Ammo Prices Going UP! How Much Should You Pay For THESE 5 Calibers?!

Published on October 20, 2025
Duration: 8:03

This video provides a breakdown of reasonable ammunition prices for five popular calibers: 9mm, 5.56/.223, 12 Gauge, .22 LR, and .38 Special. It differentiates between practice and defensive ammunition costs, offering price-per-round guidelines for bulk and smaller purchases. The instructor emphasizes consumer awareness in the face of rising prices.

Quick Summary

Reasonable ammunition prices vary by caliber and type. For 9mm practice ammo, aim for $0.20/round in bulk. Defensive 9mm should be under $1.00/round. 5.56/.223 practice is $0.20/round, defensive is $0.50/round. .22 LR is $0.08/round. 12 Gauge birdshot is $0.45/round, buckshot $0.50/round. .38 Special practice is $0.45/round, defensive $0.60/round.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Rising Ammo Prices Overview
  2. 00:48Focus on 5 Popular Calibers
  3. 01:009mm Ammunition Pricing
  4. 03:105.56/.223 Ammunition Pricing
  5. 04:1212 Gauge Ammunition Pricing
  6. 04:55.22 LR Ammunition Pricing
  7. 05:23.38 Special Ammunition Pricing
  8. 06:07Summary of Ammo Prices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reasonable price for 9mm practice ammunition?

For 9mm practice ammunition, you should aim to pay around $0.20 per round when buying in bulk (e.g., 1,000 rounds for $200). For smaller quantities like 50 rounds, up to $0.35 per round ($17.50 per box) is acceptable.

How much should I expect to pay for 5.56/.223 defensive ammunition?

For good quality 5.56/.223 defensive ammunition, you should expect to pay around $0.50 per round. This means a 500-round bulk purchase should cost approximately $250.

What is the fair price for .22 LR ammunition?

The fair price for .22 LR ammunition is consistently around $0.08 per round. A 500-round box should cost about $40. Paying more than this is generally considered unreasonable.

What's the difference in price between 12 gauge birdshot and buckshot?

12 Gauge birdshot, used for practice, should cost no more than $0.45 per round ($45 for 100 rounds). Buckshot, considered defensive ammunition, is reasonably priced at about $0.50 per round ($50 for 100 rounds).

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