hollow point ammo prices

[moooose102]

we all know that ammo prices just keep escalating. i guess that is just a sad part of life. but my question is this. why are hollow pointed handgun ammo prices way higher than non hollow points? if you buy bullets (for reloading) the cost of the bullet between a hollow point and a fmj or soft point is really not that much. so my thinking is that it has to be money that the ammo manufacturer is setting aside for legal costs and awards from jury's. due to lawsuits for a person being shot with their ammo. to me, this sounds about right. but i would like your opinions on this, or if somebody actually works for an ammo company, your input would be especially welcome. or is there some other reason that i am not thinking about.

 

[Cacafuego]

What hollowpoints are you referring to? Gold Dots, Rangers, Golden Sabers etc. are premium ammo, like hunting or target ammo: Manufactured more carefully, held to tighter tolerances etc. than plain-Jane blasting ammo. Of course they cost more. So does good hunting and target ammo.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

It definitley costs more to produce an hp than a fmj, many more steps involved. Then with personal protection rounds you have sealed primers, nickel cases, human inspected lots of ammo, low flash powders,etc. etc this all adds up to more cost.

 

[jonmerritt]

Higher quality=higher cost=higher ability to dispatch a Bg (if needed)=
priceless

 

[Deus Machina]

All the higher-quality stuff, plus less made.

Less volume means the same or more time on slower or fewer machines, or either the cost of setting up and retooling a machine or having a dedicated machine that isn't making the bulk sellers.

You have to pay off the tooling and/or machine, plus the time setting it up, plus the time 'wasted' not making plinking ammo...

Which is saying nothing about the R&D. Some stuff is "put a hole in a flat-nose", but Federal, Speer, and Cor-Bon certainly put some effort into it.

 

[contenderman]

In my part of the world there is little difference between standard hollow point and solid bullets.

However there is considerable difference in the cost of standard ammo and the "personal defense" rounds. Often times a box of 20 will cost as much if not more than a box of 50 of the standard.

Why?

Some is probably bullet design (there are differences), powder used, and probably other components, particularly primers. You are looking at ammo that is supposed to be 110% reliable, achieve maximum velocity from short barrels, and have significant bullet performance.

Does all of the above add up to the extra cost? No. As with all things that are "specialty" a premium is tacked on. Sales margins are typically better on the PD stuff, at the mfg., distributor/wholesaler and retailer points of sale.