I was on Gunbroker Sunday looking at ammo prices. I ran across an auction for a case (1000 rounds) of Blazer 380 (FMJ). The bidding was up a little over $600.

I cannot imagine spending, with shipping, $625-50 for 1000 rounds of 380 ammo.

Cases of 9mm and 40, while outrageous, were $325-400.

I don't have a link because I did not book mark the auction.

I was on Gunbroker Sunday looking at ammo prices. I ran across an auction for a case (1000 rounds) of Blazer 380 (FMJ). The bidding was up a little over $600.

I cannot imagine spending, with shipping, $625-50 for 1000 rounds of 380 ammo.

Cases of 9mm and 40, while outrageous, were $325-400.

I don't have a link because I did not book mark the auction.

Pretty sad. A person could buy a Lee Turret press, a simple setup including a scale, funnel, dies, ect., 1000 rounds worth of brass, bullets, powder and primers and come up several hundred bucks ahead of that price. Even sadder is the number of people I've offered to teach how to handload and they don't take advantage of the opportunity.

+ 1.

Why is .380 so in demand? I really don't understand this.

Even if somebody did make a revolver for it, I still wouldn't want it.

Dave Sinko

Dave:
Two of our local gun dealers were interviewed last week by the local radio station which does an outdoors hour on Thursdays. They said they had sold a butt load of .380 pistols the last 6 months, mostly to women. I think that is a contributing factor.
Ed

It's mostly demophobia, but I think Ruger helped create the .380 ammo shortage. They supposedly took orders for 87,000 LCP’s in the first week. I saw a single box of .380 Silvertip sell for $120 on GB and several 500 rd cases of Balzer Brass that went for $399.

Commodity prices of lead and copper have fallen 50% in the last year and lead shot that was $50 a bag is down to about $27, but bullets and primers are up in price (good luck finding primers). There's little incentive for the manufacturers and distributors to lower prices when they can't keep ammo on the shelves now and they have no clue what legislation they may face in the near future.

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"I also cook."

Lots of .380's have been sold over the years. Most of them shot maybe a box of ammo or two and then put away, or loaded with hollowpoints and put in the nightstand. Then they sat. Now people, who are not "gun people" like those of us on this forum, are in a "gun frenzy" right now. Those .380s are coming out of the closets and drawers where they have sat for years, and the owners want ammo for them. And not just a box or two. Ammo manufactures have always had a consistant, but small, market for .380. They are not geared up for the current demand. Heck they can't even keep up with demand for traditional high volume calibers like 9mm, .38, .40 & .45.
Just my thoughts as to the why.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

It certainly is interesting times we live in.

I'm with flop-shank. I can't imagine having to shoot 100% factory ammo. I would be broke! And reloading really isn't that difficult...

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Centennial Every Day

But why the LCP and why the .380? What's so special about that combination? Rugers are reliable but every auto of theirs that I have shot has the ergonomics of a brick. And nowadays you can get a good 9mm that is for all intents and purposes just as easy to hide as any .380 out there. Is the LCP really that good? There are so many good 9mm subcompact pistols out there that I'd think the .380 is on the decline.

And I can't even begin to imagine buying a single box of expensive hollowpoints and expecting it to function flawlessly in ANY semiauto pistol. There must be LOTS of new shooters out there!

Dave Sinko

Excepting the Rohrbaugh, I can't think of a 9mm that is as flat and light as my P3AT, and I don't think the Rohrbaugh is quite that light.

Interestingly, I was in a local shop on Tuesday and they had 100 round boxes of Winchester 380, FMJ stuff, for $32 each. I'd say they had 20-30 boxes of it on the shelf. They didn't have much else, but they did have 380. I don't own one so didn't get too excited, but actually had the momentary thought of buying some just because I've heard it's scarce. The thought passed, however. I am trying not to be a flagrant part of the problem!!!

I received an email notice from Cheaper Than Dirt yesterday that they are having a "special" on Federal red box 9mm FMJ. Only $25 a box!

Yes...this is the same ammo that was $9.99 only a few months ago.

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Centennial Every Day

I would love a lesson on how to reload. Iam in lower SE MI. Rockwood. If you are close enough I would take you up on the lesson.

Pitdog, I live in the Holland area, but am more than willing to help. I'll fire you an e-mail as time allows.

Lots & lots of folks have bought .380 Kel-Tecs and Ruger pocket pistols for bugs and CCWs in the last few years. That and the "Obamaphobia" has fueled the hoarding of .380acp ammo & many other calibers.

I'm as bad as the rest.........I bought 250 rounds of .380acp & 250 of .40S&W last week.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

Did you get my e-mail? I haven't gotten a response.