magnum ammo?

[wtnhunt]

Looked seriously at buying a new model 700 in 7mm mag Thursday, but wanted to do a little research first, and I am glad I did. Why is magnum ammunition so much more expensive for comparable ammo to non magnums? In reloading catalogs, looks like the brass is a bit higher, but that is the only component that seems to run more for the magnums. Is it solely the cost of the brass that drives the prices higher, or is there some other reason like a lesser amount of production that cause the increase?

If ammo for the magnum was not so high, the deal on this gun would be really hard to pass up at under $300 for the rifle new. Still I am considering it, but think I am more leaning towards waiting to find something I want in a 30-06 or .308.

[bwlacy]

IMHO. It costs more for a number of reasons. Brass costs more, more powder, lower demand, and alot of the magnums loads are using premium bullets that do cost more also. Most premium ammo for the 30.06 is around $30 per box also.

You can reload much cheaper than buying factory ammo.

Most guys don't shoot enough ammo during the year that it really affects the decision of buying a magnum. If you only shoot a couple boxes a year that really isn't much money. We hunters spend money on everything else, so what's another $50 per year.

If you want that gun and it's a good deal, then buy it. I wouldn't let the price of ammo change my mind. The only thing I try to watch for is buying a caliber that is obsolete cuz it's real hard to get ammo without reloading.

Matt

[Colorado Bob]

Supply & Demand. Get the 30/06 it's plenty for everything except the grizzly bears. But if you can afford a grizzly hunt the cost of ammo is nothing.

FYI---I've used the 30/06 for 30 years here in Colorado. I've never had a problem 1. It's taken moose, elk, mulies, antelope, bighorn sheep, mtn goat, black bear & cougar. Works just fine---no need for a MAG. I've taken most with plain jane bullets---Core-lokts or Power Points--180 grain----no need for the premium bullet @ 06 velocites. CB

[Strut10]

IMHO. It costs more for a number of reasons. Brass costs more, more powder, lower demand, and alot of the magnums loads are using premium bullets that do cost more also. Most premium ammo for the 30.06 is around $30 per box also.

You can reload much cheaper than buying factory ammo.

Most guys don't shoot enough ammo during the year that it really affects the decision of buying a magnum. If you only shoot a couple boxes a year that really isn't much money. We hunters spend money on everything else, so what's another $50 per year.

If you want that gun and it's a good deal, then buy it. I wouldn't let the price of ammo change my mind. The only thing I try to watch for is buying a caliber that is obsolete cuz it's real hard to get ammo without reloading.

Matt

Pretty much right on.

If you compare apples to apples, magnum ammo is not horribly more expensive than standard calibers. 7-Mag and 300 Win Mag in Core-Lokt or Power Point, etc. is still pretty reasonable stuff to buy. As with ANY cartridge............it's usually more cost effective to reload. You can build your own ammo with premium components for about the price of standard quality factory loads.

[Strut10]

Looked seriously at buying a new model 700 in 7mm mag Thursday.........

William????????

Could we have an OTPG moment-of-enlightenment happening here??

[Strut10]

William????????

Could we have an OTPG moment-of-enlightenment happening here??

Walk toward the light, William. Walk toward the light.

[Leo]

Compare similar loads of a 7mm Rem Mag to a 280 Rem.

Same bullets not much difference.

Then compare 30-06 loads to 300wby loads (especially the factory stuff)

Same bullets quite a bit more difference.

Belted magnum cases have a limited reload life when compared to unbelted ones.

I like magnum cartridges just fine. Honestly, though, some are worth it and some aren't.

[wtnhunt]

Actually from what I have seen in catalogs, midway and cabelas shooting are just a few, the factory ammo in the magnums for the 7 mm mag core lokt 150 grains were around $27. I bought two boxes of core lokts Thursday, one in 150 grainers for my .270 and one in 100 grain for the wifes .243 from wal mart for $30 with tax, that is about twice as much.

[Strut10]

Actually from what I have seen in catalogs, midway and cabelas shooting are just a few, the factory ammo in the magnums for the 7 mm mag core lokt 150 grains were around $27. I bought two boxes of core lokts Thursday, one in 150 grainers for my .270 and one in 100 grain for the wifes .243 from wal mart for $30 with tax, that is about twice as much.

I can't afford to but ammo from Midway or Cabela's.

How much were the 7-Mag Core Lokt's at Wally-by-Golly??

[007hunter]

I can't afford to but ammo from Midway or Cabela's.

How much were the 7-Mag Core Lokt's at Wally-by-Golly??

From Wally World its $21 or $22 a box.

[Strut10]

From Wally World its $21 or $22 a box.

That doesn't sound too unreasonable to me.

[wtnhunt]

Will have to check next time I get in there Don. If it is $21 here, that would make the same non magnum ammo which is $13.84 a box for my .270 about 61 percent of the cost of the ammo for the magnum.

Looking at the ballistics on the 7mm mag, it outperfroms the 30-06, but I read in an article that said the 7mm mag was over rated???

[Strut10]

Looking at the ballistics on the 7mm mag, it outperfroms the 30-06, but I read in an article that said the 7mm mag was over rated???

I've personally never had any itch whatsoever for a 7 Rem Mag. It's just awfully close in performance to the .280 & '06. I handload all my centerfire stuff. So my 7-bore is a 7-STW. There's no "gray area" as to whether the STW outperforms comparable standard calibers. Were I to suggest a caliber to a person who was going to own one magnum and one only.......it's be a .300 Win Mag.......ABSOLUTELY no doubt. That's why I have two of them. Ammo is still darned reasonable. Most .300 Win Mags are tremendously accurate. Performance is definitely greater than comparable standard rounds like the .308 & '06. And recoil is not at all objectionable in a well-fit rifle. Plus you'll pay the same for a rifle chambered in .300 Win as you will for the same gun chambered for 7-Rem.

[Shaun_300]

Yeah William, ammo is a bit more expensive for the magnum loads. Up here it isn't too much difference. Usually around $5 more a box when comparing say a .308 or .30-06 to .300 Win Mag rounds. I agree with Don on opting for the .300 over the 7mm, you definetly get a lot more bang for your buck. I've got a .300 Win Mag and the .300 Short Mag, love them both!

[wtnhunt]

Were I to suggest a caliber to a person who was going to own one magnum and one only.......it's be a .300 Win Mag.......ABSOLUTELY no doubt.

Thanks for that information Don, will keep that in mind. I really was interested in the 30-06, I saw that wal mart had a model 700 adl 30-06 listed still in clearance for $325. With the $30 remington factory rebate, that was a great deal, but unfortunately that gun was sold, someone just did not mark out that it was sold. I asked the counter guy what they had left on clearance in model 700's, and they had a .270, a 243, a .243 youth, and the 7 mm mag, all were either $300 or $325. If I did not already have that identical gun in a .270, I would have left wal mart Thursday with the .270 at that price, but I got to thinking the 7 mm mag might be a nice alternative to the 30-06 and figured I would do some checking on it, and if I liked what i saw i would have probably went on and went back and bought it.

There is another store that is about 30 minutes from here in another town that also sells rifles, I may have to stop in there later this week when I get over that way and see what they have left.