Matching ammunition

The right cartridge for the gun every time, and how to keep ammunition dry, sorted and apart from the guns.

What you need

Read the barrel. The calibre or gauge, and for a shotgun the chamber length, are stamped on it.
Read the box, then the headstamp on the base of the cartridge. All three must match the barrel exactly.
Close is not a match. Some wrong cartridges will chamber and fire, and that is what makes them dangerous.
For a shotgun, check the shell length as well as the gauge. A shell longer than the chamber raises the pressure.
Carry only the ammunition for the gun in your hands. The rest stays home or in the truck, boxed and labelled.
The first time you open any new box, look at the first cartridge before it goes in the gun.
Keep ammunition in its box, dry and out of the sun, and store it apart from the guns.

Sight in again when you change brand or bullet weight. The point of impact moves. See Sighting in a rifle.
Unload into your hand and count the rounds back into the box.
Use non toxic shot where the rules call for it, such as for waterfowl.

Don't

Do not carry loose cartridges for two guns in one pocket, above all twenty gauge and twelve gauge shells.
Do not use ammunition that is dented, corroded, wet, or has a loose bullet.
Do not shoot reloads made by someone you do not know.

Danger

A twenty gauge shell dropped into a twelve gauge slides down and lodges in the barrel. A twelve fired behind it can burst the barrel.
If a shot sounds weak or wrong, stop. A bullet can be stuck in the bore. Unload and look through the barrel before firing again.
If a cartridge does not go off, keep the muzzle pointed safe and wait at least thirty seconds before opening the action. It can be a hang fire.

Most gun trouble at camp is the wrong round or the loaded gun nobody knew about. One gun, one box, one pocket.

See Safe gun handling and Storing and moving firearms for the rules on carrying and storage.

Updated 2026-09-23