.357 ammo cost?

D

DavidB2

New member
Just got a new Ruger Blackhawk in .357/.38 spc and am having a difficult time finding ammo in the local stores. What I have found is around $37.00 for .357 and $32 for .38 special. That seems very high to me; but I know we are in new times.

Can anyone give me a good target price for both .357 and .38? I just don't want to be "price gouged."

By the way, reloading components are unavailable at my local stores here in SC. So reloading is not an option. Plus, I am active duty military and am getting ready for a cross country move. I just can't pack up all the reloading elements and move every 2-3 years.
 
Too bad reloading is not an option for you. .38 or .357 run me about $5 box! I was recently forced to buy factory .38 ammo for my concealed carry class, and the cheapest I found was some 158gr FMC for around $25 here in Ohio. Ammo ranges widely in price, and for target shooting, the only thing I'd stay away from is Blazer lead ammo as its pretty filthy.
 
.38/.357 is easy-peasy to reload... Adequate Lee components can be at your door in a few days for around $160... Then powder and bullets and primers to start will run @$100. So... @ $250 layout gets you started and it all fits in a smallish cardboard box. If you have some patience and manual ability it's really not a big deal.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/42...reech-lock-single-stage-press-anniversary-kit

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/309802/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-38-special-357-magnum
 
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Retail prices vary all over....so what you can buy it for in the Midwest or the Northwest....isn't really important...or valuable to you, in my opinion / but .357 mag is commonly available in the mid to upper $30's per box ...and .38 spl in the high $20's to low $30's...so I don't think you're being gouged.

In my area....the big gunshows are the place to buy ammo --- and buy it in case lots ( 10 boxes minimum to a flat )...some cases are 20 boxes to a flat..../ and you'll probably save $ 8 - $ 10 a box....
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I reloaded when I was in the service as well. Its easy to break down a single stage press and your components into small durable wooden crates / or even ammo boxes. You and some of your buddies can share components - or sell the primers and powder before you transfer / keep the dies, press and bullets. I used to mount my press to a 2" X 18" plank ...and then clamp it down to a portable workbench --- it worked for a long time.
 
gunshows in my area ....always have brass available...in .38 spl and .357 mag....

(I reload --- and I have a few cases that split from time to time - especially nickel plated )...but I've got cases that I know I've loaded 15 times or more ...over the last 10 yrs.../ they just seem to have a really long life )...now I'm only loading a 158gr bullet at upper mid range velocities - so maybe that's a difference...

but a few thousand cases ....will probably last a lifetime ( and I shoot at least 4 boxes a week of .357 mag in a variety of guns ) --- have 2 boxes with me this afternoon and a single action revolver...
 
That is astronomically high, even in the "new" times. I would say $25-$28/50 is all I would pay... But I reload so don't really bother searching for factory ammo.
 
I reloaded when I was in the military - a simple single stage press and the associated tools are not much to pack up and move every couple years. And 38/357 are real easy to reload.
 
Here in Cleveland, basic 357mag ammo goes for $29.99 a box/50. Just yesterday, I was at my favorite LGS. They had Blazer Brass 158gn JHP, and American Eagle and PMC 158gn JSP...all at $29.99.
I've never shot the PMC, but I have shot the other two. Both are good shooting loads. I buy a box now and then, and am saving the brass. I have a single stage Lee press, but I haven't picked up the dies yet.
 
I started reloading for .38/.357 a couple of months ago. My main concern was space for reloading as I'm in a one bedroom condo atm with no garage. Wife would definitely not allow anything like a reloading bench in the living areas and I wouldn't either since visitors will definitely see it, and I'm not too thrilled about letting anyone know I own guns(cause I live in liberal CA). I went with the Lee Handpress to keep everything compact and portable. I fit almost everything I need to reload 500-1000 rounds of either .38 or .357 in a Sterlite File case I got from Target that measures 15"x10"x11". Only thing I can't fit in there is my cheapo Harbor Freight Sonic Cleaner. Other than that, it's a great setup for me as I can easily hide it, take it with me to the range, or go to a buddy's house to show him how to reload.
 
Simple target rounds can be had for $23/box for .38 and $25/box for .357 around here (twin cities, mn). The fancier stuff is more like $32/box.
 
Adequate Lee components can be at your door in a few days for around $160...
Click to expand...

Cabela's had the Breechlock kit on sale for $99 on the last flier I got ......

....and it does not get any simpler than .38/.357 reloading .....

Buy your powder and primers locally to avoid HAZMAT, your bullets by the 1000 online, and reuse your cases from your factory ammo .....ou should be able to make great ammo for less than 25-30 cents a pop for .357.....
 
My local gun range is selling reloads of 38sp and 357 mag for 16.50 and 18.50 respectively. I don't reload so to me that's an awesome price especially for the 357
 
Depends how much you plan on shooting. Save your brass and some places that sell reloads will take it in on trade. If your only going to shoot 200 rounds a year you should be able to find 100 round boxes around $45.

Doug
 
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