Posted on 04/19/2014 8:43:29 AM PDT by rktman
Fourth week of prices. My intention was to generate trending graphs this week, but as I started playing with the data I realized this post would become hideously huge.
So what I would like the reader base to do is to determine what graphs/trends would be most useful and/or interesting. As of right now we are tracking 42 vendors, 9 calibers, and 2 lot sizes. Against those 3 vectors, we have the prices by date.
We could do average price per round per caliber by vendor. Or trend lines of prices by lot size by caliber by vendor. Really anything using the aforementioned vectors.
So, what do you want to see? Post your requests in the comments (if what you want is already there, please “up vote” it rather than duplicate it). I will start with the 2 most popular ideas next week and see how that goes.
We have also included the raw data so you can run your own trends: WeeklyAmmoPrices20140418.csv
(Excerpt) Read more at thefirearmblog.com ...
Mostly all of it up. Except some of the Russian or FSU manufacturers for lacquered steel casing stuff.
Actually, as an old man now, I have way way more ammo than I could ever think about shooting just for fun and practice, even in 22 LR and 22 WMR.
I pretty much am in the “really, really good deal” mode now and replenishing what I spend at the range. Looking today, I opened up my console cubby in my truck and spotted a UMC Mega 250 Round Pack of 45 ACPs that I’d forgotten about....
“CHEAP”?There is NO SUCH THING As”Cheap”AnyMore!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw some Federal Champion .22LR match ammo at Gander Mountain the other day. They wanted $24 for a box of 50. Sheesh!
LOL! Don’t ya just hate it when you have so much ammo that you can’t remember where it all is. I found a bunch of 22lr in my range bag that I’d forgotten about. I guess I need to do an inventory. :>}
I don’t have a lot of hunting round stuff. Don’t own many guns that one would associate with pure hunting.
Mostly common stuff like .223 Remington, 5.56 (all kinds), 7.62X39, 45 Colt, 45 ACP, 9mm, 380 ACP, 357/38spl/38S&W, 32ACP, 22LR and 22WMR. Plus some oddball stuff like 7.5X54 French (I have a pristine 1936 MAS - dropped once - never fired), 7.65 Argentine, 8mm Mauser and some 7.62 Nagant.
It’s a good idea, but has a few weak spots.
Suggestion #1:
There are a huge range of options within each caliber. You might consider narrowing it down within each caliber to one or two brands of low end “practice” ammo. Brass casings only, and nothing in the truly junk category.
This would create a consistent benchmark for comparison that is not distorted by vagaries on what kind of ammo happens to be available from each place at any given time. As you know, “self defense” ammo is often available at astronomical prices, but the stuff you could actually afford to shoot at the range cannot be found.
Suggestion #2:
If you realize the need to practice, but are not rich enough to buy ammo at today’s prices, consider air guns. Quality these days is very high. They are MUCH quieter, and in most cases you can set up a range at home. They are not considered a firearm, yet. Pellet prices are going up, but they are still affordable.
If you are looking at small game, you can buy a silenced pellet rifle that will fire pellets with impact similar to a silenced .22LR rifle using subsonic ammo.
I have a VERY accurate .25 pellet rifle that puts out 110 fpe. If that’s not enough, you can buy a bigger bore rifle with more power, but you lose accuracy, the noise goes way up, and the cost of the pellets goes way up as well.
At one point, I bought me some of that Aguila primer-only 22LR stuff. I sit here in my basement at the computer and shoot off a few rounds at my trap when I get pissed at something I read. Very cathartic.......:o)
With the Post Office grand purchase I expect another round of hoarding. I wonder is the Post Office is buying ammo to send off the the people with the guns form fast and furious.
I’m SOL here. .41 Rem Mag, 8mm Mauser, and I’m seriously considering a 10mm. Glutton for punishment.
7.62X39 is still very cheap. Less than $5 a box of 20 at CheaperThanDirt(dot)com. Not reloadable, but you can buy more than you can carry for just a few Benjamins.
I was at a local big-name gun store yesterday and spotted CCI 22LR Mini-Mag, Copper Round Nose, 40gr, 1235fps for $18.95 per 100. That’s my favorite 22LR. Glad I bought plenty way back when at $5-7 box.
Got plenty of lower quality stuff too and use that for target practice. I’ll put up with the fail-to-fire and fail-to-eject while punching holes in paper. Saving the Mini-Mag for serious things.
Now I'm lucky to find 50-100 rounds for the same amount!
Mark
Stay in the price-per-round metric. Please differentiate between brass and steel (good (brass vendors) versus cheap roosian steel-type stuff), and stay on the common calibers of 22lr, 9mm luger, 45 acp, 223, 7.62x39, and 308, at least. I think the market generally follows these rounds.
I bought some 5.45x39 AP during happy hour. Now I hafta buy a dam rifle to shoot it! DOW!!
I saw 1,000 rounds of Russian 7.62x39 for $300 at the PrepperFest in New Castle, Va today.
That’s the ONLY thing cheap at CTD. I went into one of the stores yesterday. Everything is still more expensive, some things by a large margin, than your LGS.
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