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View Full Version : Counting Beans and Caliber Comparisons



Skintop911
20 May 2010, 02:21
When considering the merits and liabilities of defensive/service calibers, the economics of each caliber can be a factor in making decisions. With the terminal ballistic differences between the premium offerings of each caliber being arguably minimal with modern bullet design, and the spikes in pricing of ammunition in recent years, relative cost has become a bigger determinant of what people are shooting more than it ever has been before.

I recently received updated quotes for duty and training ammunition for 2010, and thought I would share how the math shakes out for the LE agency consumers the quotes are applicable to. While the pricing below represents excise and sales tax exempt pricing, and includes freight charges, the differences between calibers are reasonably representative of what most shooters are experiencing.

The duty loads below are all high quality, premium defensive ammunition recommended here and elsewhere. The training loads are the companion training round in the same weight and approximate velocity as the premium offering. Here's the math:

Manufacturer A:



9mm 124gr JHP Duty: $259.00/k
40SW 180 JHP Duty: $289.00/k (+12%)
45ACP 230 JHP Duty: $314.00/k (+9%)



9mm to 45ACP, +21%


9mm 124gr FMJ Training: $169.00/k
40SW 180 FMJ Training: $219.00/k (+30%)
45ACP 230 JHP Training: $249.00/k (+14%)



9mm to 45ACP, +47%

Manufacturer B:



9mm 124gr JHP Duty: $319.00/k
40SW 180 JHP Duty: $349.00/k (+9%)
45ACP 230 JHP Duty: $374.00/k (+7%)



9mm to 45ACP, +17%


9mm 124gr FMJ Training: $169.00/k
40SW 180 FMJ Training: $219.00/k (+30%)
45ACP 230 JHP Training: $249.00/k (+14%)



9mm to 45ACP, +47%

Manufacturer C:



9mm ~124gr JHP Duty: $412.00/k
40SW 180 JHP Duty: $446.00/k (+8%)
45ACP 230 JHP Duty: $488.00/k (+9%)



9mm to 45ACP, +18%


9mm 124gr FMJ Training: $270.00/k
40SW 180 FMJ Training: $362.00/k (+34%)
45ACP 230 JHP Training: $448.00/k (+24%)



9mm to 45ACP, +66%

Manufacturer D:



9mm 124gr JHP Duty: $499.50/k
40SW 180 JHP Duty: $565.00/k (+13%)
45ACP 230 JHP Duty: $639.00/k (+13%)



9mm to 45ACP, +28%


9mm 124gr FMJ Training: $282.50/k
40SW 180 FMJ Training: $355.00/k (+26%)
45ACP 230 JHP Training: $395.00/k (+11%)



9mm to 45ACP, +40%

Averages, All Manufacturers, Duty Ammo:



9mm to 40SW: +10.5%
40SW to 45ACP: +9.5%
9mm to 45ACP: +21%


Averages, All Manufacturers, Training Ammo:



9mm to 40SW: +30%
40SW to 45ACP: +15.75%
9mm to 45ACP: +50%


A quick comparison using pricing from major sporting goods retailers revealed the same approximate deviations between calibers on the commercial side.

For the sport/hobby/recreational shooter consuming minimal quantities of ammunition, these differences are mostly minimal and insignificant. For the volume shooter purchasing thousands of rounds, or the agency purchasing agent purchasing tens of thousands of rounds, the differences can be profound.

Recent shortages of supply and increases in pricing have stressed budgets for agencies and citizens alike. To manage financial issues, folks have turned to imported, reloaded, or otherwise suspect ammunition, or reduced consumption to sustain their shooting interests. For many, a better option may be a caliber switch. Depending on purchasing power, rate of consumption, and the timing of inventory rotation, users may be able to make the switch and still produce a net savings within the first year, or within a few years thereafter.

For your contemplation.