Ammunition cost$$

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Daver308

Inactive
I am going to buy a nice bolt action rifle for distance/tactical shooting. I have an FN-FAL from DSA and also want a nice bolt.

My problem is this, I can get plenty of 308 ammo cheap, but some non military calibers like 7mm-08 are brutal( 16-20+$ PER BOX OF 20). How/where could I buy this ammo in bulk to get a price break? I don't have the room at home to start reloading, am I forced to go with a military surplus caliber or is there another way to purchase this ammo without getting a second job? Any help would be apprecited.
 
Daver
Myself, I would stick with the .308 and keep it simple and cheap. 308 will get you out there plenty far.

Karsten
 
Please forgive my response ... but I refuse to believe that you don't have room for a Lee Hand-Press and the toolbox that would be required to hold ALL your gear (including the press) ... I believe that you don't have room for a permanent setup ... I have had that problem for years. If you want to shoot a non-surplus round at reasonable cost to you, you should give it another look.

My reloading toolbox is 19" long x 8.5" wide x 9.5" tall and it holds my press, powder measure, powder trickler, calipers, balance (scale), priming tool, safety glasses, 4 sets of dies (and they are in the silly space inefficient round LEE containers), 3 factory crimp dies, at least 250 bullets, and at least 500 primers. My powder sits on a shelf in the closet by itself. Now, with that, you may decide that you don't WANT to reload ... that I can accept! In that case buy yourself a .308!

Whatever you do, be safe!
Saands
 
I second the comment that everyone has "room" to reload if they want to. I have a friend that has the B&D Workmate he uses for his reloading bench, when it's not being used for other projects. He unclamps the press, and puts it in a closet! It doesn't take a lot of room to reload, it just takes desire...
 
While we're talking reloading... How much less does it cost really? Say I pick up ammo deals from time to time from the advertisers in Shotgun news. Is it still better to reload? Add in the cost of brass, because my rifle likes to dent it.
 
Daver308, 7/08 is not the long range cartridge that you are looking for. If you can find some M-118 Ball cheap, load up:( and stick with your 308.
You will need to look for deals on non mil calibers. If you can't spank a coyote at 800 to 1000 yds. you aren't playing hard enough! :)
Reloading is a good option!
Best Regards
 
Reloading is the only way to go if you do lots of shooting. It is also fun because you can experiment with different loads and get one that your gun and you really like.

Cost? I haven't done rifle ammo yet but most pistol stuff is around $4 a box. That is with good JHP ammo.

Good luck,

sks
 
Reloading is certainly cheaper than buying factory ammo, but as mentioned, you'll also shoot more. This is not a bad thing! :D:D:D
 
Ammo cost...

To answer the question, unless you go to someone like Cabella's or another big on-line outfit, I doubt that you'll find screaming deals on non mil-surp ammo. If you do, it may be close-out and you'll have a hard time duplicating it later.

I have a penchant for unusual (interpreted expensive) stuff. For example, I have a .45-90 that runs $4 a pop for factory stuff. To answer the question about reloading, I just got back into reloading in a hardcore way, at least for me. I have a Dillon press, electronic scale, case prep tools, RCBS trimmer, 8 sets of dies, Sinclair neck trimmer, etc. Whole thing ran less than $550. Got an old Lyman turret press free. The whole thing is set up on a recycled (interpreted pulled from the trash pile) kitchen base cabinet. I have it set up on my front porch that overlooks the lake. Takes exactly 4 feet of space and I have plenty of room. Cost for the ammo as I figure it is 8-20 cents for powder (depending on brand and case capacity), about the same for bullets (depending on brand and type), and 2-4 cents for primers. This is for rifles. If you get into anything exotic you can really save a ton of money. The thought of $4 a shot sends chills up my spine. Quite honestly, I just have a lot more fun shooting my own stuff and if I'm any good at all it should be more accurate than factory. Let's see...cheaper, more accurate, and more fun. Answers my question.
 
A.Rex and Daver
This is the way I feel and it is just me. M1A and say just a go blow a day it the range, $179 per 1000 in 308.
Winchester Model 70 and want to go make little holes close as possibly my reloads.
Primers, powder and bullets...I don't count the brass as you can reuse it a few times it works out to be about $44.00 per 150 rounds of darn near match grade ammo.
Now I understand FAL's eat brass so I would should the surplus stuff.
Then go to http://www.scharch.com and buy 1000 rounds of LC 1x 100% read to go brass for $66.00. Next trip is http://www.midwayusa.com and get the Lee Aniversary kit for $70 including dies I do believe and everything else you need. While you are at Midway you may as well order a 1292 tumbler and an extra bowl. Add to your order a little tub of Hornady Unique case lube...a true gift from reloader heaven.
Next you go to the local home depot and scrounge around for a piece of CUT scrap stair tread (like you step on on stairs) about a 10-12 inch piece and some good C clamps.
Mount the press and C Clamp it to the table or as someone mention some workmate bench or something. I know those fold up for storage and you have to have room to store that.
Then get you a Savage 10 FP, Remington LTR, or my Favorite...A nice Winchester Model 70. One draw back, I have I think the only Winchester 70 Sporter Varmint .308 Win out there. So you may have to find a Winchester Stealth.
Besides, where you gonna find the 1000 yard range to push the 300 WM to and who the hell ya gonna get to change your targets. Then again, you only need two targets and one box of shells to get you hurtin real good :p
Humm, so what do you think Center Fold for Bolt guns mag ;)
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Just my 2 cent worth

Karsten
 
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