What’s the best way to use explosive ammo for gold medal challenges?

Explosive ammo is a powerful tool in Red Dead Redemption 2, especially when aiming for gold medals in missions. This ammo type deals massive damage, often killing enemies in one shot, and can destroy vehicles or structures with ease. However, it is rare and should be used strategically to maximize its effectiveness. To craft explosive ammo, you need specific materials: a regular bullet, animal fat, and a volatile substance like moonshine or high-velocity cartridges. These materials can be found throughout the game world, with animal fat obtained from hunting animals like ducks, boars, or bears, and volatile substances looted from enemies or purchased from fences.\n\nTo use explosive ammo effectively in gold medal challenges, focus on missions with specific objectives like killing enemies quickly, destroying targets, or completing tasks within a time limit. For example, in missions like ''Pouring Forth Oil IV,'' where you must defend a train from attackers, explosive ammo can clear groups of enemies rapidly. Equip a rifle or revolver with explosive ammo before starting the mission, and aim for headshots or center mass to ensure one-hit kills. This saves time and reduces the risk of failing accuracy or speed requirements for gold medals.\n\nGame mechanics play a crucial role in using explosive ammo. Unlike regular bullets, explosive ammo has a small blast radius, meaning it can damage nearby enemies or objects. Use this to your advantage by targeting groups of enemies clustered together. For instance, in the mission ''The Battle of Shady Belle,'' explosive ammo can quickly eliminate multiple enemies during the assault on the mansion. Additionally, explosive ammo is particularly effective against armored enemies or vehicles, such as stagecoaches or wagons, which are common in missions like ''The Fine Joys of Tobacco.''\n\nOne common challenge is managing the limited supply of explosive ammo. To overcome this, craft or purchase as much as possible before starting a mission. Visit fences in towns like Saint Denis or Rhodes to buy volatile substances, and hunt animals in areas like Bayou Nwa or Big Valley for animal fat. Store crafted explosive ammo in your weapon locker to ensure it is available when needed. During missions, switch to explosive ammo only when necessary, such as during high-pressure combat scenarios, and revert to regular ammo for less critical encounters.\n\nPractical tips for using explosive ammo include practicing your aim in free roam to get comfortable with its trajectory and blast radius. Use Dead Eye to line up precise shots, especially when targeting multiple enemies or moving vehicles. Additionally, pair explosive ammo with weapons like the Rolling Block Rifle or Semi-Auto Shotgun for maximum impact. Finally, always check mission requirements before starting, as some gold medal challenges may restrict the use of certain weapons or ammo types.\n\nIn summary, explosive ammo is a game-changer for gold medal challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2. By crafting or purchasing it in advance, using it strategically in high-stakes situations, and mastering its mechanics, you can significantly improve your chances of earning gold medals. Focus on missions with time-sensitive or combat-heavy objectives, and always aim for efficiency and precision to meet gold medal criteria.