What role does ammo cost play in your gun selection?

[45223]

It played an important role. When I thought about what gun to get I was thinking cost down the road. Although I don't have a lot of money so that's probably why it was very important. Like getting the Glock in 9mm vs getting it in something else.

I was tempted not to get a .22 back when 22lr ammo was going for like 13 dollars for a 50 round box of thunderbolt. I was like no freaken way. Although I knew it would eventually go down. And of course I got the .22 because I want to shoot as much as possible without paying much for it. That and I can shoot the aguila super colibri from my back porch any time I want.

 

[ku4hx]

Absolutely none. Since I've been a dedicated hand loader and "rolled my own" beginning in 1970 it's never been a consideration. Being a bullet caster makes it less of a concern if that's possible.

Now, hand loading has it's own "problems" very similar to ammunition buying. Don't let anybody tell you its all a bed of roses and always runs smoothly. There is very little pistol powder out there to be bought right now, HazMat costs have gone up a bit, jacketed bullets are scarce in some calibers, component prices have steadily climbed and so forth and so on.

The only way hand loading works well is if you create a stock level you're comfortable with and maintain it on a regular anticipatory basis. If you don't, you're right there with the ammunition buying guys facing months of "sold out" situations.

I'm a very dedicated hand loader/bullet caster and I've maintained my stock by buying in bulk for decades. There was once a time when it was recommended you have no more than 1,000 each of the primer sizes you need and powder and bullets to match the primer count. Why, if you needed more of each you just go buy more at the local vendor's place. It's not that way any more. Just like stocking up on ammunition, you stock up on components. The only difference (sometimes anyway) is dedicated hand loaders tend to stock up in counts that run in the thousands if not ten of thousands and that in itself can create a supply problem just like with the loaded ammunition.

 

[herkyguy]

I'd love to have one of the AR style rifles in .458, but it's too expensive.

I reload a bit, but also pick up commercial ammo every few weeks when I see a good deal.

Cost matters. If it didn't Id be out with my 12 gauge shotguns shooting slugs all day long. But it does.