Buying ammo online more expensive?

[sammya]

I'm kind of new to handguns and was wondering about buying ammo online. I was talking to some guys who said if you're buying 9mm or 45ACP or something common like that there's no reason to buy online because the shipping is extraordinarily high. I know for small orders of 100 rounds it's too expensive, but what about 1000 round orders? Is $25 S&H unreasonable for that size of an order?

 

[NMHunter]

See how much the ammunition costs locally and compare to the cost of the ammunition plus shipping if you order. Each place has different shipping charges. Some are really high.

 

[Red Hat]

It all boils down to availability. If you can't get it locally is it worth paying a little more online to get it? Shopping around can find you some good deals on ammo. If shipping is a deciding factor just remember that you are saving state and local tax on your purchase. Sometimes shipping is less than tax on large orders. Just do some homework on what you want and go for it.

 

[lawabiding_citizen]

my last purchase from ammoman.com was free shipping

 

[wolfhunter]

It all boils down to availability. If you can't get it locally is it worth paying a little more online to get it? Shopping around can find you some good deals on ammo. If shipping is a deciding factor just remember that you are saving state and local tax on your purchase. Sometimes shipping is less than tax on large orders. Just do some homework on what you want and go for it.

The equation here is:
Online Price= O
Shipping= S
Local Price=L
Tax=T

1) O+S=x$ Standard online purchase
2) O+S+T=y$ online purchase requiring taxes
3) L+T=z$ Standard local purchase

If 1 or 2) is significantly less than 3), buy online. If 3) is less than 1 or 2), buy local. If 1 or 2) is only slightly less than 3), buy local. A local source is a great asset.

 

[Dr Dave]

Buy from out of state and there's no tax. Buying online is the way to go, here's a great link:

Ammo For Sale : Cheap Ammo : Find Ammunition at AmmoSeek.com

 

[aj's 40 cal]

i got 200 rounds of ammo from a site and shipping was only 9 bucks. *wonders where your looking*

 

[Austin]

I have had luck with ammoman.com as well.

 

[NDS]

Unless it's something odd (e.g. 7.62X38) that can't be found at all locally or only at a premium, I only order case lots for delivery. If it's common (9X19, 45 ACP, .357) I'll watch WalMart as it's generally cheaper by the box there than by the case elsewhere. I also try to combine those uncommon calibers with orders for cases of other ammo.

An example might be a case of 5.56X45 and four boxes of 7.62X38 along with 10 boxes of 9X18. That way the shipping for the oddball stuff I don't shoot much doesn't add much to the cost of ammo I shoot a lot. The cheaper online cost of some of the weird stuff can often cover the shipping on the entire order. An example is the 7.62X38 which is for the Nagant revolver; it's $15 cheaper online than at local stores. Four boxes online translates into a $60 savings, which is more than the shipping for a large ammo order. Another would be 9X18 Makarov which is ~$5/box cheaper online; in that case 10 boxes saves enough to more than cover shipping.

Shop everywhere online as prices change daily and compare the prices of free shipping offers to actual shipping cost from others -- you never know what the actual best deal is until you total it up. It is work, but in this case the time spent comparing is money.

Keep an open mind. I visit Prescott, AZ several times a year and have found I can almost never have ammo delivered to my door cheaper than I can pick it up and pay sales tax at J&G. Shop carefully for YMMV.

 

[Slickwilly]

Online Ammo is always a little more expensive. But hey, if they have the merchandise and you wanna stock up before Citizen Obama makes it illegal online. Nigerians....<<<shaking head>>>

 

[JSDinTexas]

I have bought a number of times online for high-grade ammo for PD and found the biggest factor seems to be in shipping costs. Also, I use the price per round for calculations.
There are a bunch of ammo suppliers online, some are even more expensive with or without shipping charges.
For regular FMJ target rounds I use Walmart .40 .45 Winchester white box - haven't had any problems with it. But I shoot Glocks and I feel there is something in that too.

 

[NDS]

Online Ammo is always a little more expensive. But hey, if they have the merchandise and you wanna stock up before Citizen Obama makes it illegal online. Nigerians....<<<shaking head>>>

Why would you order online and pay more? Unless I can get it to my door cheaper than buying locally, I don't buy. My experience has been the opposite -- buying online can be substantially cheaper.

You need to shop more carefully.

 

[theicemanmpls]

Price it per round.

Factor in all the costs. Including the gas to get to your local walmart.

Usually buying in bulk will provide the best cost.

Sometimes internet is the best price, sometimes, not.

Happy shooting.