If you shoot a lot, and you don’t do it for the purposes of competition, there are things you can do to keep costs down at the range.
Things like these.
Choose Calibers Wisely: .22LR Ammo Is Your Friend
Even in this era of inflated ammo prices, .22LR remains among the most affordable (if not the most affordable) of all cartridges.
If you buy .22LR bulk ammo, you can often drive prices down to somewhere between 5 and 10 cents a round.
That sure beats paying a quarter or 50 cents or even a dollar or more every time you pull the trigger.
Next Step: Buy .22LR Bulk Ammo
If you shoot rimfire, such as .22LR, buy in bulk. If you buy .22LR bulk ammo, you are nearly guaranteed to get a lower per-round cost.
If You Must Shoot Centerfire, Learn How to Reload (or Sell Your Brass)
If you don’t own a rimfire firearm to take to the range for plinking and range therapy, at least consider learning how to reload.
For one, it will make it easier for you in the long run, as knowing how to reload can help insulate you from shortages; it can also make shooting more affordable.
Alternatively, you may be able to sell your empty brass cases. Some ranges will buy them from you for cash, which you can then recycle back into your shooting hobby.
Shoot Aluminum or Steel-Cased Ammo
If you don’t reload, you can also shoot aluminum or steel-cased ammo, like Blazer Aluminum or TulAmmo.
While you can’t reload these cartridges, the aluminum and steel casings are fairly cheap compared to brass, keeping costs down.
And no, TulAmmo steel-cased ammo won’t damage your gun. They use annealed steel casings.
Invest in a Speedloader (If You Shoot at a Range That Charges by Time)
If you shoot at a range that charges you per lane, per hour, then getting a speedloader is one of the most important things you can do.
Speedloaders efficiently load (and unload) magazines, so you can spend more time at the range shooting instead of loading mags manually.
Some speedloaders are also designed not to stress a mag’s feed lips, so it will last for longer.
(You could also look into shooting at free state-run ranges that don’t charge lane or per-hour fees.)
Shop Sales and Deals
In addition to buying .22LR bulk ammo, look into sales and deals, and buy whenever the price is right. It’s not like your ammo will go bad as long as you store it properly.
Some online ammo retailers, like Bucking Horse Outpost, run weekly specials and police-trade-in deals, in addition to selling bulk ammo.
Check their site and visit periodically so you don’t miss a flash sale.
DIY Chamber Flag
Some ranges will require you to flag your chamber during a ceasefire. Don’t pay for chamber flags; you can make your own from something as simple as a golf tee.
DIY Range Bag
You do need a range bag for essentials like tools, ammo, mags, mag loaders, lubricants and cleaners, and hearing and eye protection. But you don’t need to buy one.
Chances are, you have an empty bag somewhere around the house that you can repurpose into one. If you want to save more at the range, that is our official suggestion.
Buy an Annual Pass
Last but not least, if you shoot at a range that requires membership, look into getting an extended membership, for a year or longer. Paying for a longer period up front will likely save you money in the long run, even though the up-front fee itself might be higher.
