9MM prices - is now normal?

[Dahak]

Gotten a lot of great advice in response to my prior questions, so here goes another.

I've been shooting for a couple of months so my normal is 20 cents a round for target ammo (sgammo is a bit under this round number after spreading out the shipping costs) and 40 cents a round for SD (Federal HST 124 grain in the 50 box from a LGS). The 40 cents I've gathered is an exceptional deal, and I'm glad to have found it so I could put a 100 rounds of it down range without crying too much about the cost.

So is 20 cents/round normal? Should I be stocking up now or waiting for sales. If sales, when are the good sales dates for ammo and accessories (I need to test some more holsters, my range bag is too small, and get some of the hollow ground screwdrivers and ... yep, I've fallen down the rabbit hole )

Does ammo go on sale? Black Friday, Labor Day, Christmas or does ammo follow the hunting season calendars for its sales dates?

Thanks!

 

[URIT]

Someone seems to have a sale on ammo at any given time. I think there's always one brand on sale, which makes it nice for the shooter who isn't particular.

I buy from several sources and I'm on their email lists. Today, I got an email from Midway on a sale for Magtech 9mm at $169 for a 1000 case and free shipping using the code they included in the email. Not a bad price.

Usually, it comes in at just under 20 cents a round when shipping is included in the final number. I only fire 10 rounds of SD ammo on each quarterly range trip with my CCW, so I only buy a 50 ct box once a year.

 

[Telecaster]

It’s normal until it isn’t.

 

[AlHunt]

I wouldn't really expect prices to go any lower, based on 40 years of ammo buying.

Due to past "shortages" and high prices some of us establish a basic stocking level, a few months, a year, whatever we feel like we can us through another shortage.

 

[BSA1]

The gun and ammunition market remains very unstable as their prices are closely tied to politics. I would not put off buying hoping for lower prices.

 

[1775usmarine]

If you arent stocking up on reloading supplies or ammo as we drive towards 2020 you should turn in your man or woman card.

 

[TTSH]

If you aren't stocking up on reloading supplies or ammo as we drive towards 2020 you should turn in your man or woman card.

Yeah, as much as I believe I've got a lifetime supply (remember, I'm old!) of 9mm ammo stashed away, I'm actually considering buying more and very soon. In fact, had my bulk supplier not been out of my preferred brand and weight, it would already be here. Anyway, I'm paying 17¢/round in bulk for 124 gr... not quite as good as I've done in the past (~13¢/round), but that was mostly for 115 gr.

 

[stansdds]

If you arent stocking up on reloading supplies or ammo as we drive towards 2020 you should turn in your man or woman card.

Better to be prepared than to find yourself in need and no economical way of buying what you need. Ammo prices are low right now, they may stay low, they may skyrocket, ammo may become nearly impossible to find. It pretty much depends upon the outcome of the 2020 election and/or if we end up in another war in the Middle East.

 

[MyDads38]

In my area, $.16-$.18/round is the norm from most places @ sale prices. Usually I can buy local without having to buy in bulk. And I can buy 115 or 124 gr. 9mm for the same price.

After the last ammo/component "shortage", I started stocking up on both as it became available-at a price that I felt was "reasonable". If you're not already doing the same; you should probably start. $.20/per round for 9mm is not awful, but is more than I will usually pay. $.30/round is my max for 223/5.56 ammo. I also reload all my calibers, but when factory ammo is on sale/available, I buy that also. I have about a dozen new bullet molds in all the handgun calibers I shoot. I'm about to retire, so I should have the time to get back into casting and save even more money on my costs.

 

[Valmet]

.16-.19 a round around here if you keep your eyes opened. I prefer bulk buying from SGA, that’s where it seems to be the cheapest to me (then add shipping of course).

 

[Biggfoot44]

Ammo prices/ availability are largely driven by politics . ( And raw material costs on the world market of course .) With the Bills in Congress, and the various State Legislatures , and next years Prez election with every single Dem running, expect prices to go up before they could come meaningfully down .

What are your " normal " buying habits ? Buy it as you use it ? Make a bulk purchase, and use it all before getting more ? Is 9mm your primary/ only handgun cal ?

To be prepared for price spikes/ shortages it is wise to keep a stash in reserve , beyond what you routinely shoot on a regular basis . NOW is the time to set aside a reserve, if you don't already have one .

How much is "enough " ? That can be debated endlessly, and is personal choice . 500rd, 1000rd, stack of cases ? Up to you . But the next time you can't hardly get any 9mm at any price, you'll wish you had gotten more now .

 

[s&wchad]

Manufacturers typically offer rebates around Black Friday, where you can buy 9mm range ammo for about $6 box. Two years ago, Remington-UMC offered a $5 rebate per box with a 40 box limit. Last year, Federal had a $30 rebate on 350 round buckets with a limit of 3.

Some online retailers have excellent prices and offer free shipping, but you need to act fast. They generally sell out within a few days. They make you jump through hoops and it takes a while to get the rebate check, but it’s worth the trouble.

Here’s a few good sites to keep your eye on:
Rebates & Promotions
Rebates & Promotions | Remington
Rebates for Winchester Ammo | Winchester Ammunition

 

[Rule3]

Go to ammoseek and search for whatever you want. Get current prices, may not have all coupons,rebates or specials

9mm Luger (9x19 Parabellum) ammo handgun : AmmoSeek.com

 

[trapper9260]

Here is a site you can check for bulk ammo 9mm Ammo for Sale with Free Shipping - AmmoMan.com

I had stock up on 22lr when the price started to come down and got all I will ever need now. the rest of ammo I reload myself and cast my own . Stock up ,no ones knows and if things dose not go down you will have it already, when the last ammo problem we had ,it did not matter to me over all. just the 22lr because I use it on my trap line.But would of gone a different route if I needed to , had enough but not for long term now I have enough for long term. I reload my own 9mm ,works for me.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

About 15 years ago WalMart was selling WWB or Rem-UMC 9mm FMJ ammo, suitable for practice, at $5.97 per box ($0.12 per round). Couple of extreme dry spells since, when practically no ammo or reloading components could be had at any price, now same ammo is selling at about $9.00 per box ($0.18 per round).

Over the same period here rent for a 2BR apartment has gone from about $650 per month to around $900 per month. Median housing cost has risen from about $105,000 to about $175,000. Mid-sized American car with AC and cloth interior has gone from about $25,000 to about $35,000, and a basic 1/2 ton pickup truck with 4WD has gone from about $30K to around $40K.

Adjusted for inflation, I suspect that today's ammo prices may be looked at as "normal". What "normal" might be in 5 or 10 years is anyone's guess.

Given the political climate I suspect we will see more disruptions of ammo and component supplies, and hoarders will become scalpers again.

Personally, I am a reloader and bullet caster (since 1972). I regularly produce 9mm, .38 Spl, .357 mag, .45ACP and others for 5 or 6 cents per round. I am now laying in a pound of powder and/or a carton of 1,000 primers each month in anticipation of the next dry spell. Last shortage caught me short of small pistol primers and I was forced to pay $52.00 per thousand at one time just to keep going (and I saw prices of $70.00-plus). I don't want to go through that again so I am taking steps to make sure I remain independent of market upheavals (or political knee jerks).

I have bullet molds and reloading dies for every caliber I shoot. Every time I purchase a new gun in a new caliber first thing I do is order a bullet mold and die set.

 

[gman51]

If things get bad you can trade ammo for other needs. Prices for ammo I feel are lower now than they have been for many years.
I figure what good are guns without ammo. So sometimes instead of buying another gun use that money to buy ammo.
If what Ca is doing with background checks for ammo purchases catches on in other states then ammo is going to cost a lot more than it does now.

 

[IAhunter]

Walmart is selling 9mm ball ammo in my area for about .17 per round, and occasionally has 50 round boxes for $7.97 (.16 a round). Of course that is plus tax. I have also been able to win a couple auctions on Gunbroker for 9mm ball ammo shipped to the house for about .15-.16 a round. Be careful of shipping charges, as some charge $35 to ship a case of 500 and you have to factor that into your overall cost.

 

[trapper9260]

About 15 years ago WalMart was selling WWB or Rem-UMC 9mm FMJ ammo, suitable for practice, at $5.97 per box ($0.12 per round). Couple of extreme dry spells since, when practically no ammo or reloading components could be had at any price, now same ammo is selling at about $9.00 per box ($0.18 per round).

Over the same period here rent for a 2BR apartment has gone from about $650 per month to around $900 per month. Median housing cost has risen from about $105,000 to about $175,000. Mid-sized American car with AC and cloth interior has gone from about $25,000 to about $35,000, and a basic 1/2 ton pickup truck with 4WD has gone from about $30K to around $40K.

Adjusted for inflation, I suspect that today's ammo prices may be looked at as "normal". What "normal" might be in 5 or 10 years is anyone's guess.

Given the political climate I suspect we will see more disruptions of ammo and component supplies, and hoarders will become scalpers again.

Personally, I am a reloader and bullet caster (since 1972). I regularly produce 9mm, .38 Spl, .357 mag, .45ACP and others for 5 or 6 cents per round. I am now laying in a pound of powder and/or a carton of 1,000 primers each month in anticipation of the next dry spell. Last shortage caught me short of small pistol primers and I was forced to pay $52.00 per thousand at one time just to keep going (and I saw prices of $70.00-plus). I don't want to go through that again so I am taking steps to make sure I remain independent of market upheavals (or political knee jerks).

I have bullet molds and reloading dies for every caliber I shoot. Every time I purchase a new gun in a new caliber first thing I do is order a bullet mold and die set.

I m the same as you on reloading for every caliber and also when getting a new caliber in order the dies and molds.

 

[MRB1]

If things get bad you can trade ammo for other needs. Prices for ammo I feel are lower now than they have been for many years.
I figure what good are guns without ammo. So sometimes instead of buying another gun use that money to buy ammo.
If what Ca is doing with background checks for ammo purchases catches on in other states then ammo is going to cost a lot more than it does now.

Totally agree on the "what good are guns without ammo"! In todays unstable political environment, the overflowing shelves of ammo today can be completely empty tomorrow. Not talking shortages - worse. I've been burned more than once, and it ain't gonna happen again. Without going into details, my ammo stashes insure future availability - not all eggs in one basket. Get as much as you can - you'll thank yourself in the (near) future. Don't overlook components.

 

[Dave Lively]

If ammo prices are not at rock bottom they are pretty close. If you can afford to stock up and have the room to store it I would not wait for better prices.