Selecting the right bullet type for your rifle is crucial for optimizing performance, whether you’re hunting, target shooting, or engaging in long-range precision. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common types of rifle bullets, their advantages and disadvantages, and where they excel. We’ll also highlight standout lines from Hornady and Federal, along with other brands, to help you find the right fit for your shooting needs.

We’ll cover preparation, anatomy and shot angles, ammunition choices (including lead-free), decision-making under pressure, tracking and recovery, meat care, law and ethics (including Fair Chase), technology boundaries, public- and private-land etiquette, archery and muzzleloader specifics, and a concise pre-shot checklist. Think of it as a field-proven blueprint for clean, humane kills and honorable conduct.

In this guide, we examine Federal Premium HammerDown—an ammunition line specifically engineered for lever-action rifles.

Unlike many other hunting loads, Fusion’s electrochemical bonding process sets it apart. Learn more about the product line with this guide.