I Caved

[DeplorabusUnum]

I stock up on supplies so I can keep shooting when ammo becomes unavailable. Yesterday for the first time in 6 months I found primers at the LGS. They had 4 lonely bricks of large rifle primers with a limit of one brick per person. Price was not jacked up higher than usual, so I bought one, not because I need them now, but because you never know how long this shortage will last.

 

[Goldstar225]

I'm still shooting 200-300 rounds a month of centerfire + .22 LR but then again I cast my bullets and have an ample stock of primers and powder. I have enough defensive rounds but wish I had a small surplus.

 

[Liftrat]

... so I bought one, not because I need them now, but because you never know how long this shortage will last.

And that seems to be the conundrum. I'm good for a couple years of pistol league and rifle practice at my normal rate, but there's this little nagging voice that says " What if this madness lasts longer than that?". I haven't bought anything at outrageous prices, but I'm tempted.

 

[Warren Sear]

I've got more than enough ammo. I'd actually like to get rid of some .22 LR and 7.62x52mm (.308 Winchester) FMJ ammo.

 

[lrrifleman]

Last weekend, when I was at the Sig Academy, they had 20 round boxes of V Crown defensive ammo for about $22 a box, 50 round boxes of range ammo for about $25, and 50 round boxes of JHP for about $52 a box ... all of it was 9mm. I passed. Unfortunately, my schedule didn't allow for a visit to the Kittery Trading Post, so I don't know how their prices are running. Fortunately, in addition to the P365 that I won, I also won a $100 gift certificate from Atlanta Arms.

If I can find factory bullets, I may buy them, but if I see primers, some will follow me home. I noticed that Sportsman's Guide has Federal 9mm 124 gr FMJ in stock for almost $34 a box ... at that price, I'll roll my own!

However, I did notice that the necks on some of my rifle match brass are starting to split ... not really that bad after perhaps 30 reloads!

 

[swsig]

It seems like not shooting is “caving” more than paying higher prices for ammo is.

I agree. I also shoot weekly at about 200 rounds per session, so I enjoy shooting a lot. Unfortunately in my case, I have, as they say, an underlying health condition that would make it perilous for me were I to contract The Plague. So I'm staying home as much as possible until it's over. I'd much rather be a Caver than an Absent Comrade! I'm frustrated beyond words (at least words I can use on the Forum) at not being able to shoot. But I'm old enough to have learned that patience is a virtue. And I expect that in the not-too-distant future, I'll be back at the range putting more dents into my ammo stash.

 

[df06]

Sorry, but I don’t feel sorry for those who were not smart enough to build some inventory of ammo or reloading components for the current price and availability situation.
This is far from a new phenomenon.

 

[beaverislander]

Not everyone should be faulted for being caught off guard

This shortage sucks for everyone but I have a hard time feeling sorry for those of us that have been shooting 5,10,20 years. They should have seen the writing on the wall and been prepared for this one. The people I do feel bad for are the ones just getting into guns and ammo to protect their families. While most of us here have always been able to protect our own homes whether the police responded to our calls or not, these new folks rightly assumed that the law would always be there to protect them. I never envisioned bad guys taking over police stations and entire cities, what a horrible and helpless feeling that must be. Who'da thunk?

 

[TSBarnette]

This shortage sucks for everyone but I have a hard time feeling sorry for those of us that have been shooting 5,10,20 years. They should have seen the writing on the wall and been prepared for this one. The people I do feel bad for are the ones just getting into guns and ammo to protect their families. While most of us here have always been able to protect our own homes whether the police responded to our calls or not, these new folks rightly assumed that the law would always be there to protect them. I never envisioned bad guys taking over police stations and entire cities, what a horrible and helpless feeling that must be. Who'da thunk?

Exactly where I am at. Just purchased 2 new self defense carry guns and struggling to find good approved ammo.


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[max503]

I bought two boxes of WW 22 mag hp for $14/box but I don't feel too bad because Walmart wanted $11.83 per box for the same stuff. I got two of those too.

 

[max503]

Sorry, but I don’t feel sorry for those who were not smart enough to build some inventory of ammo or reloading components for the current price and availability situation.
This is far from a new phenomenon.

It's new to those who don't shoot. Most people have no idea there is an ammo shortage. Even hunters and shooters think you can go to the store and get whatever you want. I'm a bullet caster and people tell me all the time you can get free wheel weights at such-and-such tire store.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The current shortages started at a time when I had about 1-1/2 years of supply (at my then-current rate of use), but also coincided with a nasty shoulder injury as well as during my recovery period following cataract surgery. The indoor range I usually rely on was closed due to Covid-19 from March to October, further curtailing my weekly routine.

I went through all of my stockpiles and found that in addition to the loaded ammo I also have sufficient primers, powder, and bullets for another 2 years or so (of my usual routines).

So, I still have about 3-1/2 years of my usual usage before I might feel the big bite. Since the shortages continue, and seem to grow worse all the time, I'm thinking maybe I should stretch those 3-1/2 years out to 10 years. All I'd have to do is shoot 1/3 of the usual amount per range trip, or make my range trips every 3 weeks instead of weekly.

 

[Ruger Nut]

Exactly where I am at. Just purchased 2 new self defense carry guns and struggling to find good approved ammo.


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You seem to be new to firearms. If so, why did you decide to get a firearm now, and never before? Just curious.

 

[TSBarnette]

Not new. Grew up hunting with Dad and grandad. Never really looked to need a self defense gun. Have thought about getting my carry for years. Just figured with the world as it is today, it was a good time.


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[jbtrucker]

LGS has a box of Winchester 9mm FMJ listed on Gun Broker $45

 

[bigggbbruce]

I went to my LGS, he has most all caliber ammo on the shelf ( and at non-gouging prices.)

I traded a NIB leather holster(that cost me $17, amazon pricing error ) for 2 lbs of pistol powder, and I picked up 1000 LPP.. $44 a little high but they were there.

 

[pasound]

Was at the local Cabela's today (open Thanksgiving Day? Shock) for some BP supplies. Looked over the ammo racks - flat out nothing rimfire or centerfire, unless you want .460 Ruger or .500 Smith. Oddly, they had a lot of that. Lots of 7 1/2, 8, and 9 shotgun, but why?

I bought a case of G2 230gr+P jhp for my .45's, and a case of purple 62gr Win .223 practice jhp from SGAmmo earlier this year. Have good stock of .22, 9mm, .38, and roll my own .357. Got my home handgun defense well stocked, but still need shotgun ammo. 00, #1's, or #4's. Not out there.

 

[growr]

Anyone see on Ammoseek.com that they are selling 30-30 and 30-06 ammo at 55.00 per round???

Randy

 

[sheepdawg]

Ammo at a decent price is still out there. I've had decent luck at yard sales and especially estate sales. You might have visit 50 or so but I've bought some tarnished Frankfort Arsenal match 30-06 that cleaned up pretty, 38 special, 22lr and 9mm. within the last 6 months at a darn good price. Stuff might be 25 years old, not pretty but so far what I've shot went bang.

The hunt can be fun.

 

[scooter123]

Back when Walmart was selling the maroon boxes of Federal Champion for relatively low prices I made it a habit to get 6 boxes per week. End result is I have a rather large bank of 40 S&W and 45 ACP safely put away.

I also reload for every caliber I shoot and am well stocked on 9mm, 40 caliber, and 45 ACP handgun bullets and brass. Note, added 2 new shotshell presses to my reloading setup last week to feed the new tubes I purchased for my 12 gauge Beretta 686 in 410 and 28 gauge.

Going forward one thing the Libs have learned from this current shortage is that the key to making things inconvenient for gun owners is to see to it that ammo is unavailable. So if things ever return to "normal" 1) expect higher prices and 2) plan on building your own bank even if it does cost a bit more.