Guide to Buying Ammunition as a Gift

Buying ammunition as a gift for a loved one is an important decision in many ways. At KIR Ammo, we want to help you make the best decision on all ammunition purchases and we would love to help you get a gift for a loved one. Keep in mind that the right bullet depends on the type of shooter you’re shopping for! Is your loved one a hunter or a police officer? Does this person like to hunt, shoot sport clays, or target practice? All of these questions will help you get the perfect gift for the shooting enthusiast in your life.

The Basics of Giving Ammunition as a Gift:

  • Consider the recipient’s interests and preferences: When buying ammunition as a gift, it’s important to think about the person who will be receiving it. Consider their shooting interests and hobbies to help you choose ammo they’ll appreciate, enjoy, and most importantly — shoot!
  • Set a budget: It’s important to set a budget when you’re buying ammunition to avoid overspending. We know it’s easy to do! Think about what you can realistically afford and what spend is practical for the occasion.  Always choose an ammunition purchase that fits within your budget.
  • Personalize the gift: Personalizing any gift can make it more special and meaningful. Obviously, consider adding a handwritten card or note with the ammunition.  But, most importantly make sure you’re choosing ammunition that suits your loved one (more on this below). Customizing the gift of ammunition in a way that reflects the recipient’s shooting preferences is key.
  • Consider the occasion: The occasion for which you’re buying the gift can also influence your choice. For example, if it’s for a wedding, you may want to choose ammo for home protection, while for a birthday, you may want to choose something for “plinking” and general shooting fun.
  • Think about the practicality of the gift: Consider whether the ammunition is practical and useful for the recipient. While it’s important to choose ammo that’s thoughtful and personalized, you also want to ensure that it’s something that they can use and enjoy while hunting or shooting.
  • Legality: Please make sure that it is legal in your area to give ammunition as a gift.  Some states like California, New York, and Illinois have specific laws around giving ammunition as a gift.  Please check your local laws and regulations before giving ammo to someone else.

Now that we have a basic set of rules in place, let’s discuss how to identify the type of shooting your gift recipient is and how you can choose the best ammunition for his or her preferences.  Choosing which ammo is perfect for a gift depends on what type of activity your recipient is going to undertake. There are generally 4 major types of shooting activities that require specialized ammunition.  There are brief descriptions of each below, but be sure to decide what your gift recipient is most likely to enjoy before purchasing ammunition.

Pro Tip from KIR Ammo:

We aren’t always a fan of being sneaky, but when it comes to getting the right ammo as a gift there are 2 key pieces of information you need to know:  What is the type and caliber of the gun your recipient uses most often.  Which gun is his/her favorite?  You need to know the gun and the caliber to be successful in this mission!

Find a way to spark up a conversation about shooting or ammunition.  A great way to start is to say, “I’ve been thinking about going shooting and I wanted you to come along. Bring your favorite gun and I’ll bring mine!”  Or, “I was watching a youtube video on hunting and I wondered which gun and round you prefer to hunt deer with might be”.  Obviously, be cool about it and work it into normal conversation.  Get the information you need to complete the mission!

4 Major Types of Shooting Activities:

  • Hunting: Hunting is a popular hobby that involves the use of firearms such as rifles and shotguns to hunt game animals. Specific ammunition is required depending on the type of animal being hunted.
  • Shooting sports: Shooting sports such as skeet shooting, trap shooting, and sporting clays. These sports are popular both recreationally and competitively. Target shooting (also known as plinking) can fall into this category, too.
  • Self-defense / Concealed Carry: Some individuals may participate in self-defense training courses that involve using firearms for personal protection.
  • Target Practice: Target practice is an activity that involves shooting at targets with a firearm to improve accuracy, proficiency, and skill. It is a popular recreational activity and is also used by law enforcement and military personnel for training purposes. During target practice, shooters typically use stationary paper or cardboard targets that are placed at varying distances from the shooter. The targets may have different shapes and sizes, including circular or human silhouette shapes. Shooters will aim at the center of the target and attempt to hit it with each shot. Practice makes perfect!

Recommended Ammunition Gifts for Hunters:

So, there are a lot of different types of hunters and all kinds of hunted game in the wild.  We could go absolutely bonkers here with details on how to choose ammo for each specific type of game.  Instead of writing a novel, we think it is best to arm you with knowledge so that you can make the best decision. Keep in mind that you can ALWAYS ask us for help!

Hunters consider several aspects of ammunition including caliber, bullet weight, bullet construction, velocity, range, and knock-down power. An avid hunter wants an accurate shot to kill as quickly as possible. With this in mind, we carry specific ammunition that meets the above qualifications for hunting deer, elk, hogs, doves, ducks, and many other types of game.

Here is a list of ammunition we recommend for hunters:

Deer – .22-250 Rem – .243 Win – .270 Win – .30-06 Springfield – .308 Winchester – 6.5 Creedmoor

Elk – .30-06 Springfield – .300 Win Mag – 7mm Rem Mag – .30-378 Weatherby Mag – .338 Win Mag

Hogs – .223 Rem or 5.56 NATO6.5 Creedmoor.308 Winchester – 7mm-08 – .25-06 Rem

Doves /Ducks – 12 Gauge – 20 Gauge – .410 Bore – 16 Gauge – 28 Gauge

Recommended Ammunition Gifts for Shooting Sports:

Several aspects of ammunition are important to consider when shooting clays, including:

  • Gauge: The gauge of the shotgun determines the diameter of the bore and affects the amount of shot that is contained in the shell. The most common gauges used for shooting clays are 12-gauge and 20-gauge.
  • Shot Size: The size of the shot used in the ammunition determines the number of pellets in the shell. For shooting clays, smaller shot sizes such as #7.5 or #8 are commonly used.
  • Shot Velocity: The velocity of the shot can affect its pattern density and the amount of recoil that the shooter experiences. For shooting clays, a moderate velocity of around 1200-1300 feet per second is recommended.
  • Shot Type: The type of shot used in the ammunition can also affect the pattern density and the amount of recoil. For shooting clays, lead or steel shot is commonly used.
  • Shotshell Length: The length of the shotshell can also affect the amount of shot that is contained in the shell and can affect the recoil. For shooting clays, a 2 3/4-inch or 3-inch shell is commonly used.

Check out ammunition we recommend for clay shooting: 12 Gauge – 20 Gauge – .410 Bore – 16 Gauge – 28 Gauge

Recommended Ammunition Gifts for LEOs or Personal Protection:

When it comes to personal protection ammunition, there are several key components that are important to consider, including:

  • Caliber: The caliber of the ammunition is an important consideration for personal protection. A larger caliber bullet can offer more stopping power and is more likely to incapacitate an attacker.
  • Bullet Weight: The weight of the bullet can affect the bullet’s ability to penetrate clothing and soft tissue, and it can also affect recoil. A heavier bullet can offer more penetration and better stopping power.
  • Bullet Design: Personal protection ammunition is typically designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and stopping the attacker more effectively. Hollow point and frangible bullets are common types of personal protection ammunition.
  • Velocity: The velocity of the bullet affects its impact on the target and can also affect recoil. A higher velocity can result in more energy transfer upon impact.
  • Reliability: It’s essential to choose ammunition that is reliable and consistent. Personal protection ammunition should be tested to ensure that it functions properly in the specific firearm being used.

Check out ammunition we recommend for LEOs or Personal Protection: 9mm Luger – 10mm Auto – .357 Mag – .44 Mag – .40 S&W

Recommended Ammunition Gifts for Target Practice and Fun

  • Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Ammunition: FMJ ammunition is a popular choice for practice and training, as it’s relatively inexpensive and offers reliable performance. FMJ ammunition is often used for target shooting, plinking, and range training.
  • Lead Round Nose (LRN) Ammunition: LRN ammunition is similar to FMJ ammunition but has a rounded nose. It’s a popular choice for training and practice shooting with pistols and revolvers.
  • Cheap / Bulk Ammo.  Can be purchased in 1000 round boxes or cases.  Great for “plinking”, general practice, and fun shooting.

Check out ammunition we recommend for Target Practice and Fun: 9mm Luger.223 Rem or 5.56 NATO12 Gauge6.5 Creedmoor – .22 Long Rifle

Contact KIR Ammo and We Will Help!

Finally, if you just want to know what to buy and need professional advice, just give us a call or send us an email.  We answer questions every day and we are happy to help you choose the best ammunition gift.  We also offer gift cards for ammunition!

KIR Ammo Gift Cards
We also offer KIR Ammo Gift Cards

No matter how you choose to shop with us — directly purchasing ammo or by purchasing gift cards, keep in mind that we offer fast shipping, great customer service, and reliable ammunition.

Leave a Reply