The Best Ammo Manufacturers

Below is my list of the best places to buy ammo online as well as the best ammo brands in 2022. I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, design, and cost.

Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to the list of ammo bramds.

1. Top Choice: Palmetto State Armory
2. Sportsmans Guide
3. Brownells
4. Guns.com

1. Palmetto State Armory

Palmetto State Armory is generally one of our first stops for bulk ammunition purchases – for any use – hunting, plinking or home defense – PSA is hard to beat.

Their case prices cases (1000) are hard to beat when it comes to rounds of popular calibers and features (223/5.56, 9mm, .45 ACP, hollow points.) They also offer free shipping on cases if you want their sales and at times offer free case-quantity shipping on bulk ammo. We’ve found they generally ship within a business day or two.

Their shipping has improved quite a bit over the years especially since their PSA line of firearms selling well they seem to have upgraded their entire e-commerce operation. 

We really like that you can dive right into the caliber that fits your firearm or favorite brand :

• 12 Gauge
• 20 Gauge
• 22LR Ammo
• 9MM Ammo
• .45 APC Ammo
• .223 Ammo
• .308 Win
• All Calibers

• Buffalo Bore
• CCI
• Federal
• Fiocchi
• Hevi-Shot
• Hornady
• Remington
• Winchester Ammo

• Handgun Ammo
• Rifle Ammo
• Rimfire Ammo
• Shotgun Ammo

• Ammo Storage
• Reloading Supplies
• Tools

Also – be sure to hit the ammo clearance section to make sure you’re getting the best price on what you need. Their ammo deals are second to none and you can really get a great price – it’s all ready to ship.

2. Sportsman’s Guide

From camping to cooking to guns and ammo, Sportsman’s Guide has just about everything outdoors under one roof – they’re similar to Cabela’s (minus the aquariums.)

While their standard offers are great, plus the Members Only deals makes them are even better! You get everyday discounts of up to 10% on gear and 5% on guns & ammo – which can be huge savings over a year of shooting. They also have a credit card offer (similar to Cabela’s) that offers a more aggressive point system that’s well worth taking advantage of if you spend the kind of money we do on ammo and shooting products. 

3. Brownells

Brownells is a great place to do a lot of “all-around” shopping or everything from complete firearms, tools, and components for rifles, handguns, and shotguns. They’re a true online gun shop with legendary customer service, fast ammo shipping, and the kinds of ammunition selection we like to see with all the popular calibers.

Their site is pretty fast and easy to use, and they make the sales & clearance section nice and easy to find (always be deal hunting). The ammo section breaks down into handgun, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammo, so right away you know you’re in the right place. From there just apply a filter or two and you’ll get exactly what you need.

4. Guns.com

Guns.com is another go-to place to buy ammo online thanks to its selection, real-time inventory, and fast shipping, plus the fact they will get your FFL from your store – while other retailers make you find it, copy it, and fax it – which is an incredible level of customer service. 

Sporting goods retailers can be, let’s say, a little unreliable. It’s still not uncommon to find a great price on your ideal ammo, make the purchase, only to get an out of stock email and refund days later.

Part of what makes Guns.com great is the live inventory next to each product price, so there’s no doubt that your product will be available when you make the purchase. Plus the website was clearly designed with mobile users in mind, as it has a fresh look and layout – and everything works as well on a mobile device as your desktop. 

As with anything related to firearms, online ammunition purchases often have state-specific restrictions. 

The good news is generally there’s no FFL / FOID proof required to buy ammo in most states – however – you must be 21 years of age to purchase handgun ammunition and at least 18 years of age to purchase rifle ammunition.

Here’s our quick rundown but be sure to check your state’s specific requirements.

• Alaska: No ammo or primer shipments
• California:

  Ammunition shipments must go to one of the following:

  A licensed ammunition vendor with a copy of their license on file
  A Federally licensed dealer (FFL) with a copy of their license on file
  A type 03 FFL (C&R) with a certificate of eligibility (COE) and both licenses on file
  A gun range that will keep the ammunition on their premises
  A law enforcement agency with written authorization from the head of the agency stating that the ammunition is for official use.

• Connecticut:

  For all valid ammunition and magazine purchases one of the following is required:

  valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver
  valid permit to sell at retail a pistol or revolver
  valid eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver
  valid long gun eligibility certificate
  valid ammunition certificate and a legal photo ID that shows date of birth and photograph.

• Hawaii: No ammo or primer shipments
• Illinois Need ID and Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID)
• Massachusetts: No online ammo sales
• New Jersey: FPID card must be faxed or emailed
• New York: Ammo must be sent to an FFL or special seller and no online ammo to NYC.

• Ammunition shipments must go to one of the following:

  A licensed ammunition vendor with a copy of their license on file
  A Federally licensed dealer (FFL) with a copy of their license on file
  A type 03 FFL (C&R) with a certificate of eligibility (COE) and both licenses on file
  A gun range that will keep the ammunition on their premises
  A law enforcement agency with written authorization from the head of the agency stating that the ammunition is for official use.

• A licensed ammunition vendor with a copy of their license on file
• A Federally licensed dealer (FFL) with a copy of their license on file
• A type 03 FFL (C&R) with a certificate of eligibility (COE) and both licenses on file
• A gun range that will keep the ammunition on their premises
• A law enforcement agency with written authorization from the head of the agency stating that the ammunition is for official use.

• For all valid ammunition and magazine purchases one of the following is required:

  valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver
  valid permit to sell at retail a pistol or revolver
  valid eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver
  valid long gun eligibility certificate
  valid ammunition certificate and a legal photo ID that shows date of birth and photograph.

• valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver
• valid permit to sell at retail a pistol or revolver
• valid eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver
• valid long gun eligibility certificate
• valid ammunition certificate and a legal photo ID that shows date of birth and photograph.

Buffalo Bore: Designed to be a heavy loading, yet be within standard pressure requirements

CCI: One of the cheaper, most popular rimfire brands. Made in Lewiston Idaho and founded in 1951.

Federal: Inexpensive to shoot – plus made in the USA. Look for Federal Champion (the budget line) which can be found everywhere (including Walmart and other discount retailers.)

Fiocchi: A little more expensive than other options but very reliable.

Hevi-Shot: Performance-oriented shotgun ammo.

Hornady: Quality rounds for any firearm. “Ten bullets through one hole” kind of mentality. 

Remington Ammunition & Winchester Ammunition also make the cut owing to their near centuries of experience making ammunition.

Lots of gun owners buy their ammo online – and for good reason. Not only can you get your rounds at a lower price but often you can find quantity discount – and promotion shopping can get you even deeper discounts.

We rarely buy ammo at brick and mortar stores due to the price – it’s simply a lot more expensive. Plus, you can’t find the variety you can online in a physical store. It’s not uncommon to see ammo priced at 30-50% more in a store – and that’s before you factor in taxes!

Shopping for ammo online lets you get a few different kinds of ammo and see what your firearm likes best, then place a larger bulk order once I know what’s going to work best for my piece.

• Ammo Bank Catalog of ammunition and accessories. www.ammobank.com
• Beast Ammo, Inc. Specializing in Once-Fired Brass
• Berger Bullets, Ltd. Handmade custom bullets for the competition shooter. www.bergerbullets.com
• Beta Company, The Offers the C-MAG high capacity magazine for military and law enforcement weapons. www.betaco.com
• Black Hills Ammunition American made. www.black-hills.com
• C Products Aftermarket firearm supplier and manufacturer of AR and other related gun products. C Products offers 20 and 30 round magazines and replacement kits as well as springs and other replacement parts for the AR15, M16, and M4 models. www.cproductsllc.com
• Centurion Ordnance, Inc. Markets and distributes Aguila. www.aguilaammo.com
• Cheek, Ronnie Offers 6mm bench rest rifle bullets. www.cheekbullets.com
• Cor-bon High performance ammunition for self defense and law enforcement. www.cor-bon.com
• Corbin Manufacturing & Supply Inc. Makes swaging equipment for bullet manufacturers. www.corbins.com
• Custom Cast Bullets and Reloads Firearm brass, bullets, reloading, swaging, casting equipment, and dies. www.customreloads.com
• Diamond K Brass Company Suppliers of fired brass and other reloading supplies. Located in Scottdale, Arizona. www.diamondkbrass.com
• Georgia Arms, Inc. American made. www.georgia-arms.com
• Hawk International, Inc. Makers of the Super Hawk wad for 12 gauge shotgun shell reloading. www.hawkinternational.com
• Hornady Manufactures sporting and hunting bullets. www.hornady.com
• Huntington Reloading Accessories Distributors of standard and hard-to-find reloading products. www.huntingtons.com
• MagLoader Loader for .32 through .45 ACP pistols in both single and double stack magazines. www.magloader.com
• National Bullet Co. www.nationalbullet.com
• No Excuses Offers bullets for muzzleloaders. members.aol.com/noexcusesb/index.html
• Old Western Scrounger Inc Source of obsolete and metric ammunition and brass bullets and primers. www.ows-ammo.com
• PCM Ammunition Provides guns and accessories. www.pmcammo.com
• Professional Shooters Products Inc. Cast bullet company that specializes in gas checked rifle and pistol bullets. www.ProShootPro.com
• Proload Ammunition, Inc Manufacturer of premium handgun ammunition for target, hunting, or personal defense. www.proload.com
• Rainier Ballistics Plated bullet producer. www.rainierballistics.com
• RCBS Provides reloading presses, scales, dies, and supplies. www.rcbs.com
• RTG Ammunition Antique and obsolete ammunition for collectors to purchase or sell. www.rtgammo.com
• Safariarms.com Offers custom loading of precision hunting bullets. www.safariarms.com
• Trust Eibarres S.A. Producer of shotgun cartridges for hunting and competition. www.trust-eibarres.com
• Wideners.com Widener’s got its start in 1978 and has had an online shop since the mid 90’s. www.wideners.com