Gun Show Ammunition

zebraben · 10-16-2005, 01:32 AM

I guess I will start with the fast that I have never been to a gun show.

I have heard you can get bulk ammunition at a decent price there.

Anyone have experience in this area, Im looking for .45 ACP.

Prices?
Quality?
Good Idea?
Bad Idea?

Let me know thanks

Thrawn · 10-16-2005, 01:42 AM

you can find good ammo deals at shows. just gotta go and look around.
I highly recomend that you stay away from reloads. If you want reloads do it yourself.

zebraben · 10-16-2005, 01:43 AM

how does one learn to reload ?

zebraben · 10-16-2005, 01:45 AM

And what usually is the problems one would find in Gunshow reload specials?

Thrawn · 10-16-2005, 01:49 AM

Already outta my range, I'm still getting set up for reloading myself.
If you're looking for cheap plinking ammo, you could try Wolf. A lot of people knock it, but I have had no problems with it.

zebraben · 10-16-2005, 01:51 AM

Yeah I have seen some good prices on it online, I suppose if I were following the factory recommended cleaning schedule, I would clean every 500 rnds , that should pretty much take care of anything left behind from the coating on the casing.

Big Dog · 10-16-2005, 07:40 AM

Generally, online prices beat gunshow prices - depends on shipping. Do a Google search on ammunition vendor and you should find plenty to check out.
Cheaperthandirt has good prices, as does Sportsman's Guide.
I like ammo from Georgia Arms. They sell 'factory reloaded ammo' that is as good as anything brand new. I bought a 500 round case of .45ACP from them, and have been very pleased.

rebel727 · 10-16-2005, 07:45 AM

I don't trust anyones reloads but my own. Specially reloads from people I don't know. Most ammo I see at shows are reloads.

Bookman · 10-16-2005, 10:22 AM

The one advantage to gun show ammo is that you save on the shipping charges. This is expecially true on a weighty round like the .45 ACP.

BigDog is right about "factory reloads". Some big companies will reload their own brass and sell at a considerable savings. Good stuff.

zebraben · 10-16-2005, 11:58 AM

good to know, how does one learn how to reload?It is something im interested in...

also has anyone used AF45 Fiocchi .45acp 230grn FMJ
I found an excellent price online....

troylaplante · 10-16-2005, 12:32 PM

Look for a book such as "The ABC's of Reloading" on www.alibris.com or www.amazon.com. Mostly, it is common sense once you get to know the types of primers, powder, bullets, etc. Also, Lee's "Modern Reloading" is a decent reference with a full introduction to reloading in the front of the book and a "cookbook" for the rest of the volume. They are at the same web sites for $26 to $30. I found one at a gun shop for $15. Look for sites for bullet purchases. I have bought from Powder Valley before and had good service. Keep looking in web searches for suppliers. If you check with www.midwayusa.com, you will also find about all the supplies you will need in regards to dies, scales, etc. I have found that some larger gun shows actually have a good selection of powders while some of the smaller shows have zippo for reloading stuff. It is a real hodge podge at some gun shops. Some have a great selection of powders and bullets, but rarely exactly what I am looking for. For instance, for .380 round nose lead bullets, I had to find them online. Nobody carried them, but plenty of places had the 9mm bullets. They are .001 difference between them, no big deal. However, I could not find the grain size I was looking for except online.

zebraben · 10-16-2005, 01:23 PM

thanks for the references....I think i will definatley look into it.

THanks

Bookman · 10-17-2005, 08:15 PM

I've shot Fiocchi ammo. Good quality stuff. Brass case, boxer primed, reloadable. I'd buy it again at a good price.

zebraben · 10-17-2005, 09:33 PM

Well for all who are interested....

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of__45acp.html

8.95/box of 50......19 boxes or less
8.50/box of 50......20 boxes or more

pretty nice deal...for my area anyways most shops its 13.95 on the low end for anything.

Thought you guys would like to see that one

10-16-2005, 01:32 AM	#1
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Gun Show Ammunition I guess I will start with the fast that I have never been to a gun show. I have heard you can get bulk ammunition at a decent price there. Anyone have experience in this area, Im looking for .45 ACP. Prices? Quality? Good Idea? Bad Idea? Let me know thanks

10-16-2005, 01:43 AM	#3
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	how does one learn to reload ? Last edited by zebraben; 10-16-2005 at 01:43 AM. Reason: grammar

10-16-2005, 07:40 AM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,359	Generally, online prices beat gunshow prices - depends on shipping. Do a Google search on ammunition vendor and you should find plenty to check out. Cheaperthandirt has good prices, as does Sportsman's Guide. I like ammo from Georgia Arms. They sell 'factory reloaded ammo' that is as good as anything brand new. I bought a 500 round case of .45ACP from them, and have been very pleased. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-16-2005, 07:45 AM	#8
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,619	I don't trust anyones reloads but my own. Specially reloads from people I don't know. Most ammo I see at shows are reloads. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME! Last edited by rebel727; 10-16-2005 at 07:47 AM.

10-16-2005, 01:42 AM	#2
Thrawn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Okeefenokee Posts: 1,618 Images: 6	you can find good ammo deals at shows. just gotta go and look around. I highly recomend that you stay away from reloads. If you want reloads do it yourself.

10-16-2005, 01:45 AM	#4
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	And what usually is the problems one would find in Gunshow reload specials?

10-16-2005, 01:49 AM	#5
Thrawn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Okeefenokee Posts: 1,618 Images: 6	Already outta my range, I'm still getting set up for reloading myself. If you're looking for cheap plinking ammo, you could try Wolf. A lot of people knock it, but I have had no problems with it.

10-16-2005, 01:51 AM	#6
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Yeah I have seen some good prices on it online, I suppose if I were following the factory recommended cleaning schedule, I would clean every 500 rnds , that should pretty much take care of anything left behind from the coating on the casing.

10-16-2005, 10:22 AM	#9
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 744	The one advantage to gun show ammo is that you save on the shipping charges. This is expecially true on a weighty round like the .45 ACP. BigDog is right about "factory reloads". Some big companies will reload their own brass and sell at a considerable savings. Good stuff.

10-16-2005, 11:58 AM	#10
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	good to know, how does one learn how to reload?It is something im interested in... also has anyone used AF45 Fiocchi .45acp 230grn FMJ I found an excellent price online....

10-16-2005, 12:32 PM	#11
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	Look for a book such as "The ABC's of Reloading" on www.alibris.com or www.amazon.com. Mostly, it is common sense once you get to know the types of primers, powder, bullets, etc. Also, Lee's "Modern Reloading" is a decent reference with a full introduction to reloading in the front of the book and a "cookbook" for the rest of the volume. They are at the same web sites for $26 to $30. I found one at a gun shop for $15. Look for sites for bullet purchases. I have bought from Powder Valley before and had good service. Keep looking in web searches for suppliers. If you check with www.midwayusa.com, you will also find about all the supplies you will need in regards to dies, scales, etc. I have found that some larger gun shows actually have a good selection of powders while some of the smaller shows have zippo for reloading stuff. It is a real hodge podge at some gun shops. Some have a great selection of powders and bullets, but rarely exactly what I am looking for. For instance, for .380 round nose lead bullets, I had to find them online. Nobody carried them, but plenty of places had the 9mm bullets. They are .001 difference between them, no big deal. However, I could not find the grain size I was looking for except online.

10-16-2005, 01:23 PM	#12
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	thanks for the references....I think i will definatley look into it. THanks

10-17-2005, 08:15 PM	#13
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 744	I've shot Fiocchi ammo. Good quality stuff. Brass case, boxer primed, reloadable. I'd buy it again at a good price.

10-17-2005, 09:33 PM	#14
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Well for all who are interested.... http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of__45acp.html 8.95/box of 50......19 boxes or less 8.50/box of 50......20 boxes or more pretty nice deal...for my area anyways most shops its 13.95 on the low end for anything. Thought you guys would like to see that one