If it wasn't for Walmart, I wouldn't be shooting.

[SOUTHPAW]

Honestly, I shoot about once a week, mostly .45 acp, and about 100-250 rounds per trip. Sadly, that's probably more than I can afford to. I buy all my range ammo exclusively at Walmart, in the form of Remington UMC 250-round Mega Packs for $85 a piece. I don't know about you, but I'm not really in the tax bracket to be blowing $5,000+ a year on one of my hobbies, so I've been cutting back a bit.

What really <upsets> me is that the same exact 250 pack is $120 at Dick's Sporting Goods a block away and $140 at the local gun shop. Who <> buys it at those prices??? More importantly, how can someone charge a 40%+ mark up on the same block?! It seems the ammo shortage is calming down, with my local WM swimming in the stuff. They even lifted the 6 box daily max. I would assume this will bring down the other store's prices as well but who knows.

I don't feel comfortable reloading, unless someone was to sit there and actually teach me, although I am considering reading the ABC's of Reloading to better edjucate myself. But for now it comes down to the basic fact that if it wasn't for Walmart, I wouldn't be able to afford to shoot.

Anyone else feel the same?

 

[AWDeanSR]

I am in the same boat. It's hard to pay $20 for a box of range ammo when I can go to walmart and get federal 9mm for plinking for only $9.

 

[Kingofthehill]

I really don't care for walmart. I avoid shopping there as best i can, but here in San Antonio, they are very well stocked with ammo and their prices are FAR less than Bass Pro, Cabela's and especially the smaller gun shops.

I shoot 2-3x a week, 150-500rds per trip depending on caliber. At that level of shooting, i can't afford 20-40% higher prices at gun shops/ranges to support them. They are just out of this world expensive.

For now, walmart will continue to get my business for ammo.

JOe

 

[natman]

Can't blame you for buying where it's cheaper, but it's not like the gunshop is deliberately ripping you off. Walmart's volume is so large and their distribution so efficient that in many cases they can sell at retail for less than the dealer can get it wholesale. It makes it pretty hard to compete on price.

 

[Rail Driver]

I'm in the same boat. Not long ago I was forced to go to one of the local outdoor shops to buy a box of .380 because walmart was out of the $10 boxes they had... I ended up paying $32 for 50 rounds and it made me sick.

I might not care for some of their policies, but those prices are the main reason I can afford to have the things I have and do the things I do. It's a catch 22 situation.

 

[Matt 357]

The real kicker is that the local gun shop probably went down to walmart, bought it for $85 then put their $140 sticker on it.

Nice...

 

[javabum]

Kind of ironic that the very sport that you love is made cheaper by the store you hate.Much like hating lawyers because of how they make a living (distorting the truth to their clients advantage) but we still need them.

I see no problem shopping at Wal Mart.Their not unlike any other business trying to make a buck.

I guess you're love of the sport overrides you dislike for Wal Mart.I don't like some of the things they do either,and they will pay for it,but until all the other
retailers sell at acceptable prices Wal Mart getting my business.

 

[danprkr]

Can't blame you for buying where it's cheaper, but it's not like the gunshop is deliberately ripping you off. Walmart's volume is so large and their distribution so efficient that in many cases they can sell at retail for less than the dealer can get it wholesale. It makes it pretty hard to compete on price.

Exactly the economies of scale.

Now, if you want to cut your costs more you can get into reloading. The initial up front is there, but you can cut your overall ammo bill by half or more often. Plus you get yet another hobby to take up your time.

 

[mongo4567]

I buy the ammo where it is the cheapest...often times it is Walmart. That said, I shoot a lot of .22 these days.

 

[JoeMal]

I couldn't afford to shoot at gun store prices either. WM has had a large supply of various ammo types this year, more than I remember seeing last year. I buy all of my ammo at Walmart. If I see something that I only have a little bit of, I buy it. Even if I don't need it...I try to buy something when I'm there, even if it's a box of .22s

 

[Scott30]

I have seen it happen. A local shooting range wiped out every Dick's Sporting Goods (50% off ammo sale) in town out of all popular calibers then marked them up to their normal price. Free enterprise at it's best. You would do the same if you owned a business.

 

[Robert]

I agree that reloading is the only way to go. It is not nearly as hard or scary as most people think. And if you are only crafting range ammo then the process is fairly quick. Read all you can, ask lots of questions and if possible find someone near you willing to show you the ropes. The cost of reloading is pretty much all up front. A good press is worth the money. I load all my 45 on my friends Dillon 550 and my 308 on the Dillon 650. The 550 can be found for a decent price and is pretty simple to set up and use. The 650 is a bit more difficult... I still screw that thing up from time to time.

 

[rdb]

I was hesitant to reload as well. But, I got a press and the ABCs of Reloading for Christmas. After lots of reading and filtering the internet I reloaded 20 rounds for my .243.
My heart skipped a beat when I pulled the trigger. And I was hooked on reloading. I'm no expert, just take your time and double and triple check everything.
I don't load .45 ACP, but IIRC there are guys loading them for 3 or 4 cents per round. Good Luck and keep shooting either way.

 

[TNT in Round Rock]

to be honest I had no idea the prices WalMart had on ammo - went to a close one to me yesterday and was quite pleased with what I saw !!!

 

[SOUTHPAW]

Kind of ironic that the very sport that you love is made cheaper by the store you hate.Much like hating lawyers because of how they make a living (distorting the truth to their clients advantage) but we still need them.

I see no problem shopping at Wal Mart.Their not unlike any other business trying to make a buck.

I guess you're love of the sport overrides you dislike for Wal Mart.I don't like some of the things they do either,and they will pay for it,but until all the other
retailers sell at acceptable prices Wal Mart getting my business.

Well said

Yeah I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about a .22 pistol or rifle as my next purchase. There's no point (for me) in taking a gun to the range to plink with less than a couple hundred rounds. (the range is 30 mins away) So even if I pack just a few mags of .45 and some slugs or whatever, I can throw in a brick of .22lr and blast all day...

 

[Buck Snort]

Southpaw wrote: "I am considering reading the ABC's of Reloading to better educate myself."

That's where I started. You don't have to buy your whole reloading setup at once but when you get it all together you'll enjoy the process and the savings (provided you don't start doing a LOT more shooting). There's got to be used equipment out there you could pick up for a song.

 

[Elmar66]

There are definitely some rounds that are more cost effective to reload. 9mm is rarely cheaper to reload than buy unless you are getting some great discounts on the parts, reloading your own spent casings, maybe even casting your own lead etc.

.45 and definitely .380 are cheaper to reload than to purchase.

There are other reasons to reload too. Not just shortages, but if we ever get to the point of a stoppage in this nation.

I don't mean to fear monger but we are in some seriously unstable times in this country.

KingoftheHill, where in San Antonio are you? Where do you shoot?

 

[UpTheIrons]

Good to start with the .45

.45 ACP is the perfect round to start your reloading career with. Nice big case, big bullets, large primers - everything is easy to grab and see for the ham-fisted among us (not saying that you are one of them!). Easy to see the powder in the case, too.

I loaded up 200 rounds on my first go round once I got my press up and running, and I was hooked after the first shot. I even shot a 2" group at 20 yards with my first batch. Not match grade, but certainly better than I was expecting.

Where did I start?
The ABC's of Reloading
Lyman's 49th Reloading Handbook
Lee's Modern Reloading, Second Edition

You are on the right track, and soon to be among the happy reloaders if you keep going.

 

[cavman]

I suggest to start to Reload

Enter some data in the Reloading Cost Calculator:
http://10xshooters.com/calculators/Handgun_Reloading_Cost_Calculator.htm

i.e ~$52 for Bullseye powder for 4lbs.
5 grains powder charge
~$29 for 1000 primers
~$75 for 1000 bullets http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=13 (Don't forget to ask for the THR 5% off)
(jacketed is more of course ~$138, but here is my source (http://www.nsksales.com/pricing/BULLETS.pdf)
$00 for brass (hopefully you have been keeping your brass all this time

$17/50 rounds for your Walmart ammo ( $85/(250/5))

~$200 for the Lee Relaoder http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=51647&w=PQ+JDyOLrQE= ( I don't know if it comes with dies or not but if not they are around $30 or so..)

Cost comes out to about $6 per 50 rounds, or ~$30 per 250

SAVING $10+ for every 50 rounds or about $50 for a 250 round outing!!!

(go buy a Coke and Sub each time out afterwards and still come away with an extra $40 in your pocket each week.

After less than 6 months your initial investment is paid off and it is all Gravy after that.

These are some rough estimates to be sure but I think the picture is clear.

Have fun with your new Reloader!

 

[rmfnla]

Glad to see so many people suggesting reloading; it's such a great way to expand your awareness of your guns' performance and potential, not to mention save some serious $$$.

I also have found that wherever I have lived I have met some really great folks who cast & sell bullets; there's just something about that activity that draws nice people.

 

[heviarti]

encheapify it further by buying used equipment. We have a guy in boise who just sells used equipment out of his garage. Makes things easier starting out. That's how I started reloading (drum roll) .45 ACP.

 

[rmfnla]

Lee used to sell factory seconds; presses with imperfect paint, dies with a scratch... stuff that worked great but could be had for even less than their already great prices.

Used isn't a bad idea, either; it would be fairly easy to see if the equipment had been abused.

I like "encheapify"!

 

[22-rimfire]

I hear your pain about cost. My understanding is that Walmart often sells the ammo at prices way below what your average gun shop can buy it for. I am not exactly in the "loop" for wholesale pricing of ammunition, but that is my feeling.

I shoot more 22 that anything else. I consider the medium to high priced target grade 22 ammo a bit out of reach pricewise at times for how I shoot.

 

[danprkr]

Used isn't a bad idea, either; it would be fairly easy to see if the equipment had been abused.

RCBS and Dillon have no BS lifetime warranties. I have bought equipment in both brands used that didn't work. They then promptly brought back to new specs under warranty. In both cases I didn't intend for that to happen, but was VERY pleasantly surprised to have it happen. I think Dillon just replaced one of my Square Deal B presses with a new one. Just keep in mind that right now at least RCBS is running behind on repairs, and it may take you a while to get it back, but if you get a good deal don't be scared of it.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Get a .22. My Ruger 10/22 has paid for itself. Now I just put a few mags through the big caliber guns and blast a brick of .22LR down range. At $20 or less for a 500 round brick its quite affordable.

I buy .45ACP from Chris in Bethany, $39.99 for a 100 round box. Slightly more than UMC but UMC is freaken dirty, whit box is cleaner.