View Full Version : How much is too much? (price per round)
I was at a couple of local gun shops today looking at their ammo prices to see if I could come across any decent prices and found one place that had M855 green tips for $0.40 per round, another place that had Federal AE .223 for $0.40 per round, and then some PMC bronze .223 for $0.35 per round.
My question is (and I hope it doesn't seem like a dumb one), how much is too much to pay for this kind of ammo? It will just be to stockpile and use mostly for practice, so what is you guys' limit in terms of "I won't pay more than ____ per round for ____ ammo."
I realize that what we might be willing to pay could go up or down based on the economy and/or political climate, but just trying to get an idea so I don't go buy any in bulk and then read about guys on here paying way less and feeling like I got ripped off.
I usually compare to ammoseek and see what the online going rate is.
I like to find M193 for around $0.30/round shipped, but as of late, I can only find it for $0.35/round shipped. That's good enough for me.
I don't purchase much M855, but the last batch ran me about $0.34/round shipped. This batch was purchased before the recent price increase (about a month ago) seen at most online retailers.
I usually compare to ammoseek and see what the online going rate is.
I'll have to do this and see how the prices I found today compare to on-line rates.
Also, with the recent increase in M855, $0.40 might be the new norm soon. :(
Thanks for the input guys.
At .040 cents a round, I'm thinking, have any of you considered reloading?... I'm reloading practice ammo, using surplus powder (WC844) and Hornady 55gr FMJ's. I figure my cost is 13.76 cents a round..(figuring at componet cost of 100rnds) The 27cents a round you'll save, will easily offset the cost of equiptment in a very short time..Correction..that should be 15.68 cents a round..error on my part..Anyway, still cheap enough..
polymorpheous
04-22-12, 10:08
I like to find M193 for around $0.30/round shipped, but as of late, I can only find it for $0.35/round shipped. That's good enough for me.
I don't purchase much M855, but the last batch ran me about $0.34/round shipped. This batch was purchased before the recent price increase (about a month ago) seen at most online retailers.
Where are you finding M193 for that price?
I can't even find it in stock in bulk.
Widener's has 300 round bulk packs of M855 for $104.
This is the best price I've found.
Reloading is definitely a good option if you have the time and energy.
Components aren't drying up as fast as loaded ammo is around here.
Depending on availability, one will pay whatever the market generates.
If ammo prices became obscenely exorbitant, you would still buy and pay 'market' price if you wanted to pursue your hobby, maintain your 'self defense' needs hunting needs, etc.
Failure2Stop
04-22-12, 12:12
Ammo cost is what pushed me toward .22 LR for training non-recoil oriented skills.
For 5.56 I try to stay under $350 per 1000 shipped, but it looks like that number will be going up to $370.
At .040 cents a round, I'm thinking, have any of you considered reloading?... I'm reloading practice ammo, using surplus powder (WC844) and Hornady 55gr FMJ's. I figure my cost is 13.76 cents a round..(figuring at componet cost of 100rnds) The 27cents a round you'll save, will easily offset the cost of equiptment in a very short time..Correction..that should be 15.68 cents a round..error on my part..Anyway, still cheap enough..
Yeah I'm loading 1k rounds for $134 so I feel where you are coming from. My plinking loads actually outperform some commercial match loads from my rifle so taking that into account the saving is is multiplied 5-6x. Since I started loading my own I can't imagine paying $300+ for a case of anymore anymore.
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At .040 cents a round, I'm thinking, have any of you considered reloading?... I'm reloading practice ammo, using surplus powder (WC844) and Hornady 55gr FMJ's. I figure my cost is 13.76 cents a round..(figuring at componet cost of 100rnds) The 27cents a round you'll save, will easily offset the cost of equiptment in a very short time..Correction..that should be 15.68 cents a round..error on my part..Anyway, still cheap enough..
I have as well, I'm just waiting for money to permit getting the equipment. I'd love to reload all of my practice 9mm and 5.56mm ammo and then just have to buy personal defense ammo already manufactured.
In December I paid $0.27 per round. This weekend I paid $0.37 per round.. I paid $0.40 per round locally for 300 IMI855 recently.. I'm still waiting for my 1000 rounds of XM193 from Brownells.. Backordered since January or February.. Possibly it'll still show up.. I'm not expecting to see much more this year.. Ron
Raven Armament
04-22-12, 23:38
For retail sales, the range is $300-400 per 1,000 rounds for new ammunition. Reloaded brass ammunition is similar in range but maybe a little less. There is still expensive labor needed to recondition the brass to load, but not as cheap as drawing your own brass.
Since I started loading my own I can't imagine paying $300+ for a case of anymore anymore.
Agreed.
Plus, I train quite a bit with my M&P 15-22...
Mace
Good lord, I am very glad I picked up a lee single stage kit.
im payin .28/rnd for m193 locally for now. not much left.
if you buy 55 gr bullets bulk from montana gold ,3500=280.00 (free shipping to a commercial adress IE: post office box) buy your powder of choice in 8 lb jug, ramshot tac =150.00, primers from wideners 15,000 =428.00 shipped, beg the police carbine training classes for their brass= free unless one of their buds beat you to it or an enterpriseing officer grabs it first( this is why it's good to be nice to the cops)=.08 per bullet,.03 per primer,.07 per 24.5 gr powder=.18 per round, if you want a better reason 80 gr nosler=.18 per bullet (1,000= aproximately 180 shipped from midway)+powder+ primer=
.36 per round and i have yet to find a commercial loading of this at all and 77 gr bullet loadings are far north of .65 per round same for 69 gr bullets. if you have'nt checked out Nosler Custom Competion bullets your paying to much for everything else. the same recipes for SMK's can be used for NCC's( per communique from nosler)
if you buy 55 gr bullets bulk from montana gold ,3500=280.00 (free shipping to a commercial adress IE: post office box) buy your powder of choice in 8 lb jug, ramshot tac =150.00, primers from wideners 15,000 =428.00 shipped, beg the police carbine training classes for their brass= free unless one of their buds beat you to it or an enterpriseing officer grabs it first( this is why it's good to be nice to the cops)=.08 per bullet,.03 per primer,.07 per 24.5 gr powder=.18 per round, if you want a better reason 80 gr nosler=.18 per bullet (1,000= aproximately 180 shipped from midway)+powder+ primer=
.36 per round and i have yet to find a commercial loading of this at all and 77 gr bullet loadings are far north of .65 per round same for 69 gr bullets. if you have'nt checked out Nosler Custom Competion bullets your paying to much for everything else. the same recipes for SMK's can be used for NCC's( per communique from nosler)
You could save some coin on your plinking load by buying 55gr Hornady bullets from Wideners for 6,000/$460 shipped, Wolf SRM Primers $17/k, and 8lbs WC844/H335 powder for $90 from Hi Tech Ammo.
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exactly mine was just an example based on what i use, and hopefully the justice department does'nt spin their turd into a problem for widener's. it took aproxiamately 17 day's to process my order and ship but my real guess is their over their heads with orders(figuaritavely)
My benchmark for commercially loaded ammo has always been:
9mm = $0.20 cents per round for FMJ
.223/5.56 = $0.30 cents per round
I tend to move a few cents based on my need and/or current political climate. Recently I have been buying locally reloaded 9mm from a guy who does a lot of business to local departments/trainers. Can't wait to get my own setup going.
Voodoo_Man
04-24-12, 13:25
Ammo cost is what pushed me toward .22 LR for training non-recoil oriented skills.
For 5.56 I try to stay under $350 per 1000 shipped, but it looks like that number will be going up to $370.
15-22?
Failure2Stop
04-24-12, 14:19
15-22?
I went with a CMMG upper so I would have the same trigger and not have to jump through transfer hoops, and I got it on trade.
*Note* I decided to drop the upper on a lower I have without a tangible purpose, so the lower/trigger point is pretty much moot.
I really wanted a 15-22, but I'm happy with what I have for what I do with it.
Voodoo_Man
04-24-12, 14:23
I went with a CMMG upper so I would have the same trigger and not have to jump through transfer hoops, and I got it on trade.
*Note* I decided to drop the upper on a lower I have without a tangible purpose, so the lower/trigger point is pretty much moot.
I really wanted a 15-22, but I'm happy with what I have for what I do with it.
No issues I take it? Been looking for a .22 version to practice with that won't cost an arm every time I go out to train.
Of course the ISSC MK16 might be what I need.
*sorry for the derail*
I agree .22 is a better option now a days.
polymorpheous
04-24-12, 15:16
Recently I have been buying locally reloaded 9mm from a guy who does a lot of business to local departments/trainers.
It is always a bad idea buying someone else's reloads.
I can't believe a department would buy reloads.
Failure2Stop
04-24-12, 15:56
No issues I take it? Been looking for a .22 version to practice with that won't cost an arm every time I go out to train.
Of course the ISSC MK16 might be what I need.
*sorry for the derail*
I agree .22 is a better option now a days.
PM outbound.
What I'd like to see for ammo prices:
9mm, .20 per round
.223, .30 per round
That being said, no telling what they'll actually be soon.
I shoot my S&W 15_22 a lot it,s cheap to shoot allows me to train and save my 223ammo . I reload 223 and that cuts cost . Componit are getting hard to find so more 22 Cal training. That will save on brass.
30 cents for XM193 and 25 cents for .223
30 cents for XM193 and 25 cents for .223
Where are you finding these prices?!
My LGS has Fed XM193 for $320/1000 out the door. I am thinking maybe I should get some more.
I bought a Dillon RL550B and have accumulated some of the components for reloading handgun (9 and .45). I just need to mount it up and get going. I'll probably order up a set of .223 and .308 dies as well while I am at it.
I bought a Dillon RL550B and have accumulated some of the components for reloading handgun (9 and .45). I just need to mount it up and get going. I'll probably order up a set of .223 and .308 dies as well while I am at it.
You are going to want to get a Dillon Rapid trim. Another $275 but well worth it.
I started reloading Rifle this year on my Lee Load Master, and have had excellent results. All my loads are +/- .1 grain on the powder drops, and the COAL is +/- .0025. As good or better than match ammo. Prepping is a PITA though. 2 passes through the press and another full session at the drill press with a primer pocket reamer on all my scavenged brass (crimped primer pockets), which equals about the same amount of time as a third pass through the press.
I mark all my reloads though, so I can sort through the bucket easier and don't have to worry about reaming those pockets again.
I've got near 10k brass now after 2 classes and buying locally, and my cost IIRC is $.174 per round. Accurate 2230, CCI primers, Hornady 55gr FMJBT.
Find some people local to you and do a group buy on the powder and primers online so you can split up the hazmat and shipping fees. Some companies will eat the hazmat fee if you max out the shipping weight.
Toxicodendron
05-03-12, 07:21
Where are you finding M193 for that price?
I can't even find it in stock in bulk.
Widener's has 300 round bulk packs of M855 for $104.
This is the best price I've found.
Reloading is definitely a good option if you have the time and energy.
Components aren't drying up as fast as loaded ammo is around here.
I just picked up 5000 pulled M855 from Widener's for $369 shipped. They are in great shape, with some having minor pull marks. The bulk still have the green tips.
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