UnicornDeathMachine
Inactive
Why so much?
.380 ammo cost
- Thread starter UnicornDeathMachine
- Start date
carguychris
New member
Compared to what?
Three thoughts.
Three thoughts.
- Don H has it nailed re: relative cost to 9mm Luger. This cartridge is the most popular pistol round with police and military forces worldwide, so major economies of scale are at work.
- .380ACP is not really that expensive compared to other second-tier pistol cartridges. Compare it to .38 Special. Better yet, compare it to .32ACP and .32 S&W Long, which use less raw materials but almost always cost more at your LGS.
- This cartridge was subject to egregious price gouging during the Great Ammo Shortage of 2009. Some local sellers have not noticed that the shortage is over and has been replaced by a glut. These people need to get with the program.
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BlackJackID
New member
Simply, I think, the law of supply and demand. Up until a few years ago the .380 wasnt a real popular round, and was considered by the masses as underpowered. In the last few years, ammunition advances as well as smaller, lighter concealed carry guns have made them vastly more popular as the public opinion of the cartridge changed, the ammo makers have decided to make it a more profitable cartridge.
dogtown tom
New member
.380 ammunition is cheaper now than it was in 2007.
More choices as well.
More choices as well.
Try Sportsman Supply on Gun Broker. I bought a case of 1000 for $209 less than a year ago. It was Federal American Eagle. Good ammo. DonI just picked up my first 380 a couple weeks ago (p3at) and have reloading components on their way to me. Since I had a chance to shoot this weekend I thought I would stop by Walmart and pick up a couple of boxes os 380 factory to break in the gun
$20 a box for Federal, WWB, and UMC!!!! (with tax anyway right at $20)
Take into consideration the cost of the components comin to me.
Lee Dies and turret head $45
500 round of once fired brass $20
1000 lead bullets $47
already have powder but lets just say $20
Thats $132 SHIPPED for everything need to load 1000 380 rounds.
That is $6.50 a box including set up cost.
Not sure how many rounds I can get out of a pound of powder but after this initial purchase I should be reloading for about $3 a box!!!!!!!!!!
UnicornDeathMachine
Inactive
What is the time and difficulty like with reloading?
"... What is the time and difficulty like with reloading?..."
For someone who has a natural affinity with tools and mechanical things... and is patient and thorough... it's not difficult at all.
I find it relaxing and only do it when I'm in the mood and have a nice block of time. 'Course I'm retired so plenty of time is available. I probably spend an average of 2-3 hours a week reloading and that keeps me well-stocked.
Once one gets through the initial learning-curve, it's just routine. There are plenty of decent videos on YouTube. If you're interested, I suggest watching a couple to get a general overview. I learned completely that way... AND reading a lot on forums like this. The internet is my reloading mentor. I order most of my stuff from Midway and get my primers and powders from the Gander Mtn. a mile from my house. (Getting them shipped is too much of a hassle.)
For someone who has a natural affinity with tools and mechanical things... and is patient and thorough... it's not difficult at all.
I find it relaxing and only do it when I'm in the mood and have a nice block of time. 'Course I'm retired so plenty of time is available. I probably spend an average of 2-3 hours a week reloading and that keeps me well-stocked.
Once one gets through the initial learning-curve, it's just routine. There are plenty of decent videos on YouTube. If you're interested, I suggest watching a couple to get a general overview. I learned completely that way... AND reading a lot on forums like this. The internet is my reloading mentor. I order most of my stuff from Midway and get my primers and powders from the Gander Mtn. a mile from my house. (Getting them shipped is too much of a hassle.)
Thefiring007
New member
I bought my .380 for conceal carry And thought it will be a sweet inexpensive cartridge to shoot every once in a while and practice but WOW after I see it's the price almost of .40 and higher than 9mm I say ppheww.....but I have to admit I love the .380 bullet and see it's purpose
I just got a box of Winchester Supreme Elite .380 95 gr JHP PDX1 for $15.99 at a Academy, a sporting goods chain here in Texas. That's about 80 cents per round. I won't be doing any target practice with this box but I will shoot up my old ammo next time out. I just looked at their site and saw a 10 round box of .40 165 JHP in the same brand for $21.99. That's $2.20 per round. I'm so glad I get my .40 ammo free.
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LockedBreech
New member
The second I get a semi-permanent house or apartment (after school) I'll be setting up reloading gear with dies for .40, .380, .223, and 9x19 as soon as possible. The savings are nuts.
oneounceload
Moderator
Volume - isn't there compared to other cartridges - they still have fixed costs like retooling, etc. every time they make a run - which for many cartridges like this is once a year
spacecoast
New member
.380 ACP is quite easy and cheap (as described above) to reload, nowhere near as much work as 9mm to de-cap with its tapered cases and way more rewarding $$-wise. It's a very small case, so you have to be cautious about getting the powder charge and seating depth correct.