Chapter 10: Safe Hunting Skills
Match Firearms and Ammunition ... Correctly!
With so many kinds of firearms and types of ammunition, it's not always easy to match the proper ammunition to your firearm correctly—but getting it right is very important. If you match the wrong ammunition to your gun, you can cause an explosion, injuring or possibly killing yourself and any bystanders.
To match the proper ammunition to your rifle,
shotgun, or handgun correctly:
- Read the specific caliber or gauge marking on the side of the barrel. Match that size exactly. For example, if it says ".270 Winchester," you cannot use ".270 Weatherby." Shotgun barrels will give the gauge and the length of the chamber (for example, "12 gauge for 2¾-inch shells" or "20-gauge magnum for 3-inch shells").
- Carefully read the information on the lid of the ammunition
box. With shotgun ammunition, always check both the gauge
and the shell length, and whether it's a magnum load,
to make sure it matches the data on the barrel.
- The final step is to match the information on the barrel
to the information on the box before you shoot.
If in doubt, ask a more experienced shooter or a qualified
gunsmith. Some store clerks, although they sell ammunition,
may not know the differences in sizes or the type of firearm
you shoot.
Safety practices that will help you avoid using the wrong
ammunition are:
- Purchase only the correct ammunition for your firearm.
Buy the exact caliber or gauge and length of ammunition
for which your rifle, handgun, or shotgun was designed.
For example, shotshell must be the correct length for the
shotgun. The data stamp on the barrel of the shotgun will
identify which length of shells can be used.
- Carry only the correct ammunition for the firearm you're using. Never mix ammunition such as carrying a caliber or gauge your companion uses. A common mistake involves putting a 20-gauge shotshell into a 12-gauge shotgun. The smaller gauge shell will slide through the 12-gauge chamber and partly down the barrel, causing an obstruction. The shooter, especially when excited by seeing game, then might insert a 12-gauge shotgun shell behind the 20-gauge shell.
Cartridge and Box Markings
Rifle Cartridge Headstamp and Box Markings
Shotshell Markings
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