I got reminded as to why I cast my own this week.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Checked out the ammo shelf at Wamart (just for fun). They had 100 count boxes of UMC for $57.77+tax!:shock: I can't imagine what they go for at the LGS. I don't think I could bring myself to spend that much for "cheap" 45 ammo. Luckily I don't have to.

[Land Owner]

Watch the on-line retailer ads too (MidwayUSA; Natchez; Midsouth; Cabellas; BassPro; Graf & Sons, Widners, OpticsPlanet - surprisingly) to name a few. Prices for pistol and rifle ammo currently stagger the imagination at 3X and 4X the rate of not long ago and make me very glad that I cast and reload my own. Still, reductions in personal supplies of powder and primers eventually lead back to the same retailers that we lament today. Hopefully then it won't sting so badly, new price "numbing the senses" and all.

[Walter Laich]

At least at present we can continue shooting. Not looking forward to the future, though

[scattershot]

I never thought I'd see the day I'd pay $800.00 for a pistol, either. Pythons didn't cost that much back then, but this is the "new normal". Maybe things will get better in November.

[Shiloh]

Several times in the past, but particularly last year, folks where envious when I showed up with a gallon sized Zip-Lok bag full of 38 and/or .45 ACP ammo. Again, the questions started. "Do you load ammo for people??" NO!!

Shiloh

[tazman]

Local pawn shop got in some bulk 22lr. Price 500rnds for $149.95

[mac60]

Local pawn shop got in some bulk 22lr. Price 500rnds for $149.95


Do they sell any of it? You know, a fool and his money are soon parted!

[tazman]

Do they sell any of it? You know, a fool and his money are soon parted!

I hope not! I certainly didn't buy any. He didn't like my opinion either.

[mac60]

I hope not! I certainly didn't buy any. He didn't like my opinion either.

He would have liked mine even less!

[Harter66]

Tried to buy any non-toxic shot shells lately .......... holy goat cheese. $1/round .... and its post season its supposed on sale...... The last stuff I bought was Kent fasteel at $12/box and some PMC at $5/box . Then it cost me about $6/box plus time for exactly the same parts both of the above were using. All the Kent I looked at the last couple weeks has been 18-20/box .

[geargnasher]

I bought two boxes of Reminton Core-lokt .308 the other day at Wallachinamart, paid just over $40 for them which I thought wasn't too bad. First time I have purchased commercial ammunition in some time, and only then to comply with a rule of a ranch I hunt. For my uses, it was cheaper than buying premium hunting bullets and working up a load. Being a gun nut of course I looked around while at the store and took a basic assessment, they had a fair selection of ammo considering the times, but the prices on some of the handgun stuff made me shudder.

Gear

[giz189]

I never thought I'd see the day I'd pay $800.00 for a pistol, either. Pythons didn't cost that much back then, but this is the "new normal". Maybe things will get better in November.

Dang used pythons in my area go for $1200 or so.

[Shiloh]

He would have liked mine even less!

+1

Shiloh

[largom]

Friend of mine has a 338 Lapua Mag. He pays $120.00 + tax for a box of 20. Wants to know if I will reload for him. I have not bought any factory ammo for so long that it blows my mind when I see the prices in the stores.

Larry

[dondiego]

Friend of mine has a 338 Lapua Mag. He pays $120.00 + tax for a box of 20. Wants to know if I will reload for him. I have not bought any factory ammo for so long that it blows my mind when I see the prices in the stores.

Larry

That's $6.00 a shot! That's like ordering Scotch at the airport!

Don

[sidecarmike]

That's $6.00 a shot! That's like ordering Scotch at the airport!

DonThat's why I sold my 7mm STW. I don't hunt anymore and don't shoot it enough to justify buying the reloading bits.
At the time I sold it, empty brass was going for $2 a piece.

[khmer6]

Tried to buy any non-toxic shot shells lately .......... holy goat cheese. $1/round .... and its post season its supposed on sale...... The last stuff I bought was Kent fasteel at $12/box and some PMC at $5/box . Then it cost me about $6/box plus time for exactly the same parts both of the above were using. All the Kent I looked at the last couple weeks has been 18-20/box .

Non toxic is expensive. Steel is roughly a dollar a round and you go through shells more than rifle cartridges when hunting :banghead:
Then take a look at the alternative non toxic like bismuth and tungsten and whatever other proprietary shots they are. Some are like 3 bucks a shot.
Reloading steel is even expensive as well! Damm those ducks

[mac60]

Non toxic is expensive. Steel is roughly a dollar a round and you go through shells more than rifle cartridges when hunting :banghead:
Then take a look at the alternative non toxic like bismuth and tungsten and whatever other proprietary shots they are. Some are like 3 bucks a shot.
Reloading steel is even expensive as well! Damm those ducks

I have a friend over in Pensacola that pays $8.00 per shell for a 12 ga. 3" shell. They're turkey loads loaded with hevishot I think. They pattern great through his gun and he likes 'em, but it would be a cold day in hell before I'd pay $8.00 for a shotshell.

[Harter66]

Gotta have them for the goose-acree next week...... I have a case left....but If all goes well......

[jonp]

I hope not! I certainly didn't buy any. He didn't like my opinion either.
I voiced a similer opinion and was not quiet about it. Something like "only a ******* tard would pay that price." However, if someone does then who has the last laugh?

[12DMAX]

Gotta have them for the goose-acree next week...... I have a case left....but If all goes well......

Those are for show and tell. The specials go in the front pocket :lol:

[TheDoctor]

I shoot a lot of 45 Colt, I KNOW why I cast and reload!

[TXGunNut]

Saw two boxes of 38-40 on the shelf a few weeks ago for $149.95/box of 50. Had to laugh. Didn't see them on my last trip thru. Who's laughing now?

[khmer6]

Hevishot. Was the other one I was thinking of! Yeah that stuff is suppose to be wonders but darn expensive. Even buying a paper sack of Hevishot by itself is ridiculous

[Blammer]

Went by two Wal-marts today just to browse the ammo isle.

Stuff was available but prices were a bit high. 243 Win with the 95gr Noslers $22 per box of 20, 308 and 30-06 about the same price along with 223 at $15 a box of 20 but it was the XM193.

Pistol ammo was about .30¢ per round then went up from there.

Yep, proud to load my own and much cheeper too. :)

[Hickory]

Both Clinton and Obama were good for gun sales.
Unfortunately, the price of both guns and ammo went up because of them.

[Green Monster]

This is exactly what my dad told me years ago. "Do it youself youll save money and have better ammo". I kinda laughed at him but now im starting casting and reloading to save money and have better ammo. Wont admit he was right ..... But he was lol.

[Whiterabbit]

Several times in the past, but particularly last year, folks where envious when I showed up with a gallon sized Zip-Lok bag full of 38 and/or .45 ACP ammo. Again, the questions started. "Do you load ammo for people??" NO!!

Shiloh

ha! Havent shot pistol in awhile, ended up with not one scrap of empty brass. So I went to the range with about 400 rounds of 460 S&W, all home cast, home loaded, and not ONE person looked envious of me!

:D

[captaint]

Handgun ammo cost was what got me casting 5-6 years ago. I had purchased a new 1911 and wanted to get it dirty. Hadn't shot my old 1911, so I had no ammo. Went to the indoor range to shoot and had to buy some ammo to get brass. That'll be 37 dollars, sir. I said "No, not those - gimme some cheap stuff". So I got some cheaper Federal. I had bought the entire casting group of equipment but never got to it due to kids, life, etc. Time to melt some lead, which I had, too.
Haven't bought ammo since, rifle or pistol. I enjoy shooting much more now. It's just more fun when you're really making your own. Mike

[Whiterabbit]

I said "No, not those - gimme some cheap stuff".

Then the shop employee politely said "That IS the cheap stuff, sir."

Times have changed.