Ammo shortage...Out of hand

[george minze]

Originally posted by Nicksterdemus:
George, I'm glad you scored, yet wish to inform you that there are other definitions rated before the drug reference...

2score
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): scored; scor·ing
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a: to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally : record b: to enter in a record c: to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account)
2: to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches
3: berate , scold ; also : denounce
4 a (1): to make (a score) in a game or contest, scored a touchdown, scored three points (2): to enable (a base runner) to make a score (3): to have as a value in a game or contest : count a touchdown scores six points b (1): achieve, attain, scored a dazzling success (2): acquire, help a traveler score local drugs — Poitor Koper (3): win 1, scored free tickets over the radio
5: to determine the merit of : grade
6 a: to write or arrange (music) for a specific performance medium b: to make an orchestration of c: to compose a score for (a movie)
intransitive verb
1: to keep score in a game or contest
2: to make a score in a game or contest
3 a: to gain or have the advantage b: to be successful: as (1): to succeed in having sexual intercourse (2): to manage to obtain illicit drugs c: 3rate

thank You I feel vindicated that I used a term so often used, and seems pretty hip. Now that makes my day as i am now 70 and don't fill hip about now. However I did play 18 holes and broke 90 from the regular tees. Wonders never cease.

 

[gatorhugger]

Nickster you are sterotyping all bulk buyers.
A lot of it is fear, sure. Some end of the world folks, and who knows, they may be right.
I am buying simply as a way to keep a steady fairly cheap supply of target ammo.
I have all the JHP's I need short of WWIII.
But I would like to keep a few thousand of my most popular target rounds as a hedge against price increases.
It may go back down in price. It may go up some more. But right now I have seen my most common plinking ammo go from $9.99 a box to $15.
I figure I buy a few cases now, I don't have to worry about future price increases for a couple of years. It hits $20 for 50 and I won't shoot much.
If you don't have the money or feel it's not necessary, well I am sorry. Not going to stop me from making an economic choice.
And for me that is all it is, economics, I think prices will keep going up to levels I can't afford, so I am buying now.

 

[george minze]

Well guys and gals I like my gun shop owner, and I know they are in a fix especially the small, shops. they use distributors and they don't have the buying power of the big operations. My only point was that the last two 9mm I bought, I bought there and had been waiting for 2-4 boxes of range ammo. going in to store each day. With the old has the ammo came in yet. I had passed on two boxes at the Lake of the Ozarks where there is a big operation that scouts for ammo and guns all day. Money talks and bull walks. It was just a disappointment. Bad situation the time is ripe for sales but you can't get product. that sucks I'm sure.

 

[g17]

If I went into a store and was told I could only have a certain limit, I'd tell them to sell my share to the other customers that evidently did not show up. It's sad, these times we live in.

 

[HLG]

I just an email from Georgia Arms today that the DOD has orders to stop selling brass to ammo manufacturers and that DOD is ordered to destroy all brass and document it. Georgia Arms enclosed two letters from DOD. The new policy was dated 3/16/09.

 

[BarbC]

I just an email from Georgia Arms today that the DOD has orders to stop selling brass to ammo manufacturers and that DOD is ordered to destroy all brass and document it. Georgia Arms enclosed two letters from DOD. The new policy was dated 3/16/09.

I see that the order was reversed yesterday afternoon under pressure by the NRA and others. Georgia Arms Update

Letter Re-Authorizing Release for Sale

 

[Jack Flash]

Wow, things are getting tough! I went to a local shop recently to buy some 7.35 Carcano for a Forum friend who wanted it, only to find a guy at the counter who was buying all they had left! I was only able to pick up some loose rounds here and there that he missed.

Just the other day, I went in to pick through their .303 British milsurp (they kept odds and ends of the stuff in a large ammo can) only to find someone had bought the whole can! I used to enjoy picking through that stuff, mostly WWII and early Cold War era, to find some gems (eg, WRA 42, etc.) Now some ammo hog came in and bought the whole can? OK, the gloves are off now, Baby!

Now this is getting ridiculous! I guess the silver lining is that ammo manufacturers must be running three shifts and weekends to boot. Maybe they (and the black rifle manufacturers) will lead us out of this recession.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

You can only support artificially inflated values for so long before the price falls back in line w/real value. The reason you're not seeing ammo as readily available and cheaper is coz too many folks are trying to maintain a store in their spare bedroom. As some here have noticed there's plenty @ various places for a price. If the industry gurus decide that you'll continue to pay 1.5-2 times the actual value then they'll do their best to supply just enough to keep the prices and margins up. Now add gunshow vendors buying pallets of ammo from retailers and viola, continued shortage. Until competition starts cutting the prices, due in part to a slow in sales, prices will float above value. Pay what you want to buy what ya want. Some of those talking heads that are telling you the prices are never coming down might be making a mint selling ammo. Be a knowledgeable consumer. Check your online prices and your waly world, Academy Sports/whatever chain store in your area. If you go to a gun show and they don't substantially beat those prices then walk on by n forgetaboutit.
@ the end of days everyone is gonna want to enjoy a hot cup of Jo. Stop buying ammo and start stocking up on Java. I think 100-250 lbs stored in the closet oughta be about right. What, do youse think the price of coffee is going to drop? Gee, I wonder if that'll affect the coffee/ammo prices. People vote on products and prices every day w/their pocketbook/wallet. As long as you buy they will supply, for a price. Only you can decide if that price is worth the product.

Yes, I'm a little over the top turning some of this around 180 degrees. I don't intend to stereotype nor do I believe that conservative Publicans are evil or all bulk buyers are a secret conspiracy. There's no magic here, just taking a stab @ pointing out a few things.
George, your kewl and all you needed to say was, "But I stayed @ a Holiday Inn last night." Which I guess, seeing how I used it is played and passé.
Happy shootin'...

 

[redlevel]

Originally posted by n4zov:
I'm beginning to wonder if there is a real shortage of ammunition or just a shortage at the prices people want to pay. The local Dick's Sporting Goods has a good supply of all common calibers, and my local sporting goods dealer does not seem to have a problem getting ammunition either. However, I do not see any cheap military surplus ammunition around or even available online.

I can go to my local NAPA and buy a case of 9mm, a case of .45, a case of .223, and a case of 7.62x39 right now. He has had it all in stock in large quantities for several weeks now. I just don't want to pay the prices. I was tempted to get a case of the Blazer .45s at right at $15.00 per box of 50, but I already have several cases of .45s. I believe his price on .223 is $399.00 for a case of 1000. It is selling, but he keeps getting shipments.

 

[44forever]

How much is reasonable? I teach firearms classes and supply the .22's we shoot for initial familiarization. With a dozen students shooting, a class will shoot 1200 to 1500 rimfires in a morning. to cover the next three classes,I need to buy 4500 rounds and if I can't get the ammo I can't teach the classes.

I have limited the scheduling of classes to what I have ammo to cover. The limitation used to be my time.

 

[GatorFarmer]

For my own personal amusement, I decided to buy my local Walmart's entire supply of 12 gauge #6 shot gameloads (a baker's dozen of boxes). Now the next guy can see those gone and start a cascading panic to sell out all the shotgun shells too.

 

[Douglas Haig]

Its the manufacturers and wholesalers. Otherwise you would see big shipments at retailers even if they sold out right away. Think about it. If the manufacturers were going full tilt as they say they are wouldn't that ammo appear somewhere sometimes??

 

[Careby]

Originally posted by Douglas Haig:
Its the manufacturers and wholesalers. Otherwise you would see big shipments at retailers even if they sold out right away. Think about it. If the manufacturers were going full tilt as they say they are wouldn't that ammo appear somewhere sometimes??

It is being manufactured and shipped, and it does show up at retailers, however briefly. I have experienced inconvenience and high prices but I haven't had any trouble getting what I need. I hear complaints over and over that ammo is back-ordered! Yes, it's on back order, but it can be back-ordered FOR YOU if you are willing to put in your order. Maybe it will be delayed a week or a month or two, but in most cases it will be delivered. At Walmart the ammo on the shelf may be gone every time you look, but that doesn't mean a lot of it doesn't come and go every week. Some retailers may not be able to get what they order from their distributor but that's because production is going to someone else. Swallow hard and order from Natchez or Midway or AmmunitionToGo or some other mail order supplier, be patient with your back orders, and UPS will bring you what you need.