projectiles like the traditional InterLock® soft point, or polymer-tipped variants like the SST® (Super Shock Tip) and ELD-X® (Extremely Low Drag - eXpanding). These polymer tips initiate reliable expansion while maintaining an aerodynamic profile to extend your effective humane hunting range.

Popular Big Game Offerings:

Preparing for the UK Lead Ammunition Ban: Non-Lead Options

With the UK transitioning away from lead ammunition for hunting, non-lead (copper or gilding metal) alternatives are increasingly vital. Hornady has pioneered several exceptional non-lead projectiles:

  • CX®: A low-drag, monolithic VLD-style hunting bullet (the non-lead equivalent to the ELD-X®).
  • ECX™: A traditional-style non-lead projectile that performs similarly to an InterLock®.
  • NTX®: A frangible non-lead bullet for varmint control.

Crucial Advice: Because copper is less dense than lead, a non-lead bullet will be physically longer than a lead bullet of the exact same weight. This means you may require a faster barrel twist rate to properly stabilise heavier non-lead projectiles. If in doubt, drop down a weight class when transitioning to copper.

Popular Non-Lead Offerings:

Choosing Rimfire Ammunition by Application

Target Shooting and Plinking (.22 LR)

The venerable .22 Long Rifle (LR) is exceptional for plinking, practicing fundamentals, and high-level competition. This ammunition typically utilises a solid lead round-nose projectile.

For competitive target shooting, subsonic match ammunition is preferred. Supersonic .22 LR bullets can experience in-flight instability when they drop back through the sound barrier, which degrades accuracy at longer distances. If precision is your goal, subsonic is the way to go.

Vermin Control (.17 HMR and .22 LR)

For small game and vermin control, rimfire cartridges are highly effective. The .17 HMR has become arguably more popular than the .22 LR for this specific role due to its flat trajectory and highly frangible bullets (like the 17gr V-MAX®), which ensure immediate energy transfer. If using a .22 LR for vermin, always opt for a hollow-point projectile to ensure humane expansion.

Speciality Ammunition: Subsonic and +P Loads

Certain shooting scenarios require highly specialised ammunition:

  • Subsonic Centrefire: Cartridges like the .300 Blackout loaded with the Hornady 190gr Sub-X® are designed to remain below the speed of sound, offering incredibly quiet operation when paired with a sound moderator.
  • +P (Plus Pressure): Ammunition loaded to higher internal pressures for modern, robust actions. Conversely, Hornady also produces lower-pressure loads (like the Vintage Match™ .30-06 M1 Garand load) designed specifically to protect legacy firearms from damage.

Practical Scenarios: Worked Examples

Scenario 1: Long-Range Range Day

  • The Goal: A full day shooting at 600 yards at Bisley without time to hand-load.
  • The Solution: .308 Winchester - Hornady Black® 155gr ELD® Match. This provides the aerodynamic consistency required for Century Range wind conditions.

Scenario 2: Last-Minute Deer Stalking (Non-Lead)

  • The Goal: An upcoming deer stalk requiring compliant non-lead ammunition that performs reliably out of the box.
  • The Solution: 6.5 PRC - Hornady Outfitter® 130gr CX®. Exceptional terminal performance with a monolithic copper bullet, completely UK lead-ban compliant.

Cost, Availability, and Final Thoughts

Shooting is a considerable investment, but extracting maximum value from your equipment starts with the right ammunition. While premium match and non-lead hunting rounds command a higher price point than bulk training ammo, the performance, consistency, and ethical terminal ballistics they deliver make them worth every penny in the field.

Take the time to research your rifle’s twist rate and intended application. By matching the right Hornady or Sellier & Bellot factory load to your specific needs, you guarantee a more accurate, ethical, and highly rewarding shooting experience.

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