Buying Bulk Ammo the Smart Way

Buying ammo by the case is the easiest way to cut your cost per round. Done right, it saves real money and keeps you shooting. Done carelessly, it can leave you with 1,000 rounds your gun hates. Here is how to buy bulk ammo smartly.

Test before you commit

Before ordering a full case of an unfamiliar brand, buy a box or two and run it through your gun. Check for reliable feeding, clean ejection and acceptable accuracy. Once you find a load that works, buying a case of it is low risk.

Know your true cost per round

Bulk only saves money if the math works. Add shipping, tax and any fees, subtract coupon codes, and divide by the round count. Free shipping on larger orders often makes a case cheaper per round than a pile of loose boxes.

Brass, steel or aluminum?

• Brass-cased: the most reliable choice for most guns, reloadable, and accepted at nearly every range.
• Steel-cased: often cheaper, but some ranges prohibit it and some guns run it less reliably.
• Aluminum-cased: affordable and generally reliable, but not reloadable.

Watch for the right timing

Ammo prices rise and fall with demand. Prices often spike around elections and major news events, then settle back down. Buying steadily when prices are calm, rather than panic-buying during a rush, usually saves the most.

Buy from reputable sellers

Stick with established retailers that list clear shipping costs, ship promptly and handle problems fairly. Make sure you understand your state's rules on buying and shipping ammunition; some states require background checks or in-person pickup.

Store what you buy

Once your case arrives, put it into sealed ammo cans with desiccant, label each can with the load and date, and keep it somewhere cool and dry. Rotate your oldest stock to the range first.

Don't forget magazines

A stockpile of ammo is not much use without enough magazines to feed it. Good magazines are often on sale alongside ammo, so it is worth picking up a few spares when the price is right.

We pick out the best bulk prices every day. See today's lineup on our daily ammo deals page.