Best place to buy bulk ammo in SF Bay or SoCal?

[cheapie408]

I want to start hitting the range more often and need to stock up on ammo. I burn through about 300 rounds on a trip. I plan on going at least once a month so I really need to stock up. Last trip I ran out and had to buy a couple more boxes at the range. At 28 plus tax on a box of 50 at the range is quite painful.

Anywhere locally to buy a couple thousand rounds at a time significantly cheaper? I'm in the SF Bay but often travel to SoCal.

[FNGGlock]

I normally order online and have it shipped to a LGS. Glaser Arms in Brentwood is pretty reasonable on ammo fees $10/1k rounds + plus the DOJ fee. I typically use Target Sports and get a few cases shipped at a time.

Pending where you are, you can check with LGS to see how much they charge. Do note not all online vendors will ship to CA, and also some LGS are much easier to work with than others.

[cheapie408]

I normally order online and have it shipped to a LGS. Glaser Arms in Brentwood is pretty reasonable on ammo fees $10/1k rounds + plus the DOJ fee. I typically use Target Sports and get a few cases shipped at a time.

Pending where you are, you can check with LGS to see how much they charge. Do note not all online vendors will ship to CA, and also some LGS are much easier to work with than others.

The DOJ fees you're talking about is the standard check that's usually like $1 right? A penny a round is very reasonable. LGS is like 1.5 hour drive, might as well get several thousand round to make the trip worth it.

[lastinline]

The DOJ fees you're talking about is the standard check that's usually like $1 right? A penny a round is very reasonable. LGS is like 1.5 hour drive, might as well get several thousand round to make the trip worth it.

[cheapie408]

I'm not disagreeing here, I'm speaking in terms of the current market situation and comparing that with $0.50+ a round that I'm paying for right now.

I've thought of reloading but my time, knowledge and resources doesn't permit this. In fact, I'm reading on FFL 03 as you were responding to this. I'm guessing one of these avenue are the "another way" you had in mind?

[TheNinja]

I'm new here and don't have mine yet, but have you looked into getting FFL 03 / COE for yourself? If you figure all the costs for getting licensed it's about

Year 1: $170 (includes livescan fees around $30)
Year 2: $30
Year 3: $30
Year 4: $52

Then you can have online ammo shipped directly to you. Like I said, I haven't done it yet, but otehrs here have. It's farily straight forward online with the forms and takes like 2-3 months from what others have said. With the amount you are shooting and gas prices to go pick up ammo at a store, it might pay for itself quickly.

[cheapie408]

I'm new here and don't have mine yet, but have you looked into getting FFL 03 / COE for yourself? If you figure all the costs for getting licensed it's about

Year 1: $170 (includes livescan fees around $30)
Year 2: $30
Year 3: $30
Year 4: $52

Then you can have online ammo shipped directly to you. Like I said, I haven't done it yet, but otehrs here have. It's farily straight forward online with the forms and takes like 2-3 months from what others have said. With the amount you are shooting and gas prices to go pick up ammo at a store, it might pay for itself quickly.

Thanks for that break down, I'm going through some of the old posts reading up pros and cons of the FFL 03, seems like there are more pros than there is cons.

One thing I have not found was if I have an FFL 03, are there any limitation or complexity when my son from out of state "gifted" me off roster guns.

[lastinline]

I'm not disagreeing here, I'm speaking in terms of the current market situation and comparing that with $0.50+ a round that I'm paying for right now.

I've thought of reloading but my time, knowledge and resources doesn't permit this. In fact, I'm reading on FFL 03 as you were responding to this. I'm guessing one of these avenue are the "another way" you had in mind?

[vipertom1970]

what caliber do you need ?

[FNGGlock]

The DOJ fees you're talking about is the standard check that's usually like $1 right? A penny a round is very reasonable. LGS is like 1.5 hour drive, might as well get several thousand round to make the trip worth it.

The DOJ fee is the same as what you would pay if you bought a box at a LGS. Typically $1 for the standard check. It is per transaction, whether 50 rounds or 20k rounds. Most LGS will charge based on round count, as they have to receive, manage and store the ammo till you pick up. Call around and check what they charge, but the norm is around $10 - $20 per 1000 rounds in the Bay Area.

I have used J&R in Livermore ($20 per 1k in the past, not sure now) and Glaser in Brentwood. At some point I may consider doing the FFL03/COE, seems like the smart thing to do - though I don't feel like dealing with all the BS.

[cheapie408]

what caliber do you need ?

I only have 9mm

[cheapie408]

The DOJ fee is the same as what you would pay if you bought a box at a LGS. Typically $1 for the standard check. It is per transaction, whether 50 rounds or 20k rounds. Most LGS will charge based on round count, as they have to receive, manage and store the ammo till you pick up. Call around and check what they charge, but the norm is around $10 - $20 per 1000 rounds in the Bay Area.

I have used J&R in Livermore ($20 per 1k in the past, not sure now) and Glaser in Brentwood. At some point I may consider doing the FFL03/COE, seems like the smart thing to do - though I don't feel like dealing with all the BS.

I'm with you, sometime it's just better to pay the fees and not deal with the BS. Assume I go through 6000 rounds a year, that's only $120 that I have to pay someone to deal with the BS. However, local shop prices need to come down.

[Teachu2]

Check around for a home-based FFL in your area. I have one that charges $10 per shipment - any size shipment. I make sure I hustle right over to pick it up, so he doesn't have to move/store it.

[Garand Hunter]

Glaser Arms is OK !

Psalm 1

[jcruzin562]

I think if you're going to shoot that often FFL03 CoE makes sense. I just sent in my stuff a week ago and will basically wait 6 to 8 weeks for approval before I buy in bulk. I would love to reload but I just don't think I will have the time at this point.

Check out prices on ammo seek to see how much you might save.