Most affordable (to load for) plinker cartridge?

[CourtenayBoy]

I'm strictly talking rifles and from a dollars and cents perspective. What is the least expensive for handloaded components and least hungry for lead yet it is still fun?

I'm sure there must be a few around

Mike

[wddodge]

It would be hard to beat a lever gun and .38 specials.. Almost as fun as a .22 lr

Denny

[wmitty]

the .30-30 using the Lee TL .314 90 grain boolet and 700x is pretty cheap and easy using Ben's liquid lube. deprime the fired case/ reprime/ charge with 3-4 grains powder and stick the lubed slug in the case neck. might be cheaper to shoot a .223 with plain base boolets - don't have one to try...

[Larry Gibson]

22 Hornet; 38 gr PB cast bullet over. 1 1/2 - 2 gr Bullseye.

Larry Gibson

[centershot]

It would be hard to beat a lever gun and .38 specials.. Almost as fun as a .22 lr

Denny

Yeah, I agree! There are some that can be a little cheaper, as Larry mentioned, but it's hard to beat my Marlin 1894 with a can full of 38 wadcutters and a couple boxes of animal crackers or Necco wafers!

[Steve77]

Most affordable? I dunno, but affordable and still versatile? I would like a 327 magnum with a long barrel! Download it for plinking, but still pack a punch if you want. Plus you can shoot 32 S&W or 32 ACP so brass choices are more plentiful than most cartridges. Pretty cheap once you own brass.

Edit: Sorry I missed the rifle part. Unless you had a custom rifle or a single shot encore barrel made 327 doesn't make the cut.

[waco]

22 Hornet; 38 gr PB cast bullet over. 1 1/2 - 2 gr Bullseye.

Larry Gibson

I think you would be hard pressed to shoot cheaper than Larry!

[runfiverun]

that 22 hornet load is sure down there.

I was thinking more along the lines of overall cost including the case.
that has been the 300 bo for me.
I use 223 brass I pick-up off the ground and 3 grs of powder under the rcbs 98gr rnfp 31 cal boolit in the rifles.
it's pretty accurate at 50yds.
once I run out of 12 and 14 dollar [uh-K] primers, the cost is gonna kill me.

[BCB]

I like my 30-30's. Especially the T/C Super 14"...

TiteGroup or Bullseye or WC-860 all are pretty inexpensive to use...

Can also be loaded a bit hotter with appropriate powders to use on deer at moderate ranges...

Just shot box of them today using 35 grains of WC-860 and the 311041 @ 1335 fps...

The cost: $1.17 per box of twenty rounds...

Rattles the groundhog silhouette at 200 yards with ease...

Just plain fun...

Good-luck...BCB

[petroid]

I'm with R5R. The blackout brass is easily made from range pickup 223/5.56 and as stingy on powder and lead as you want it to be. Easily loaded with ~100gr cast for plinking/small game or hot and heavy for short range deer. Works in a bolt gun or AR platform and subsonic suppressed is just a hoot.

[paul h]

38 special for me, 105-120 gr lead pills and 3-4 grs of powder and you're gtg.

The various rimmed 32's 32 S&W, 32 H&R and 327 fed use a bit less lead and powder, but brass is much more expensive as are guns, especially if you want a rifle to go with the handgun.

9mm is another candidate due to super cheap once fired brass, or more than likely plenty to keep you busy picked up at the range. Basically the same appetite for lead and powder as a 38.

[fryboy]

with the plentiful 9 mm brass any of the 9 mm carbines are fun but my hands down fav is the 22 Khornet , with light loads i think i'm shooting a accurate bb gun as a plus , and again with light loads the brass last longer , wish i could find some of ye olde style everlast brass for it ( eg; thicker walls and reduced powder capacity ) the 22K can also be loaded up a bit and still remain economical
i do have to give a nod to the 223 , for me and in many various actions it just didnt do much for me and then .. then i tried cast boolits in it , i cant explain why it wasnt fun for me with j-words , cheap enough to shoot i suppose but the fun factor with cast was a dramatic difference !

[chutesnreloads]

Aw cut it out guys........we all know cheap to load is meaningless when we all just end up shooting more:popcorn:

[GhostHawk]

I have several that are under the cost of .22lr. I prefer to keep my loads slower, not use gas checks.

Most fun to shoot is .357 mag, with lee .358 158 gr round nose.
But close behind it are .300BO, 7.62x39, and .223 with bator boolit and light loads. I am shooting Red Dot in pretty much everything with the exception of some loads for 7.62x54 and 7.62x39.

Hard to go wrong with 4-5 grains of Red Dot.

[Jupiter7]

22 Hornet; 38 gr PB cast bullet over. 1 1/2 - 2 gr Bullseye.

Larry Gibson

In a similar vein....223 can be loaded much the same, brass is cheaper and mor available as are rifles.

For easy to load and little brass prep, I prefer straight wall. So .38 and a light mold are relatively cheap. You wanna be really low, get a single shot, it'll slow you down.

[Bigslug]

I would submit rounds that you can readily scrounge free brass for. 9mm, .45, .223, and .38 being prevalent. Of them, the .38 and .45 probably being "cheapest" for effort required for good results.

[exile]

My question, if it is not too far off the subject of this thread, is, do people plink regularly with cast boolits in an AR-15 chambered in .223, or do they just do it once in awhile to prove that they can? If it can be done regularly without pulling one's hair out, that has got to be pretty cheap!

exile

[scottfire1957]

Well, it all depends upon the cost of components in your region. Suggestions are just that, but what have you to work with? Do you have castable metals, heat source, moulds etc., etc?

ONLY you and persons in your region/area can figure out what is most cost effective, then consider what rounds you reload, cast for.

Seriously, this is a local thing. Many posts here about the differences in local WW prices. Caliber makes a difference also, as some use more alloy than others.

What is your brass, primer, powder situation? Those prices can vary depending on demand, regionally.

So much to consider for such a wide open topic.

Generally, all my reloads are free, basically, since I've had powder, primers and brass and some lead, for over twenty years. All it takes is time on my side.

[scottfire1957]

I'm strictly talking rifles and from a dollars and cents perspective. What is the least expensive for handloaded components and least hungry for lead yet it is still fun?

I'm sure there must be a few around

Mike



To give a more direct answer, someting in the .17 cal range would use the least alloy and powder. Then would be the .22 caliber, then the .25, and so forth. Generally, of course.

[oscarflytyer]

cheapest would have to be a pistol cartridge in 32 or 38 lever gun. But gun expensive too! All around, all added up, gun, brass, etc - I would bet a 30-30 lever or bolt gun would be the cheapest true rifle/rifle round.

[John Boy]

I'm strictly talking rifles and from a dollars and cents perspective. What is the least expensive for handloaded components and least hungry for lead yet it is still fun?First of all - what do you plan using the rifle for and at what maximum distance?

[P Flados]

For all out cheap and fun rifle shooting, the 38 special has a lot going for it.

You have more than a few choices of lever action and single shots in 357 mag.

These guns are very functional and can do real hunting when not plinking.

38 brass is both cheap and easy to load (by the bucket if you want).

It is cheaper if your gun will shoot 115 - 125 gr boolits. If not, almost every gun will shoot something in the 140 - 150 gr range. Many choices of boolits even if you want to stay low cost (Lee or a used) for your mold.

If you are really "plinking" and not just paper punching, the bigger bullet (compared to the 22 cal stuff) makes a difference.

For a rifle, you can load them to say 900 fps with a cheap to use fast burning powder and make less noise than a 22 LR.

If you want a cheap to shoot "plinking" rifle and do not want something as big as a 38/357, you would probably be better off with an air rifle.

Now if you happen to have something like a good shooting 32-20 with plenty of brass, it would be about a good as you can get. Although a good choice if you have it, probably not a good choice to go out and get it and all the stuff that goes with it.

[runfiverun]

My question, if it is not too far off the subject of this thread, is, do people plink regularly with cast boolits in an AR-15 chambered in .223, or do they just do it once in awhile to prove that they can? If it can be done regularly without pulling one's hair out, that has got to be pretty cheap!

exile

I run my 223's in the AR at 2800 fps with full functioning [shrug] I also swage my own 223 bullets so shooting them is just as fun.
especially when you make a 300yd shot on a half hidden rock chuck, turn a ground squirrel into a mist at 20 yds, or whack a jack rabbit that thinks he is hidden at 50 yds.
in the bolt rifle a light load of 2400 stoking a 55gr flat nosed cast boolit is pretty fun to mash rocks and rabbits with too.

the cheapest cast shooting I have found yet.
is to use a sr mag primer with a 22 cal pellet pushed into the neck of a 223 case sized on the LEE collet die to just provide light friction.
it approximates the 22 lr round at about 1/3rd the cost.

[Baja_Traveler]

My first thoughts were the 22 hornet is out - can't find brass for love nor money nowadays.
My 32-20 is very fun to shoot, 8 gr Unique and the 311008 cast shoots great out to 100-150 yards, but the rifle can cost.
When I shoot lever gun silhouette, that exact same Unique load in a 30-30 is perfect for the chickens. Shoots like a .22, Brass is easy to get and rifles are a dime a dozen so to speak...

[dragon813gt]

For cheap, easy to find rifles a lever action 357/38 special is hard to beat. The Hornet load that Larry posted is down there. But the rifle and brass aren't cheap.

In all honesty the cheapest is going to be determined by what you have on hand. I'm fully set to load for 327 Federal. Loading a 90 grain wadcutter over a few grains of powder is very economical for me. Since were talking rifles it would be a toss up between 223 and 357. If you don't currently have the brass that could be the biggest expense.

[Redd508]

I'll cast my lott with the 38 SP crowd. 140 gr WC and a pinch of 700x is a cheap and fun double duty round for plnking and pest control. Its definitely my go to when 22lr lingers around $3/50. As has been pointed out it can be done cheaper but this round is very budget friendly.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'm strictly talking rifles and from a dollars and cents perspective. What is the least expensive for handloaded components and least hungry for lead yet it is still fun?

I'm sure there must be a few around

Mike
With the price of Lead and the multiple reloadings capable from most brass cases with castboolit loads, I'd say the cost is negligible whether 222rem or 45-70 (or a belted magnum).

You'd be better off thinking of the cost of the Rifle. While I'd suggest you buy the best you can afford, if you want something pretty good for the least amount of cash, look at a Savage Axis, especially with the current mail in rebate they are offering on new guns.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?294909-Savage-Axis-240-Yea-or-Nay&highlight=

Or maybe some better questions are, if you are new to casting for rifle:

-What caliber is best suited for loading/shooting cast boolits ?

-What caliber has the most options for molds ?

-What caliber is the easiest to cast for ?

-Now most reloading dies are designed for jacketed bullets, What calibers have dies or die parts available that are designed for cast boolits ?

Good luck
Jon

[Hick]

7 gr 700X with a 170 gr CB in 32 WS. WLRS primers. The load comes from Lyman Cast Bullet handbook. It costs me about 22 cents per cartridge. For a 32 WS that's low cost fun (factory ammo runs about $1.55, and J-word reloads about $.50)

[rintinglen]

I kinda sides with them as chooses the 32-20. My Browning 53 takes 98 grain RCBS 32-98 boolits and 5.0 grains of Unique and just clusters them. My loads cost me about a nickle apiece. I suppose a 22 Hornet would be cheaper still, but I have plenty of 32-20 brass, and never see 22 Hornet. Though I have to say that any of the smaller 22's would work. .218 bee, 221 Fireball, even the 222 can be loaded to be pretty stingy.
However, given that I see 30-30's all the time for prices way below any 32-20, I can't argue with those who maintain that if gun cost is included, the old 30 WCF is the way to go. For a while I was loading 400+ a month and I can assure you I would not have done so had those rounds been costing a quarter a piece.

[scottfire1957]

I'm strictly talking rifles and from a dollars and cents perspective. What is the least expensive for handloaded components and least hungry for lead yet it is still fun?

I'm sure there must be a few around

Mike


The answer to your question, now that I get back to it is, whatever round you have the supplies for. I have a 45 Colt, have a mould, primers, brass, powder for it. Brass was free, primers I've possesed since the 90's, powder was free, cast bullets are amortized over the cost of the mould. Others will have a different answer, but your question is not specific.

[dualsport]

.223 Remington. Hands down cheapest. Free brass, plenty. Use cheapest Tula primers. Pistol powder gives maybe 1,000 shots a pound. 55 gr boolit. Tumble lube. No gas check or home made scrap aluminium checks. Tons of rifles to choose from. Single shot on up. Good bolt actions for peanuts these days. Pretty cheap.

[SniderBoomer]

218 Bee, pretty much same costs as Hornet

Yes, the 17's use even less alloy, but I can't even see 0.17 boolits these days, far less handle them with ten thumbs..

[Redd508]

Wouldnt the ultimate cheap be the 223 primer only load under a 22 lead pellet? That should be fun for a while.

[GhostHawk]

My .357 is a Handi rifle. Yes a single shot slows you down. It is a very flexible rifle, .38 special to .357 to .360dw brass. Boolits from 124 gr tl to 200 grain with gas check.

For economy I love Red Dot. 4-5 grains is a couple of cents. 5 grains will reload 1000 rounds with 2000 grains left for something else. And 4.6 grains in a .360dw brass under a 158 gr tl boolit will in my rifle put 3 into the same hole at 50 yards, IF I can do my part.

So far I have not found a caliber that won't shoot Red Dot at reasonable levels. .223 Ubetcha, 300 blackout sure, as long as you turn the gas off and treat it like a straight pull bolt. And in the 7.62x54r Mosin 13 grains has decent speed, light recoil and minute of deer acceptable accuracy, and as cheap to shoot as the cheap spam cans without being corrosive.

[Cherokee]

I've already got two 32-20 rifles and several pistols, plenty of brass. For me the 32-20 is the most economical to shoot, fun, and accurate with CB's. Got to say the 30-30 is really good too, but then my light load 308 is starting off well, maybe the '06....

[fryboy]

Wouldnt the ultimate cheap be the 223 primer only load under a 22 lead pellet? That should be fun for a while.
works best if one enlarges the flash hole and uses magnum primers

i suppose one can shoot primer powered crayons and small pieces of smaller hot melt glue sticks from various 357 type calibers if you can get them to feed ( the same problem i had with 22's and pellets , this doesnt apply to single shot rifles of course ) of note and tho i havent tried them in a rifle the larger glue stix are of a .450 caliber ( hint hint )

[kenyerian]

I have reloaded for the Hornet since 1969 and have hoarded away enough brass to last me for the rest of my Years so the hornet is at the top of my list. I have also saved a lot of 38 special brass for cheap plinking. If I was starting now I would probably stay with the 223 as brass is easy to obtain. I have never had a 32-20 so I won't comment on it.

[Victor N TN]

It would be hard to beat a lever gun and .38 specials.. Almost as fun as a .22 lr

Denny

I agree. A lot of people load and shoot them in Cowboy Action shooting.

[bangerjim]

Where do I begin........let me count the ways! :popcorn:

EVERYTHING! Casting & loading my own cuts the cost of shooting just about everything to pennies/round. I do 223/5.56/9mm/30/38/44/45 (for long guns).

Was in a couple stores recently and almost fell over when I saw the prices of comm-loaded ammo for ANYTHING! 45LC's over a buck a round. 44MAG the same. 9mm is relatively cheap. 223/556's are at least #0.50/round normally.

If I had to pay that, I would find another hobby!

I do load some FMJ's for S&G's, but stick mainly to PC'd lead alloys in almost every design and weight molds are made for.

banger

[45-70 Chevroner]

It would be hard to beat a lever gun and .38 specials.. Almost as fun as a .22 lr

Denny
I deffinatly second this. You can load 38 specials for less than the cost of 22 shells. I think they are more fun than shootin 22's.

[Kraschenbirn]

'Nother .32-20 fan here. For me, brass isn't really an issue 'cause I've already got an adequate supply on hand. My Cimarron 1885 Low Wall shooting the Lyman 311008 (cast from recovered range scrap) over 6 gr. of AA#5 touched off with Federal SP primer produces consistent sub-2" (iron sight) groups @ 100 yds for less than $.05 per round.


Bill

[Outpost75]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. No real wrong answers. I lived the scenario for ten years for real, using a .357 revolver and rifle combo for everything from empty soup cans and rabbits to deer. Did it all with Saeco #358 plainbased cowboy bullets cast 50-50 wheelweights and pure lead, 4 grains of Bullseye in .38 Specal and 5 grains in the .357, found it adequate woods deer load and non-destructive on turkey and edible small game. You could do much worse in a back to the land, subsistance farmer, trapper, hunter woodsman latter day hippie environment. I did when it was all I had in a period of hard times.

[Preacher Jim]

I built a rolling block in 38 spc cheap to shoot and surprisingly accurate. Also built 93 mauser in 45acp both are fun and cheap to feed.

[Eddie2002]

Been shooting a 100 grain .311 cast boolit in 30-06 over 5-6 grains of Bullseye or BE86 for 50yd fun. It costs about the same as a .22, maybe a few cents less per round. Brass is easy to come by and I would think the load would work for any .30 or 303 caliber. With all the .223 brass advailable at the range I would think that would be the caliber to reload plinkers for in a bolt action. Only have .30 and 303 caliber rifles so I'm reloading for what I've got.
Great thread comparing different plinker loads.

[Wolfer]

Larrys suggestion is a good one if you already have the gun and brass. I don't so for me it would be my 30-30 with 311008 and a few gr of clays.

HOWEVER
Since I recover most of my lead and my only cost is primers, powder and gas checks the difference between my cheapest and my most expensive is pretty moot!

[FISH4BUGS]

It would be hard to beat a lever gun and .38 specials.. Almost as fun as a .22 lr
Denny
I agree. My Interarms Rossi 92 lever shooting 38 specials with H&G #51 (plain base 160 gr swc) or the H&G #39 (plain base 158 gr rn) and 4 gr of 231 (1750 rounds per pound) is hard to beat. Same gun shoots 357's (with the #51 only) with 5gr 231 (1400 rounds per pound) as a light plinker load with a little more zip.
I have two lifetime's supply of 38 brass and maybe only one lifetime of 357 and a lifetime supply of wheel weights and linotype lead. 25,000 small pistol primers, and 32 lbs of 231. I think I am all set for this lifetime for 38 and 357.
Either one is actually cheaper than a 22. I figure less than a nickle a round (actually closer to 4 cents).
Very hard to beat.

[TCFAN]

For me it is the 218 Bee. I have a enough brass to last the rest of my life. I use the NOE version of the Lyman 225107 37 gr. gas check boolit. I make my own gas checks and use small pistol primers with 2.5grs of Bullseye.Not quite as cheap shooting as Larry's 22 Hornet but I have more 218 Bee brass than 22 Hornet brass.

My second choice would be my Marlin 1894 357 with 38 special loads using 158 gr.plain base boolits with 3.5 grs of Bullseye.

If I had to go out and but a new or used rifle to plink with it would be a Marlin or Winchester 30-30.I use mine with the Lyman 311008 and bullseye powder with a large pistol primer. Works like a 32-20.........Terry

[Outpost75]

I would like to hear more from people who are using the .303 British and 7.62x54R in this role. I have been fooling with 7 grains of Bullseye, 1000 rounds per pound of powder, about 1050-1080 fps with Lee C.312-155-2R or the NOE or HM2 clones. No gascheck, no filler, as-cast, unsized, tumbled in Lee Liquid Alix, cast from soft range scrap. Use 500-yard sight graduation at 100 yards, 200-yard setting at 50 yards. Quiet, pleasant, accurate, lead pipe simple!!!!!!

[kens]

My Mauser barrelled in 7.62x39 is down there low for cost. It likes the Lee .30 soupcan with about 10 gr green dot

[runfiverun]

a post here reminded me of some loads we used to do without even melting any lead.
gluelits were all the rage for a while there. [sticky here somewhere]
I didn't make any but went straight to the glue sticks themselves, 5/6" is 312 diameter.
in the 30 carbine revolver a chunk of glue stick poked down on top of a primer is surprisingly accurate at 25-30 feet.
I got carried away and worked up a 1 gr of red-dot load, then poked one through the roll up garage door and broke the headlight lens on the wife's car.

hmm box and cardboard would have been a better idea.
the gluelits are reloadable too, just pick them up and poke them back in the case on top of a new primer.

[Digital Dan]

If a fella just has to use a CF round it would be hard to beat the Hornet. The .297-250 is pretty much the same deal if you happen to have an old Rook Rifle laying around. I've had both, it's a toss up.

That said, I imagine a .32 roundball flintlock would pretty much be a miserly thing in comparison to the Hornet.

[10x]

22 Hornet; 38 gr PB cast bullet over. 1 1/2 - 2 gr Bullseye.

Larry Gibson
Got 38 gr powder coated PB Bullets. Got a 60 year old can of Bulleseye. Got a Savage bull barrel single shot. Gonna try that out.
Thank you Larry !

[45-70 Chevroner]

If a fella just has to use a CF round it would be hard to beat the Hornet. The .297-250 is pretty much the same deal if you happen to have an old Rook Rifle laying around. I've had both, it's a toss up.

That said, I imagine a .32 roundball flintlock would pretty much be a miserly thing in comparison to the Hornet.

Speeking of the 32 round ball, (and I cast my own) 4 gr of BP and a cap on a cap lock is about 3 cents a shot. That load will kill squirrels in the top of the tallest pine tree in Arizona, yes we have pine trees in Az. and large gray squirrels. That load will also kill cotton tails out to 30 yards, Well thats about as far as I have shot them.

[10x]

To give a more direct answer, someting in the .17 cal range would use the least alloy and powder. Then would be the .22 caliber, then the .25, and so forth. Generally, of course.

17 cal is a challenge to cast a good bullet
37 grain 0.225" needs a good alloy, clean molds, the right alloy temp, the right mold temp, and the moon and stars to line up for good bullets
17 call can be cast. but they are small enough that I have difficulty picking them up.

[dudel]

22 Hornet. SPP and a 22 caliber pellet. Cheap, easy, reloadable in the field, very good accuracy from my Handi rifle and Contender barrels. Push a pellet into the case mouth, prime case, and good to go. Have not tried magnum primers.

If you want to get even cheaper, 38Spl and 45ACP with rubber bullets (reusable) and primer power. In this case, you need to open up the flash holes a smidge. Won't cycle or feed in a pistol; but work great in revolvers.

[popper]

300bo. Almost any weight lead and some powder(biggest $ part) plinking or hunting.

[Don Fischer]

22 Hornet; 38 gr PB cast bullet over. 1 1/2 - 2 gr Bullseye.

Larry Gibson

Friend of mine in Montana did that load in a couple of Hornet's. Was a blast shooting them. One problem I recall was case splitting at the head fairly early. We never did get that to stop but after all these years I believe I have the answer to it. The Hornet has practically no shoulder and head spaces on the rim. Result's in the same problem of belted magnums, sloppy chamber's. The problem is easily over come in belted case's and I suspect the same will work in a Hornet, or any rimed case for that matter. After the first firing, Neck size with an FL die. Set the die so the bullet just touches the lands.Shoot the case until after it's fired and cooled, it will no longer chamber in the rifle. Probably three shots at most. At that point turn the FL die down a bit at a time and try chambering every time. easily with no drag. What I look for is a case entering the chamber. When you have reached that point, lock the FL die and dedicate it to that rifle. What you'll do is to stretch out the With belted case's you pretty much move the head spacing from the belt to the shoulder, Hornet doesn't have much shoulder but you still make the case fit the chamber much better. If I had a Hornet, that is exactly what I'd do!

[45-70 Chevroner]

I have shot 22 pellets in 223 cases through my TC super 14. I went a little different direction though. I drilled the primer hole and chamfered it to allow the use of 309 shotgun primers. Those pellets would shoot through a 1/8" paneling and into the drywall behind it. I think it would be cheaper to use small rifle primers and one grain of any fast burning powder though.

[mdi]

I don't count pennies for my hobbies so I don't know how much one of my favorite loads costs. I reload .223 with either a cast bullet or some military .22 cal. pulls over 4.0-5.0 gr of WC820. Prolly some calibers out there that might be cheaper, but .223 brass, .22 cal pulls, and pistol powder is relatively cheap. I bought some cast .22 cal., 45 gr. bullets years ago so I don't have a cost, but they are cheap...

[sundog]

Triple deuce or M1 carbine

[bedbugbilly]

I agree with waco . . . I think Larry is going to win the dessert on this cake walk! LOL

[GhostHawk]

I have been loading and shooting 7.62x54r for my pair of Mosin's.
My loads are a bit warmer, so using gas checks which adds 2-3 cents each which leaves them a fair bit higher than my cheapest rounds.

13 grains of Red Dot behind a lee .312 185 works quite well. Not getting amazing accuracy but the groups are shrinking. I have been considering slowing down, going to a lighter bullet and a lighter load with no gas check.

In fact I have 50 loaded with .314 90 grain plain based bullets over 10 grains of Red Dot but they have not made it back to the range yet.

[bluelund79]

My cheapest is a H&R HandiRifle in 357, shooting 38 special. Overall gun cost was very reasonable, brass lasts this side of forever, and it's accurate

[35remington]

Ghost, that's a leetle much powder for a plainbase....you're over 1600-1650 or so.

[FabMan]

I have a Mini Mauser in 7.62x39. When the rifle, brass and the Lee 155g mold are paid for its super cheap and fun to shoot.

[Lloyd Smale]

Id had a 3030 new England arms single shot that I bought for 120 bucks used. Cast a 100 grain .312 swc or lfn bullet cast out of range scrap sized to 309 and pushed by 3 grains of bullseye or cheaper yet 4 grains of pr200 (but its not available anymore) and use a wolf primer. Either large rifle or large pistol (doesn't matter) About like shooting a 22 but with much more athourity on small game.

[dverna]

Another vote for the .38 Spl.

Almost any rifle you currently own can be shot inexpensively. And unless you are chasing the last few pennies a box buying a dedicated rifle to shoot cheaply will require a lot of shooting to reach breakeven. But all of us have "justified" a new toy --- lol

If you buy something, consider the cost of brass and dies and a new 4-6 cavity mold.

Don