Should I Buy .223/5.56 NOW, Given Biden's Ban on Winchester Selling to the Public?

bushmaster1313 said:
5.56 is a bit expensive now at $450 or more for a case of 1000. Not the best time to stock up.
But if you do not have any you shout get some.
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My favorite LGS got in a couple of pallets of .223 and 5.56 a few weeks ago. Its priced at $549.00/1000, half-cases are $309/500. During ALL of the panic-buying and shortages they've never price- gouged (unlike most of the other LGSs), so I believe that is the "new normal" for now. I don't think there'll be a glut on the market anytime soon.

I don't shoot much .223 and I have a bit stashed away but at $450/1000 I'd pick up at least a couple of cases.
 
AlHunt said:
You need a thousand rounds for all your critical calibers for every year you expect to live.

If you don't have that much, then yes, you need to stock up.
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Wait until Arthritis hits your wrist or hands, you will rethink that statement quickly. There was a time when I had the same attitude, now at age 67 my handgun shooting is very limited and I am quite certain when I do kick the bucket my heirs will be scrambling about what to do with the ammunition, cases, primers, powder, and bullets. Some good news for me is that the pattern of my Arthritis does allow me to still shoot a shotgun so I've take up doing competitive Skeet and having a blast doing it.
 
I look at my competition shooting and ammo consumption the same as my food. When I'm in the mood for a meatloaf or tuna casserole I build one. When I want to shoot my 1903 or .45, I shoot it but then reload the brass and replace the ammo back on the shelf. No need to waste your time tieing up components building tons of ammo until you need it. Also reloaded ammo has no value except to you. Whats more valuable, a 1000 handloaded .45acps or a 1000 pcs of brass-1000 JHP .45 bullets and a brick of LP primers? A guy I used to work with was fond of saying ‘work smarter not harder.’
 
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LostintheOzone said:
Powder has gone up about 25% in the last few years. Three years ago it was around $25/lb so I bought a substantial quantity of it. Primers seem to be the thing that has really gone up in price.

With the components I have I can make a 5.56 for about 0.25/rd. and I can make a lot of it. It wouldn't matter what the cost would be these days using current prices because there just isn't anything to buy.

When I run out of components I'll probably just quit shooting. I'm just not going to buy ammo or components at todays prices.
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See my bold of your text —-
You’re right, and that is what a lot of us will be forced to do. That sad thing is, that’s what the opposition wants…….
 
Thats why I went from 2 cf cas shoots or 1 cas shoot and 1 cf zsa shoot a month to 1 cas and one .22 two gun shoot a month. Streeetch out what I’ve got.
 
Judging Joe's past performances with policies he has inacted ...

I'm going to roll with ... Price Increases and Shortages !

And don't expect a check from Joe to help you buy ammo ...

... Ain't Happening ...

Gary
 
scooter123 said:
Wait until Arthritis hits your wrist or hands, you will rethink that statement quickly. There was a time when I had the same attitude, now at age 67 my handgun shooting is very limited and I am quite certain when I do kick the bucket my heirs will be scrambling about what to do with the ammunition, cases, primers, powder, and bullets. Some good news for me is that the pattern of my Arthritis does allow me to still shoot a shotgun so I've take up doing competitive Skeet and having a blast doing it.
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Take turmeric and black pepper. Go to a senior citizen workout class that does wrist stretches.

The results can be amazing.

I'm 67. If I quit the turmeric and skip the workouts my left wrist gets mighty sore. If I stay with it I barely notice it.
 
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I bought 1K 5.56 couple months ago steel case like $350. Don’t like steel case so just today ordered 1K brass for under $500.
I’m also getting the factory crimp die and will use up hundreds of 224 bullets I have no use for. I just did 350rds no crimp. According to popular opinion I need to crimp them for AR.
 
So Winchester takes the green paint off of it, ships it to another plant and stamps a different head stamp on it. They put it in a red, white and blue box and call it American Military Like Ammo. Does anyone truly believe that Winchester is going to eat any surplus gov't ammo that they produce? Looking around, just about every ammo seller has 223 ammo in stock. I get daily e mails about 223 and 9mm sales. If you feel better with 100000 rounds of ammo in your basement, then good on you. But if you're running out and ordering a pallet because of this dust up, you're wasting your time and money.
 
glenwolde said:
Winchester operates the Lake City plant under contract. The current administration must surely find it awkward that LC is selling civilians ammunition that's used in a weapon they believe should be banned.

The question is whether or not under the contract the Administration can do that. Winchester no doubt bid it based on selling the over-run in the commercial market to help keep costs down.

I'm not sure this is a done-deal just yet.
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I just had this conversation with my partner 4 hours ago. At a bare minimum, when the next contract is bid out, they might not like the terms the manufacturers are demanding.
 
Racer X said:
Originally Posted by glenwolde View Post
Winchester operates the Lake City plant under contract. The current administration must surely find it awkward that LC is selling civilians ammunition that's used in a weapon they believe should be banned.

The question is whether or not under the contract the Administration can do that. Winchester no doubt bid it based on selling the over-run in the commercial market to help keep costs down.

I'm not sure this is a done-deal just yet.
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I just had this conversation with my partner 4 hours ago. At a bare minimum, when the next contract is bid out, they might not like the terms the manufacturers are demanding.
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Well, the government will also have to deal with the fact that this is a capitalist nation... and that's not meant as a political statement.

Sure, the companies want to make money providing ammo to the military (as this is the primary purpose of the plant). One of the bigger perks is the ability to sell excess, from a 'free plant" as it were. So Winchester, Federal etc are figuring those profits into the total as part of their bids.

Using imaginary numbers, Winchester expects to make five dollars at Lake City. $3 from the government contract, $2 from the sales of excess and overstock.
If you tell Winchester they can't sell the overstock for $2, then they will demand the full $5 from the government contract next time. Otherwise, let Federal do it, if they're willing. There's probably only a couple of US companies that have the logistical background to handle such a large operation, it's not like the government can bring in, say, Freedom Munitions and expect them to not choke up. And they will NOT consider an outside company like S&B or PPU; it's simply not an option.
 
raljr1 said:
21 calibers, 20 years to live, 21,000 rounds times 20 years, heck that's only 420,000 rounds of ammo...I'll get on it.
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21 critical calibers is a lot. For me, when the excrement hits the fan, 22, 9mm and 45 are my critical calibers. 223/556 are half critical.
 
Dougaz said:
Should we also stock pile some of that 25 year "food" and pile it next to our ammo?
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It depends on your faith in society to continue supplying your critical needs as you need them.
 

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cmj8591 said:
So Winchester takes the green paint off of it, ships it to another plant and stamps a different head stamp on it. They put it in a red, white and blue box and call it American Military Like Ammo. Does anyone truly believe that Winchester is going to eat any surplus gov't ammo that they produce? Looking around, just about every ammo seller has 223 ammo in stock. I get daily e mails about 223 and 9mm sales. If you feel better with 100000 rounds of ammo in your basement, then good on you. But if you're running out and ordering a pallet because of this dust up, you're wasting your time and money.
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And looking at how some prioritize these commodities, Im not sure people understand SHTF realities.
A stockpile based on defense does not feed you.
A stockpile built around waiting for better times only postpones your inevitable starvation.
A stockpile of any kind may need to be abandoned if your position is untenable.
If folks actually thought about this without the hollywierd perceptions, we'd be talking about fishing poles, bows arrows and slingshots. We'd be discussing small game recipes and winning strategies in botanical games of is that edible.
As calibers go ... if your list does not include a 12 ga, you simply are not thinking about this. Because your list can begin and nearly end on 12 ga.
 
I have to agree with the 12ga ammo. I have a good supply of it. I have bird shot, Buckshot and slugs. The shotgun is very versatile and a much have in bad times for hunting and defense. (I have 3, all different)
 
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