Shooting Times Picks The Best New Ammo For 2017

Shooters will be pleased with the wide range of new ammo offerings for 2017. From a screaming new Copper-22 Rimfire to loads featuring non-expanding bullets with fluted edges designed to cut through barriers, to multi-platform loads designed to function in a variety of rifle platforms, to match-grade offerings, to a new deer load designed for the 6.5 Creedmoor, the options have never been better. Here's a quick introduction to the best new ammo for 2017.

Black Hills

Last year Black Hills changed the rules for defensive ammunition in .380 Auto and .38 Special by introducing non-expanding pistol bullets with hard cutting edges and deep flutes. The new bullets, developed with Lehigh Defense, cut through barriers that plug conventional hollowpoints while creating larger, deeper wound paths. That line is now called HoneyBadger, and for 2017 Black Hills has added 9mm (125 grains), .45 ACP (135 grains), and .44 Magnum (160 grains) to the line.

MSRP: Not available at presstime | blackhillsammo.com

Browning

The new BXR Rapid Expansion Matrix Tip rifle ammunition from Browning features nickel-plated cases and bullet jackets, and a copper matrix tip that is intended to be used on whitetails, blacktails, mule deer, and antelope. New offerings for 2017 are .270 WSM (134 grains), 6.5 Creedmoor (129 grains), 7mm-08 (144 grains), and 7mm Remington Magnum (144 grains). All are packed 20 rounds per box.

MSRP: $27.99 to $33.99 | browning.com

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CCI

One of CCI's newest .22 LR offerings is the Copper-22, which features a 21-grain nonlead, copper-polymer hollowpoint bullet. The loading has a rated muzzle velocity of 1,850 fps.

MSRP: $10.95 | cci-ammunition.com

Federal

For 2017 Federal has added the .38 Special +P to its HST Micro offerings. This loading is designed specifically to provide optimal ballistic performance and accuracy in snubnose revolvers. The new 130-grain hollowpoint +P loading generates a muzzle velocity of 890 fps.

MSRP: $30.95 | federalpremium.com

Hornady

Hornady's new BLACK ammunition is designed to fit, feed, and function in a variety of rifle platforms, including direct impingement, gas piston, suppressed, unsuppressed, inertia, bolt, pump, supersonic, subsonic, mid-length, carbine, and AR pistol platforms. It's loaded with Hornady A-Max, V-Max, InterLock, SST, FTX, or ELD Match bullets and is initially offered in nine calibers ranging from 5.45x39mm and .223 Rem. through .308 Win. to .450 Bushmaster.

MSRP: $15 to $38.33 | hornady.com

HSM

HSM Ammunition has a new line of hunting ammunition specifically for handgun hunters. Called the Pro Pistol Hunter line, eight popular chamberings are offered, including the 10mm Auto. That load carries a 180-grain JHP and has a factory-rated muzzle velocity of 1,150 fps. Other calibers in the new line are .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .460 S&W, and .500 S&W. HSM says these factory loads are as close to a handload as you can get, and all loadings feature Sierra jacketed bullets.

MSRP: $42.99 (10mm Auto) | thehuntingshack.com

PolyCase

PolyCase has reintroduced its line of Inceptor Sport Utility ammunition, which is loaded with a roundnose RNP bullet made of the company's injection-molded copper-polymer material and is designed to provide excellent accuracy and optimal frangibility on steel targets. Caliber offerings include .380 Auto (60 grains), .38 Special (84 grains), 9mm (65 grains), .40 S&W (97 grains), and .45 ACP (130 grains).

MSRP: $57.99 to $79.99 | polycaseammo.com

Remington

Remington has expanded its Range Bucket and Freedom Bucket offerings to include .380 Auto, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .300 Blackout. The .380 Range Bucket contains 500 rounds; the .40 S&W Range Bucket contains 300 rounds; the .45 ACP Range Bucket contains 200 rounds; and the .300 Blackout Freedom Bucket contains 180 rounds.

MSRP: $92.54 to $202.99 | remington.com

SIG SAUER

SIG has added .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .300 Winchester Magnum Match Grade Rifle ammo to its line of Elite Performance ammunition. The new Match Grade offerings are loaded with Sierra MatchKing bullets (.223 Rem.: 77 grains; .308 Win.: 168 grains; and .300 Win. Mag.: 190 grains). Using temperature-stable powders, premium primers, and optimized cartridge case metallurgy, the Match-Grade ammo is loaded on state-of-the-art equipment that is 100 percent electromechanically monitored to ensure conformity and consistency.

MSRP: $24.25 to $54.25 | sigsauer.com

Winchester

Winchester has added two new 6.5 Creedmoor offerings. One is part of the company's Expedition Big Game line and is loaded with a 142-grain bonded bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps. The other new 6.5 Creedmoor offering is in the Dear Season XP line, and it is loaded with a 125-grain polymer-tipped bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,850 fps.

MSRP: $24 to $38 | winchester.com