Ammunition prices by caliber

[Vanquished]

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering if someone could give me a rundown of ammo prices per caliber (or rank them from most to least expensive). I'm looking for a new carry gun and I swore to myself I wouldn't buy another .40 because the ammo is too expensive to blow through at the range but there are some deals on a S&W Bodyguard 380 (.380 ACP) in my area (MA) and I'm trying to figure out if it costs more or less than the .40 ammo, it looks like its more but I'm not sure... A ranked list would be very helpful so I can kind of use it when I'm looking through guns and make a mental budget of how much I could save by getting a certain caliber... I.E. I should have gotten a 9mm instead of my .40 because the 9mm is/was way cheaper ammo. I'm not considering revolvers or .22s
Any help would be great!

Thanks a lot,
-Vanq

 

[beachbum17]

Well 9mm is the mostl commonly used so its the cheapest. Unfortunately ammo prices keep going up a $1-2 per box each year. When I got into shoot it was $9.99 a box and now it's 14.99-$16.99 a box of 9mm now.

.40 is $3 more and .45 is $5-7 more. The good news about .45 is you shoot half as much at the range and enjoy it just as much as 9mm so it costs the same. Perhaps because I load a 1911 with 4 rounds out of 7 a clip instead of 8 for 9mm.

Stick with the 9mm. Body guard is great for Carry get a compact or full size 9mm. Compact is good for range and carry. Depends on your budget but the beretta px4 storm, glock 19, and ruger sr9c are all great compact and range guns in the $530 range

 

[DRNurse1]

Hmmm:
----If you subscribe to practice with what you carry, hollow-points are $20-45/ 20 rounds.
----There is an argument against loading your own self defense rounds, and another in favor of the same. I recommend the latter.
----Rifle rounds are generally more expensive than handgun.
----If you want to practice Fundamental Skills, consider a .22LR conversion for your carry gun's receiver for practice but remember to practice last with your carry rounds. $200-400 for the conversion is recovered very rapidly with .22LR cartridges @ $6 /100 rounds, or you get to practice a lot more (just bought 5000 x22LR for about $250).

Just a few thoughts for your consideration, hope you find a good balance for yourself.

 

[Vanquished]

Thanks for the help!
I guess this is kind of what I figured but I had no idea about a .22 conversion. didn't even know that was possible... Where would you say .380 ACP ammo comes in on this list? More than .40? I suppose I belong to a gun range where I can rent guns for free but I don't think they have compact guns so I probably would like to practice with the gun I get.
Thanks again.
-Vanq

 

[Chadastrophic]

40 and 380 are roughly the same price, give or take $1. You can always get a 40 that has a 9 conversion available.

 

[ToddR]

380 is cheapest I think. If you have an M&P 40 I think you can purchase a 9mm barrel and mag and you now have two calibers. Or was it the other way around? Personally I don't think the price difference is too much to warrant not carrying what you want.

 

[beachbum17]

.380 is $1 cheaper than .40 or same price. Renton is a great way to see what you like, but you have to pay for there very over priced ammo.

Conversion kits are about the same price as a .22 pistol so I would recommend just buying a .22 pistol seperate

 

[ToddR]

I have an order in now for 500 rds each of .380 (.33/rd), .40 (.34/rd), and .45 (.38/rd). Just an FYI.

 

[Chadastrophic]

380 is cheapest I think. If you have an M&P 40 I think you can purchase a 9mm barrel and mag and you now have two calibers. Or was it the other way around? Personally I don't think the price difference is too much to warrant not carrying what you want.

I have a mp40. Bought a $60 factory 9mm barrel and 9mm mags. Makes for a great bedside gun and cheap range toy. Best of both worlds. I shoot the same groups with either caliber.