N/A Cost estimate per shot

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Bedrock Bob

Bedrock Bob

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Jul 18, 2024
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Since taking up shooting springers 6 years ago I have probably fired a quarter million shots. Ive broken guns, mounts and scrambled scopes. Empty pellet tins and rifle shipping boxes litter the floor of the shop.

The thought of knowing how much I had spent almost terrified me. But the actual numbers looked pretty good.

Each shot has cost me about 4 cents.

Half the cost was in the pellet and half was the equipment.

I'm thrifty. And I shoot a lot of Hatsans with Crosman domes. I only own 5 air rifes. My cost per shot over time is probably very low by comparison.

How much does a shot really cost? A nickel? Three for a quarter? Has anyone ever looked at their numbers like that?
 
I’ve done some light mental math, but haven’t recorded any hard numbers yet. Since I’m still so new, I haven’t settled on what pellets my guns like yet. Once I do and I order a few thousand to stop up, I may do the math.

I DID do some light calculations for cost per shot of air in several PCPs though. As I’ve narrowed down what I want to purchase, part of what’s helped guide me is how much it would cost me per shot in terms of air. However, I got a good deal on a CF tank that isn’t DOT certified, so paying to fill it at a dive shop isn’t a possibility, and my buddy at the FD isn’t charging me anything (though I’ll find some way to compensate the station for putting up with me stopping by on a regular basis for fills lol). Once I decide what compressor to buy and lay the cash down, I’ll do some math to find out how ma y fills I need to “break even,” as well as what that many fills equals to in terms of shots and what the final shot cost is.

Then again, maybe I won’t wanna know… 🤣
 
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Bedrock Bob said:
Since taking up shooting springers 6 years ago I have probably fired a quarter million shots. Ive broken guns, mounts and scrambled scopes. Empty pellet tins and rifle shipping boxes litter the floor of the shop.

The thought of knowing how much I had spent almost terrified me. But the actual numbers looked pretty good.

Each shot has cost me about 4 cents.

Half the cost was in the pellet and half was the equipment.

I'm thrifty. And I shoot a lot of Hatsans with Crosman domes. I only own 5 air rifes. My cost per shot over time is probably very low by comparison.

How much does a shot really cost? A nickel? Three for a quarter? Has anyone ever looked at their numbers like that?
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You have save an extraordinary amount by not shooting jsb or pellets priced around the same, specially if you buy your pellets from walmart.

I've only about 15 or so air rifles but I've been fortunate enough to have gotten those through trades so in all honesty I haven't paid nearly as much for guns. In the 5 years of shooting I think I've probably spent between 3k and 5k on ammo. Never thought of trying to calcute cost per shot, although at times I have considered the price per shot when buying ammo.
 
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JaceSpace1369 said:
You have save an extraordinary amount by not shooting jsb or pellets priced around the same, specially if you buy your pellets from walmart.

I've only about 15 or so air rifles but I've been fortunate enough to have gotten those through trades so in all honesty I haven't paid nearly as much for guns. In the 5 years of shooting I think I've probably spent between 3k and 5k on ammo. Never thought of trying to calcute cost per shot, although at times I have considered the price per shot when buying ammo.
Click to expand...

Most of my shooting is Crosman Domes. Many from Wal Mart. I shoot H&N in my HW scoped rifles. I like the JSB for ranges over 50 but hardly ever buy them. They are sometimes great, sometimes all bent up.

And they are double the cost.

I shoot mostly Wal Mart pellets for plastic dinosaurs shooting offhand. But I get them by the dozen from Pyramid too.
 
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Bedrock Bob said:
Most of my shooting is Crosman Domes. Many from Wal Mart. I shoot H&N in my HW scoped rifles. I like the JSB for ranges over 50 but hardly ever buy them. They are sometimes great, sometimes all bent up.

And they are double the cost.

I shoot mostly Wal Mart pellets for plastic dinosaurs shooting offhand. But I get them by the dozen from Pyramid too.
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Gotcha, gotcha, I haven't shot a break barrel since getting into iguana removal. I think I might still have one, not entirely sure.

I've rarely shot crosmans, I used to shoot game reds/blues, as well as whatever other game pellets were available when I shot with the break barrels but since pcp it's been all expensive ammo. I just got myself a notos for short distance, tight quarters keeping the fps low. Currently switching between the crosman 14.3gr and the JTS 18.8gr Wadcutters which are shooting fantastic out of this little rig.

I've thought about getting a hw 98 or 97 which ever is the .177 but I can't justify spending that much money on a break barrel.
 
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Chief Ten-Beers said:
I recently got a batch of NORMA Pellets. They are actually pretty good. I like them better than the Crosman, and with the 4 for 3 deal at Pyramid and shipping they were about 2.5 cents ea. A fellow on GTA swears by them for his .177's.
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I just looked, and they look similar shaped to RWA super domed. 8.4 and 9.1 in .177.
 
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Bedrock Bob said:
Since taking up shooting springers 6 years ago I have probably fired a quarter million shots. Ive broken guns, mounts and scrambled scopes. Empty pellet tins and rifle shipping boxes litter the floor of the shop.

The thought of knowing how much I had spent almost terrified me. But the actual numbers looked pretty good.

Each shot has cost me about 4 cents.

Half the cost was in the pellet and half was the equipment.

I'm thrifty. And I shoot a lot of Hatsans with Crosman domes. I only own 5 air rifes. My cost per shot over time is probably very low by comparison.

How much does a shot really cost? A nickel? Three for a quarter? Has anyone ever looked at their numbers like that?
Click to expand...
when you stock up consider doing the buy 3 get one free deal and buy a case = 25% tins free so to speak and that gets you free shipping too ,
Do the math and start saving now .
 
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beerthief said:
when you stock up consider doing the buy 3 get one free deal and buy a case = 25% tins free so to speak and that gets you free shipping too ,
Do the math and start saving now .
Click to expand...

Shipping was a big part of ammo cost. I get free shipping when I can but not always. It would pay to order larger orders and beat the shipping charges for sure.

I only store pellets a couple months. We have pellet worms in New Mexico. They chew the skirts off if they sit too long. I like to use fresh pellets with no worm damage. So I usually only order a few thousand at a time....
 
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I am in my 12th year of retirement and i have to admit i am having a ball ! I also have to admit i have covid to thank . might sound a bit off but before covid i had lunches and meetings at least 4 days a week sometimes lunch and a night meeting the same day . Then the shut down and we stayed home and i started shooting the air guns i had at the house and only going to the range to shoot (PB) benchrest alone . i went to the range less and less and bought more Air , i cannot tell you when the last time i went to the range was? 2 years ,3years ? more ? Haven't really paid attention to time . Today i think i will Hmmm???????????????????????????
Stan in KY
 
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Bedrock Bob said:
Shipping was a big part of ammo cost. I get free shipping when I can but not always. It would pay to order larger orders and beat the shipping charges for sure.

I only store pellets a couple months. We have pellet worms in New Mexico. They chew the skirts off if they sit too long. I like to use fresh pellets with no worm damage. So I usually only order a few thousand at a time....Mi
Click to expand...
Minimum of 14 tins when I order from PA.
 
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