Which Rifle Fires It? AR-Pattern, Lever, Bolt-Action, Double and Rimfire Platforms
By zab nab
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A cartridge is only half of a purchase. The other half is the rifle, and the big and small cartridges in this series are fired from very different platforms. Knowing which is which keeps you from buying ammunition for a rifle you do not own.
AR-pattern rifles
The .450 Bushmaster uses a standard AR-15 lower with a new upper and modified magazines, and its loads are at 450 bushmaster ammo for sale. The .458 SOCOM needs a barrel, bolt and magazine follower made for it, and its FMJ loads are at 458 socom fmj ammo.
Lever-action rifles
The .450 Marlin, introduced in 2000 by Marlin and Hornady, is a belted cartridge made for the Marlin Model 1895 lever action as a stronger alternative to the .45-70. Its loads are at 450 marlin ammo.
Bolt-action rifles
The big bolt-action cartridges need long, strong actions. The .458 Lott is a lengthened .458 Winchester Magnum, and its 500-grain loads are at 458 lott 500 grain ammo. A rifle chambered for the Lott can also fire .458 Winchester Magnum cartridges, but a .458 Winchester Magnum rifle cannot chamber the longer Lott.
The .460 Weatherby Magnum is built on a necked-up .378 Weatherby Magnum case, and its lead round-nose loads are at 460 weatherby magnum lead round nose ammo. The .500 Jeffery, a rebated-rim cartridge with a .510-inch bullet that fits a magnum-size Mauser 98 action, has loads at 500 jeffery ammo.
Double rifles
The .500 Nitro Express was built chiefly for double rifles, which carry two cartridges side by side, and its loads are at 500 nitro express ammo for sale. The cartridge comes in 3-inch and 3¼-inch case lengths, so match the box to the chamber. A double rifle is also regulated for a particular load, so changing loads can change where it shoots.
Rimfire rifles and pistols
The .22 LR is fired from rifles, pistols and revolvers of every kind. Aguila's loads are at aguila 22lr ammunition. Federal's 36-grain loads are at federal 22lr 36 grain ammo.
Not every rifle likes every load, so try a few brands. Winchester's hollow-point loads, at winchester 22lr hollow point ammo, are made for small game and varmints.
Check the marking
Whatever the platform, the chambering stamped on the barrel decides what you may fire. Match it to the box, letter for letter and number for number.
Platform matters as much as cartridge. Confirm the chambering of your rifle, never fire a cartridge it is not marked for, and confirm current stock and state shipping restrictions before ordering.