Caliber suggestions?

[erikdjs]

Is there anything available that's cheaper than a 9mm but stronger than a .22lr?

Just looking for something cheap to plink with. I was looking at 5.7x28, but it doesn't seem to be any cheaper than 9mm.

[OneSevenDeuce]

That's probably as cheap as it's going to get for readily available ammo. You might be able to find some surplus ammo in a cheaper caliber that isn't really in much demand, but for a common caliber 9mm is the way to go. 9mm can be found for as cheap as 15 cents a round. That's pretty cheap.

[leelaw]

If you get into a somewhat obscure round like 7.62x25, you could shoot for a lower cost than 9mm (buy in bulk) and the common pistol for it (CZ52) costs just a couple hundred. I have a high thumb grip when shooting pistols, so the safety on that pistol digs into my thumb a little bit, but with a lower grip I'd be fine.

Where are you located?

[erikdjs]

I usually just shoot the federal ammo from walmart for target shooting. But even at that price it's starting to add up. I shoot about 200 rounds every range trip and go at least twice a month... Maybe I'll just get one of those Phoenix Arms 22s.

[erikdjs]

If you get into a somewhat obscure round like 7.62x25, you could shoot for a lower cost than 9mm (buy in bulk) and the common pistol for it (CZ52) costs just a couple hundred. I have a high thumb grip when shooting pistols, so the safety on that pistol digs into my thumb a little bit, but with a lower grip I'd be fine.

Where are you located?

Interesting, thanks. Located in So Cal - In both San Bernardino & San Diego Counties

I'm going to have to research that round.

[leelaw]

OK. That'd be a bit of a travel for a firearm demo, hopefully you can find someone locally who would meet up at the range for you to give it a go.

[erikdjs]

OK. That'd be a bit of a travel for a firearm demo, hopefully you can find someone locally who would meet up at the range for you to give it a go.

Lol yea, it's not in walking distance that's for sure. Thanks for the thought.

Is that CZ52 only available via ppt since it's not on the list?

[Munk]

if you pick up some reloads from miwall at the gun show, 9mm can be under 8 cents a round. Unless you buy something odd like that 7.62x25, in crazy bulk it's really hard to beat that.

Even reloading your own winds up costing more than that unless you do obscenely large bulk production for yourself, with wholesale priced components.

What you could do, is get yourself a non-plinker, and get a .22lr conversion upper for it, so that you can plink with it, and still have it as a viable weapon if necessary.

[leelaw]

It falls under the C&R exemption

[daemonite]

7.62x25 is very cheap since its surplus corrosive ammo from the late 50-70's quite a bit of a kick on those!

as for 9mm, i can buy mine reloaded for $190 per thousand rounds. Not too bad!

[incredablehefey]

7.62x25 is a great little round but the best ammo you can get is 1980's production(i know there are manufacturers that make it now but i like the old stuff better) it has quite a big punch for such a small bullet. Some say it is able to defeat body armor, but that is not even the best part... its cheap! 8 cents a round
i do recommend buying the 80's Romanian it is 14 cents a round link to ammo
theboxotruth article on the cz 52
link to armor test