What role does ammo cost play in your gun selection?

[ACP]

Wondering if anyone rules out -- or rules in -- certain firearms due to the low price or high price of ammo.

For example -- you might be more likely to purchase and carry a 9mm vs. a 45ACP, 44 Special, etc..

Also, outside of CCW, for occasional shooting, does it affect your choices?

For example -- buying a Ruger Blackhawk with interchangeable cylinders in 45ACP/45 Colt instead of just 45 Colt.

I have found that unless I can keep myself stocked with a supply of ammo for any particular firearm, it does not last long.

TYPO: should say what ROLE does ammo cost play..

 

[Ccctennis]

I actually go for hard to find calibers or expensive calibers. I reload and like having odd guns in my collection. Not wildcat odd just less popular or old calibers.

 

[Candyman87]

I shoot some less common calibers... .32 ACP, .380 (getting more popular), and .303 Brit.

I also have my 9mm and .22's.

It doesn't affect my selection really... I try to get guns in the calibers they were designed in, like my Walther PP is a .32.

Besides, I reload, and it gives me something unique to try.

 

[TIMC]

Zero concern for me but the wife really hates it sometimes.

 

[vamo]

I won't buy a gun if I think it cost too much to shoot.

 

[jrdolall]

For me it makes no difference as I already have just about all the common cartridges. With new shooters I generally recommend 9mm over 45 or 380 because the ammo is cheaper so they can shoot more. 9mm is normally the most widely available of the common pistol calibers. That doesn't mean it is better or best but, IMO, less expensive to shoot.

 

[hamp sandwich]

If ammo cost is a big factor, it usually means it's a gun that I'm not that interested in or it's a cartridge that doesn't thrill me in some way.... So no, it's not really a factor. LOL!
I prefer standard calibers for the most part, but I like the odd rounds too.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I reload for everything I shoot except for 22LR so new ammo cost is usually not a concern. As a collector I am usually looking for a specific weapon which dictates the caliber so ammo cost does not enter the equation.

 

[Old Dog]

None.

Once I've decided that I need a particular gun, the cost to feed it isn't a factor at all ...

 

[jerkface11]

Once you start loading your own it stops mattering.

 

[ACP]

I envy you guys who reload. One of these days....

 

[gspn]

The only time ammo played a role for me was last year on a 22 LR purchase i was considering.

I originally wanted a nice 22 rifle because ammo waas cheap and plentiful. After the Great Panic changed that, i bought a nice air rifle instead (Benjamin Marauder). Pellets are cheap and plentiful, and the Marauder gives up nothing to the 22 LR at my typical squirel hunting ranges.

I reload for all the other guns so ammo cost isnt really a factor.

 

[witchhunter]

Jerkface nails it, once you reload for everything you shoot, it all costs roughly the same. Depending on size of course, but within reason. I have some real odd and obsolete old stuff that I love to shoot. Just make your own.

 

[DeepSouth]

It deepends, for hunting guns it doesn't matter at all. For fun guns, it matters a LOT. For pistols, I love 45's so that's what I buy.

 

[tcanthonyii]

Don't care what the caliber is. I'll buy regardless. I reload so basically everything costs the same to shoot plus or minus a little. I generally steer clear of 40 though.

 

[Inebriated]

Don't really care about ammo cost, with the caveat that I also have no use for obscure or expensive cartridges.

 

[Sniper66]

I have been trying to choose between a .257 mag and a .270 for antelope. I decided that the .270 was best for me because of ammo availability and cost. Brass for .257 is hard to find and is expensive. I went to a local sporting goods store and found about 6 different ammo options for the .270 and none for the .257.

 

[browningguy]

No role in my decision at all.

 

[Jlr2267]

I load most of my own, but I also maintain an inventory of factory ammo, for backup and replenishing brass. I try to stay with common, plentiful cartridges, 9mm, 380, 5.56, 357, 44, and of course 22LR. 45-70 is probably the only exception for me.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

None....I have only bought 1 box of new handgun ammo in 25 years. I still have 5 rounds out of it left.

 

[montanaoffroader]

Ammo cost is only one of the considerations, and not necessarily the most important one.

In a hunting rifle I like to have a common chambering, something readily available and reasonably priced, in case I have to buy ammo while away on a hunt. I always carry extra ammo, but sometimes stuff happens.

For range toys, it doesn't matter as much. I have a few guns that take ammo that is relatively expensive, but I am able stretch my shooting dollar a bit by reloading.

When choosing a carry gun, I always look hard at ammo costs, as I prefer to practice with the same ammo I use for carry. The more affordable the ammo is, the more I can practice.

 

[Valkman]

I just buy dies for the new caliber and reload! I've bought guns in .454 Casull, .44Mag and 10mm just so I could reload for them. In fact none of those have ever shot a factory round.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

No ammo prices do not factor in when looking to purchase a firearm. Though I only have one gun that some shooters would consider ammo to be a little on the high side, 338 Lapua.

 

[cfullgraf]

Once you start loading your own it stops mattering.

Right.

Reloading also allows me to enjoy a number of wildcats or old firearms chambered in now obsolete cartridges.

 

[cfullgraf]

I envy you guys who reload. One of these days....

Should get into reloading sooner instead of later.