The difference between no ammo and a box of ammo is huge. Both in terms of the ability to defend and the peace of mind it brings. But the difference between a box of high priced ammo and a case of high priced ammo is a big chunk of change that could be spent on groceries.

What is the thinking behind buying a case of ammo at today’s inflated prices?

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

They want it and can afford it?

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No baby we aint

Most likely they missed out on Boy Scouts and never learned to be prepared.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

The factors of reliability and assured quality may be involved. Not every ammo brand, type, or even manufacturing lot number are equal. Some simply function more reliably, or produce more consistent accuracy than others.

Over the years I have been involved in competitive shooting including Civilian Marksmanship Program (service rifle, small bore rifle) and Practical Police Course. In service rifle competition it was not unusual to go through 2000-plus rounds in a season (more if I happened to advance in overall standings, thus qualified for more events). In small bore competition I usually purchased case lots (10,000 rounds), and various events continued all year at both indoor and outdoor ranges. A season of PPC usually required 2000 to 3000 rounds.

Having a consistent supply of ammunition provided consistent results. I really can't remember the last time I adjusted my sights on the M1 or my old 6" Model 19.

If you look carefully, you don't necessarily have to pay inflated prices. Some ammo sellers held the line on prices during the Great Ammo Panic of 2020, and if you were in the right place at the right time, you didn't get gouged. I bought 1000 rounds of Lawman .357 SIG from S G Ammo, and 500 rounds of Win Service Grade .45 from Grab-A-Gun at regular prices. Grab-A-Gun was kind enough to email me shortly after my purchase that they had just received a new shipment of Service Grade .45, and did I want to buy 500 more for a measly 80 cent per box increase in price? You bet! And that's how I bought 2000 rounds of ammo during the panic at very reasonable prices. I'm a long-term customer of both companies, and they will continue to get my business, panic or not, because they treat me right.

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What, me worry?

I have sold a few cases and large lots of ammo over the past week or so. All of my sales have been to either younger guys in their 20s-30s and a couple of collectors around my age.

Before the pan(ic)demic our State legislature was well on its' way to passing a number of anti-gun measures--magazine capacity limits, 2 week waiting periods for long gun purchases, proof of ownership and registration for ammo purchases, bans on "ghost" guns and the parts to complete them etc., so many guys were starting to buy up ammo and hi-cap magazines. There is genuine concern that our 2A rights are going to be further restricted, so people are looking to buy now while they can.

Then the full-on pandemic lockdowns started happening and these guys were caught short on ammo. The collectors were looking for a case of ammo for the battle rifles in their collections (an FN-FAL and an M-1 Garand). They had the cash what they didn't have was the time to find the ammo they wanted, so I elected to help ease their anxiety (at a fair price, they're both friends but we've never shot together).

The younger guys were looking for 9mm and 5.56, of course. They too had the $, I think in part because they couldn't spend it in restaurants, bars and clubs.

Living on an island, we here have all become acutely aware of the supply chain and the long term effects of shortages (hell, I think we invented TP hoarding/shortages). What good is money if you can't get anything you want with it?

Some people may laugh at the panic buying of TP but I can tell you that getting caught short on basic necessities, coupled with having to endure long lines and growing frustration can trigger an almost "survivalist" mentality in a person. Once they've secured an adequate supply of whatever it is, the pressure subsides and they have a huge sense of relief.

The trouble is, with the nearly nationwide lockdown in place, there's almost always something else in short supply, so the hunt goes on.

I almost always buy my supplies on sale but now if the stores have it on the shelf or in the freezer I'll buy some even if it's at full retail. That's really foreign to me; I'm no spendthrift but what good is my paycheck if I can't find a loaf of bread? And yes, I do acknowledge that I'm one of the lucky ones who still have a job and a paycheck.

Re-read the various shortage-related threads: some of the guys who have stockpiles of ammo and components (or food or TP or whatever) have a somewhat condescending attitude towards other, definitely less prepared, people.

That's ok with me (I've got more than the average bear); just don't feign indignation when I decide to profit off of the situation. After all, how much of your ammo are you willing to sell (at the cost you paid for it) right now?

Whether we realize it or not, the current apparent ammo shortage is largely a self-fulfilling prophecy we brought on ourselves and not really the result of pending draconian legislation lurking behind the Whitehouse. How much ammo does one need to defend his home? do you really need enough ammo in the house to re-stage the Normandy invasion?

Three months ago I bought a case of 9mm Sellier and Belot ammo from a local shooting emporium for $199.00 plus tax. Today, comparable ammo is "on sale" at the same emporium for $299.00 and you must supply the KY jelly. No thanks.

Any ammo plants out of operation due to stay at home orders?

That same case of S&B 9mm that federali mentioned, cost $328 OTD yesterday in NC.

Cue the complaints on high ammo prices, from those who purchased all that was available during the last two weeks. Distributors, locally, are telling us it may be 140 days before they can fill our existing orders, let alone any new orders. And it is going to cost more. A lot more. For the forseeable future.

The 1st time buyers, hoarders, mouth breathers and gang bangers stripped the shop bare during the last two weeks. The only thing left is + $1800 Daniel Defense ARs and + $2K sporting shotguns. And all the Nighthawk 1911s.

So the higher prices and shortages, all self induced, are here to stay. At least till after the November elections. And probably for a year after that.

But the good news is that there will be a whole bunch of LNIB guns and probably cases of ammo for sale, cheap, in 6 or 7 months, by those who spent too much in panic and are trying to recoup their losses. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I have a few thousand rds of 9mm. I'm actually considering getting a case, if I can find the right price.

A month ago gas cost at least 50 cents a gallon more than it does now. That makes a difference when I fill up my truck. If I can balance the difference so it comes out about even, it might be worth the effort to top off ammo too.

"Why do some buy cases of ammo at today’s inflated prices?"

Because they did not buy at yesterday's bargain pricing.

“Because they can.”

Because there’s one kind of toilet paper that is readily available and created in huge amounts every day. It’s green and has numbers on it, and people will trade you actual useful functioning ammo for it.

They suffer from that malady that has no cure...

the Screaming Stupids !

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Mike from St. Pete:"Because they did not buy at yesterday's bargain pricing."

So true. My buddies around here and I grew up with guns. We didn't hesitate to buy that 50 round box of .22lr back when it was .90 cents to $1.25 per box 8 to 10 years ago. I can remember driving my wife to WalMart, and while she shopped I went to the ammo. I would check the change in my pocket and buy as much ammo as I could. That was back when a brick of .22lr was $8.88 for 555.

Fast forward to four or five years ago. My buddies and I balked at buying that same brick for $24.00/box, as it seemed outrageous to spend almost three times what we were used to spending for the same box. However, new shooters entering the sport, or panic buying guns had no idea what the price of ammo once was, so they willingly forked over the $24.00/box, thinking it was always that price.

It seems like every election year creates " Panic in the Streets"...
after 2012 I realized people were not going to change...they forget and do it all over again..??? Don't they learn .
I have been buying and socking stuff away since last time...
I knew it was coming ... and I don't even have a crystal ball !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

The secrets of wealth management:

1) Savings vs. 'Spendings'

2) Buy low/sell high.....

As far as the way people do things...... I've always been speechless !!! :-)))

IMHO of course,
J

In my case, this is more or less true. At last check, my preferred bulk 9mm ammo, while out of stock today, was still listed at the price I last bought it at. Most importantly, the .38 Special ammo that I've been eyeing at TSUSA is back in stock and at the same price they had listed it at before the panic. Only real downside is that actual delivery may take a while. It's currently a don't hold your breath kind of thing.

Lord knows I don't relish the idea of being part of "The Great Ammo Panic of 2020", but I'm thinking about putting in the order for it today as the budget is in good enough shape right now to allow it.

Oh, I need a lot more than just that!

This too shall pass.

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Sure you did

It is "worth it" to top off ammo when the prices are right, like during the last month or three..... Right now is the time to lay in gasoline and an amount of ammo that will tide you over whatever you perceived immediate need is.

Ladder13 is correct: This too shall pass.
Unfortunately most of us cannot store gasoline properly and it tends to 'go bad'..... ammo, on the other hand keeps rather well under normal conditions, so what are some of the hundred reasons you hear for being caught short on ammo? With several 'shortages' over the last decade or so, are we that blind to think it will not happen again? Same for all of those first time gun buyers who now all of a sudden need to defend their new supply of toilet paper.
Ladder13 is correct: This too shall pass.

Lots of people out there new to guns, and are starting at zero. A case of expensive ammo is better than no ammo.

You read it here first. The complete breakdown of civil order is not high on my personal list of fears. There are some temporary shortages and inconveniences and yes, some people will die as a result of the virus pandemic and related health issues.

But this is not the COVID 19 equivalent of the Zombie Apocalypse! This will pass and we will return to “normal” even if it is a “new normal.” It is certainly worthwhile to have a reasonable amount of ammunition if there is some sort of local insurrection and of course for subsistence hunting, but these are both highly unlikely scenarios... mostly we need to make sure we have day to day routine supplies (with perhaps a little extra, especially cleaning stuff) and to just settle in for the duration. It really won’t be long in the grand scheme of things.

I’m looking to getting things done at home that have been neglected, continuing teaching as best I can on line (this is my biggest challenge) and watching my finances, with the hope of maybe making a couple of purchases in depressed markets, not panic buys on things everyone is already paying too much for.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Stay safe and stay healthy!

Green Frog

I recently ordered a bunch of ammo from TargetSportsUSA and the prices are the same that they were last year. As stated, shipping is a little behind.

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Same reason there was a run on bottled water.

They binge watched one episode too many of the Walking Dead and are worried about this being the start of the zombie apocalypse.

Maybe it’ll boost Colt Python sales, too.

Because they entertain fantasies of being in multiple extended firefights with hordes of covid-19 infected zombies?

It’s kind of like the toliet paper shortage, but you do actually have to engage in the biological process for which TP is intended to clean up after and it would be relatively easy to get into a bind there considering current and possible future circumstances, so there is some logic behind buying a few extra packages of Charmin if you get the chance. You don’t need to go shooting. You won’t suddenly lose your ability to effectively defend your family with a firearm if you skip going to the range for a few weeks despite what I sometimes see asserted on gun forums. And should you actually be forced to use a firearm in self-defense, I would pretty much bet the farm that a handful of rounds will resolve the situation one way or the other. But, ultimately people can spend their money as they see fit.

Glad that I reload. When supplies started coming back after Sandy Hook I made it a point to pick up either a bottle of powder or a brick of primers every time I went to the gun store. And even then I had enough 44 mag, 45 auto, and 10mm brass to last a few life times. If you buy a little at a time whenever you can it doesn't take long to be in good shape preparation wise.

A friend purchased a new/vintage revolver and had it sent in to our private FFL last week. Mid day on wednesday when he filled out the back ground check, he came in at number 1648---and this is at 3pm and mid week. They shot the breeze for an hour and the list had moved a mere 100. His BG check did not clear until 7am on friday. Do you think all those people (probably mostly new to firearms) and buying in a panic, took them home with no ammo. They will pay what they need to because 1-- they are in a panic, and 2-- they have no clue what that same box of ammo would have cost them a month ago. I would be willing to bet that some even went home with ammo that will not fit in their newly purchased firearm.
Color me happy---I load my own.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

Time to relaunch the ultimate gun owners'
Conspiracy Theory:

The government is buying all the ammo to
better suppress the people.

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Ubi Est Mea

Misguided people...I place them in the same category with toilet paper hoarders. They give us responsible gun owners a bad name and actually fuel the far left agenda to grab our firearms.

How much ammo does one need in the highly unlikely event we have a total collapse?

I don't know so I am just trying too make sure I have enough. Larry

This is a patch I have that’s a take-off on the Wendy’s sign. Just remember...

24695F97-B233-4369-AC52-7D13DDBDC289.jpg

(That’s my PSA for the day.)😉

Today’s inflated price may be tomorrow’s bargain

Quite a few years back I attended a gun show and primers were almost non existent in any place. I had a 1/4 million and took 'em to the show. Primers were selling previously for about 22 per M. Well I made a decent profit when I sold those primers at 30 bucks per when other sellers were getting 50-60 per M. Tried to spread 'em around by allowing one thousand per buyer. There is no reason to gouge people on prices when you can make a fair profit. Small pistol primers always go first. I was told by one of my wholesale suppiers many years ago that he sold about twice as many SPPs than others.

They have more "dollars" than "sense." A big sell-off like this results in excess production so that when the excitement is all over the prices will crash & burn. Then is the time to buy!

Actually after the last real shortage the new wholesale was the old retail or pretty close. I had bought a lot of 22 ammo prior to the real shortage The 550 packs were selling for about 12 bucks.. after the shortage the new price has stayed at 18 to 20 bucks....or more.

My Walmart still has plenty of 22 ammo. Guess we are civilized around here. We wear shoes and won't shoot at you in the daytime.

The main reasons folks buy overpriced ammo are fear of the unknown during this pandemic and their lack of prior planning. I came up short on .22 rimfire ammo during the Obama debacle and learned from it. I have plenty of .22 on hand now and I'm not even shooting any at this time. I learned from not being able to buy much of anything for about a year during the past administration. I am now in good shape for this pandemic and not currently looking for anything ammo wise.

Gentlemen and ladies,

I can appreciate the focus on panic purchases centering around scenarios suggesting a zombie apocalypse as The Walking Dead would have many anticipating. I think it is reasonable to place some blame on the first time buyer wanting ammo for their new purchases. I will fess up and admit that I purchased some ammo for a pistol that I have on layaway (40 S&W) and an upper that I am putting together (224 Valkyrie). Unfortunately, being on fixed income just doesn't allow for case purchasing at inflated prices. In the next day or two, my press will be loading 9s, 45s, 38s, 357s, 223s, and possibly 41s.

The problem is, I don't see the current pandemic to be what the media is selling it as. Honestly, I am not in denial. Perhaps I have read too much Tom Clancy, but things just aren't adding up. If anyone has read Executive Order, you may have an idea where I am coming from. When the DHS, came out and proclaimed 2A businesses as being essential businesses (something we all knew), it conjured up reminders of the days prior to Lexington Greene and the days after Pearl Harbor. (Sorry, a History major/teacher here, not reflecting on past experience!)

Am I in panic mode? No. Perhaps I do have an active imagination. But I definitely don't plan on standing on the sidelines should we see circumstances looking towards a recreation of the Warsaw Ghetto. By the way, did anyone here old enough to know what the IRR (Independent Ready Reserve) is notice that they have been activated? Since I learned of the IRR back in ROTC, I don't ever remember hearing of it being activated over the past 40+ years.

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Judge control not gun control!

What he said. My cost on 9mm just went up $30 per case from the distributor on a particular brand and the manufacturers are raising their prices now as well. As dealers, we are at their mercy. And, the shipping is on a delay that continues to extend as warehouses are overwhelmed IF you can even find anything to be had. We get to deal with the buyers who think the dealer is sticking it to them. I might add: the margins in this cut throat industry are NOT what most people think especially on firearms and bulk ammunition. They’re actually a joke compared to other industries and I’m constantly feeling like I need my head examined for even being involved in it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting side note- I've added a couple 1911's in .45 acp to the mix, and a buddy of mine has sold off his .45's, 40's, and his AK (his only 7.62x39 gun). He was low on 9x19, so we ran an even swap- I gave him x amount of 9mm, he gave me the same for 45 and 7.62. I suppose I came out ahead technically, since the 45 would have cost more.

He also threw in whatever else he didn't have, and I gave him some extra 9 since I can spare it. Between what he gave me and what I already had, I now have about 120 .40 s&w, including 20 JHP.
I don't have a gun in that caliber...

There were also 10 .25 acp. Again, don't currently own one.

Maybe it's a sign.

Like always.....here I am coming up short as usual.....

Just checked... down to a lousy 5,000 rounds, 33 guns, 4 rolls (NOT packs) of TP.....2 lousy jars of Peanut Butter, but NO delicious jams and jellies (as Riley Poole called em). Even raiding the freezer for WHAT???? the last two (2) countem venison steaks!

Tragedy everywhere you look these days

I'm not worried about zombies....but am worried for the neighbors. No guns, no venison, 1 million cars each, running out while Lowes is open and stocking up on.....shrubs, bushes and trees...but each has a painters mask.

Sorry...……...gotta go, baked beans, fresh homemade coleslaw, a nice tater...…….goes pretty good with that venison. Tomorrow? Who knows, whatever is coming will come.

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Looks to me like you are in pretty good shape on everything but guns. If I only had 33 I would be at the store buying some more. Larry

There are people who will pay extra $$$ for convenience and not think twice about it.

Why do some buy cases of ammo at today’s inflated prices?

Better to have it and not need it..........


On the other hand I went on to Amazon to buy another ammo can with (10) one hundred round storage boxes that I had recently purchased for $30, and they are going for $61. I'll pass for now.

The American people as a whole have been transformed into a bunch of chicken littles. Everytime a big storm is predicted they run to the store and buy a hoard of supplies. No matter if buying beans or bullets it’s the people running up the price. The goods will be sold for what the market can bare.
This Corona thing is no different. The hoarders will reach their limits, the big scare will be over and prices will return to normal. Somewhere I remember reading this was called capitalism, supply & demand.

I'm well stocked as I buy in expectation of some future shortage, not in the middle of it.

How much am I willing to sell for what I paid for it? Let me put it this way. I had a friend who could not find .380 ACP for her personal defence pistol, since it's all been bought up by hoarders and scalpers. I mailed her two boxes for free.

I care far more about looking out for each other and coming together in a crisis than I do in taking advantage of a crisis to make a fast buck.

Heck, there are people out there that'll spend $10 a day everyday of the week at Starbucks. You think paying an extra $100 for a case of ammo is much of a consideration for them?

People finally realized things can turn south really fast, and the vast majority aren't very well prepared to make it even a week or 2. Buying a case of ammo today makes sense if you have less than that on hand. back in 2012 nobody would have guessed a .22lr shortage would last years.

FOMO - "Fear Of Missing Out"

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Only a cold warrior

During a pandemic, I don't shop price. I shop availability.

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I've still got it made.