Author: buckinghorseoutpost

Do you notice that, when you’re training at the range, some of your groups are inexplicably wide, even at close ranges?

This may be because of a most unwelcome phenomenon called flinching, which is rather more common than that it is fortunate.

It is a bad habit that must be corrected, regardless of your reasons for shooting or carrying. Here’s what to know.

Why We Flinch

Flinching is a bad habit that is fundamentally quite simple. For one reason or another (usually in anticipation of recoil), you move before the trigger breaks.

That this is bad hardly merits further explanation, but what happens is that flinching moves your point of aim before the trigger even breaks and the bullet has started moving through the barrel.

And so, what precipitates is that you shoot wide of where you’re aiming. Sometimes inconsequentially, sometimes quite consequentially.

The bigger issue here is that this is a correctable and thereby preventable habit that is only made worse when firing high-recoil defensive rounds like Federal HST or +P ammo.

Why It’s a Problem with Specific Rounds (Like Federal HST)

If you shoot defensive ammo like Federal HST or Hydra-Shok, and you routinely flinch, or even inconsistently, for that matter, it will become impossible for you to train effectively.

It’s natural not to like recoil, and the problem is only worse with high-pressure rounds. But the problems are self-explanatory, and it is dangerous to carry and use ammo with which you are neither confident nor proficient.

The reasons here should be self explanatory, but to be quite clear, if you’re going to carry you need to be able to handle and shoot confidently, and the crux of that is hitting what you’re aiming at.

There is really only one effective way to fight flinching, to be explored below.

How to Fight Flinching

The best thing you can do to fight flinching is practice in dry weapons training. This is the opposite of live-fire training, with live ammunition.

There are special dummy rounds out there called snap caps that are the same size and dimensions as live ammo that can be used and which are in fact designed for the very purpose.

Go slow when you’re dry fire training. What you want to watch out for here is movement – literally any movement – that occurs right before the trigger breaks.

A jump, a jitter, a start, even a little tremor – all of these things constitute flinching and all of them will throw your point of aim off of the spot where you want it to be.

Practice dry-fire training until you no longer notice any sort of flinching whatsoever. Then you can transfer your newly formed good habit to live-fire training, and hopefully your accuracy will respond in kind.

An important note here is on safety. Dry fire training should only be performed at the range with snap caps and the firearm should still be handled as though it were loaded. Never allow the muzzle to cover anything which you are not willing to destroy.

There is one lesser thing that you could theoretically do to help fight flinching, and that is to shoot slightly less powerful ammo that produces less recoil.

When you’re shopping for ammo, look at muzzle energy. All else being equal, the lower the number is, the lower the force of felt recoil will be. That may also prove effective at helping you break the bad habit of flinching

Till then, get to the range and get drilling. Practice may not make perfect, but it does “make better.”

For more information about Blazer Aluminum 9mm and 7.62 Full Metal Jacket please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

Once you get into long-distance shooting, it’s hard not to think seriously about the quality of the ammo you shoot – as well as what its intended purposes are.

For a while you can get away with sending FMJ bullets downrange, even at long distance. But the truth is, for true long-range shooting, in excess of 500 yards, there are better options.

One of them is Federal Gold Medal Match, which is one of the best performing open-tip match ammo lines out there. Here are some of the basic questions about this line from Federal, answered.

What Is Federal Gold Medal Match?

Federal Gold Medal Match is a match-grade ammunition produced by Federal and loaded with Sierra MatchKing open-tip match (OTM, sometimes also referred to as hollow point) bullets.

This type of ammo is engineered for stability and accuracy at extended distances, making it better for long-range shooting disciplines and competition shooting than standard FMJ ammo.

What Are Sierra MatchKing Bullets?

Sierra MatchKing bullets are at the heart of performance for this ammo line. They are designed to produce a very high ballistic coefficient and excellent accuracy.

The higher the ballistic coefficient, the less drag the bullet produces, yielding a design that maintains velocity and accuracy at greater distances.

Speaking of accuracy, the bullets used to produce Gold Medal Match ammo are open-tip match ammo. This type of ammo is produced by drawing the jacket up from the base rather than down from the nose, as is the case with FMJ ammo.

The result of doing so leaves a little void at the nose of the bullet (hence the name) but it also produces a jacket that has a higher degree of radial symmetry, which offers higher spin stability – and therefore accuracy – especially at greater distances.

Who Owns Federal Ammunition?

Federal Ammunition is a subsidiary of Vista Outdoor, and is located in Anoka, Minnesota, at which facility the company produces rimfire, centerfire, and shotshell ammo, as well as components.

Is OTM the Same As HP?

Superficially OTM ammo looks like hollow point (HP) ammo, since both have a void or hollow in the nose of the bullet.

However, hollow point ammo is designed for maximal expansion and energy transfer, and the hollow in the nose of OTM ammo is just left over as a result of manufacturing, and is not an intended design.

OTM ammo is also not designed to expand. Therefore, they are not the same thing despite their apparent similarities.

Can You Hunt with Federal Gold Medal Match?

Theoretically yes, but this type of ammo is not designed to effectively dispatch game and so it is not a good idea. On top of that, according to your state’s game code, it might even be illegal.

Stick with hollow point, soft point, or ballistic point ammo. These types of ammo are designed to ethically dispatch game through optimal energy transfer and are unlikely to overpenetrate. Save the Gold Medal Match ammo for the range, for long-distance training and competition.

What Calibers/Cartridges Are Available?

Federal manufactures several calibers and cartridges in this line, including .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .223 Rem, .300 Win Mag, 6mm Creedmoor, .338 Lapua, .30-06 Springfield, .224 Valkyrie, and .300 Norma Mag.

Where Can You Get Gold Medal Match?

Looking for Federal Gold Medal Match ammo? Check out Bucking Horse Outpost. They offer competitive prices online on rimfire, centerfire, and shotshell ammo, as well as magazines and shooting accessories.

What’s more, they even offer bulk deals on popular calibers and cartridges, and they’re constantly running sales and police trade-in specials, so bookmark their website for the next time you need to get ammo.

For more information about 7.62 Full Metal Jacket and Green Tip 5.56 please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

It’s not an uncommon opinion among shooters and sportsmen that .22LR has an exceptionally wide range of applications.

It’s just that recently, ammo prices have been, frankly, unacceptable. So, on that note, let’s take a look at why, if you shoot .22 at all, buying .22LR bulk ammo is the most practical option.

The Versatility

You probably don’t need us to tell you that .22LR has a million and one uses. It can be used for educating new shooters, training, drilling, plinking, target practice, small game hunting, competition, trapline dispatch, and so much more. Pretty much the only thing that .22LR is ineffective for, categorically, is long-range shooting.

So, stocking up the ammo cans with a good deal on .22LR bulk ammo, where you can find it, often makes a good bit of sense. You just need to find the right deal.

The Price

Now let’s talk about price, which is honestly neck-and-neck with versatility as the top reason to make an exception and invest in .22LR bulk ammo.

This is a fairly affordable cartridge no matter how you split it. Historically, a single round of .22LR only cost a few pennies. But, even in this ridiculous era of high ammo prices, if you get a good deal, that is still often the case.

Anytime you get a brick and bring your per-round price down below 10 cents, that’s a steal. You can still find some deals out there that bring the price down closer to 5 cents, so you don’t need to sweat with every trigger break.

The Performance

There are two ways to look at this: either performance isn’t critical, or it is. In both scenarios, a wise purchase in bulk can be quite worth it.

In the first instance, there are many applications in which .22LR is frequently used, and in which performance isn’t a dealbreaker. Consider training, drilling, and plinking, in which, in most cases, if the gun fires, the cartridge has done its job. Therefore, you don’t need to go crazy with requirements looking for a bulk deal.

On the other hand, if you need a specific round for hunting, competition, or for your trapline gun, what you buy matters. If you can get a bulk deal on that, it’ll make a difference down the line, as long as you store the ammo wisely.

The Availability

There are, again, two ways to look at this. One is that there has been a drawn-out shortage over the last few years that may get worse in the near future. If you buy bulk now, you’ll have .22 stockpiled against that.

The other is that, as cartridges go, .22LR is generally pretty widely available, and you can buy it in a lot of places where ammo conventionally isn’t sold, like hardware stores and gas stations. They might not offer bulk deals, though.

As a Hedge

Last but not least, even if the bulk deal you find isn’t in your preferred brand, or it isn’t as cheap as you want, buying in bulk now will insulate you against short-term future shortages, and you won’t have to aggressively ration your ammo. That alone might make a bulk deal worth it.

Where to Get .22LR Bulk Ammo?

Need a place to get .22LR bulk ammo? Check out Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry a wide range of popular brands and calibers, and .22LR is no exception. Check out their website for deals on Federal, Norma and Remington, among other top brands, as well as for police trade-in specials, bulk deals, other periodic specials, and much more.

For more information about 7.62 Full Metal Jacket and Green Tip 5.56 please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

The short answer is no.

If you have the patience to read more, please do, and we will explain this.

The difference between green tip 5.56, and what shall we call, regular 5.56, has to do with the manufacture of the bullet, not the green tip.

That’s just there so soldiers can tell it apart from standard FMJ 5.56 ammo.

First let’s look at the latter.

When 5.56 was developed, as a cartridge, there were, naturally, several requirements set for it by the U.S. Continental Army Command (CONARC), the body that authorized it.

Among these is something that is central to this article: CONARC needed this new .22 caliber bullet to be able to pierce a US steel helmet pot through one side at 500 yards.

That’s not armor piercing though, right? If it were, it would sail right through both sides of the helmet and probably keep going.

Glad we can agree on that. Now let’s take a look at the requirements for green tip 5.56.

Alright, so, let’s just get something clear. This is just a variation of 5.56 ammo that’s loaded with a different bullet.

Namely, it’s loaded with a slightly heavier bullet that has a 7-grain steel tip insert. (Standard FMJ 5.56 usually weighs 55 grains, green tip 5.56 weighs 62 grains.)

This heavier bullet (and harder tip) as you might imagine, improved the penetration characteristics.

Specifically, the new 5.56 was able to penetrate what was basically the same US helmet, but this time, at 800 meters – so quite a bit further, actually, nearly twice the distance of standard 5.56.

To be fair, green tip 5.56 does exhibit substantially better penetration characteristics than standard FMJ, especially at greater ranges, but that does not characterize it as truly armor piercing.

What we might call it – at best – is LAP, or light armor piercing, since it is technically better at punching through plate than standard FMJ.

So, in a nutshell, green tip 5.56 is not armor piercing. You can reserve that judgment for black tip 5.56, which is.

Since we’re on the topic, we’ll offer a word or two. Black tip 5.56 is armor piercing, and is not legal for U.S. civilians to purchase. Just a look at its ballistic capabilities will show you the difference between this and green tips.

It has the ability to penetrate a truck’s engine compartment and the engine block at a distance of 500 yards – and we’re talking about a tiny .223 bullet, here, which generates (at best) 1350 ft-lbs, and that’s seriously pushing it.

So, you can still find and buy green tip 5.56 ammo – no, it isn’t armor piercing – at pretty low prices, since it is loaded for the military and bulk surplus deals are not that hard to come by.

But, since we’ve said this much, it’s still important to remember that green tip 5.56 offers far superior penetration to FMJ ammo, and as a result, we have some notes:

• Green tip ammo is not suitable for hunting or defensive applications. It is designed for penetration, not energy transfer.
• Do not shoot it indoors, or at steel targets. It will damage the backstop and probably damage steel targets too. It also poses a greater risk of ricochet.
• Some ranges have restrictions against it, so always ask the rangemaster about these.

Other than that, have at it.

Looking for Green Tip 5.56?

As stated, there are still a lot of places where you can get green tip 5.56 on the cheap. Consider Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry plenty of bulk deals and police trade-in specials and may have what you’re looking for.

For more information about 22LR Bulk Ammo and American Eagle 223 please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

There was a time when 7.62 full metal jacket was one of the cheapest grades of ammo out there. It kept SKS shooters in supply through long, tireless range sessions, giving them the ability to burn brass on the cheap.

Steady surplus supplies kept prices low, and the fact that it produces relatively little recoil made it perfect for high-volume target shooting. Plus, it’s not a bad performer at intermediate ranges.

On top of that, the cartridge offers decent performance for defensive applications as well as for hunting game up to medium size – if not a little bigger.

For all these reasons and more, 7.62 ammo was popular – but things are changing. The price has been on a steady upward trajectory.

Granted, this has also been the case with many other calibers, and the price of ammo has gone through the roof generally – but 7.62 specifically has been seeing pretty sharp increases.

But why? Let’s take a quick look at this.

Behind the 7.62x39mm Price Hike

First let’s take a look at some of the things that have kept the 7.62x39mm cartridge so cheap for so long.

One is that it has been loaded by many countries around the world, en masse, especially countries that were once under the Soviet sphere of influence. This is the cartridge that fed the AK-47, one of the most widely produced rifles of all time.

The wide production resulted in a massive surplus of ammo and this kept supplies flowing pretty steadily into our domestic supply. There was also minimal competition for the cartridge from our own military, so for the most part, civilian shooters got to have their way.

That has changed in the past few years, and one of the big things impacting the supply and cost of 7.62x39mm ammo is the Russian war in Ukraine.

As of September 2023, the United States has not accepted imports of Russian ammunition. The problem here is that the largest producers of this cartridge in the world are Russian. Consider Tula Cartridge Works and Wolf Ammo.

Tula, specifically, is one of the reasons we had such cheap 7.62 full metal jacket in this country, but supplies are drying up and it looks like no more are coming in, at least not from Russia.

Now, granted, there are other producers of 7.62 ammo out there, like Norma and MaxxTech, but you know, this is a matter of simple economics. As supply is limited, if demand remains constant, prices will rise. And, let’s be honest, if anything, demand has increased, not remained constant. So we’re getting it coming and going.

There are still stockpiles out there where you might be able to get Russian-made ammo that hasn’t been bought yet, but on the whole, those are going fast. So, there you have it. You’ll still be able to get your favorite FMJ cartridge; just expect it to be harder to find and much more expensive.

Can You Still Get 7.62 Full Metal Jacket Online?

Yes, if you know where to look. Just be prepared for it to be a bit more expensive than usual, and don’t expect to find TulAmmo.

Check out Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry a wide range of popular calibers in sought-after brands, and they even have some 7.62 full metal jacket in stock right now.

Take a look through what they have available and while you’re on their website, don’t miss out on a chance to score one of their hot deals or police trade-in specials.

For more information about American Eagle 223 and Glock Mags please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

In this new era of inflated ammo prices, you might be considering buying bulk ammo to feed your interest in the shooting sports.

That being the case, don’t buy any 9mm bulk ammo before you read this. Actually, don’t buy any bulk ammo at all till you read this first.

Understand Bullet Type

Assuming you just got your first gun within the first few years and you’re still learning the ropes, you need to keep in mind that not all ammo is the same – and no, we don’t mean the cartridge.

The 9mm Luger is the 9mm Luger, and that’s that. But even within the scope of one cartridge and caliber, it’s important to remember that there are a whole bunch of different bullet types.

It’s important to be aware of these. Knowing the difference between full metal jacket, jacketed hollow point, lead round nose, wadcutter, hollow point, and frangible bullets is very important.

This is true because bullet type affects ballistic performance and cost. For instance, most hollow point bullets are designed for consistent expansion. They’re also very expensive, don’t always feed as reliably, and are not as accurate as most full metal jacket bullets.

So why would you pay more for 9mm bulk ammo only to squander that money on hollow point bullets when full metal jacket would do at the range?

Understand Muzzle Energy and Its Implications

The reason you should pay attention to muzzle energy is that, primarily, it strongly affects felt recoil. All else being equal, a higher muzzle energy equates to higher recoil.

Why does this matter? Well, if the only reason you’re in the market for 9mm bulk ammo is to burn brass at the range, lower recoil means less shooter fatigue and more enjoyment.

Don’t waste money on +P rounds and defensive ammo if you’re just going to be plinking. You’ll waste money and waste your stamina.

Understand How to Store It Properly

This is possibly the most important pointer on this list. If you are going to put good money into bulk 9mm ammo, then don’t do it until you fully understand how – and how not – to store it.

First off, ammo needs to be protected from extreme temperatures (mostly, heat), as well as against moisture. Even high humidity will damage it.

This means you can’t store it in the trunk, especially if you live in a hot area. It’s also generally not a good idea to store it in the garage, shed, attic, basement, or crawl space, unless those areas enjoy full climate control at all times of year.

High heat destroys propellants and primers. High humidity will destroy the bullet and casing. If you spend all this money on bulk 9mm ammo and don’t store it properly, you might as well have thrown it all away.

General best practices: store it somewhere cool, dry, and dark.

If Applicable: Understand Reloading

This one is only for those that practice reloading, and if you do you probably already know this but it’s worth a gentle reminder.

Some of the most affordable bulk 9mm ammo out there is loaded with aluminum or steel cases (like Blazer Aluminum and TulAmmo). As a general rule, these casings cannot be reloaded – so don’t shell out a whole lot of money to buy them in bulk if you want to reload at the end of it.

Stick with bulk ammo cased in virgin brass.

Where to Get 9mm Bulk Ammo

Looking for high-quality, affordable 9mm bulk ammo deals? Check some out at Bucking Horse Outpost. They sell a wide range of bulk ammo deals covering a variety of popular calibers, and they also offer weekly deals and police trade-in specials.

For more information about Federal Gold Medal Match and Federal HST please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

We’re out here paying prices for target shotshells and 9mm FMJ that we didn’t think were possible just a few years ago. And yet here we are.

This might have you wondering if it’s worth paying a little more up front to get some 9mm bulk ammo. Back in the day maybe it didn’t break the bank to buy a box of 50 every now and then, but now? Prices are insane.

To determine if bulk deals make sense for you, consider the following questions.

• How often do you shoot?

If you only go plinking a few times per year, pass on the bulk 9mm deals. It will cost you more up front and there’s a chance you’ll just let the ammo sit too long. Fresher is better, especially if you don’t have a good place to store it.

With that said, even if you shoot only once per month, that’s probably enough to warrant buying 9mm bulk ammo. Say you shoot once per month and burn 100 rounds each trip to the range. That’s 1200 per year. Bulk is the way to go.

• How particular are you about your favorite round?

If you’re not married to a specific brand or round, then bulk deals may be the way to purchase. For plinksters, this is the way, since all that matters is range therapy, no accuracy or ballistic performance.

• How strapped are you for cash to fund your shooting hobby?

If you don’t really feel the expense of recreational shooting, maybe pass the bulk deals. Just buy a box or two before you hit the range and do it that way. There’s no need to pay more for a big deal of ammo if you don’t need it.

• What is your primary discipline?

Plinksters, recreational shooters, hunters, and those that carry for defensive applications probably don’t need to buy in bulk. Let’s put it this way. Hunters may fire only a few rounds per season; for defensive applications, unless you’re training, you ideally want to never have to shoot.

Conversely, if you are a competitive shooter, it probably makes sense to buy 9mm bulk ammo, if that is your preferred caliber and you go through a lot of it in training.

How Many Rounds Should You Shoot Per Day/Week/Month?

For competitive shooters, a big question is how often to train. There’s no single right answer to this, but many competitive shooters will go through well more than 1000 rounds per month, sometimes even more. As for frequency, more than once per week, if not every day or nearly every day. These factors make buying in bulk appealing as well.

9mm Bulk Ammo: How to Store It

For those for whom it makes sense to pay more for a bulk deal, it’s imperative to know how to store ammo so you don’t waste that investment.

The two critical factors here are temperature and humidity. High temperatures, as well as wide temperature swings, can damage primers and propellants. High humidity can cause bullets and brass to corrode, affecting performance.

The rule is this: store the ammo somewhere cool, dry, and dark. Not in the trunk, shed, garage, basement, or attic, unless those places are climate controlled.

Where to Get 9mm Bulk Ammo?

Looking for a supplier of 9mm bulk ammo online? Visit Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry the top brands in 9mm (along with many other popular rifle and pistol calibers) and they also run a bunch of hot deals and police trade-in specials. Visit their website for more information and start saving on 9mm ammo today.

For more information about American Eagle 223 and Police Trade In please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost

In a matter of just a couple of years, we’ve seen the price of ammo double, and in some instances double again. There are calibers and cartridges that are selling today for 4 times or more what they were selling for in early 2019.

It is, in a word, ridiculous. This turn of events (and many others) have culminated in conditions that make it absurdly expensive for your average shooter to enjoy range therapy the way they once did.

It’s at the point where those who used to go to the range for enjoyment or stress relief are incurring stress at the mere thought of burning all that money!

Well, here are some tips to help you pinch pennies, wisely, at the range. You can have your range time and enjoy it too.

Be Smart About Buying in Bulk

One quick way to save a buck or two at the range is by buying ammo in bulk. After all, buying in bulk is the best way to get a lower per-round cost on your favorite ammo.

There are two caveats here. One is to buy smart – get an appropriate round for high-volume shooting. Don’t just buy any round because it is cheap.

The other is to be smart about your choice of caliber, especially if you have multiple guns. For instance, maybe you love your .300 BLK – but maybe don’t go to the range and waste money shooting that?

Those are relatively expensive rounds. Switch over to something smaller like .223 Rem or 5.56×45 NATO ammo and use that for high-volume target shooting. If you buy .223 bulk ammo that’s cheaper, anyway. Save the .300 BLK for competition and a smaller caliber for range therapy.

Save That Brass

Invest in a brass catcher, or, since that is another line item (and therefore an expense) just be conscientious about saving your brass.

One good reason to save your brass is that if you take care of it and clean it you can reuse it. If you’re a reloader, you can drive down costs at the range simply by making more of your preferred ammo.

The other is that you might be able to sell off some of your old brass and use that to fund additional purchases of bulk ammo.

Many recycling and scrap metal centers will accept spent brass if it is in good condition – so look into some of these around your area after you bought .223 bulk ammo, if you don’t reload.

Skip the Store-Bought Targets 

It might sound ratchet and cheap (it’s definitely the latter) but think about it for a second. Do you want to spend money on something that you’re literally going to shoot full of holes?

Why do that when you can make your own targets. Either use a compass to trace your own targets on paper and apply spots, or just improvise your own from paper dinner plates. They’re way cheaper than paper targets and (don’t tell anyone) they work just as well.

Learn to Shoot for Free

Most states’ divisions of fish and game (or whatever your state calls it) operate and maintain hunter training areas that allow hunters and their guests to shoot for free.

Granted, shooting clubs are a whole lot of fun to join and may offer you perks that free ranges don’t, but can you argue with the cost?

If you’re really on a budget, look into the free facilities your state offers and make a point to shoot at those, where legal. These savings alone won’t be minimal, and you can roll them back into your shooting hobby.

Get Out There

You should be able to put most if not all of these pointers into practice today – and you know what that means.

You can save money doing what you love. So get to it!

For more information about Federal Gold Medal Match and Police Trade In please visit:- Bucking Horse Outpost