What’s the best way to craft and use the Express Rifle Ammo?

Crafting and using Express Rifle Ammo in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a crucial skill for maximizing your effectiveness in combat, especially against tougher enemies and large game. Express Rifle Ammo deals significantly more damage than regular ammo, making it ideal for hunting large animals like bears, bison, and elk, as well as for taking down heavily armored foes in gunfights. To craft Express Rifle Ammo, you need to gather specific materials and follow a straightforward process.\n\nFirst, you must acquire the recipe for Express Rifle Ammo. This recipe is unlocked by default, so you don’t need to purchase it. However, you will need the necessary ingredients: one regular Rifle Cartridge and one Animal Fat. Rifle Cartridges can be purchased from gunsmiths or looted from enemies, while Animal Fat is obtained by skinning certain animals, such as ducks, boars, and bears. Always carry a Varmint Rifle or Bow with Small Game Arrows to hunt smaller animals efficiently.\n\nOnce you have the required materials, open your Satchel and navigate to the Crafting menu. Select the Ammo tab, then choose Express Rifle Ammo. If you have the ingredients, you can craft it on the spot. Crafting is done in real-time, so ensure you’re in a safe location before starting. Each crafting session produces 10 rounds of Express Rifle Ammo, so plan accordingly if you need a large supply.\n\nUsing Express Rifle Ammo effectively requires understanding its strengths and limitations. This ammo type is best suited for high-damage scenarios, such as hunting legendary animals or engaging in intense shootouts. For example, when hunting the Legendary Bear, Express Rifle Ammo ensures a clean kill, preserving the pelt’s quality. In combat, it’s particularly useful against enemies with high health or those wearing armor, such as bounty hunters or rival gang members.\n\nOne common challenge is running out of Animal Fat, as it’s not as abundant as other crafting materials. To address this, prioritize hunting animals that drop Animal Fat, such as ducks near water bodies like Flat Iron Lake or boars in the forests of Big Valley. Additionally, always skin animals you encounter during your travels to stockpile resources. If you’re low on Rifle Cartridges, visit gunsmiths in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis to replenish your supply.\n\nAnother tip is to combine Express Rifle Ammo with Dead Eye for maximum efficiency. Dead Eye allows you to target multiple weak points on an enemy or animal, ensuring a quick and clean kill. For instance, when hunting a moose, activate Dead Eye to target its vital organs, reducing the risk of damaging the pelt. In combat, Dead Eye can help you take down multiple enemies swiftly, conserving your ammo.\n\nFinally, always carry a backup weapon with regular ammo to conserve Express Rifle Ammo for critical moments. This strategy ensures you’re prepared for any situation without wasting valuable resources. By mastering the crafting and use of Express Rifle Ammo, you’ll significantly enhance your gameplay experience in Red Dead Redemption 2, whether you’re hunting, fighting, or exploring the vast open world.