ammo availability

[Bodabi]

I am wondering why ammo selection is getting scarce these days? Online sites show "out of stock" on many items. A friend of mine was at Sportman's Warehouse and the shelves were practically empty.
Maybe this isn't the right forum for this question but I'll try anyway.
Is it the election? If so, I don't get it.
If anyone has an informed response to my question, it would be appreciated.

 

[DWalt]

I haven't seen any shortages locally, and there was an abundance of ammo at the last gun show. But I think what happened in 2008 is likely to repeat itself. Maybe it has started already.

 

[brucev]

Yesterday I was at Wal-Mart. There was very little .22 LR ammo except in the small 50 rounds boxes. There was some 9mm and .40 S&W ammo. There was an abundance of hunting ammo for rifles and shotguns. There was some .38 Special, .44 Magnum and .45 ACP, but only in the 50 round boxes. There were none of the 100 round boxes of Winchester .38 Special or .45 ACP. There was no .45 ACP Tula in stock.

Last Friday I found two 1,000 round boxes of Winchester .22 LR ammo and bought them both. It was the first large bulk quantities I've seen for sale.

 

[K1500]

Yes, the election.

 

[Bodabi]

I'm guessing the ammo that seems running short is anything that feeds AR's. I didn't search any .223 etc. Not surprising I suppose, given the fear (unfounded I believe) of some near future AR gun ban.
I was looking for 7.62 x51 but alot of general .308 was out of stock.
On the other hand, perhaps its just the state of the economy where industries are not increasing inventory..for good reason. I dunno.

 

[Moonman]

Load your own.

WalMart managers run their AMMO NOT CORPORATE,

let the managers know YOU want more of what type.

I also have witnessed some GUN SHOW PEOPLE or

Gun Store OWNERS stocking up at WalMart and RESELLING

AT SHOWS, or their places.

 

[125JHP]

Happened to be in 2 LGS and both of them had bare shelves - and their stuff is usually way overpriced.

 

[DWalt]

Back in 2008-09, most rifle and shotgun ammunition was available. Major supply disruptions were in virtually all handgun calibers, plus .223 and 7.62X39. I remember the one-box purchase limits. A very good reason for loading your own and accumulating reloading components. I have more than enough to see me through anything. God knows what might happen if the UN gun ban treaty goes through.

 

[moe l.]

It's the election....and the idea that BHO will now openly pursue gun control since he no longer need worry about reelection. Gun manufacturers as well as ammo manufacturers are working 24/7 and can't keep up. Google government ammo purchases and you will see that several departments of the government (eg. Social Security, Forestry Service, etc.) have been buying ammo in the hundreds of thousands. Other government agencies have been buying in the hundreds of MILLIONS of rounds just in 2012! Come to your own conclusions, but our government seems to feel 'you can never have enough ammo'!