Cheapest caliber-.38, .357, .45?

[kbm6893]

Assuming walmart type FMJ ammo, which is cheaper? I am having a hard time finding .38 or .357 ammo to shoot, and am considering getting a .45. Assuming 50 round boxes.

 

[RussellD]

.38 will be cheaper but not by much. You may want to consider buying in bulk online to increase savings. At that point you will see .38 special is much cheaper than .45

LEAD ROUND NOSE Ammo : Ammunition To Go

 

[Smith357]

I cast my own 38 SWCs from free to me wheel weights. Even with the price increases in components over the last two years they still cost me less than 6 cents per shot. The only time I buy wally world ammo is when I need the brass.

 

[Dragon88]

None of these calibers are particularly cheap or easy to find right now. If you want to get something that is cheap to shoot, try a 9mm or a 22 pistol. This is assuming you are stuck with just Wal-Mart ammo, no handloading.

 

[cowart]

As a general rule, if price is your only criteria, military surplus ammunition, purchased by the case, will be the cheapest. The cheapest surplus ammo I see right now is 7.62x25mm Tokarev, which runs about 8.8 cents per shot. ($110.00 for a case of 1260rds at Polish 7.62x25mm Tokarev Ball (86 GR.)1260rds)

 

[PDL]

To get some easy comparisons try AmmoEngine: 9mm / 9x19mm Parabellum (Luger), Instock For Sale Premium & Discount Ammunition, Ammo Deals

They're not necessarilly totaly up to date, but are a pretty good initial source to check. They search ammo sites for prices, so check them out.

I usually use ammo to go Ammunition To Go : Your one stop for all of your ammunition needs!
They've done very well for me as far as service, availabilty and price.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're looking to buy a .45 because the ammo is cheaper DON'T!!! .45 Auto ammo is more scarce where I am and the prices are running ~$30/50 whereas .38 Special ammo is now below $18/50. (I never thought .38 Special ammo would be more than $7/50)

 

[Beemer-mark]

If you're looking to buy a .45 because the ammo is cheaper DON'T!!! .45 Auto ammo is more scarce where I am and the prices are running ~$30/50

In eastern NC .45 acp is showing up everywhere. Ball ammo is about $22 for 50 all brands. Of course the self defense ammo is a lot more.

I reload, cast my own, and figure my cost is somewhere between $6 and $7 a box.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also reload so I don't pay those prices. I didn't mention reloads because we are in the "Ammo" forum, not "Reloading" forum...

 

[kennyb]

reloading is the ticket...you get what you want,when you want...and sooooo much cheaper..as an aside it's a fun hobby

 

[Krull]

.38 is something like $15 to $19/50,while .45 is in the $19 to $25 range for fifty, and the cheapest .45 is ether Blazer aluminum or Wolf steel,the .38 is of the RNL variety.

I do know any larger cal is costly and the smaller ones are less,go above .38 or 9MM and it can get pricey.

 

[iamde3]

Blazer Brass - 9mm. seems to be the cheapest at $9.95 per 50 rounds where I live. That ammo is nice to plink with but also is a good carry ammo. All ammo is priced way out of range, so if you find a good deal, get all you can afford, as we will use it sooner than later.

 

[scooter123]

If we are discussing purely what is available at Walmart, the cheapest is the Federal Champion. The 9mm has started to show up in my area but not being a 9mm shooter I didn't pay attention to the price, however I think it was 10.47 per box of 50. Next cheapest is what I've been shooting, the 40 S&W at 13.97 per box of 50. In fact I purchased my 610 partly because it's a revolver that can use the 40 S&W. As for 38 spl. WWB, I haven't seen any at Walmart in over a year and a half and hardball in this caliber was 21 dollars per 50 the last time I purchased some at a local range. Which is why I have put my 357 and 38 into the safe, they were getting too expensive to shoot.

BTW, I've looked into re-loading and have amassed a fairly good stock of 40 caliber cases. However I still cannot find one single shop locally who has been able to get any primers, so buying a re-loading setup does not make sense yet.