308: What prices to expect?

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mv2

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Hi,

New member and fairly new to the hobby as well. I'm in the market for a 308 bolt (in the quality range between a 110 Tactical and B-14 HMR) and looking to figure out how much this will cost me down the road for practice ammo.

I was hoping to get lots of PMC Bronze FMJ and just call it a day. However, it has been out of stock at Tenda, G4C and elsewhere for a while now.

Prices per round that I've seen:
$0.84 - Barnaul 308 145gr FMJ RIP sanctions
$0.86 - Norinco spam can 7.62x51 FMJ questioning if I would/should use this in a nicer rifle
$1.24 - PMC Bronze 308 147gr FMJBT (reloadable) out of stock everywhere
$1.45 - PMC Bronze 308 150gr SP (reloadable) not FMJ, is it good for target practice?
$1.60 - Fiocchi 308 150gr FMJBT (reloadable) is this expensive?

Hoping to keep the options under $1.50 / round. Are there some other possibilities I may have missed?
 
Hmatt said:
Buy buy buy buy.
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This! We all know historically that ammo as a whole never trends down price-wise. So even if what you buy today seems higher in prices, it is almost a foregone conclusion you'd be kicking yourself in 2, 3, 5 years time when the ammo prices are much higher. I have seen in this consistently in my almost 20 years of firearms ownership. Been buying ammo steadily over the years, even for calibers I don't have (I am happy to have done this as when I actually bought the firearm chambered in that caliber later, I was delighted I had more than a few rounds for it already, that I bought at good prices back then.

Timing ammo pricing is like timing the stock market on a good blue chip stock. They invariably go up over time - the blue chips anyway. I bought Microsoft stock a long long time ago and have been steadily buying more units every once in a while. I have the same attitude about ammo - especially tried and true calibers like 308.

There are some people on this site who keep waiting for the ammo prices to drop precipitously to levels from pre-covid. One fellow even indicates he is looking for 50 cents per round of .223. I have told him he will be waiting indefinitely for this. Even if you don't factor in inflation, ammo prices as a whole almost never decline on a slope of any tangible degree.
 
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Buy cheap and stack deep.

If you're just getting one rifle in .308, save the brass, get a neck sizing die, a cheap hand/single stage press, and buy primers when they are available. Your prices will come down a bit so you can shoot match grade for the cost of FMJ.. and if you're being serious you're going to want better ammo, not short range fodder.
 
Great choice on caliber.
Just make sure you take into consideration, that different rifles are going to like different ammunition. Any 308 that's under 2$/rd AND shoots well for whatever you decide to purchase is gold, stack it deep.
Bergara over the Savage 110, go try out the Tikka's if you can. PMC Imo is best quality for what you pay for, shoots well on my 308.
 
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I feel less buyer's remorse now paying the current prices for FMJs.

I don't think I'll be reloading any time soon, but it looks like an excellent investment long term.

Are HPBTs worth while for beginners as well? These bring it up and beyond $2 / rd price point:
$1.80 - PPU Match 168 gr HPBT
$2.00 - Sellier&Bellot Precision (red box) 168 gr HPBT
$2.20 - Federal Gold Medal Sierra Match Kings 168 gr HPBT
$2.70 - Hornady Match 168 gr ELD
 
Regardless, if what you get is reloadable: save the brass.

As for your match ammo conundrum: what distances are you shooting at? What group sizes are you expecting or what targets will you be using?

Generally, FMJ bulk is good/meant for semi-auto fodder or shorter range practice. Anything outside of 200m-300m (or if you're shooting for group size), you're going to want better ammo. If you're just ringing large steel gongs, bulk FMJ should be 'good enough'.
 
mv2 said:
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I feel less buyer's remorse now paying the current prices for FMJs.

I don't think I'll be reloading any time soon, but it looks like an excellent investment long term.

Are HPBTs worth while for beginners as well? These bring it up and beyond $2 / rd price point:
$1.80 - PPU Match 168 gr HPBT
$2.00 - Sellier&Bellot Precision (red box) 168 gr HPBT
$2.20 - Federal Gold Medal Sierra Match Kings 168 gr HPBT
$2.70 - Hornady Match 168 gr ELD
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This really depends on the application. Weekend duffer shooting paper targets at shorter distances - I wouldn't waste match ammo or hollow points / soft points on that, since I don't have money to burn. But the performance cartridges have to be mated with good equipment. For the golfers out there, it's like using Titleist V1x Pro balls with MacGregor entry level clubs from Walmart. You are not going to realize the potential of the expensive balls. I would only shoot match grade ammo in a match grade or precision rifle. But that's just me.
 
Tyler said:
Buy cheap and stack deep.

If you're just getting one rifle in .308, save the brass, get a neck sizing die, a cheap hand/single stage press, and buy primers when they are available. Your prices will come down a bit so you can shoot match grade for the cost of FMJ.. and if you're being serious you're going to want better ammo, not short range fodder.
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Ummm this isn't always good advice.

You're new to the game and you obviously want to get in as cheaply as possible.

You don't say what you're going to use the 308 for.

Are you planning on hunting with it??? Running amok in the neighborhood? Punching holes in paper??

Many rifles no longer are sold with factory installed iron sights. So if you purchase one of those, then expect to spend as much on a decent scope/bases/rings as you did for the rifle.

Then you need a decent cleaning kit set up and I don't recommend bore snakes.

This is all before you start buying ammunition.

Some of the ammo on your list is IMHO fit only to break down for the components. It all will go bang but that doesn't mean they are consistently accurate.

Depending on your expectations, this may put you off very early in the game. I've seen this happen a lot with newbies.

They play video games and expect it all to come together at the range in the same manner. No such luck, other than the odd one off.

Find a ''knowledgeable'' mentor that reloads and buy components, then work up from there to a level you would like to reach.

Surplus ammunition will and is running out in most desirable chamberings.

If the "Chinese" situation blows up in the faces of the Liberals, all such ammo could easily be cut off from entering Canada.

PPU cases are OK, I'm not a fan of their loaded ammo nor their projectiles and only use them when nothing else is available.

You've got a huge learning curve ahead of you.

Factory ammo will often change point of impact, even from the same manufacturer from lot to lot as they use different components from lot to lot in most cases.

Premum ammuntion not so much but you need to be warned there as well and prices are substantially higher than you're suggesting.

I don't know if any is still available, but look at the Marstar website, a banner supporter and they may still have some cases of Hirtenberger surplus, which isn't to bad as far as consistency goes and some of it is even reloadable.
 
If you can find 308 in those price ranges, buy all you can afford and expect to use for the next couple years. It won't likely get cheaper. If you plan any hunting, buy some 'low to med' price SP like Fusion unless you're planning Mooses. Then talk with your local hunters for applicable suggestions.
The 'High-priced' HPBT stuff can help you define both your rifle's and Your capabilities, but only a couple boxes at $60+ s/b plenty - Once you get some cheap practice rounds down the pipe, like maybe 50-100 b4 you buy 'good stuff'.
Bearhunter has given some sound advice, pay close attention to his comments.
JMO
 
bearhunter said:
Ummm this isn't always good advice.
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No, it's great advice.

The OP will have to chime in on what he truly plans to do with it, but from the models and ammo he's interested in, it sounds like he's buying a target rifle for target practice. What matters now is volume, distance, and expectations.

If he doesn't re-load, he can at least sell the brass and recoup some costs. Re-loading (despite current crazyness) will always be a good idea for serious shooters because the cost of ammo isn't going down. Hopefully more components become available in the new year.

As for learning curve, that depends on the person and what they intend to do.
 
That's a great price for the FGM-SMK, if you're nearby. Shipping will kill ya. That ammo runs ca $60-75 retail in shops around here. "Regular" hunting ammo is ca $50. I bought a bunch of 308 b4 the 'panics', $35 was the 'High Price' back then :rolleyes:
And I've found PPU is fairly accurate, but my club-range is only 200 yds so . . . That's all I'd shoot for hunting anyway, there's rarely 200 in a line here. Lotsa trees -
 
Tyler said:
Buy cheap and stack deep.
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I feel those days are gone for now, maybe there’s some .22, 12g deals to be found. Even surplus ammo prices are high.

LUCK12 said:
Picked up a box of Winchester150 gr. at the local gun shop 50.39 tax in. Might want to reconsider getting set up for reloading. Enjoy the life
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If someone doesn’t already have the gear to reload I don’t think it will be much cheaper than buying factory ammo, factor in costs of a basic press/dies, powder and primers if you can find what and you’re in for a bit of cash.

If you already have the gear and components at old prices that’s the way to go if you’re looking to save a buck. Reloading as we all know is great in other aspects but I don’t know if it save me much, I just end up shoot more. Quality of my ammo jumps and I get to tune loads to my guns and I enjoy doing it, which are all pluses.
 
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Solid advice all around, thanks all.

I will be doing target shooting most likely on a "budget precision, hunting-capable" rifle (something like 110 Tactical, T3X CTR, B-14 HMR), probably with a 4-16x or 3-18x FFP optic. Casual gongs and paper under 400 yards unless I get invited to a big range. No hunting until I'm comfortable & competent with all the equipment. Maybe if I'm lucky I could join some friends for an annual big game hunt. Is this equipment selection overkill for my intended regular use? Probably, yes.

My current take based on the comments:
1. Try out some FMJ options, see what shoots well, and buy tons of it.
2. If I find Chinese FMJ surplus, buy some.
3. Once I know what I'm doing (this could take a while), start looking at some match-grade HPBTs to benchmark my equipment & skills.
4. Defer hunting ammo selection to the hunters
 
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