Previously, we published an article on how to save money at the range. There are some pretty useful tips in there, if we do say so ourselves. Some include getting a speed loader for your mags and making your own targets.
Tips like these are beneficial for shooters all over the country, especially as ammo prices continue to soar into the stratosphere. They’re pretty neat. Check them out for yourself.
Well, we thought about the high prices of ammo recently, and we’re not done with the topic. Here are several new hacks for how to save money at the range, from buying 9mm bulk ammo to downsizing.
1. Shop sales
If your heart is dead-set on a specific round (maybe change that? See below) then you need to be smart about how you buy it or you will always pay sticker prices.
For our part, we run on-going hot deals and flash sales, and usually have a bunch of police trade-in specials. We might not be picky about the promotions, and if you aren’t either, it can be a very economical way to buy ammo.
On that note, buy before you need, not when you need, which brings up the following argument.
2. Buy in bulk
If you shoot a lot and you don’t buy ammo in bulk, there’s your first problem. Popular calibers are easy to find in bulk, so you won’t have trouble finding .22LR, .223 Rem/5.56 NATO or 9mm bulk ammo around anywhere. We certainly have it here.
This is the best, most consistent, and most reliable way to lower your per-unit cost on ammo, so if you don’t currently buy in bulk it’s time to start.
But there’s a caveat…
3. Store it properly
Have you ever had to throw ammo out because the bullet or brass was corroded? Or maybe you had to toss a box because half of them were duds due to heat or moisture exposure.
Either way, it’s not fun. It’s a waste of money and it’s stressful because once one round in a box fails to fire, the rest are suspect.
Basic rules of thumb are to store your ammo somewhere cool, dry, and dark, away from temperature swings. If you can keep the temperature between 55℉ and 85℉, and below 50% humidity, you should be good.
That means the attic, basement, and trunk are not good places to store your ammo. You have been warned.
Also, this is something we have written about at length in the past. Get our full collection of ammo storage tips and best practices at the previous link.
4. Downsize where possible
The caliber, that is. Look, if you don’t have a 9mm, you can’t shoot a 9mm. If you don’t have a rimfire, you can’t shoot a rimfire. But if you do, shoot it.
Let’s face it. Some rounds, like .45 ACP, are more expensive than 9mm. A rimfire round like .22LR is going to be cheaper per-round than any centerfire round, period.
If your only point and purpose in shooting is range therapy, fun, or plinking, you don’t need to fire off a dollar (or more) with each pull of the trigger. Break out your smaller caliber guns and bring them to the range.
The one big exception here is .410. It’s a small gauge, but they’re just too expensive to shoot for fun - unless you specifically compete or hunt with one.
5. Adopt efficient training practices
Are you at the range because you need to sight in your rifle? Do you simply want to know how your hollow points feed in your handgun?
Then shoot what you need, and no more. If you’re a hunter, save the rounds for the field and stop wasting money burning brass at the range.
6. Shoot cheaper brands
You might not want to, but if you really want to save money, sometimes you just need to take a hit.
Look, if all you’re doing is plinking, why do you care what you shoot as long as it doesn’t damage your gun?
Switch to a lighter load. Consider shooting a brass or aluminum-cased ammo like Blazer Aluminum or TulAmmo. They might be a bit dirtier, but if you need to cut costs, they won’t hurt.
7. Fast-track the sight-in
Let’s be honest. You could burn a whole box of expensive rifle rounds trying to get zeroed at 100 yards.
There are ways around this. Magnetic and laser bore sights will both help you get on paper faster, cutting back on the time (and the number of rounds) needed to sight your rifle in.
Also, invest in a good spotting scope and a solid shooting rest. If your rifle shifts during sight-in, that will translate over to the number of rounds needed to get a good zero.
8. Improvise the range bag
A range bag is useful at the range, but it doesn’t have to be a range bag, if you get what we’re saying.
Dedicated range bags from outfitters are expensive, but at the end of the day, they’re all just empty space you use to transport ammo, mags, loaders, tools, targets, and other shooting accessories to and from the range.
Does it matter if your duffel says “Bass Pro” on it? Do your mags care if you take them to the range in an old backpack?
We think not. Repurpose and overcome. Then you can spend more of your discretionary income on ammo itself.
Stock Up on .22LR, .223, and 9mm Bulk Ammo
One of the easiest ways in this post to start saving money on ammo today is to buy it in bulk. We carry .22LR, .223, .308, .380, 12 gauge, and 9mm bulk ammo (as well as other calibers) all from top brands and all at very competitive prices.
Check out our full bulk ammo collection and find what you need so you can get started saving at the range right now.