ammo at gun show

[michiganfan]

Going to my first gun show on Saturday.
Pretty excited. Will be looking for some cheap range ammo. I'm in southeast Michigan but I figure that most shows are the same. Any suggestions on ammo brands I should look for and any warnings on brands that I should avoid.
I'm interested in brands that wouldn't be sold at the range. Cheap but good.
In 9mm, 40S&w and 45.

[ACP230]

I have had good experiences with 9mm from PMP from South Africa, and Olympic from Greece. Biggest complaint I've heard about them is that they are dirty, but they don't seem too bad in my guns. Functioning has been fine with both and accuracy has been acceptable.

[10-Ring]

Stay away from cheap reloads! Don't use reloads unless you or someone you trust made it!

[antsi]

Since I started reloading, I'm not on high alert for cheap ammo any more.... but when I was, I used to look for Aguila - their .45 ACP, anyway, is decent range ammo. It isn't always easy to find, but it is usually very inexpensive when you do find it. They also make defense ammo with some kind of magic wonder bullet in it, which I would be somewhat dubious of.

Another fair-to-decent brand of inexpensive handgun ammo is Sellier and Bellot. It is a little dirty, and the primers are hard (light-striking guns don't like it), but otherwise OK.

[SouthpawShootr]

Specific stay aways:
Wolf - steel cases can be very hard on extractors.
American Ammunition - in my experience poor quality.

General stay aways:
reloads. I get reloads from someone I know in NC who also loads range ammo for a local PD. I don't buy anybody else's stuff.

Buys:
PMC - good stuff, but the .45 is real dirty burning, they must use ball powder. 9mm seems to be much cleaner. First rate components.
Winchester USA (white box) - very good. Occasionally you can find good deals at Wally world (Wal-mart) on this.
Remington UMC - always worked ok for me.
Sellier & Bellot (forgive the spelling if it's wrong) - very good 9mm & .45. .40 used to be loaded in a steel case, though.
Federal (Not sure what the generic is probably America Eagle or something like that).

General tips. Buy in bulk you save more money that way. Many dealers are willing to knock $20 or so off when you buy a case. Get a bullet weight close or identical to your carry load.

[Greybeard]

Do shopping first, taking notes as needed. Then go back and buy heavy ammos just before leaving. If ya have one of the little folding dollies, ya might have it in vehicle for use when needed.

[Sven]

I just can't get enough S&B into my hands - love taking home a dense 'brick' or two at a show.

[dude]

S&B.........just like wine from Trader Joes

better by the case!

[Lone Star]

Personally, I don't often buy ammo at shows. You don't know where it's been, or how it's been stored.

The exception is collectible rounds or ammo so scarce that I can't find it elsewhere.

Lone Star

[foghornl]

I have had good performance with Sellier & Bellot in .45ACP. PMC brand works well for my revo's. Winchester White Box (USA Brand) is good, too.

Federals 'generic' brand is American Eagle...good stuff. DO NOT confuse with American Ammo from somewhere out of Florida..Miami, I think....bad stuff.
Buddy gave me a box of American Ammo.....fired a few rounds...some sounded wierd like way under power, found a few cases with mouth splits...gave rest to range master.

[DonP]

Gun shows are kind of like flea markets. Know what the retail prices are first.
Check the prices at your local shops and discounters before you go.

I found the average price, at two local gun shows, for the Danish Bandoleers with prefilled Garand clips of 30.06 at the show was actually $2.00 more than my local gun shop for the same stuff. Plus, the gun shop was willing to give me a quantity discount since I'm a regular customer. The guy at the show had a firm price for his "great deal".

There are some good deals here and there on ammo, but you have to know what you're looking for and the retail price or you may have to kick yourself in the morning.

Just my .02.

Don P.

[mjustice]

Don P has the right idea - but I also suggest that you walk *all* the tables before you buy anything. I was at a show this weekend and the prices of some guns varied by as much as $50, and I'm talking about modern stuff that you can get in any shop or from an online source shipped to your FFL.

MJ

[Mikul]

Geco by Dynamit Nobel is good stuff.

[kumma]

hope you have better luck than i did, the shows at gibralter seem to be going down hill. i havent found a decent selection in a long time. last show i went to no one had corbon in .45 colt. i have better luck ordering online and having it shipped to me. i got sick of checking out a table and looking up to see a gun pointed at me by some loser who doesnt know the first thing about safety.

craig

[chaim]

My favorite cheap ammo

Fiocchi

2nd favorite

S&B (I used to hate it but it is reliable and accurate, it is just a little dirty)

Stay away from Wolf and all reloads.