Wes Janson
Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2006
- Messages
- 1,962
Considering the current dramatically rising nature of costs throughout the hobby, it occurred to me to compile a short list comparing the number of rounds of ammo one can purchase for the same money as the rifle itself. For the sake of simplicity, focus is on centerfire rifles. Values are approximate, obviously, and generally represent normal market value for new standard equipment (excluding "match-grade" ammunition or rifles). Some values may have been rounded to the nearest whole number. First number reflects least expensive ammunition with least expensive rifle, second number reflects most expensive ammunition with most expensive rifle.
AK-derivatives in 7.62x39
Platform: $350-750
Ammunition: $.18-.20/round
Ratio: 1944-3750 rounds/rifle
SKS in 7.62x39
Platform: $200-350
Ammunition: $.18-.20/round
Ratio: 1111-1750 rounds/rifle
AK-derivatives in 5.45x39
Platform: $350-750
Ammunition: $.11-.16/round
Ratio: 3181-4687 rounds/rifle
Springfield M1A in 7.62x51
Platform: $1200-2000
Ammunition: $.50-1.00/round
Ratio: 2400-2000 rounds/rifle
AR-10 in 7.62x51
Platform: $800-1500
Ammunition: $.50-1.00/round
Ratio: 1600-1500 rounds/rifle
AR-15 in 5.56x45
Platform: $800-1500
Ammunition: $.30-.50/round
Ratio: 2666-3000 rounds/rifle
Barrett M82A1 in .50 BMG
Platform: $8000
Ammunition: $3-5/round
Ratio: 2666-1600 rounds/rifle
Single-shot bolt-action in .50 BMG
Platform: $1200-3000
Ammunition: $3-5/round
Ratio: 400-600 rounds/rifle
Mosin-Nagant in 7.62x54R
Platform: $80-100
Ammunition: $.16-.50/round
Ratio: 500-200 rounds/rifle
Mauser in 8mm
Platform: $200-400
Ammunition: $.35-.60
Ratio: 571-666 rounds/rifle
I know there will be a fair amount of dissent over specific numbers, but really the purpose was just to come up with a very very rough picture of how much ammo a weapon is worth. The problem is that we're really beginning to see ammunition prices driven by cost of production rather than level of demand (for surplus) and so while some prices may be somewhat elevated above their "true" levels (5.56, 7.62, .50) others are undoubtedly well below their true cost to manufacture today. As time goes by the ratios above will shift dramatically to reflect the changing nature of the market.
AK-derivatives in 7.62x39
Platform: $350-750
Ammunition: $.18-.20/round
Ratio: 1944-3750 rounds/rifle
SKS in 7.62x39
Platform: $200-350
Ammunition: $.18-.20/round
Ratio: 1111-1750 rounds/rifle
AK-derivatives in 5.45x39
Platform: $350-750
Ammunition: $.11-.16/round
Ratio: 3181-4687 rounds/rifle
Springfield M1A in 7.62x51
Platform: $1200-2000
Ammunition: $.50-1.00/round
Ratio: 2400-2000 rounds/rifle
AR-10 in 7.62x51
Platform: $800-1500
Ammunition: $.50-1.00/round
Ratio: 1600-1500 rounds/rifle
AR-15 in 5.56x45
Platform: $800-1500
Ammunition: $.30-.50/round
Ratio: 2666-3000 rounds/rifle
Barrett M82A1 in .50 BMG
Platform: $8000
Ammunition: $3-5/round
Ratio: 2666-1600 rounds/rifle
Single-shot bolt-action in .50 BMG
Platform: $1200-3000
Ammunition: $3-5/round
Ratio: 400-600 rounds/rifle
Mosin-Nagant in 7.62x54R
Platform: $80-100
Ammunition: $.16-.50/round
Ratio: 500-200 rounds/rifle
Mauser in 8mm
Platform: $200-400
Ammunition: $.35-.60
Ratio: 571-666 rounds/rifle
I know there will be a fair amount of dissent over specific numbers, but really the purpose was just to come up with a very very rough picture of how much ammo a weapon is worth. The problem is that we're really beginning to see ammunition prices driven by cost of production rather than level of demand (for surplus) and so while some prices may be somewhat elevated above their "true" levels (5.56, 7.62, .50) others are undoubtedly well below their true cost to manufacture today. As time goes by the ratios above will shift dramatically to reflect the changing nature of the market.
