inexpensive center fire plinking round

troy_mclure · November 21, 2008, 11:11 PM

im currently assembling my t/c encore, and im planning on getting a plinking barrel.

what would be an inexpensive center fire round for this?

i know 5.56/.223 has sky rocketed, what about 7.62x39? is it still low?

any other ideas?

ChicagoTex · November 21, 2008, 11:45 PM

because of the current political climate, particularly with Wolf Ammunition falling out of favor with U.S. Trade authorities, I'd be much more inclined to go .223 than 7.62x39, the ammo is cheap AND domestically manufactured. Domestic 7.62x39 is tricky to find and usually expensive.

DaveInPA · November 22, 2008, 01:06 AM

Centerfire and cheap don't go together any more. Simple as that. If you don't reload, start.

ryalred · November 22, 2008, 05:22 AM

Reloading gets you the cheapest ammo, but I'm still seeing deals on .223 ammo. I'm pretty confident it's the cheapest way to go if you have to buy ammo.

kraigwy · November 22, 2008, 10:27 AM

I have a 30 Herritt and a 30-30 barrel for my TC. I shoot the same cast bullet in both. You could do the same for any of your rifle cart. out of a TC. You want cheap, cast you bullets. Maybe go with a 38/357. Cheap cast bullets and they dont use much powder.

Don't under estimate cast bullets, with care those puppies are pretty dern accurate.

jhansman · November 22, 2008, 10:47 AM

What Dave said. Buy enough factory .223 to get enough brass to start reloading. Believe us, in the long run you will save $$ and have a new hobby that will bring you plenty of satisfaction.

wdelack · November 22, 2008, 11:45 AM

How about pistol calibers, 9mm for example. 38/357 is another good round. I don't know if T/C offers rifle length barrels in the above calibers. You might be able to get one through their custom shop. I'm sure Bullberry Barrel Works or Match Grade Machine would build one for you.

FSJeeper · November 22, 2008, 06:25 PM

7.62 x 39 is still the cheapest centerfire rifle plinking ammo around. It is abundant and cheap in my area. .223 is sold out at the gun shows and sporting goods shops around here and much more expensive.

Shooter 973 · November 22, 2008, 06:31 PM

My most inexpensive center fire load is a 30-30 with cast bullets and pulldown powder.
I cast my own 170gr. bullets from a Lee mold and then gas check them with some old Hornady gas checks . I load them right up to factory levels and they have performed very well for me.
The lead was scourged long ago for free so almost no cost associated with that.

Csspecs · November 22, 2008, 08:17 PM

9x19, 5.56x45 or 30-30

9X19 is something like 150-160 for 1000 rounds so thats kind of cheap these days.

Kurt+P+ · November 22, 2008, 08:31 PM

Shot a hundred rounds of 7.62x39 this morning. I can get the stuff for around $4.00 per box of 20. The cheapest 5.56 mm I can find is $10.00 per box of 20. I love shooting the 7.62 its got nice pop to it. I don't use the wolf brand either I'm using the other kind. It's much better.

November 21, 2008, 11:11 PM	#1
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	inexpensive center fire plinking round im currently assembling my t/c encore, and im planning on getting a plinking barrel. what would be an inexpensive center fire round for this? i know 5.56/.223 has sky rocketed, what about 7.62x39? is it still low? any other ideas? __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

November 22, 2008, 05:22 AM	#4
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	Reloading gets you the cheapest ammo, but I'm still seeing deals on .223 ammo. I'm pretty confident it's the cheapest way to go if you have to buy ammo. __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

November 22, 2008, 10:27 AM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I have a 30 Herritt and a 30-30 barrel for my TC. I shoot the same cast bullet in both. You could do the same for any of your rifle cart. out of a TC. You want cheap, cast you bullets. Maybe go with a 38/357. Cheap cast bullets and they dont use much powder. Don't under estimate cast bullets, with care those puppies are pretty dern accurate. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

November 22, 2008, 10:47 AM	#6
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	What Dave said. Buy enough factory .223 to get enough brass to start reloading. Believe us, in the long run you will save $$ and have a new hobby that will bring you plenty of satisfaction. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

November 22, 2008, 06:31 PM	#9
Shooter 973 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2001 Location: Home town of John M. Browning, Utah Posts: 499	inexpensive center fire plinking round My most inexpensive center fire load is a 30-30 with cast bullets and pulldown powder. I cast my own 170gr. bullets from a Lee mold and then gas check them with some old Hornady gas checks . I load them right up to factory levels and they have performed very well for me. The lead was scourged long ago for free so almost no cost associated with that. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

November 21, 2008, 11:45 PM	#2
ChicagoTex Junior member Join Date: March 18, 2008 Location: DFW Metroplex Posts: 1,909	because of the current political climate, particularly with Wolf Ammunition falling out of favor with U.S. Trade authorities, I'd be much more inclined to go .223 than 7.62x39, the ammo is cheap AND domestically manufactured. Domestic 7.62x39 is tricky to find and usually expensive.

November 22, 2008, 01:06 AM	#3
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	Centerfire and cheap don't go together any more. Simple as that. If you don't reload, start.

November 22, 2008, 11:45 AM	#7
wdelack Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2005 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 439	How about pistol calibers, 9mm for example. 38/357 is another good round. I don't know if T/C offers rifle length barrels in the above calibers. You might be able to get one through their custom shop. I'm sure Bullberry Barrel Works or Match Grade Machine would build one for you.

November 22, 2008, 06:25 PM	#8
FSJeeper Member Join Date: July 21, 2008 Posts: 96	7.62 x 39 is still the cheapest centerfire rifle plinking ammo around. It is abundant and cheap in my area. .223 is sold out at the gun shows and sporting goods shops around here and much more expensive.

November 22, 2008, 08:17 PM	#10
Csspecs Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 1,111	9x19, 5.56x45 or 30-30 9X19 is something like 150-160 for 1000 rounds so thats kind of cheap these days.

November 22, 2008, 08:31 PM	#11
Kurt+P+ Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2008 Posts: 119	Shot a hundred rounds of 7.62x39 this morning. I can get the stuff for around $4.00 per box of 20. The cheapest 5.56 mm I can find is $10.00 per box of 20. I love shooting the 7.62 its got nice pop to it. I don't use the wolf brand either I'm using the other kind. It's much better.