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

[jpr9954]

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.

 

[375Fox]

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.

 

[CZDiesel]

I agree with @375Fox and if loaded ammo and or components for loading are available I’d not pass on a great dealer something I want…

 

[CBH Australia]

Not really. Ammo is the cheapest part of the hunt.
I have .308 and .223 for culling, pest control and volume shooting and I reload.
To be fair I haven’t had anything super rare or exotic so average price is what it is.

If I needed ammo that’s $5 or $10 a round for occasional use I would probably accept that if it’s something I wanted to use or own.

I’m careful with .280a.i and 7mm-08 brass so as not to waste money but if it meant losing an animal to save a $3 case I’m taking the next shot and looking for a case later

 

[mdwest]

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

 

[kdenn]

No, so far fortunate to buy what I want and always buy dies and some components to reload. Ammunition usually least expensive part of hunting, especially on some African game and especially on a lot of NA draw tag animals.

 

[Inkgardener]

No, as I have not bought factory ammo in years.

 

[YancyW]

Nope

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Simple answer NO!
I don’t reload so shoot only factory ammo. Price has never played a part in caliber choices. I will spend whatever is needed for quality ammo. Ammo is the cheapest part of a hunt.

 

[JimP]

If you are not a reloader it may factor into purchasing a larger caliber rifle. I have a 340 Weatherby that factory loads are around $130 if you can find them. I can load the same bullet at the same velocity for less than a couple bucks, once I have a case.

If you want to shoot enough to become proficient with a rifle you pretty much need to reload the cases, unless you can afford the factory rounds.