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Old 11-07-2020, 05:19 PM
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Default New to AR’s; quick ammo q’s

Just posting this here as it was more specific so apologies if it should have been in the Ammo section.
This year I got my first AR, a Sport 2. I dont have a history of what 223 ammo pricing could be in a more normal year like I do for my 9’s and 22’s. I have seen brass range ammo (Pmc, Winchester 55gn) in the $0.50-60 per round area and I have seen it twice that price. I was just curious for those of us who have not built up a supply of 223 stock, considering the current and near future events what is a reasonable price to pay?
I have been picking some up in that $.55 or so price point so I had something to practice with and use. And I am ok with that, knowing that I dont believe it suddenly will drop significantly.

As always, thx and stay safe!
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Old 11-07-2020, 05:37 PM
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Before the Krona pandemic, If you could find M193 or M855 for about $0.29 a round your were doing good, I don't expect it to be that cheap for a while if ever again.
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Old 11-07-2020, 05:42 PM
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I tried a variety of different factory .223 5/56 ammos several years ago. Unless you get into the expensive match stuff, none of it is really very accurate but it all functions and goes bang when you pull the trigger. This same ammo does not compare to the accuracy attainable with good handloads which will shoot as well or better than factory match ammo.

Opinions vary, but I'd have a hard time paying inflated prices for mediocre ammunition. Even if you don't consider accuracy important, it still might be best to wait until the situation improves.
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Old 11-07-2020, 05:49 PM
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I tried a variety of different factory .223 5/56 ammos several years ago. Unless you get into the expensive match stuff, none of it is really very accurate but it all functions and goes bang when you pull the trigger. This same ammo does not compare to the accuracy attainable with good handloads which will shoot as well or better than factory match ammo.

Opinions vary, but I'd have a hard time paying inflated prices for mediocre ammunition. Even if you don't consider accuracy important, it still might be best to wait until the situation improves.
Yeah not looking at building a ton of stock at the current prices (not yet anyway) but getting enough to shoot and practice is a goal. Seems that $.50-60 area is not that common right now so will probably be a price (when available) I’ll have to live with for a while.
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Old 11-07-2020, 05:52 PM
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If I had a crystal ball, I would have dumped everything I had in Monster Beverage stock 20 years ago.

A gun without ammo is a poorly designed club. No one knows what the future will bring. Prices may come down in the next year or so, but It’s probably worth buying a case or two now if you can get good ammo for $0.50/round. Reloading equipment is also a wise choice.

I’ve been doing this for almost 45 years. I learned along time ago to get when the getting is good.
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Old 11-07-2020, 05:56 PM
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If I had a crystal ball, I would have dumped everything I had in Monster Beverage stock 20 years ago.

A gun without ammo is a poorly designed club. No one knows what the future will bring. Prices may come down in the next year or so, but It’s probably worth buying a case or two now if you can get good ammo for $0.50/round. Reloading equipment is also a wise choice.

I’ve been doing this for almost 45 years. I learned along time ago to get when the getting is good.
I first got into this hobby in ‘12 when my inlaws handed down an old Colt Challenger. I had no idea ammo would be so hard to find, i learned real quick to stock when i could so i was able to enjoy my rangetime.
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Old 11-07-2020, 07:16 PM
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Get what you can, while you can. We're gonna need it......
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Old 11-07-2020, 09:52 PM
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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away the United States Army taught me how to shoot and care for an M-14. I so loved that rifle that when I shortly thereafter discovered that the Army had a plastic toy in a lesser caliber that they called a combat rifle I derided it from the outset.

Of course, owning an M1A was mandatory for me.

Time passed. The usefulness of the M1A passed for me for a variety of reasons so mine sat in a dark corner, and then............

I discovered that maybe the young Soldier was wrong and the old Senior Chief could teach him some things and VOILA! The AR, or actually the type they call M-4, became mandatory for me.

All of that is prelude to the question of ammunition. Presently, it's hard to find and often expensive. So, I recommend finding the best available presently, pay what you have to, and train carefully on your AR-style rifle so you don't waste ammunition. But always, when you can afford to, buy more. A lot more. Then you can practice more and be ready for whatever might come your way.
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Old 11-08-2020, 08:53 AM
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Back to the OP's question. Have no concern with what others might consider to be deal for these times. Purchase what you can afford and become familiar with your weapon. It's that simple. Very doubtful we'll see the .28-.31 prices again for the next 6-8 years.
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Old 11-08-2020, 11:23 AM
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Thanks all.
I will continue to grab range ammo in the price-points I have seen that I am comfortable with; even if that means a little here and there when available. As I dont own any gun that I cant or wont take out for some target fun and practice; I just have to limit myself on how much ammo goes with me. I have a feeling the days of going thru a couple/few hundred rounds for some range fun/practice may be gone for a while. And that may be difficult as this is a hobby for me and I enjoy putting holes in paper. Guess at least with winter near, this old man wont be shooting outdoors (in WI) so my ammo will last til spring at least lol.
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Old 11-09-2020, 04:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger17 View Post
Just posting this here as it was more specific so apologies if it should have been in the Ammo section.
This year I got my first AR, a Sport 2. I dont have a history of what 223 ammo pricing could be in a more normal year like I do for my 9’s and 22’s. I have seen brass range ammo (Pmc, Winchester 55gn) in the $0.50-60 per round area and I have seen it twice that price. I was just curious for those of us who have not built up a supply of 223 stock, considering the current and near future events what is a reasonable price to pay?
I have been picking some up in that $.55 or so price point so I had something to practice with and use. And I am ok with that, knowing that I dont believe it suddenly will drop significantly.

As always, thx and stay safe!
New to AR’s; quick ammo q’s
Are we supposed to read your post quick, or reply quick?
J/K.
There are no more .223/5.56 reasonable prices. And, probably will be a few years before prices get reasonable again. "IF" you can find AR ammo at a price that "YOU" can afford, buy it and practice/shoot.
Good luck!
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Last edited by Ruger Nut; 11-20-2020 at 02:09 PM.
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Old 11-09-2020, 10:39 AM
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At current prices I can buy .223 bullets for 11 cents and need about a dime's worth of powder per reload.

The problem of course is that you can't find primers anywhere unless you are willing to pay a fortune. As luck would have it I'm fairly well stocked with some I bought for 4 cents each, so I can reload for about 25 cents per round.

Short term I think prices are only going up. Long term who knows? I continue to stockpile as much as I can afford.

I'll be surprised if .223 ammo doesn't go over a dollar per round before it drops any. If it ever drops. Prices tend to go up a lot faster than they go down. I'd guess it's the most popular center fire rifle caliber so demand will keep prices up.
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