With a shelf this crowded, the cartridge is the last decision. Decide the job, the rifle and how much recoil you will enjoy, and the list shortens quickly.

A first rifle

For a new shooter, the .243 Winchester is a gentle deer-and-varmint choice. Many rifle makers chamber it, and anyone who wants to buy 243 ammo is buying a cartridge that has been on the market since 1955.

The .223 Remington is gentler still, and 50-grain loads are at 223 50 grain ammo.

A deer rifle

The .308 Winchester, at 308 ammo, is the easy all-round answer. The .270 Winchester, with Nosler's loads at nosler 270 ammo, is the flatter-shooting classic.

The .280 Ackley Improved, at 280ai ammo, is for the shooter who wants a little more speed than the standard .280 Remington.

A long-range rifle

For long shots, the traditional choices are the magnums. The 300 Winchester Magnum, with polymer-tip loads at 300 win mag polymer tip ammo, is the longer-established. The 300 WSM, with Federal's loads at federal 300 wsm ammo, fits a short action. Both need a rifle built for them.

AR-15 and old rifles

An AR-15 can be built for either of two other cartridges with the right barrel. The 224 Valkyrie's polymer-tip loads are at 224 valkyrie polymer tip ammo. The 300 Blackout's 110-grain loads are at 300 blackout 110 grain ammo.

For an old Lee-Enfield, the .303 British, at 303 british ammo for sale, is the right cartridge, and a gunsmith should check the rifle first.

Practice and hunting are separate lists

Keep two lists. Plain FMJ or target loads suit the range, and premium expanding bullets suit the field. Many of these cartridges come in both kinds, and the bullet that suits one rarely suits the other.

Buy and test

Buy two or three loads in single boxes, shoot them from your own rifle, and keep notes on groups and point of impact. When one stands out, buy it in the quantity you need, ideally from a single lot, and keep the lot number.

Plans like this are general guidance. Match the name on your barrel to the box, store ammunition cool and dry, and confirm current stock and state shipping restrictions before ordering.