I shoot CPHP at about 1.5 cents each. Also JSB's 25 grains at about 4.5 cents each. But what is the cost per round for compressed air?
Obviously that cost is going to vary depending on the equipment you use to compress air and the FPS you're sending down range.
Here's a quick example for my AEA HP Carbine in .25 cal.
The fill calculator says I can re-fill my AEA from my 97cu great white tank about 18 times. I get about 40 shots per fill and it takes 30 mins to refill the great white with my YH compressor.
Lets say I get 100 hours out of the YH before it needs replacing. That's 200 fills or 200x18x40 = 144,000 shots. Assuming the cost of $300 for your YH and that's $300/144,000 = $0.0021 (2/10th of one cent per round). Of course that does not factor in electricity or compressor oil etc. Maybe you also get 200-300 hours out of a YH, so the cost is way less.
So in conclusion, even for a medium power round of about 35-40fpe, and using a cheap crappy disposable compressor, the cost is insignificant when compared to the cost of pellets.
Obviously that cost is going to vary depending on the equipment you use to compress air and the FPS you're sending down range.
Here's a quick example for my AEA HP Carbine in .25 cal.
The fill calculator says I can re-fill my AEA from my 97cu great white tank about 18 times. I get about 40 shots per fill and it takes 30 mins to refill the great white with my YH compressor.
Lets say I get 100 hours out of the YH before it needs replacing. That's 200 fills or 200x18x40 = 144,000 shots. Assuming the cost of $300 for your YH and that's $300/144,000 = $0.0021 (2/10th of one cent per round). Of course that does not factor in electricity or compressor oil etc. Maybe you also get 200-300 hours out of a YH, so the cost is way less.
So in conclusion, even for a medium power round of about 35-40fpe, and using a cheap crappy disposable compressor, the cost is insignificant when compared to the cost of pellets.