Tips for Buying Ammo at a Gun Show

If you want to save money by buying ammo, your local Midwest Arms Collector Gun Show needs to be on your calendar. Gun show ammo is available from a wide range of well-known commercial manufacturers as well as specialty companies and loaders who produce custom ammunition. You’ll find ammo for new guns, old guns, obsolete guns, and the equipment to carry, load, and use it better. Your local gun show is your chance to find all your shooting needs under one roof.

Myths and Facts About Gun Show Ammo

There’s a lot of misinformation about buying ammo at a gun show, and if you’re new to gun shows, you may not know what to believe. Before we get to our tips to make sure you get the most bang for your buck, let’s clear the air. This gives you the facts you need to make a more educated decision about the ammo you buy and to set the facts straight if someone questions your decision.

• Ammunition at Gun Shows is More Expensive – It can be, but it can also be cheaper. It all depends on what you’re looking for, how much you’re buying, and who you’re buying it from. We have vendors from across the country, and they each have their own inventory and set their own prices. There’s a deal waiting for you on the exhibition floor.
• Ammunition at Gun Shows is Unreliable – When you’re buying ammo, you want to make sure you’re getting rounds you can count on. Or maybe you’re trying to save some money and are willing to sacrifice a little reliability in the name of bulk bang-bangs. You’ll find both kinds of deals at our events because gun show ammo can be from the major manufacturers you trust, imported ammo that might run cheaper, hand-loaded ammo that relies on the loader’s skill level, or custom ammunition that may not be the optimal type for your gun. 
• It’s not Legal to Buy/Sell Ammunition at a Gun Show – This is patently false. For safety reasons, we do not allow anyone to bring in loose ammunition for buying, selling, or any other reason. That restriction doesn’t apply to packaged ammunition sold by our vendors. All we ask is that you wait to get home before cracking open that carton.

MAC’s Top Ammunition Buying Tips

Let’s take a look at some best practices for buying the ammo that’s right for your gun or shooting needs. 

1. Know What You’re Looking For

Before browsing for ammo, decide what ammunition you’re looking for. Are you just interested in buying ammo for the range, want custom ammunition for hunting or self-defense, or are you looking for obsolete rounds meant for older guns that are out of production? You want to make sure you know your gun’s caliber, pressure rating, and any peccadilloes it may have about certain ammunition. Some guns don’t like reloads, others only seem to run brass casings, and some models need a certain amount of pressure to cycle.

2. Do Your Research

Even if you have the answers ready for all of the above, it’s time to hit the internet for some focused research before you start buying ammo. If you still have questions about your weapon, however, now’s the time to visit forums and message boards to ask them. Before the gun show, try to get an idea of how much you should budget for gun show ammo and your “strike price”–the price at which it becomes too good of a deal to pass up. Keep in mind when doing price research, online sellers will often tack on shipping, handling, service fees, taxes, and more on the back end, so factor those in when comparing prices.

3. Walk the Floor

Unless it hits your strike price hard, don’t settle for the first ammunition you see at the show. Take the time to walk the floor (maybe pick up a new gun) and see what all our vendors are offering. Once you can be sure you found the best deal, it’s time to move in and start buying ammo. 

4. Ask Questions

Talk to your vendor about the ammunition, especially if you’re buying reloaded or custom ammunition. Make sure you know the ammo will work in your firearm and meet your needs. Ask about the manufacturer, how old the ammunition is, and how they’re pricing it out.

5. Consider the Manufacturer or Loader

This goes directly to making sure you can rely on the ammunition or possibly find a cheaper price on “good enough” options. The major manufacturers have robust QA programs to limit the duds and keep your gun feeding and shooting well. Reloaders can save you money, but you want to make sure they’re someone you have confidence in buying ammo from. Finally, some vendors will offer imported ammunition from manufacturers you’ve likely never heard of that may or may not have the same dedication to quality. Plenty of shooters have picked up a case of low-cost (often Russian-made) pistol or rifle ammunition for the range, but they’d never think of using it when every shot counts.

6. Bundles and Bulk Save You Money  

When you’re talking to a vendor, don’t be afraid to ask about any deals or promotions they can offer you. This is true whether you’re buying ammo or a new gun. Ask about bulk pricing, case deals, or if they’ll throw a couple of boxes in with a new gun purchase. These may or may not be prominently displayed, but a lot of vendors will work with you if you’re a motivated buyer willing to ask questions.

Order Your Gun Show Tickets Online

There’s a gun show coming to an exhibition hall, conference room, or event center in your neck of the woods soo. That means it’s the perfect time to start researching your gun show ammo wish list. There’s no better place for buying ammo or a new gun to shoot it. Circle the date on your calendar and order your tickets online to your next MAC Shows Gun Show today.