# How to Save Money on Guns and Ammunition *By James Hills, mantripping.com — Updated July 2023* Shooting sports can be very expensive - not only can guns be costly but so can the places where you will be firing them as well as of course the cost of ammunition. Don't worry though, with a bit of careful planning you can save a ton of money and use that to either buy more and better equipment or save it for other hobbies.  ## Plan Ahead and Research Prices Before Shopping This should be an obvious thing for any industry but the market for guns and ammunition in the United States is a very complex one. While there are traditional retails like Walmart and independent gun stores, much of the commercial activity is done person to person as after market sales. This means that like with a used car, there is no specific retail price. Instead, it is important that you use online and offline resources to know what a specific weapon is worth. Once you have armed yourself with this knowledge you are ready to start saving money since chances are the other party is asking too much (or doesn't know how much the piece he has is actually worth!). ## Not All Ammunition Is the Same - Only Buy What You Need As someone new to shooting sports, there can be a tendency to simply pick a cool looking weapon without regard to the [cost of ammunition and maintenance](https://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/the-5-best-calibers-if-you-want-cheap-ammo/). Even a small variation in cost can add up quickly. For instance, when you [look online for 7.62x39 ammo for sale](https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/304-762x39mm), you'll notice that some rounds are priced at $0.27 while others are priced at $0.60. When you add that up over a weekend worth of shooting, that starts to become real money that you could otherwise spend on targets, gas, and snacks. ## Negotiate Prices at Gun Shows, Swap Meets and Pawn Shops Armed with the pricing knowledge that you gained from researching prices and sales trends above, you are now ready to start negotiating. [Gun Shows](https://www.gunshows-usa.com/), Swap Meets, and Pawn Shops - as well as man to man negotiations at the range are all opportunities for you to find great deals. Negotiation is a skill that takes years to hone to perfection but the first step is simply walking by various tables and sizing up the inventory. When you know someone has something you want, then the first step is simply to make an offer.  You will never get a better deal than they are asking unless you propose your offer, so even if you shave $5, $10, or even $20 off your first negotiated price then that's money you wouldn't otherwise have!  ## Look For Deals on Ammunition Once again, those same places that you are negotiating with for great deals on firearms can also be sources for great deals on ammunition. However, that's not always dependable both as an ongoing source as well as reliable quality. However, you can often [find good deals on bulk ammo](https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/534-bulk-ammo) at retail stores and online. If you have a safe and dry place to store it then this could be a good option for you. ## Range Memberships Can Be Expensive - Find Free Land To Shoot On I'm a big fan of high-quality shooting ranges - especially in climates that are seasonally hot or cold. The problem though is that these can cost a considerable amount of money. While not all parts of the country can [take advantage of BLM land](https://www.pewpewtactical.com/shooting-blm-land/), it's free for individual use. While you should always follow safety as well as state and local ordinances, this means that you can pretty much go and do what you want there.  Alternatively, make friends with someone who has a farm or private estate large enough to afford safe space for shooting. This can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars per year but also providing the sense of personal freedom from being outdoors vs in a shooting lane. Ultimately, there's no magic bullet to make shooting sports cheap - it's a combination of lots of different factors. However, the nice thing about the hobby is that it scales nicely with your budget and there's always a low cost way to start. Details Written by: James Hills Published: 22 September 2017 Last Updated: 11 July 2023 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Cruises Are Expensive, Here's How to Finance Your Guys Trip Without Sinking Your Wallet Jun 20, 2026 [Cruises Are Expensive, Here's How to Finance Your Guys Trip Without Sinking Your Wallet](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/financing-guys-cruise-vacation-guide.html) [Plan Your Next Vacation Today!](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html) ### Products & Gift Ideas #### reMarkable Paper Pure Review: The First Stylus That Actually Feels Like Paper To Me Jul 13, 2026 [reMarkable Paper Pure Review: The First Stylus That Actually Feels Like Paper To Me](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/remarkable-paper-pure-review.html) #### I Doubted Electric Grilling Until The Kenyon City Grill Proved Me Wrong Jul 02, 2026 [I Doubted Electric Grilling Until The Kenyon City Grill Proved Me Wrong](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/kenyon-city-grill-review.html) #### Gorilla GCG-1200 Steel Utility Cart Is The Lawn and Garden Hauler That Saved My Back Jul 02, 2026 [Gorilla GCG-1200 Steel Utility Cart Is The Lawn and Garden Hauler That Saved My Back](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/gorilla-gcg-1200-utility-cart-review.html) ### Top Guys Trip Ideas: #### Tony From Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau Shares His Top Guys Weekend Ideas May 24, 2021 [Tony From Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau Shares His Top Guys Weekend Ideas](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/interview-yosemite-mariposa-guys-weekends.html) #### How to Have a Great Guys-Trip Cruise Completely Sober Jun 26, 2026 [How to Have a Great Guys-Trip Cruise Completely Sober](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/sober-cruise-guys-trip.html) #### Branson Father and Son Mancation Ideas For An Unforgettable Ozark Adventure Jul 02, 2025 [Branson Father and Son Mancation Ideas For An Unforgettable Ozark Adventure](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/branson-father-and-son-mancation-ideas.html) ### Related Articles #### Your Property, Your Range: A Practical Guide to Home Shooting Setups [Your Property, Your Range: A Practical Guide to Home Shooting Setups](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/home-shooting-range-setup.html) #### What Men Should Know About Buying Second-Hand Guns [What Men Should Know About Buying Second-Hand Guns](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/buying-used-guns-online-what-to-know.html) #### What Experienced Gun Owners Look for When Choosing a Gun Store [What Experienced Gun Owners Look for When Choosing a Gun Store](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/what-experienced-gun-owners-look-for-when-choosing-a-gun-store.html) #### How To Test, Fit, And Buy Your First Home Defense Gun [How To Test, Fit, And Buy Your First Home Defense Gun](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/how-to-select-the-right-gun-to-protect-your-home.html) #### What You Need To Know If You Bring Your Gun On Vacation [What You Need To Know If You Bring Your Gun On Vacation](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/what-you-need-to-know-if-you-bring-your-gun-on-vacation.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/search.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/sitemap.html) - [** Polls](https://www.mantripping.com/polls.html) - [Community Login](https://www.mantripping.com/registration/login.html) - [Brand Engagement Newsletter](https://www.mantripping.com/pr-ops-newsletter.html) - [Links](https://www.mantripping.com/links.html) - [Pitch Portal](https://www.mantripping.com/pitch.html) - [Men's Travel Survey](https://www.mantripping.com/the-mantripping-guys-trip-report-spring-2026.html) --- ### Need help planning? **Heather** is a cruise and travel specialist at mantripping.com with over 15 years of experience in personalized trip planning. She helps travelers plan cruise vacations tailored to their specific needs — whether it's choosing the right ship, coordinating a group, or finding the best itinerary for your budget and interests. **Get in touch:** - [Request a personalized quote](https://mantripping.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent) - Email: heather@flowmediamarketing.com --- **About mantripping.com:** Men's travel, lifestyle, and adventure since 2010. Honest reviews from 20+ years of travel experience. *Source: [How to Save Money on Guns and Ammunition](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/tips-to-save-money-on-guns-ammo.html) — mantripping.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Travel guides and destination reviews](https://mantripping.com/travel/) - [Men's lifestyle and gear reviews](https://mantripping.com/mens-lifestyle/)