How Do Factory Load Costs Compare Across Different Cartridges?

Short answer: Factory load costs can range from less than $1 per round for lower-cost cartridges like the .22 Long Rifle to over $2.50 per round for premium cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum.

Cost Comparison by Caliber

Factory load costs can be broken down into several categories based on caliber size. For example, rimfire cartridges like the .22 Long Rifle and .17 HMR tend to be the cheapest, with prices starting at around $0.20 per round. Centerfire cartridges like the .308 Winchester and .223 Remington fall in the middle, with prices ranging from $0.60 to $1.20 per round. Magnum cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum are typically the most expensive, with prices ranging from $1.50 to $2.50 per round.

Cost Comparison by Bullet Type

Another factor that affects factory load costs is bullet type. For example, full-metal-jacketed bullets tend to be cheaper than hollow-point or soft-point bullets, as they are less complex to manufacture. As a result, full-metal-jacketed bullets are often used in lower-cost cartridges like the .223 Remington and .308 Winchester, while hollow-point bullets are more commonly used in higher-cost cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum. Additionally, premium bullets with advanced features like bonded cores or polymer tips can increase the cost of a factory load by $0.20 to $0.50 per round.

Cost Comparison by Manufacturer

Different manufacturers also have varying costs associated with their factory loads. For example, Remington’s factory loads tend to be priced lower than those of Winchester, while Federal Premium factory loads tend to be priced higher. Additionally, some manufacturers like Hornady and Nosler offer premium factory loads with advanced features like match-grade projectiles and precision-crafted cases, which can increase the cost of a factory load by $0.50 to $1.00 per round.