This may be a stupid question, but can someone tell me why 380 ammo is double the price of factory 38? I shoot Winchester factory 38's for $9, Winchester 9mm for $6 and do not shoot the 380 ammo because it is $17. Why? :confused:

I'd guess it's due to popularity of the rounds in question. For every one .380 that is shot on a regular basis, there are probably hundreds if not thousands of .38's and 9mm's. More ammo manufactured with economy of scale.

This may be a stupid question, but can someone tell me why 380 ammo is double the price of factory 38? I shoot Winchester factory 38's for $9, Winchester 9mm for $6 and do not shoot the 380 ammo because it is $17. Why? :confused:


I haven't seen it that high in my area. Its about the same as .38. What type of ammo is it and what brand? Some times that can be why its so high if its a special type or brand.

I haven't seen it that high in my area. Its about the same as .38. What type of ammo is it and what brand? Some times that can be why its so high if its a special type or brand.

Popularity and supply. Most major reloaders gear up from military or law enforcemnt cartiridges (although the .38specail isn't used for that as much today as it was) and crank them out by the train load, so there are "white box" vesions for sale at reduced prices.

Will yours run with the inexpensive "Wolf" .380? Consider the cases as non-relaoadable, the overall quality at best a 5 or 6 on a scale of 10, but it's cheap (that may be its only attribute).

I pick up Sellier & Bellot for about $10 a box locally, but if you get half the sale ads I do, you can find it cheaper, especially if you buy in quantity. My latest "Sportsman's Guide" catalog shows a thousand rounds of .380 FMJ for $110.00 or so, but it's non-reloadable. The aforementioned S&B goes for 7.47 a box of 50, not bad for the good brass cases. It's out there, you just have to look for it. See if your shooting buddies are interested in splitting a case, it helps keep the costs down.

Papajohn the Froogal :rolleyes:

Thanks for the replies. The 380 ammo brand in question is Winchester. I saw it at Wal-Mart for $17. The local K-Marts have closed and the gun store prices (for that caliber) are high. I'll continue to check.

A.J.

That's why I reload-I know some say the .380 is to small and a pain to reload for -but the can afford 7-17 dollars for 20-50 rounds I can't. And why should I pay thoose high prices when I can reload 50 rounds for a couple of dollars-yes $2!! Just like I reload for every thing else I shoot as well. I get better performace then factory rounds and they are made for my firearms!

Sellier & Bellot $7.50 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=AMM%2D318&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

Magtech $6.68 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=43070&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

CCI\Speer $7.60 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=63218&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

Federal $7.29 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=65979&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

Winchester $8.56 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=65909&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

Remington $7.59 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=66947&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

PMC $6.76 per 50

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=74066&thru=fr&mscssid=U3NA10K6490U8PWD4AJ9EVSL4FSH1554

There are less expensive brands of .380 ammo offered in the local gun shops around here. In fact, it is about the same price as 9mm ammo of the same brand. Sounds like you need to check out some other places to buy ammo. All the best...
Gil