Does the price of ammo impact your choice of a rifle caliber

[IvW]

No only terminal performance counts for me.....

 

[Rumrunner]

For me yes. Many years ago my parents gave me my dream rifle for Christmas, a 7mm Weatherby Magnum. I didn’t realize the cost/availability of the ammo, yes I was a dumb kid that only researched the performance and not total costs. For years I couldn’t afford to shoot like I should have, I wish I would have asked for the rem mag instead. The few hundred FPS just really isn’t worth the extra cost, but dang it is a nice rifle.
Although now I can afford to shoot I stay away from speciality calibers because of the cost and availability. I recognize the increased performance in many cases but just really doesn’t seem to justify the additional cost.

 

[CBeck]

I don’t expect the (.375) Ruger to be widely available soon.

Not saying you’re wrong, but curious as to why you think so… can you elaborate on this?

If anything I was thinking the opposite, it seems to be growing in popularity. Now you have Ruger, of course, chambering as well as savage and Mossberg and most of the smaller manufacturers of ammunition, such as buffalo bore have all started producing ammunition, and I actually suspect it would be a matter of time before you see more mainstream production.

I liken it to the 280 Ackley improved which just a few years ago you couldn’t find a factory box anywhere and now with almost every rifle manufacturer chambering a rifle in the caliber most of the big name manufacturers are also producing ammunition.

I bought a 280rem in the 90s and hardly anybody knew what it was… And still not a very popular chambering, but oddly enough, the 280 actually improved as far surpassed it in popularity

 

[One Day...]

I’d say ammo availability is a bigger consideration than ammo price for me for choosing a hunting cartridge. I wouldn’t buy a 375 Ruger over a 375 H&H because I don’t expect the Ruger to be widely available soon. Price per bullet isn’t really a consideration. I own a 300 H&H and am glad to have it, but probably wouldn’t buy a new one today over a 300 win for the same reason. The cartridges I have that I expect to fade away (300 H&H and 450 Rigby) I’ve bought up ammo as I’ve seen good deals available for them.

Strictly speaking about price though I’d probably never buy a 22 Hornet over a 223 rem just because of pricing on factory ammo. Same with 17 HMR over 22 LR. Larger standard hunting calibers though where I typically wouldn’t shoot that many rounds cost per round isn’t much of a consideration.

Perfectly said. Everything is there. +1 as far as I am concerned

I will add that jpr9954's question is still very valid, and although I have never even considered ammo cost for a hunting caliber, I have nonetheless made training decisions based on ammo cost.

I very specifically purchased a .223 R8 barrel for the sole purpose of unlimited inexpensive practice shooting out to 300+ yards with the same rifle I am hunting with, because a .300 Wby or .257 Wby round is ~7 times more expensive than a decent .223 match practice round, and ~10 times more expensive than bulk .223 ammo.

Also, in the past, I very specifically bought some decent .22 LR rifles (Anschutz, Walther, Winchester 52), as well as a Colt Ace 1911 .22 LR conversion and a few Advantage Arms Glock .22 LR conversion, for me and the kids to LEARN and TRAIN endlessly "for free" or almost. True, it is amazing how much ammo 5 kids can shoot, but I shot myself several 5,000-round cases of .22 LR (at times, per year) when I was practicing for IPSC and IDPA matches, and I continue to do so, practicing off the sticks.

Lately, I recently bought a R8 .22 LR barrel for the dual purpose of "free" practice AND low noise practice on my property.

When thousands of practice rounds are at play, I do consider the $ factor. Conversely, I may shoot a grand total of 10 to 20 rounds on a typical African trip, so I could not care less how much each round costs. It does not even enter in the rounding error of the total safari cost.

 

[steve white]

For shooting paper or ringing long range bells, yes. Cost consideration is tied to volume. For hunting, it is as irrelevant to me as the priority or cost of premium bullets--there is little volume involved in the equation. But if I really liked a double or a drilling for the fit, wood and engraving, I would not care if the rifle had to have archaic brass, extreme laddering for the load development, or Panda-massaged powders.

 

[Green Chile]

I rarely use factory ammo and sometimes only to get the brass for reloading. I have bought rifles just to get the reloading components that came with it. If I have brass, I can find bullets...and powder/primers. To me, brass is the most limiting factor on some of the vintage guns I shoot.

Having said that, my favorite guns to hunt with are usually also easy to find ammo for if needed...7x57, 300 win mag, 375 H&H, etc. I haven't had to do that thankfully but I could if needed. So my long answer to your question is no, it's not a factor.

 

[Rare Breed]

I realize when you get into the upper medium bore and large bore rifles that factory ammunition and reloading components are going to be expensive.

However, if you are looking at anything from let's say 9.3x62 and down, do you consider the price of ammunition or components when buying a rifle? Do you go with the cheaper ammo or a more common caliber as opposed to the one that is $10-20 or more higher per box?

For example, would you pick a 7mm Rem Mag over a .280 AI? You can find plenty of S&B ammo for $20 per box in 7mm mag for practice while you start at about $35 or so for anything in .280 AI. The price of premium ammo does start to even out.

Or here is another real world case. I found a custom .300 H&H with beautiful wood, Timney trigger, glass bedded, etc. with a barrel band for $600. However, when I looked for ammo the price per box was $100 and higher. Brass, if I could find it, was likewise expensive. Mentally, I just gave it a pass even though I love less common calibers just because.

For me no whatsoever…however the availability of reloading supplies for a caliber absolutely!!! Right now I have a chance to buy a nice, not beautiful Rigby 450 NE at a good price yet it is so incredibly hard to get brass for it…yes I have gotten Dies and one shell holder. I have primers and powder

 

[375Fox]

Not saying you’re wrong, but curious as to why you think so… can you elaborate on this?

If anything I was thinking the opposite, it seems to be growing in popularity. Now you have Ruger, of course, chambering as well as savage and Mossberg and most of the smaller manufacturers of ammunition, such as buffalo bore have all started producing ammunition, and I actually suspect it would be a matter of time before you see more mainstream production.

I liken it to the 280 Ackley improved which just a few years ago you couldn’t find a factory box anywhere and now with almost every rifle manufacturer chambering a rifle in the caliber most of the big name manufacturers are also producing ammunition.

I bought a 280rem in the 90s and hardly anybody knew what it was… And still not a very popular chambering, but oddly enough, the 280 actually improved as far surpassed it in popularity

Maybe I’ll be wrong but aside from Ruger no good quality reliable factory rifles were made in 375 Ruger. All other manufacturers stuck with 375 H&H. There are some semi-custom ammo options but the only widely available factory ammo for 375 Ruger is Hornady. Time will tell but the 375 H&H is here to stay. I don’t think the same for 375 Ruger unless different manufacturers such as Winchester, Blaser, Sako, etc were to begin offering the chambering, but I think the enthusiasm for the cartridge has long faded.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

All of my ammo is self loaded, but even then the cost is of virtually no consequence relative to the pleasure of shooting. I chose 30-06 in Ruger No1 more because it was what I could get, but if one in 275 Rigby was lying next to it I would have taken that irrespective of ammo cost.
I chose 450/400 for my Heym double because it was deemed to be the perfect buffalo round. The cost didn't enter the picture, but as it happens it is very reasonable to load for.

 

[Green Chile]

For me no whatsoever…however the availability of reloading supplies for a caliber absolutely!!! Right now I have a chance to buy a nice, not beautiful Rigby 450 NE at a good price yet it is so incredibly hard to get brass for it…yes I have gotten Dies and one shell holder. I have primers and powder

I thought our sponsor Raven Rock had 450 nitro brass for awhile?

 

[CBeck]

Maybe I’ll be wrong but aside from Ruger no good quality reliable factory rifles were made in 375 Ruger. All other manufacturers stuck with 375 H&H. There are some semi-custom ammo options but the only widely available factory ammo for 375 Ruger is Hornady. Time will tell but the 375 H&H is here to stay. I don’t think the same for 375 Ruger unless different manufacturers such as Winchester, Blaser, Sako, etc were to begin offering the chambering, but I think the enthusiasm for the cartridge has long faded.

Possibly so…. And I know this is heresy around here but I do believe the 375 ruger to be the superior cartridge.

And, anecdotally, there are roughly the same number of 375 ruger as 375 h&h for sale on gunbroker.

Sorry to the OP for the sidetrack….

 

[jpr9954]

Possibly so…. And I know this is heresy around here but I do believe the 375 ruger to be the superior cartridge.

And, anecdotally, there are roughly the same number of 375 h&h as 375 ruger for sale on gunbroker.

Sorry to the OP for the sidetrack….

I love sidetracks! Just ask my wife.

 

[deewayne2003]

Weatherby dealt with this years ago when they came out with the lower end Vangaurd rifles.

Turns out it’s hard to sell $600 rifles in Calibers that cost $100+ per box.

So they came out with a line of SP ammo that you could buy for $50 box.

But I reloaded .257wby & .300Wby at the time and would buy that ammo which was cheaper than factory WBY brass.

 

[Rare Breed]

I thought our sponsor Raven Rock had 450 nitro brass for awhile?

From your lips to God’s ears my friend!!!

 

[VINOYASADO]

I'm not a reloader, but I know many people who are, and it's becoming more and more expensive, and the difference with factory-made ammunition is narrowing.

On the other hand, at least here in Spain, ammunition prices have skyrocketed.

 

[Russ16]

I do t worry about price much. I reload.. so for me its availability of components..

Same here.

 

[375Fox]

Possibly so…. And I know this is heresy around here but I do believe the 375 ruger to be the superior cartridge.

And, anecdotally, there are roughly the same number of 375 ruger as 375 h&h for sale on gunbroker.

Sorry to the OP for the sidetrack….

Depends on the definition of superior. Ballistics slightly, but ammo availability and quality rifles the H&H is clear winner. If the Ruger had the rifle options the H&H does I don’t think I’d worry about ammo in future. Looking at Gunbroker the 375 Ruger really only has one option a Ruger rifle and a few savages and Mossbergs. The H&H on Gunbroker is available in CZ, Winchester, Ruger, Remington, Kimber, Browning, Bergara, Christensen, Steyr, Rigby, Dakota, Blaser, Weatherby and more just on first page. The 375 Ruger has mostly pinned itself to Ruger rifles so unless Ruger becomes more popular the 375 Ruger will not either.

Another interesting Gunbroker comparison. I recently wanted a wood stock and all metal 223 Remington which is becoming a rare thing. There are many more model 70s in 223 WSSM than 223 Remington and sell much cheaper pricing. They also include ammo in the sale because it’s become so rare.

 

[BryceM]

Mostly, anyone hunting in Africa has bigger financial problems than the cost of ammo. It’s a bit of a consideration with big bores, and when practicing, I suppose. Handloading alleviates most of the cost.

When it comes to actually hunting, I’m picky about what I’m using and the cost of bullets is a pretty minor consideration.

 

[Flbt]

I realize when you get into the upper medium bore and large bore rifles that factory ammunition and reloading components are going to be expensive.

However, if you are looking at anything from let's say 9.3x62 and down, do you consider the price of ammunition or components when buying a rifle? Do you go with the cheaper ammo or a more common caliber as opposed to the one that is $10-20 or more higher per box?

For example, would you pick a 7mm Rem Mag over a .280 AI? You can find plenty of S&B ammo for $20 per box in 7mm mag for practice while you start at about $35 or so for anything in .280 AI. The price of premium ammo does start to even out.

Or here is another real world case. I found a custom .300 H&H with beautiful wood, Timney trigger, glass bedded, etc. with a barrel band for $600. However, when I looked for ammo the price per box was $100 and higher. Brass, if I could find it, was likewise expensive. Mentally, I just gave it a pass even though I love less common calibers just because.

It’s not got to be that big
My 257w was $36 a box now it’s 130$ I have not used it much in the last few years

 

[BigSteve57]

For hunting, not in the slightest. The only two considerations for us for hunting are performance and ready availability.