Cheap Ammo

[Dobe]

Hello,
I just got a CZ 75-B SA, and I am looking for recommendations on good cheep ammo. I am also looking to purchase by the case. I want 124 gr FMJ with boxer primed brass (for reloading afterwards). I am not looking for +p.

Next, I would appreciate information on a good cheap bullet in 124 gr FMJ for reloading. These are to be bought in bulk also.

Thanks,

Dobe

 

[ChristopherG]

Maybe a stupid question: why not +P? A European gun is probably built to handle it, yes? Plus, all the cheapest FMJ I know is +P--but then, it's also 115 gr. I couldn't resist a case of S&B 115gr. at Natchezss.com for 5.19 a box--who could? Alternatively, you could get 1,000 124 gr. FMJ from georgia-arms.com for $129, but it's NATO spec, which is also decidedly +p, I would think.
Chris

 

[Dobe]

Well, +P isn't that much faster, mabe a hundred fps or so. And the extra wear and tear on the gun just isn't worth it to me. Perhaps, I can be convenced otherwise. Is NATO +P?
Dobe

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, I don't know for sure, 'cause pressure isn't directly related to velocity--but NATO spec is 124 gr FMJ @1200 fps, which is a considerable mite faster than some 124 gr. out there, and the equal of some good SD ammo like Pro-Load's Gold Dot, whic is certainly +p. I'm pretty sure there are folks out there with thousands and thousands of +p rounds through CZs who could tell you if they're having adverse effects (my nine is a Glock so I couldn't say; but I bet it'd be okay).
Chris

 

[Dobe]

Thanks Chris. Would you give the web address for those two that you recommended please. I could not reach either when I tried. Perhaps I entered incorrectly.

Dobe

 

[Peetmoss]

http://www.natchezss.com/index.html
http://www.georgia-arms.com/

 

[TooTaxed]

Try a gun show! Bought 9-mm jacketed 115 and 124 gr. at under $5/box, less in quantity, at the Fresno and San Francisco gun shows...not worth reloading at that price, though I'm set up for it. (.38-Spl, same price. .357-Mag & .40, about $6/box, .45 Auto $8/box, .45 Colt about $11/box)

 

[photo_guy]

You might also consider the Olympic 124gr 9mm (Greek). It is available from www.sportsmansguide.com for about $100/Kand you can usually find coupon codes to reduce the cost some more.

It is a bit hotter than some other loads but it works well. Not sure if it is considered +P or not.

My other favorite is Aguila (Mexico). I last got a case of Aguila 9mm from www.proload.com for about $125.

 

[Dobe]

Thanks fellow shooters,
I have checked out all of the websites, and I will check out the gun show this week end.

+P was mentioned by Chris, and I was wondering if the rest of you shoot +P in your 9's.

Dobe

 

[DMK]

http://www.ammunitionstore.com/pricelist_ammo4.htm#9mm

http://www.southernohiogun.com/ammunition.html



The best, cheapest I've tried is S&B or CCI Blazer from Natchez, Olympic from the ammunition store, or Danish NATO from SOG(southernohiogun). Ammostore has S&B and Natchez has CCI Blazer in 124gr. I believe the NATO stuff is also 124gr. but may be wrong.

I prefer the S&B and it is my default range ammo. Very accurate and reliable in my guns. The Danish NATO is hot, probably +P, but comes in sealed "battle packs" so it stores well. Perfect for that tube buried in the back yard

 

[Dobe]

Dave,
Is the S&B reloadable, i.e. brass and boxer primed?

Also, on the NATO stuff, do you feel it is too hot for continued use?

Dobe

 

[ChristopherG]

Dobe, you're having a heck of a time getting an answer to your question about +P stuff, aren't you!

I can at least tell you that the S&B is reloadable, as is the Olympic & I would expect the Danish. Only the CCI/Blazer is aluminum cased. I don't know many people that reload 9mm, though, 'cause it's so cheap to buy. If you were concerned about the stress of +p, though, you could just buy and shoot a case of this hot stuff, then reload it til the cows come home.

Chris

 

[Selfdfenz]

For general plinking

Winchester 115s at Walmart and ok and not +p. But they are 115 gr.
The cases reload fine.
S&B reloads fine as well. Tight primer pockets and that red stuff not withstanding.

I use Rainier 124s for reloading and they are ok. and Cheap. Really it's hard to justify the time it takes to run the press when Wincheater bulk pack are less than 11.00 per 100 rnds at Wally World.
S-

 

[Dobe]

Thanks Chris and Sefdfenz,

Its time to stock-up boys.

Dobe

 

[DMK]

You can shoot +P in your CZ-75 without a worry. Mike, the master gunsmith at CZ has stated on the CZ Forum that it wouldn't be a problem.

I occasionally shoot my defense loads of Proload and Cor-bon 124gr +P on my CZ-75 mil and have not seen any increased wear.

I agree with Selfdfenz about the Wally World Winchester White box. It's cheap, fairly clean and I have shot a lot of it without any problems. However it is bulk packed (just thrown loosly into the box) and doesn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy feeling of exceptional quality control. I've also found S&B and Olympic to shoot the most accurately of the cheap stuff in my CZ. Of course, YMMV.

 

[slh02]

CCI Blazer

I personally like the CCI blazer ammo for practice over the White Box stuff. The CCI is only a dollar more per 100 and is a heap better than the Winchester IMO. I know that some people dont like the fact that you cant reload, but at those prices there really isnt a need to. Plus the aluminum on the CCI cases have a slight texture which prevent them from slipping when you are reloading (I really, really like that). Overall, I find them to be the best value out there.

 

[Bob Locke]

When I was in Virginia and shooting IDPA, I used S&B in both my Glock 19 and Glock 21. It was inexpensive, worked very well, and was very accurate. I stocked up on the 124-gr. 9mm and 230-gr. .45 ACP. Great ammo and great prices to be found.

 

[Chainsaw]

Dobe, I have used S&B 115grain fmj's and have reloaded the brass. My lot was made in 1983 and it is fairly accurate, clean burning, and functions well in four different 9's. I am still on the original case I purchased as I mainly use the reloads.

I do reload cause I have the brass. I am also given brass that I reload mainly the Winchester white box stuff. This work ok also. But I really like the S&B brass more.

As far as that goes, I am not worried about losing brass when shooting as I take in more than I lose.

I load a mild load of AA#2 and this load is about the same velocity on my chrono as the S&B Factory ammo. For the most part I don't have to trim the brass with the milder loads.

I use mainly Hornady 115's and am going to try Berrys bullets next, as I want to order some of their 30 Carbine bullets and the shipping is included in there pricing. www.berrysmfg.com

 

[RON in PA]

Plated 124gr bullets from Ranier and Berrys work fine for me as well as S&B brass.

 

[genie]

for cheap 9mm plinking ammo - i'd second checking out walmart -- specifically those winchester white box 100 round value packs. should be under $11.