Ammunition Manufacturers: Who Makes What

If you have ever stood in front of an ammo shelf and wondered who actually makes all those boxes, this list is for you. It covers the makers shoppers see most often, where they are based, and what each one is known for. Every name links to its live listings, and the full brand directory has the rest.

The chart at the top shows which brands fill the most in-stock listings on Gun Search Engine right now.

“A few big names fill most of the shelf. Dozens of smaller makers fill the gaps.”

Major US makers

• **Federal:** based in Minnesota. Makes a wide range of target, hunting and defense loads in rifle, handgun and shotgun.
• **Winchester:** based in Illinois. One of the oldest names in American ammo, with loads for nearly every common caliber.
• **Remington:** made in Arkansas. Known for hunting rifle and shotgun loads and bulk range ammo.
• **Hornady:** family-owned and based in Nebraska. Known for bullets, defense loads and precision rifle ammo.
• **CCI:** based in Idaho. Best known for rimfire ammo and primers.
• **Speer:** based in Idaho. Known for handgun defense loads and bullets for reloaders.
• **Sig Sauer:** the gun maker also makes ammo in the US, mostly handgun and rifle loads built around its own guns.

Hunting, premium and boutique makers

• **Nosler:** based in Oregon. Known for premium hunting bullets and loaded rifle ammo.
• **Barnes:** based in Utah. Known for all-copper hunting bullets.
• **Weatherby:** based in Wyoming. Makes ammo for its own line of magnum rifle cartridges.
• **HSM:** short for Hunting Shack, based in Montana. Makes hunting and cowboy-action loads, plus less common calibers.
• **Underwood:** based in Illinois. Known for hard-hitting handgun and hunting loads.
• **Double Tap Ammunition and Buffalo Bore Ammunition:** smaller US makers known for heavy handgun and hunting loads.

Imported makers

• **Fiocchi:** an Italian company that also loads ammo in Missouri. Makes target and shotgun loads.
• **Sellier & Bellot:** from the Czech Republic. Makes affordable brass-cased range and hunting ammo.
• **Prvi Partizan:** from Serbia. Known for range ammo and hard-to-find older military calibers.
• **PMC:** owned by a South Korean company. Known for range ammo.
• **Magtech:** from Brazil. Makes range and defense handgun ammo.
• **Aguila:** from Mexico. Known for rimfire and range ammo.
• **Norma:** from Sweden. Known for precision and hunting rifle ammo.
• **Rio from Spain, Baschieri & Pellagri from Italy and Kent Cartridge:** makers known mainly for shotgun shells.

One parent, many brands

The name on the box is not always the company that owns it. Federal, CCI, Speer and Remington ammo sit under the same parent company today. Magtech and Sellier & Bellot are both part of the same Brazilian group. Brands under one owner can still keep their own plants, product lines and reputations.

This matters less than people think when you shop. What counts is the load: bullet type, weight and the job it was built for.

“The name on the box is not always the company that owns it.”

How to use this list

• Start with the job: practice, hunting or home defense.
• Pick the caliber your gun is chambered for. Then compare brands on the ammo by caliber pages.
• For range ammo, most major brands will do. For hunting and defense, look at bullet type and the maker's intended use.
• Open a brand page to see every caliber that brand has in stock today.

“Pick the load for the job first. Then compare brands.”

Looking for a brand that is not on this list? Browse all ammo and gun brands to see every maker with live listings on Gun Search Engine.