Sport ammunition usually does not differ much from training ammunition. Sometimes both terms are also used for the same type of ammunition.
Ammunition for rifles generally consists of cartridges that can be fired from rifles (long guns with rifled barrels). The projectiles are often referred to as "bullets." A single shot precisely fires a projectile - in contrast to the shotgun cartridge, which is fired from smooth barrels and disperses many small pellets.
Sport ammunition is primarily used in the field of shooting sports. It is designed to be as precise as possible and to provide consistent shooting results, meaning it should have a very small dispersion circle. Often, the projectile is also slightly lighter than that of hunting ammunition.
Rifle cartridge casings often have a bottle shape, as this allows for an increase in the powder space without making the length-to-diameter ratio of the casing too large. If the casings are too long, there is a risk that the charge will not ignite completely during firing, and unburned powder will exit the barrel, which would reduce performance. The casings of cartridges for heavier hunting calibers, such as .30-06 Springfield or 8 x 57 IS, are cylindrical or slightly conical.
The costs for sport ammunition are generally somewhat lower than those for hunting ammunition. However, they also vary significantly depending on caliber, load, and bullet type. Typically, the cartridges are sold in package sizes of 20-50 pieces. Common sport cartridges usually cost between 20-60€ for a pack of 20.
Often, highly active sports shooters also reload their ammunition for cost reasons.
Usually, hollow point or full metal jacket bullets are used to manufacture sport ammunition, as neither the characteristics of a fragmentation nor a deformation bullet are important for this ammunition. The sport ammunition is only meant to indicate the hit location on the practice target. A strong, lethal effect is unnecessary there.
It is also important that sport ammunition may only be used for training purposes. Using it for hunting is considered unethical and could even be illegal in some cases.
Anyone who has a valid acquisition permit (hunting license for hunters, firearms ownership card for sports shooters) can generally purchase live ammunition.
Ammunition can be purchased either from a trusted gunsmith / gun dealer or online from countless shops. Many hunters also buy their ammunition at their local Frankonia branch. On Gunfinder.de, you can quickly find the right ammunition for your rifle in the corresponding caliber thanks to intelligent filters and great offers.