What the heck happened to .357 magnum ammo prices? Sheesh!

wahoowad

wahoowad

Member
I haven't put any lead downrange from my Colt Trooper in too many years...thought I'd buy a few boxes and get reacquainted down at the plinking range
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. Checked prices at a few of my online ammo outlets and WOWSIE! They must use gold plated powder. What happened?

I see some decent prices on other pistol ammo but I must be the only guy left in the world who likes the .357 magnum.
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No, I like the .357 Magnum also.
Even component prices seem to be thru the roof.
I have a MKIII 6" that is like new (poss. never fired since purchase) that was grandpas.
Before that I had a Taurus Ti Tracker, regret that it got `horse traded`
 
Originally Posted By: Ricky BobbyI've got the perfect solution to your problem ... you need to start RELOADING!

What is the initial investment for reloading gear so I can reload .357 and .223?
 
Lots say that reloading doesent save money. I believe it does. You can build ammo on an inexpensive Lee reloading kit without a huge investment. Id look into reloading. Good luck
 
Ask the folks for Washington since they're so "Pro" Guns. of course they wouldn't do anything to inhibit your ability to buy ammo.....NAW not those fine representative of the People. Yeah right!
 
The part I can’t figure out is where the bandolier bandits are getting their ammo from. I found a nice spot (so I thought) back around Thanksgiving and started to play a soft tune on the infamous Carver Ruthless Rabbit and all of a sudden it sounded like WWIII broke out. A conservative count was at least 1000 rounds before it was all said and done. It sounded like they had semis, bolts, autos …the works!!!

It had to be around $800 worth of ammo gone in about 15 minutes.

To end the story, I found another spot, started playing a soft tune on the Carver and called in a Dodge.

But yeah, the price of ammo sucks!!!!!!! I just got off midway looking for some .338 Win Mag ammo. Let’s just say I’ll be using my 06 until I run dry. I’m going to have to pick some of your brains regarding reloading because this is getting ridiculous.
 
My GP 100 doesn't get shot much because of the ammo prices. I bought 250 rounds a couple of years back and I still 100 left. Its a shame, I love shooting that gun. I guess a reloader is on the list now.
 
Hey Orney, you're right re-loading is a lot cheaper, but i also shoot twice as much reloading than buying. I must admit i buy my items only on sales and buy in large quanities.
 
Originally Posted By: Ricky BobbyI've got the perfect solution to your problem ... you need to start RELOADING!

The problem is that this isn't the slam-dunk it used to be as far as cost savings. The price of bullets, powder, and primers have gone through the roof at the same rate as loaded ammo. Sure, there's still a savings but to recover your investment for a guy just starting out, it's going to take a lot longer than it would have 10 years ago.

I just finished off a can of powder (4895) that had a price tag on it. $17.99 from 3-4 years ago. Yeah, the replacement won't be coming at that price. Currently, I'm seeing $25 most places.

Bullets are the same or worse. Lead and copper prices have gone through the roof. I used to pick up Nosler .223 bullets at $15.99 per 100. It's now $23 and I've been told that when the current stock is gone, prices will go up again.

But if you do your homework and you're patient, eBay can pay off for reloading equipment. The top-end stuff goes for stupid prices, I've seen used Rock Chucker presses go for more than a new one would.

But there's a lot of mid-range stuff that goes for very low prices. I bought a used RCBS JR3 press a few years ago to have a second press that I could just keep set up for .223. $17 + shipping. It's a [beeep] good press for the money.

Get a decent scale, a measure, and some other required pieces and you could be all set for $200-$300 with the dies. But add in the powder supply and the bullets and you'll be $400-$500 before you fire your first round.

Bottom line is for just occasionally blowing the dust out of Ol' Betsy's barrel, I would just bite the factory loaded bullet. If you want to start shooting more, than now's the time to get the reloading gear.

Grouse
 
I love the .357 mag. have a colt trooper also,I also second the reloading and lee loaders advice above,even if it did cost the same as loaded ammo to reload, the quality and accuracy and being able to taylor a load to you particular rifle/handgun goes without saying,look around there is a ton of different websites and hit some gun shows.There are still deals to be had on powder, bullets primers etc,once you turn out some HIGHLY accurate loads you will be hooked!
 
OR you may have a good friend who reloads who might be happy to teach you on his or her equipment.... with your brass, bullets, primers and powder, of course

I have such a friend who is willing and able to supervise my annual reloading of PD ammunition.

I'm in my mid 70's and figured I would not live long enough to amortize my own equipment costs...besidee my friend has better stuff that I would ever buy.

I emphasize the good friend aspect as he is indeed.

I purchase all my other practice ammunition in quantity when it is on sale and buy most carry/hunting ammunition at whatever the best available local price is..exception is Win Ranger T +P for 9mm and .45 ACP. Seldom find it locally but when I do, it is never at a great price.

Now if you are young, compared to me, and like to shoot a lot- either fall in love with .22 LR or start reloading.

Best wishes.
 
You can either get into reloading (still expensive for components if you do limited shooting) or 'bite the bullet', so to speak, and buy a quantity of factory that is available with the intention of saving about half of it for future use when the cost to purchase will be even higher...

I have quite a bit of high quality factory that I've held onto for about 40 years and when compared to today's prices, it's almost a shame to shoot any of it...compare it to throwing away gold...

Don't know if any of that makes sense,,,but I don't shoot revolvers like I used to and when I look at today's prices for some ammo, I'm glad that I stockpiled when I did, even though it hurt then....The way some things are going at present, what I have may become even more valuable...
 
It's only going to get worse. Lead is way high, as is copper. That's the start. Also, I've heard grumblings that this is Obama's way of gun control. Make it too expensive to shoot!
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760It's only going to get worse. Lead is way high, as is copper. That's the start. Also, I've heard grumblings that this is Obama's way of gun control. Make it too expensive to shoot!

Right you are Shane! More grumblings have him laying a "scorched earth" policy on gun ownership and ammo ownership/purchasing should he gain a second term,if he isn't voted out (horrible thought) we better hope for republican control of the House and Senate or it's going to get real bad real fast!
 
Originally Posted By: loyOriginally Posted By: pahntr760It's only going to get worse. Lead is way high, as is copper. That's the start. Also, I've heard grumblings that this is Obama's way of gun control. Make it too expensive to shoot!

Right you are Shane! More grumblings have him laying a "scorched earth" policy on gun ownership and ammo ownership/purchasing should he gain a second term,if he isn't voted out (horrible thought) we better hope for republican control of the House and Senate or it's going to get real bad real fast!

Oh come on guys! There are plenty of very logical and intelligent reasons why ammo prices have been going up. Couldn't you just pick one of those instead of going the making-sh!t-up route?

Ummm, you don't suppose this has anything to do with it, do you: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2012/02/12/china-is-hoarding-copper-why/

Grouse
 


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