Ammo online vs in store

If High Point is too much of a drive you can wait till the next Raleigh gun show and pick up ammo from Georgia Arms or Defender Ammunition at their online prices.
 
I happened to be in the area of Lawmens this morning and grabbed a few boxes of the GDHP in 9 and 223. And a few of their reman M&P9 mags ($6.99 each, what's a few for the range?) It was the 50 round box, at 24.99. I don't want to buy the 20 packs, they are about the same price and ridiculous to keep some on hand.

I have gone through the same and range bag and consolidated what I have for range ammo, and it's not much. Luckily (or unluckily, guess it goes both ways) I haven't had much time to shoot so it hasn't been a huge deal to get more, but I am going to start stocking up. Either online or at the Walmart.
 
As a current data point, I placed my first ever order with them yesterday, for 300rds of 147gr HST 9mm. The item description included:

**Per manufacturer requirements, this product (50 round boxes of P9HST2) is available for purchase by LE and Qualified Customers Only

I just got my shipping notice. Order wasn't questioned at all. I'm not any type of LE, so I must be "qualified". :D
Evidently I signed up for emails from Bone Frog. Just got this one today:

Hollow Point Ammunition (LE Restrictions)
50 round boxes of LE marketed ammunition has always been intended for Law Enforcement; 20 round boxes are available for standard retail purchasers. The manufacturers are getting stricter on these guidelines as it pertains to online sales, thus we have been asked to abide by indicating this on these product pages and asking customers to register with us in order to purchase these products. Currently we are required to restrict the purchase of 124 grain products, but eventually we anticipate all 50 round LE boxes will be restricted.
 
For 9mm, Walmart probably has the best prices - when they have it in stock. Right now, they usually have it. It has been a long time since I bought ammo locally, though. 9mm can be had online now, for about $0.18 per round, including shipping, if bought in quantity. Usually 1000 rounds. SG Ammo, Palmetto State, sometimes Midway.

One reason I got started in reloading is because how the ammo shelves dry up whenever a "big event" happens and the gun grabbers start talking about changing laws. I can load 9mm for less than $0.11 per round. I can do cheaper than that if I want to cast my own bullets, which I don't. It is hard to justify loading your own when prices are low, but I have enough components on hand now to keep me shooting for several years.
 
Last edited:
My favorite source for bulk ammo purchases remains Georgia Arms -- I've been using it for years, without problems. Every now and then I get their hollowpoint, but its usually hardball. Their "canned heat" is top notch! http://www.georgia-arms.com/

I make the order on line and it's usually delivered 3-4 days later. (They ship in military ammo cans. I don't use them, but some of my friends do.) You can figure out shipping costs online, and it is often less than local sales taxes.

Natchez Shooters Supply is often a good source, as well. They often have deals. https://www.natchezss.com/
 
Last edited:
I didn't know about the price match thing from Academy, which is cool. But doesn't >really< help me all that much. The best deals I find are usually from smaller boutique outfits like Outdoor Limited and the like.
 
looks like $125 + $12 for shipping... better deal than I got. Mine shipped was $170, including tax and shipping.
I like the fact they show estimated shipping with each item.

I saw one place with a fantastic price on ammo, only to find they charged $45 shipping after going through all the motions.
 
Evidently I signed up for emails from Bone Frog. Just got this one today:

Hollow Point Ammunition (LE Restrictions)
50 round boxes of LE marketed ammunition has always been intended for Law Enforcement; 20 round boxes are available for standard retail purchasers. The manufacturers are getting stricter on these guidelines as it pertains to online sales, thus we have been asked to abide by indicating this on these product pages and asking customers to register with us in order to purchase these products. Currently we are required to restrict the purchase of 124 grain products, but eventually we anticipate all 50 round LE boxes will be restricted.

This has been circulating lately. I am not sure if they are really cracking down or the sellers are simply pushing the cost up to improve margins. There are still retailers selling 50 count boxes to the general public. I find it hard to believe that the manufacturers just started to enforce this. Ammo sales and pricing is soft. JHP ammo is one of the few places where the manufacturers and resellers still have margin so they are exploiting it.
 
This has been circulating lately. I am not sure if they are really cracking down or the sellers are simply pushing the cost up to improve margins. There are still retailers selling 50 count boxes to the general public. I find it hard to believe that the manufacturers just started to enforce this. Ammo sales and pricing is soft. JHP ammo is one of the few places where the manufacturers and resellers still have margin so they are exploiting it.


I have some good friends in the industry. The manufacturers are pushing this. The retailers are not happy about it.
 
Interesting because people like SGammo, Lucky Gunner, TargetSport USA etc... are still selling 50 round JHP boxes to the general public but jacked the price by 50%.

https://www.sgammo.com/product/fede...ral-hst-124-grain-hp-hollow-point-le-ammo-p9h

The ammo companies told them if they sell 50 round boxes to the public, it has to be at the higher, non-LE program cost. Supposedly, the 50 round boxes were being bought at a discounted price through an LE program, then being sold to the general public. Why it took ammo manufacturers so long to crack down on it is beyond me. It was common practice for years, but now it is suddenly a problem?

At any rate, one retailer friend told me he can't sell the premium defense ammo any more. No one will buy it at the much higher non-LE price. If his experience is shared by a lot of others, the manufacturers will eventually suffer for this policy change. The free market will work, but it may take some time.
 
In August of **edit 2017 2013** ammunition depot (it was probably the cheapest I could find at the time):
J4CFUvq.png


In April of 2017 SGAmmo
Total for this Order:
$400.79
Products on order:
1 x 1000 Round Case - 9mm Luger +P Federal HST 147 grain hollow point LE ammo P9HST4 - High Pressure - $379.00

SKU: P9HST4 - case
 
Last edited:
In August of 2017 ammunition depot (it was probably the cheapest I could find at the time):
J4CFUvq.png


In April of 2017 SGAmmo
Total for this Order:
$400.79
Products on order:
1 x 1000 Round Case - 9mm Luger +P Federal HST 147 grain hollow point LE ammo P9HST4 - High Pressure - $379.00

SKU: P9HST4 - case

Within the last month I have still seen 124gr and 147gr in the $21.95 to $24.95 for 50 round count boxes of HST standard and +P.
 
The ammo companies told them if they sell 50 round boxes to the public, it has to be at the higher, non-LE program cost. Supposedly, the 50 round boxes were being bought at a discounted price through an LE program, then being sold to the general public. Why it took ammo manufacturers so long to crack down on it is beyond me. It was common practice for years, but now it is suddenly a problem?

At any rate, one retailer friend told me he can't sell the premium defense ammo any more. No one will buy it at the much higher non-LE price. If his experience is shared by a lot of others, the manufacturers will eventually suffer for this policy change. The free market will work, but it may take some time.

Thanks for the info. I think you are right if people won't buy the higher priced ammo it will be interesting to see if the manufacturers bring the price down. What I find odd is that it is multiple manufacturers all doing this at the same time. Speer, Winchester and Federal all made this change in the past 30 -60 days. Seems like an odd coincidence.
 
This sounds similar to the pricing on the CCI #34 and #41 primers. They sell them at lower prices to companies that manufacture ammo. Some of the companies then sell them to reloaders at the lower prices. I've been told that if you pay $35 per box, then that is what has happened. General public price should be $40 or more.
 
Thanks for the info. I think you are right if people won't buy the higher priced ammo it will be interesting to see if the manufacturers bring the price down. What I find odd is that it is multiple manufacturers all doing this at the same time. Speer, Winchester and Federal all made this change in the past 30 -60 days. Seems like an odd coincidence.

Yes, it does.

It is always a winning move to raise prices on consumers in a down market. :rolleyes:
 
I happened to be in the area of Lawmens this morning and grabbed a few boxes of the GDHP in 9 and 223. And a few of their reman M&P9 mags ($6.99 each, what's a few for the range?)...
I am in the Eastern part of the state. Any way to get in on this? A few magazines would be nice.
 
Thats a good price. Cheapest I can get is Magtech 115gr for $8.75 box
natchez has 115 brass for $147 per 1000 after rebate. free shipping
 
Last edited:
I haven’t bought a round of ammo in a store in three years or more. I would love to support local businesses but they have decided to price at last minute shopper prices and that is not what I do.
 
Back
Top Bottom