NEW QUESTION:
This thread originally pertained to .223. That question was answered below and basically the answer was $0.24 - $0.26/rd for steel, $0.35 - $0.38/rd for brass. I managed to get steel for .24/rd and brass for .36/rd so I'm happy with that. Now I want to know about 5.56...
For the cheapest 5.56mm 55gr JHP range ammo what's the best price I'd see in this market and at what price should I pass? I've seen as low as $0.50/rd for Independence 5.56. Is that high, low, or just right?
ORIGINAL POST:
I'm currently assembling parts for my first AR build. I've never owned an AR (or any centerfire rifle for that matter). I recently saw a 500 round tin of Tula steel .223 at Walmart for $117 and jumped on it. (I know people have concerns about ammo that's steel cased with the bi-metal jacket. I read through some thorough tests and concluded I don't want to shoot too much steel in my AR, mostly because of faster barrel wear — but I digress...) Sub $24/100rds seems to be by far the best price I've seen. I'm curious in the current market what the low end threshold is for brass cased .223.
What I mean is when I shop for 9mm I know that $0.24/rd is a good price and will pay up to $0.27/rd if my ammo shelf is running low. Anything at $0.23/rd or less I'll jump on whether or not I need it. What should I look for with .223?
I should mention I don't care what the prices were in the good old days. It's not the good old days and I just want to know what price I should jump on at Walmart and what price I should pass on (in the current landscape).
ORIGINAL QUESTION:
What price range (in cents per round) should I be looking for when buying steel .223 and brass .223?
This thread originally pertained to .223. That question was answered below and basically the answer was $0.24 - $0.26/rd for steel, $0.35 - $0.38/rd for brass. I managed to get steel for .24/rd and brass for .36/rd so I'm happy with that. Now I want to know about 5.56...
For the cheapest 5.56mm 55gr JHP range ammo what's the best price I'd see in this market and at what price should I pass? I've seen as low as $0.50/rd for Independence 5.56. Is that high, low, or just right?
ORIGINAL POST:
I'm currently assembling parts for my first AR build. I've never owned an AR (or any centerfire rifle for that matter). I recently saw a 500 round tin of Tula steel .223 at Walmart for $117 and jumped on it. (I know people have concerns about ammo that's steel cased with the bi-metal jacket. I read through some thorough tests and concluded I don't want to shoot too much steel in my AR, mostly because of faster barrel wear — but I digress...) Sub $24/100rds seems to be by far the best price I've seen. I'm curious in the current market what the low end threshold is for brass cased .223.
What I mean is when I shop for 9mm I know that $0.24/rd is a good price and will pay up to $0.27/rd if my ammo shelf is running low. Anything at $0.23/rd or less I'll jump on whether or not I need it. What should I look for with .223?
I should mention I don't care what the prices were in the good old days. It's not the good old days and I just want to know what price I should jump on at Walmart and what price I should pass on (in the current landscape).
ORIGINAL QUESTION:
What price range (in cents per round) should I be looking for when buying steel .223 and brass .223?
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