Cost Per Round: The Only Ammo Math You Need

Ammo prices are listed every way imaginable: per box, per case, with a coupon code, with free shipping over a certain amount. The one number that cuts through all of it is cost per round, often shortened to CPR. Once you get in the habit of calculating it, you will never overpay for ammo again.

How to calculate it

Take the total you will actually pay, including shipping, tax and any fees, and divide by the number of rounds.

Example: a 1,000-round case of 9mm at $249.99 with free shipping works out to about 25 cents a round. A 50-round box at $15.99 plus $9.99 shipping works out to 52 cents a round. The box looked cheap; it was not.

Hidden costs that change the math

• Shipping: ammo is heavy. Many retailers charge flat rates or offer free shipping above a threshold, which favors larger orders.
• Coupon codes: a 10 percent code on a $400 case is real money. Our deal listings note codes where we know them.
• Hazmat or handling fees: uncommon for small-arms ammo, but read the cart before you check out.
• Sales tax: depends on your state and the retailer.
• Rebates: a mail-in rebate can lower your final CPR a lot, but only if you actually send it in.

Rough price ranges to know

Prices move constantly, but ballpark ranges help you tell a deal from a dud. For brass-cased range ammo bought in bulk, 9mm often lands around 20 to 30 cents a round, 5.56/.223 around 35 to 50 cents, .45 ACP from the mid 30s up, and .22 LR anywhere from about 5 to 15 cents depending on the load. Defensive hollow points generally run 50 cents to more than a dollar a round. Use these as a sanity check, not a rule.

Don't chase the lowest number blindly

The cheapest round is not always the best value. Steel-cased ammo is often cheaper but is banned at some ranges and can run less reliably in some guns. Remanufactured ammo can be fine or can be a headache. Brass-cased factory new ammo from known makers usually gives the best mix of price and reliability for most shooters.

Make it a habit

Before you buy, do the division. Every deal on our daily deals page lists the store and any code, so you can work out your true cost in seconds.