Ammunition — the cartridges you actually shoot — is a recurring cost (unlike the rifle and scope, which are one-time buys), so it's worth understanding.
Factory ammo vs handloading
There are two ways to get ammunition:
Factory ammunition: Pre-made cartridges you buy ready to shoot. This is where every beginner should start. Simple, reliable, no equipment needed.
Handloading (or "reloading"): Making your own cartridges by assembling the components (brass cases, primers, powder, and bullets) yourself. Many serious competitors handload because it can be cheaper over time, lets them fine-tune ammunition to their specific rifle for better accuracy, and gives them control over supply.
As a beginner: shoot factory ammo. Handloading is a rewarding rabbit hole you can dive into later if you want, but it adds equipment, complexity, and a learning curve you don't need right now. Get good factory ammo and focus on learning to shoot. You can always pick up handloading down the road.
What factory ammo should I buy?
For 6.5 Creedmoor (your recommended starter caliber), look for "match" grade ammunition — ammo specifically made for accuracy. Good options include:
- Hornady ELD Match (140 or 147 grain) — widely available, excellent, a community standard
- Federal Gold Medal Match
- Berger factory ammunition
- Prime, Norma, and others also make quality match ammo
The number like "140 grain" or "147 grain" refers to the weight of the bullet. For 6.5 Creedmoor, 140-147 grain match bullets are the standard sweet spot. Don't overthink it — a 140 or 147 grain ELD Match is a great, safe choice.
Avoid cheap bulk "blasting" ammo for precision practice — it's not consistent enough and will frustrate you. Match ammo costs more (often around $1.50-2.50 per round) but it's worth it. You're trying to learn precision; you need ammo capable of precision.
How much will I shoot?
A practice session might use 50-100 rounds. A two-day match might use 150-250 rounds depending on the format. Budget accordingly — ammunition is an ongoing cost and one of the reasons people eventually consider handloading. But to start, just buy factory match ammo as you need it.
An important note: find what your rifle likes
Here's a quirk worth knowing: different rifles "prefer" different ammunition. One rifle might shoot tiny groups with Hornady 140 ELD Match, while another does better with 147 grain. This is normal. Once you're set up, it's worth trying a couple of different match loads to see which your rifle shoots best. But don't agonize over this at first — start with a quality match load and refine later.