What is the recommended practice to verify you are using the proper ammunition for your firearm?

• A. Match the information on the firearm's barrel to the information on the cartridge or shotshell before you shoot.
• B. Ask a friend which brand to use.
• C. Rely on the retailer’s suggestion for compatibility.
• D. Use any ammunition and hope for the best.

Answer: (A)

Always verify ammunition by matching the firearm’s markings with the cartridge or shotshell markings before firing. The markings on the barrel or chamber tell you the exact caliber or gauge and the type of loads the gun is designed to handle, while the headstamp or box markings on the ammo confirm the same information. When these two sets of markings align, you’re using ammunition the firearm is designed to safely chamber and fire, which helps prevent dangerous overpressure, misfires, or damage to the gun.

Relying on a friend’s opinion or a retailer’s suggestion isn’t reliable, and using “any” ammunition or mismatched loads is unsafe. If the markings don’t match, do not load the firearm and seek guidance from the manual or the firearm manufacturer.