Anyone know why shotgun ammo is so cheap compared to rifle ammo?

[Christian Emter]

Anyone know why shotgun ammo is so cheap compared to rifle ammo?

[ishawooa]

It won't shoot as far

[willkillsdeer]

i donno but i'm not compalneing

[jlfreeborn]

I'm no expert, but my guess would be the materials used to make them. With shotgun ammo, the hull is mostly plastic and the shot is lead only. The casing on rifle ammo is all metal (brass) and the bullet is lead coated with copper (unless it's a new "green" bullet or Barnes).

[ishawooa]

The metallic ammo inherently costs more to manufacture to exacting standards than does a plastic shotgun shell even considering the usual bit of metal on the later. The bullets may cost a lot more to produce than the shot load. Powder and primers appear to be about the same price. I am certain that another economical factor is that rare, hence seldom purchased, rifle cartridges cost more to the consumer because the manufactuers are attempting to recoup their investment in a low volume product. On the other hand reloading is comparatively inexpensive in relation to store bought ammunition depending principaly upon specific projectile selection.

[sayerbefiddlin]

Rifle and pistol ammo is high simply by demand. Employees at Wal-mart told me that they get a delivery on thursday and that night people have bought most of the ammo by the cases.

[rrmont]

Answers 3 and 4 are pretty much right on the money.

[MLH]

I wouldn't call unleaded shotshells and slugs cheap, even in comparison to centerfire rounds.

In addition to the previous comments copper (and to a bit lesser extent, lead) costs went up tremendously over the last few years, driving up costs for brass and bullets.

[koeka]

supply demand

[lovetohunt]

Plastic and lead is a lot cheaper then brass and copper.

[driggs5454]

shotshells are cheap to make. the hull is made of very little metal and plastic, there's not as much powder, shot is not as exact as bullets. all of this combined = a much cheaper product for the manufacturer and therefore for the consumer.

[choveln]

Brass costs more than plastic.

[Huntandtrap09]

The war???

[Reid Jones]

$BRASS > $PLASTIC

[CavRecon]

The cheapest 12 gauge I'm seeing is $20.88 per brick (100 rounds). That works out to roughly 21 cents a round. Pretty close to some of the bulk handgun ammo around.