Ammunition prices

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matt0415

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I am currently waiting for my RPAL to come and im just deciding which handgun caliber i want. I am a student and dont have tons of money im just wondering the prices on ammunition for handguns such as 9mm, 45acp etc. I currently own a .22 rifle and its extremely cheap for ammunition and a .303 british which is a little more expensive (bout a 1.50 a piece). just wondering how handgun ammunition prices against rifle ammunition.

Thanks

Matt
 
9mm and .38 spcl will definitely be cheaper than other centerfire rnds. I think you can get them around 180-200 / 1000 from wolfbullet.

I'd seriously consider a .22 pistol too. Nothing like *lots* of trigger time to get the skillz.
 
"Brand" ammo would be a it more expensive than that (and for mail order you also have to consider shipping, while could easily add up to an extra box or 2).

I've bought some american eagle recently, and did a bit of looking around at what the prices are... it's around .30-.35 for 9mm per unit, and .50-.55 for 45 cal. Less for volume 1000+. If you can find cheaper brands and your gun will feed them reliably, you're good to go.

For the reloading nutz, is it worth saving 9mm brass for reloading? I know I'll want to reload eventually, especially rifle shots, but really haven't done any reading on this yet.
 
No, 9mm is not worth saving - at all. Though some do reload for 9 mm, so this isn't odd thing to see, or read.

To the OP, my best suggestion to you is;
Go to a gun store and check firearms out for yourself. Who cares what the ammo costs, it's about a gun that fits your hand, points well, and suits your needs.

By selecting a firearm based only on ammunition costs is really norrowing your options down, on an already small restricted firearms market.

You are not always going to be a starving student, keep in mind.

I could go on.
 
You sound like me man, I am a student and own a ruger 10/22 and .303 which was my first buy. I asked the same question a few weeks ago as money is a concern but I still wanna shoot. I am still trying to decide between a Ruger Mark III or a Glock 17 but as you know, nothing beats .22LR for price.....you can buy a value box of 525 rounds for $20.00 at Canadian Tire vs. about $10 or so for a box of 9mm Brass Blazers but only at a gun store.
 
I havnt seen a box of 9mm under 16 bucks in a long time.:(
If you are getting blaser for 10 bucks please let us know.:)
 
I think the cheapest I have seen 9mm is around $15.99 / box. My reloading costs are around $7/box.

If your on a tight budget, your best bet is probably a .22 pistol. If you get something that shoots .22 its less unlikely that it will just sit locked up at home. After graduation, then consider a centerfire pistol.

Just my 2 cents
 
justins1877 said:
No, 9mm is not worth .....some do reload for 9 mm, so this isn't odd thing to see, or read.
To the OP, my best suggestion .........selecting a firearm based only on ammunition costs .....small restricted firearms market..............
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1+ as not the best to pick a firearm based on ammo cost. Take Jus1877's advise and try them on your hands first and even better, shoot them before you purchase.
As for 9mm reloading, here's sample cost I posted on another thread.
- Primer $40
- Powder 1 lb. $29
- Brass $25
- 35 lbs. lead $35
- liquid lube $1
Reloading cost/1k = $130/1000

Cheapest FMJ reloads I have found in BC are going for $13/50 or $260/1000.
Diff./Saving/1000 = $130

Biggest component is your time!!! If you have that and want to shoot in the 000's there are savings which makes reloading 9mm worth it.
 
I'm going to run counter to the suggestion to ignore ammo costs and get whatever gun you want.

If you shoot a significant amount and want to get into match shooting such as IPSC or club level handgun matches you'll easily shoot more cost in ammo than the price of the gun within the first few months to half year. From there on in the ammo cost will far outweigh the gun cost. So picking a cartridge that you can afford and then buy a gun for it makes far more sense to me from a monetary standpoint.

Of course when you pick up a 1911 or whatever and your hand falls in lust with it then logic sometimes takes a back seat.... :D

Reloading in the long run is definetly cheaper. Note the $7 a box costs from the post a few back. But you need to pay for the setup at first. So the payback time before you begin saving money is well up there in terms of rounds. If you're saving 9$ a box (based on $16 a box for new factory) then the $500'ish minimum it costs to set up a cheap setup will take you 56 boxes of reloaded ammo before you break even and begin actually to save. And many would say that it'll cost you more than $500 to get set up unless you buy bottom end or carefully shop for good used equipment.

But in the end and now knowing the prices and how much you think you want to shoot you're in a better position to decide on a center fire or a .22 pistol. And keep in mind that .22 pistols of great quality can be had for around $400. That's far less than any of the center fire handguns other than the Norincos. And since they are so much cheaper to shoot you'll be able to shoot more on a budget.
 
7.62x25mm ammo is even cheaper than 9mm, although it's harder to come by, just another option for you. It's about 15-20 cents per round [if you buy a full case of 2280 rounds] depending on tax and shipping etc. But all you can really shoot it with is a tokarev, or maybe a vz52. Not much flexibility there. Also, 9mm and .45 feel different to shoot, so while 9mm might be half the price, you might not enjoy it as much. it might be worth it to you to shoot your .22 and supplement your range trip with just a bit of .45 shooting, or perhaps you would prefer to shoot twice as much 9mm for the same cost. .40 caliber might be a good middle ground for you?
 
humble said:
.........................Also, 9mm and .45 feel different to shoot, so while 9mm might be half the price, you might not enjoy it as much. it might be worth it to you to shoot your .22 and supplement your range trip with just a bit of .45 shooting, or perhaps you would prefer to shoot twice as much 9mm for the same cost. .40 caliber might be a good middle ground for you?
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Have to agree. If there is one pistol caliber to shoot forever, I'd chose the .45. Cost of factory ammo seems to be the deterring factor. Most reloading components are similar but brass is not cheap!
- Primer $40
- Powder 1 lb. $29
- Brass $150
- 45 lbs. lead $45
- liquid lube $1
Reloading cost/1k = $265/1000

Note: Brass is reusable. Assume it re-used 10x's (a lot of CGN loaders get way more), brass cost is spread out to $15/1,000. .45 reloading cost drops to $130/1,000 (.13/rnd). Using the same reasoning for 9mm, brass cost drops to $3.5/1,000 or reloading cost of $98.50/1,000 (.10/rd)

Not cheap like .22 (.04/rd) but if one can manage to find a source of free lead, and spend time at the range picking up 9mm brass, reloading cost drops further to $60/1,000 (.06/rd). If your shooting in the 000's, reloading is a great way to save coin to purchase more toys.




SKS Russian Tula 1950, 1952 and 1953, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92 SBC, CZ85 Combat, Para P14 45 Ltd., Para P16 40 Ltd., SigPro 2022 .40S&W, Marlin 60
 
I guess the local hunting store $13.95 a Remington UMC box in 9mm isn't too bad from what I can read. It's what my P226 likes, the Winchester white box stuff is dirty, it doesn't burns all it's powder and leaves a mess of little yellow balls inside the the gun and between the rails, which I don't like at all, and it's at least 1 to 2 $ more than UMC. And that's the lowest prices I've seen, WWB was $17.95 a few months back.

9mm is cheap enough, you don't really need that .22 "trigger time", at least I didn't, I started with 9mm but it looks like I already was a good shot. :D
I just don't feel .22lr enough, it makes little holes that can't be seen, and it just doesn't kick enough, it's cheap, but I don't enjoy it.

It's still up to you.
 
Reloading is the way to go... I reload for 9mm and .45...been reloading even when ammo was $11 a box...so now save even more... I'm glad I got some .45 bullets earlier for 6 cents a pop! I pais like 8cents for 9mm :D
 
I love how people spend someone else's money...

The OP is a student. Which means he is a busy person, minimal free time and very minimal spare $$$. Given this combination, how can anyone suggest anything but a .22 rimfire?

1) Yes, reloading (9mm or 45) will lower costs significantly. It also costs a solid $500+ to get set up and requires significant spare time to knock out lots of rounds, especially at first when learning the ropes of reloading.

2) Regardless of reloading or not, .22 rimfire costs ~$40/1000, while even cheap reloads will be twice that. On a student's budget, cheap is king and nothing is cheaper than rimfire.

3) This is the OP's first pistol. Even if cost is no object, would anyone suggest there is a better gun to learn proper technique on than a .22? Rifle or pistol, rimfire is king when it comes to learning how to shoot properly.

To the OP - if you are close to Calgary, PM me and you can come to the range with me and try 4 different pistols, 2 in .22 and 2 in 9mm to see for yourself how they feel and work in your hands.

Mark
 
matt0415 said:
...waiting for my RPAL.....deciding which handgun.........am a student and dont have tons of money im just wondering the prices on ammunition for handguns ....handgun ammunition prices against rifle ammunition. Thanks Matt
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Hey Matt, From all the different posts, all have replied with one goal in mind. From all our different suggestions and opinions, its hoped you will be able to make a purchase decision that is best suited to your needs.
Once the RPAL arrives and the plunge is taken, post your decision. Whatever it is, happy shooting!!!:rockOn:




SKS Russian Tula 1950, 1952 and 1953, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92 SBC, CZ85 Combat, Para P14 45 Ltd., Para P16 40 Ltd., SigPro 2022 .40S&W, Marlin 60
 
Onagoth said:
I think the cheapest I have seen 9mm is around $15.99 / box. My reloading costs are around $7/box.

If your on a tight budget, your best bet is probably a .22 pistol. If you get something that shoots .22 its less unlikely that it will just sit locked up at home. After graduation, then consider a centerfire pistol.

Just my 2 cents
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That's about what it costs me to reload for my 9s as well...did I miss some sarcasm when somebody said it wasn't worthwhile to reload 9mm?????:confused:
 
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