Buyer's Guide

Ammo Buyer's Guide

Caliber comparisons, best ammo by use case, and in-stock deals โ€” written for Tennessee Valley hunters and range shooters.

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Head to Head

Caliber Comparisons

5.56 NATO vs. .300 Blackout

Two of the most popular AR-15 calibers in North Alabama. The choice comes down to what you're doing โ€” 5.56 for range and coyotes, .300 BLK for suppressed use and deer at close range.

TVT Verdict
5.56 for general use and cost. .300 BLK if you own or plan to own a suppressor โ€” subsonic .300 BLK is the best suppressed AR experience available.

5.56 / .223 Rem

Muzzle velocity
3,100 fps
Energy at 100yd
~1,000 ft-lb
Ammo cost
$0.35โ€“0.55
Suppressor fit
OK
Availability
Excellent

.300 Blackout

Muzzle velocity
1,010 fps (sub)
Energy at 100yd
~450 ft-lb (sub)
Ammo cost
$1.00โ€“2.00
Suppressor fit
Excellent
Availability
Good
Suppressor note: .300 BLK subsonic through a suppressor is genuinely hearing-safe and sounds like a pellet gun. Supersonic 5.56 through the same can is still very loud โ€” the subsonic advantage is the entire reason .300 BLK exists.

.308 Win vs. .270 Win for Alabama Deer

Both are outstanding deer cartridges that have taken more Alabama whitetail than we can count. The differences are real but subtle โ€” we'll break them down honestly.

TVT Verdict
.308 for versatility and short-action rifles. .270 for slightly flatter trajectory at longer shots. Either will cleanly take Alabama deer at any realistic hunting distance.

.308 Winchester

Muzzle velocity
2,820 fps
Energy at muzzle
2,620 ft-lb
Recoil
~20 ft-lb
Ammo variety
Massive
Drop at 300yd
~14"

.270 Winchester

Muzzle velocity
3,060 fps
Energy at muzzle
2,700 ft-lb
Recoil
~17 ft-lb
Ammo variety
Good
Drop at 300yd
~11"

9mm vs. .45 ACP for Self-Defense

The internet's most-argued pistol debate, settled as clearly as possible with actual ballistics data and FBI research.

TVT Verdict
Modern 9mm defensive ammo has closed the gap. More rounds, less recoil, lower cost for practice. Choose 9mm โ€” then train more with what you save on ammo.
FBI data: The FBI switched from 10mm to 9mm in the 1990s and reaffirmed 9mm as their service caliber in 2014 after extensive testing. Modern 9mm defensive loads achieve terminal performance essentially equivalent to .45 ACP with superior capacity.
Best 9mm Self-Defense Loads
01
Federal HST 124gr +P

The FBI's preferred 9mm load. Consistent expansion to over 0.7" diameter, deep penetration, weight retention near 100%. The gold standard in 9mm self-defense ammo.

Velocity: 1,180 fps Energy: 384 ft-lb ~$1.50/rd
Buy โ†’
02
Hornady Critical Defense 115gr

Flex Tip design prevents clogging in denim and clothing. Reliable expansion in all FBI test media. A great option if you can't find HST in stock.

Velocity: 1,140 fps Energy: 332 ft-lb ~$1.20/rd
Buy โ†’
03
Speer Gold Dot 124gr

The standard for law enforcement across the US. Electrochemically bonded core prevents core-jacket separation. Excellent track record in real-world incidents.

Velocity: 1,150 fps Energy: 365 ft-lb ~$1.30/rd
Buy โ†’
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Find In-Stock Ammo

Where to Buy Ammo Online

These are our preferred retailers โ€” all ship to Alabama with no issues. Use AmmoSeek to compare prices across all of them at once.

Brownells

Huge selection, fast shipping, great for bulk orders. Our primary affiliate partner for ammo and accessories.

Shop Brownells โ†’
Primary Arms

Competitive pricing on defensive and training ammo. Ships to Alabama quickly. Strong selection of hunting loads.

Shop Primary Arms โ†’
AmmoSeek

Price comparison engine โ€” finds the cheapest in-stock ammo across hundreds of retailers simultaneously. Use before buying.

Compare Prices โ†’