Getting priced out of shooting.

I agree, I got a very nice 22LR rifle that was setup for 100-200yd shooting about October 2012. I couldn't find any match ammo then and then bam, 12/12 happened. I haven't seen 22LR since. Well, I've seen it on armslist for $75/500 or $25/100 (both bulk grade) and it is now my most expensive caliber to shoot, so I don't. So much so, that shooting my new Rem700 is CHEAPER than shooting 22LR (because 22LR isn't replaceable right now).

I did get into reloading this time last year because I couldn't find any pistol ammo. Powder/primers are starting to come back in stock at many places and that really helps. I can reload much cheaper than factory ammo and it allows me to go shooting more often for sure. Granted, my time limits the amount I can go right now, but at least I keep building my surplus cheaper than by buying at walmart.

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Originally Posted by Irving

I feel like I'm being priced out of everything really. Same job as last year, but stressing a LOT more each time I pay the bills every two weeks. It doesn't help that I lost $200 a paycheck to health insurance though.

As far as shooting, I haven't just got out and shot 100's of rounds in a day in years and years. However, I just do the monthly IDPA match, which is more productive, and usually only around 90 rounds. It's been a good balance. I haven't bought ammo in several years, but that is because a family friend gave me like 400-500 rounds a few years ago and I've been doing matches off that since then. God bless him.

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This^^^^^.

Prices are directly affecting my ability to see to it that the minions (grandkids) grow up with a heritage of shooting and marksmanship.

Lobbed from my electronic ball and chain.

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Originally Posted by rockhound

^^^^^ this is so true

why would anyone go to the movie theatre these days, last time we thought about taking the kids to the theatre $72 to get in the door, no f...ing way, wait for the DVD or PPV on the big screen at home

my $11 can of coffe makes 382 cups... 2.8 cents per cup, why would you spend $5-6 for a cup of coffee?

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I agree with this wholeheartedly.

I'm not saying prices haven't climbed...but prices for some guns, like ARs, are the cheapest I can remember in probably 20 years or more. For me it's more about the availability. Decent prices are out there...just harder to find.

I can still find what I consider to be practice/training quality ammo in 5.56 for fairly reasonable prices. Silver Bear 5.56 62gr was recently available for .27 cents per round shipped from Sportsman's Guide. When it's available, Wolf .223/5.56 is still around .25 to .27 cents per round shipped. I'm not a believer that steel-cased ammo is the devil so I buy it whenever I can if it means I can shoot for a reasonable price. I scour the local forums for decent priced ammo, too. Just found a local guy selling WWB 9mm Value Packs (100 rds) for $20. He had 6, I bought them all. Not the best price I've ever seen, but it's the best price I've seen in the last few years.

Yeah...I think it's about priorities. If I didn't want a newer truck I could buy a lot more ammo. If I didn't like to go out for breakfast with the guys once a week, I could buy more ammo.

Prices across the board for almost everything have gone up. They'll continue to creep up, too.

On the other hand, few people here are old enough to remember a time when you could re-fi (or buy) a home for a little over 3%. Why those rates are so low is another story. But, they've allowed many people to buy a nicer home or substantially lower what they're paying every month for the home they have. So maybe there's some balance.

Or maybe I'm just an optimist.

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Originally Posted by Jamnanc

"11 cents a bullet (based on Wideners Mil-spec 55 gr, 99 bucks per 500)
14 cents in powder (based paying 200 bucks for 8 lbs of powder and using 24 grains per round)
4 cents a primer (based on 1k of CCI purchased at Cabelas)
09 cents for brass (take your pick)"

I dont factor brass at its whole price, you'll use it at least twice and usually get some for free.
Powder charge should be .14 assuming the pound costs $40.

Looks like 38 cents a round. Cheaper than most quality ammo, but you've got time to factor in too.

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Looks like based off of your prices you would be at .23 cents a round. I dont include brass either as it will be used multiple times and if you are diligent about it you can get quite a bit from the ranges where others dont/wont pick up there own.

Your calculation of powder breaks down like this;

8lb keg-7000 grains per pound X 8 = 56,000 divided by 24=2333 $200 divided by 2333 = .08

Bullet .11
Powder .08
Primer .04
Total .23

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Originally Posted by spleify

Looks like based off of your prices you would be at .23 cents a round. I dont include brass either as it will be used multiple times and if you are diligent about it you can get quite a bit from the ranges where others dont/wont pick up there own.

Your calculation of powder breaks down like this;

8lb keg-7000 grains per pound X 8 = 56,000 divided by 24=2333 $200 divided by 2333 = .08

Bullet .11
Powder .08
Primer .04
Total .23

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I was going to lay out the math, but I am on a mobile device. And it's a pain in the ass. Ive used $.23 as my baseline for 55 grain 223, then if you can get both deals and or use cheaper products, You can get the cost down even farther. I have yet to have one failure with Wolf primers. A lot of people say it's not worthwhile to reload 9 mm 40 and 2 to 3, but I would disagree with them. Now that I am working on 308, I assume I'm saving $1 per round, my reloads aren't perfect yet, but my speer 168 hpbt loads at $.60 each shoot tighter groups than nosler custom competition @ $1.5 per round.

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

On the other hand, few people here are old enough to remember a time when you could re-fi (or buy) a home for a little over 3%. Why those rates are so low is another story. But, they've allowed many people to buy a nicer home or substantially lower what they're paying every month for the home they have. So maybe there's some balance.

Or maybe I'm just an optimist.

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Some of us remember interest rates @ 15 % [1981] Of course the house was only $25K

I have been shooting more than ever. Training for competitions and just trying to improve my long range shooting. 80 rounds of .260 last Saturday at Hoser's match (both morning & afternoon matches) at $2/per pull. Couple hundred 9mm & .556 per trip to Bob's farm. I have shot more this year already than all of last year. This is also not including gas and hotel money for out-of-state matches.

It's your priorities, everything cost money, all hobbies that are worthwhile are expensive. Golf, skiing, biking, fishing, etc all cost thousands if your serious about them. They are still way cheaper than motorcycles, snowmobiles or boats!. Guns are no fun at all sitting in a safe! Get out there and shoot. You will quickly remember if its fun and worth you money or not. Don't worry about how much it cost, or fret over how much ammo you have in reserve. My end-of-the-world reserve is 2 boxes of defensive handgun ammo, everything else I will shoot and replace. My best friend and shooting partner is doing the same thing. He is sitting on X amount of ammo and doesn't want to replace it so he wont go out. Drives me freakin' nuts.

Quit typing, get up, go out and shoot. The doctor prescribed recoil therapy for you. [UZI]Don't be a collector, be a shooter...

Wal-Mart has had tula in stock for 5.50 a box

I've been shooting 1-5 rounds(rifle) a day just to supplement all my dry fire practice (which is free)

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Originally Posted by rockhound

^^^^^ this is so true

why would anyone go to the movie theatre these days, last time we thought about taking the kids to the theatre $72 to get in the door, no f...ing way, wait for the DVD or PPV on the big screen at home

my $11 can of coffe makes 382 cups... 2.8 cents per cup, why would you spend $5-6 for a cup of coffee?

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Because sometimes I just have to have a cinnamon dolce latte!! However, I live in Meeker and the nearest Starbucks is Rilfe (43 miles away). Instead I pay $5 for a 750ml of flavored syrup and a bag of espresso and make my own. Its not quite as good but its much cheaper!

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Originally Posted by spleify

Two words for ya..re-load

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This is my plan as soon as I possibly can start.