223 ammo is drying up

[samuraiadam17]

As the title says 223 ammo is drying up. Both tula and wolf run well in my rifle so that's what I mostly buy but lately it has become difficult to find. I drove 120 miles looking for ammo only to come home with 40 rounds of tula. I'm getting depressed about the whole thing now because I cant shoot it just for fun. I have to hold on to what I have in case I might actually have to use it one day.

 

[427mach1]

Have you considered reloading? You can save a little money and tailor the ammunition to your particular gun, potentially improving the accuracy.

 

[JaPes]

Order ammo online. There are a bunch of different online ammo vendors. Buy in quantity to consolidate/save on shipping costs.

 

[silentflyer]

Plenty of it at a gun show last week, boxes and crates of .223 stacked up at several vendors tables.

 

[JaPes]

Also reloading isn't a bad idea either. There is a thread about it here.

Affordable factory ammo costs between 45 to 55 cents per round. That equates to between $22.50 - $27.50 per 50 rounds.

I am reloading at 28 cents per round. That equates to $14.21 per 50. I can save between a low of $8.29 per 50 to a high of $13.29 per 50.

If there is a rare sale on .223 ammo (like now @ cabelas) the cost is 35 cents per round, or $17.48 per 50 rounds. The cost savings drops to $3.27. That's the time to buy some factory rounds, just to replenish the supply of brass cases.

37% - 48% savings when factory ammo is not on sale. 19% savings when factory ammo is on sale.

If you aren't reloading yet, then you have to put some up front cost in reloading tools & equipment. If you're thinking of reloading, then stop buying steel case ammo & start buying brass case ammo. When I finally decided to start reloading .223 (three days ago), I am glad I saved my .223 brass.

 

[Arik]

Must be a local or semi regional thing. My LGS has Federal 62gr green tip in 420 round green cans for $180, PPU white box $6, Black Hills, PMC

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[storeyteller]

Order ammo online. There are a bunch of different online ammo vendors. Buy in quantity to consolidate/save on shipping costs.

Seek and ye shall find.

 

[686forme]

Lots of it around just look on line. Cabela's had Federal on sale (on line) for 150.00 and free shipping last week. I also picked up 2000 rounds of WPA Russian for 120.00/500 cash and carry.

 

[rtquig]

For a while ammunition has been in short supply, but recently I think the online supply has started to come back. As mentioned, Cabela's had a good sale of .223 last week and according to posts, many took advantage of it. Why drive somewhere to buy ammo when it is so cheap online and a lot of free shipping lately.

 

[MichiganScott]

Pre-election jitters. Happens every four years.

Buy it cheap and stack it deep. It's not going down in price.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Steel case is getting too expensive. The cheapest I see is WPA $219/1000 + $20 shipping at Aim Surplus (not in stock). I just decided to go ahead and get 1000 PMC from Cabela's for $300 + Free shipping. Once fired 223 is worth the difference $60/1000.

 

[kennyb]

time to reload...you get what you want,when you want it...and save a ton!

 

[MP22]

Reload....reload....reload

 

[bobbyd3]

I read somewhere that ammo is only brought in to the country a few times a year. So when its sold out you have to wait for next import of it.

I agree that you should look online. I always buy online and lately brass has only been $50 a case more than steel.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Reloading straight wall pistol ammo just to save money is one thing (I do a ton of 45ACP 38 and 9mm), but I think a person has to enjoy reloading to do much volume with bottleneck cases.

 

[JaPes]

Steel case is getting too expensive. The cheapest I see is WPA $219/1000 + $20 shipping at Aim Surplus (not in stock). I just decided to go ahead and get 1000 PMC from Cabela's for $300 + Free shipping. Once fired 223 is worth the difference $60/1000.

I've heard stereotypical tin-foil-hat conspiracy that Obama/Clinton are to blame due to some sort of politics, trade issues, etc...etc...etc... The Gubmint is making it hard to import foreign ammo & such.

I haven't been able to substantiate any of this hearsay to deem it credible. I've noticed the price of steel case going up too. I'm chalking it up to an increase in the price of metals & shipping costs.

Not that I have any issues with steel case but if I'm going to buy factory ammo, it's going to be brass reloadable cases.

Reloading straight wall pistol ammo just to save money is one thing (I do a ton of 45ACP 38 and 9mm), but I think a person has to enjoy reloading to do much volume with bottleneck cases.

...or enjoy the quasi mad-scientist aspect of reloading bottle necked rifle cartridges.

time to reload...you get what you want,when you want it...and save a ton!

It's more than what you want and when you want. It's also how you want it. From my experience loading straight wall pistol cases, I'm able to load rounds to suit my individual firearm and to the use.

 

[Maddmax]

Reloading straight wall pistol ammo just to save money is one thing (I do a ton of 45ACP 38 and 9mm), but I think a person has to enjoy reloading to do much volume with bottleneck cases.

Actually it's relaxing and something to do in the winter and those rainy days. It is more work,but worth it. You can spend a day cleaning, sizing, de-priming and trimming. Then priming,powder and seating bullets. The only slow down I have with any reloading is I'n anal about powder weight being dead on so I also trickle load to the grain. The store bought is what I plink with and save the brass for reloading when the prices are right. I love "horse trading & dickering" for price at the LGS.

 

[MichiganScott]

Actually it's relaxing and something to do in the winter and those rainy days. It is more work,but worth it. You can spend a day cleaning, sizing, de-priming and trimming. Then priming,powder and seating bullets. The only slow down I have with any reloading is I'n anal about powder weight being dead on so I also trickle load to the grain. The store bought is what I plink with and save the brass for reloading when the prices are right. I love "horse trading & dickering" for price at the LGS.

In northern Michigan, it's said that we have nine months of winter and three months when the skiing's not so good. You have to have something to do on those long winter days.

Loading pistol or rifle ammo, even on a single stage press, beats watching "Survivor" any day.

 

[RogerDotWillson]

Or buy an M&P 15-22...

 

[oneyeopn]

Reloading straight wall pistol ammo just to save money is one thing (I do a ton of 45ACP 38 and 9mm), but I think a person has to enjoy reloading to do much volume with bottleneck cases.

ChatanoogaPhil. Sir it is really nice to see your input, and due to the fact that I only reload 45 colt straight cases, having your experience to give us input, I myself think is a great thing. This next month I wil be buying 45acp and 9mm lee reloader dies...but as you stated I save a ton of money reloading my 223 ammo!!!