Get your “other” ammo while you still can

[bushmaster1313]

Disclaimer: this was not my original idea.

The panic buying of the most popular self defense ammo, for example 5.56 NATO and 9 mm, has the ammo manufacturers running full tilt to meet demand. This means that supply will eventually catch up with demand and prices will come down.

What this also means is that it will be awhile before manufacturers retool to make lower volume items like .257 Roberts and .300 Savage. So get your "other" ammo while you still can. Once the pipeline for these lower volume items runs dry it will be a long time before the supply is replenished.

 

[squidsix]

During the last ammo crisis, I bought ammo for guns I dont have, just to ensure my friends and family would be ok. This time, I am reloading like wildfire, laying in a supply of .357 and .45 that will last many years, even if I increase my shooting.
I still have a bit of ammo for guns I havent got. .250 Savage, 20 gauge, 17hmr, etc. but my guess is that those guns will arrive in my life, or I will be able to help a friend in need.

 

[typetwelve]

Yeah, I tell people this often. I noted the same thing over the last few panics. With factories running full steam making the common rounds, they neglect the more odd stuff and it dries up for a long time. Stuff like 45 GAP or 44 special will disappear for some time.

 

[max503]

Personally, I can't imagine how anyone would own one of those "other" calibers and not reload for it. The acquisition of a 22 Hornet way back around 1978 (when they were "entering into the twilight years of obsolescence", according to the then current Speer manual) is what got me started reloading, and I've been pumping away ever since.

 

[typetwelve]

Personally, I can't imagine how anyone would own one of those "other" calibers and not reload for it. The acquisition of a 22 Hornet way back around 1978 (when they were "entering into the twilight years of obsolescence", according to the then current Speer manual) is what got me started reloading, and I've been pumping away ever since.

100%. I don't shoot factory 44 special or magnum anymore, I also don't shoot factory 38 special. Reloading them is just too much of a cost savings.

44 special is massive, factory ammo is silly expensive vs reloading.

 

[MyDads38]

Knowing it will probably be quite a while before the common calibers come back on shelves, I started buying some of my other calibers-308, 20 Ga. and 22 LR. Okay, the 22 I don't need, but CCI Mini Mags are available, so I may as well pick some up while I can. 308 & 20 Ga. I don't shoot that much, but again, while it's available I might as well pick some up. Prices on these haven't been affected yet, and right now that's a good thing!

 

[reddog81]

Good advice for people if they can find ammo they might use. I stocked up on 32 S&W and 38 S&W long back in March because it seemed logical that prices would be going up as factories shut down. I don't have much brass for those calibers and my stock of factory ammo was like 2 boxes of .32. Targetsports.com still has some .32 ammo but imagine it's only a matter of time before that's gone.

I'm good to go with the other 10+ calibers I otherwise shoot.

 

[Seamus O'Caiside]

This means that supply will eventually catch up with demand and prices will come down.

You are being overly optimistic. Depending on which party wins the election, the current shortage of guns and ammo will get a lot worse before it gets better. It will take a long time for a new power structure in Congress to enact new laws and in the meantime the current shortage will look like a glut in comparison. You'd better stock up NOW on the guns and ammo you will actually NEED for years to come - perhaps for the rest of your life!

 

[Warren Sear]

Flatten the fear.

 

[Buford57]

I have been blessed to find the 'odd-ball' stuff I shoot (.280 Rem. .35 Whelen, .38 Super, 16 gauge) at greatly reduced prices. I do reload for all but the 16 and have fired cases, virgin brass, powder primer and bullets in relative abundance. Until the day I re-retire I don't anticipate needing any more, but when I find NOS factory rifle ammo for $5/box I become a hoarder.

 

[ggibson511960]

Primers, primers, primers!!

I believe primer supply is the issue. The number of manufacturers is limited and they can make more money shipping large orders to the ammunition manufacturers. I also fear that gun control advocates will find a perverse way to limit primer supply through taxation, regulation or liability litigation. Without primers we're back to flintlocks.

I am surprised that some enterprising company has not figured out a way to make and market small scale primer manufacturing gear suitable for the home user. The metal forming aspect seems like child's play, simple die cutting and forming of light gage metal. Home brewing priming compound would take some doing, but the scale is still very small.

 

[Warren Sear]

^^^Making primers? What could possibly go wrong???

 

[silverstateS&W]

seems that 44 mag is one of the last to run out during the "rush"

also a great time to own a 41 mag and a 38 super!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I can make ammunition for everything I shoot. Except .22.

 

[ggibson511960]

Kaboom!!

^^^Making primers? What could possibly go wrong???

Much could go wrong, and that's the catch. Fulminate of mercury, ground glass, and whatever else is in primer compound is nasty stuff. My understanding of how it's made is that it is a wet process that allows mixing, molding and pouring into the final shape, then drying in place, but like most firearms related industrial processes, the actual procedure is proprietary. It is obviously dangerous, but solving the safety issue would unlock a big market, especially if conventional primers disappear.

 

[elpac3]

I believe primer supply is the issue. The number of manufacturers is limited and they can make more money shipping large orders to the ammunition manufacturers. I also fear that gun control advocates will find a perverse way to limit primer supply through taxation, regulation or liability litigation. Without primers we're back to flintlocks.

I am surprised that some enterprising company has not figured out a way to make and market small scale primer manufacturing gear suitable for the home user. The metal forming aspect seems like child's play, simple die cutting and forming of light gage metal. Home brewing priming compound would take some doing, but the scale is still very small.

Home brewing priming compound will just create a large hole in the ground where your house used to be. Have worked in the ammunition industry there are a number of horror stories about priming compound and the difficulties of working with the mix and getting the right amount into a primer cup.

 

[docjonson]

I'm well stocked on 7.62x45 in case I have to take a Czech vz52 in trade again. Still got a box of pin fire that I had with the Lefaucheux I sold a few yrs. back. Wish I had a case of 9mm Largo to go with a Campo-Giro if one comes my way.
I try to have a little bit of everything when my son and grandson set up at the gun shows. I saw an ad for 9mm pinfire for $75 a round. I keep hopeing.

 

[lrrifleman]

I am surprised that some enterprising company has not figured out a way to make and market small scale primer manufacturing gear suitable for the home user. The metal forming aspect seems like child's play, simple die cutting and forming of light gage metal. Home brewing priming compound would take some doing, but the scale is still very small.

I realize that this may sound like a step backwards, but as long as soda still comes in aluminum cans and I can still get a supply of roll caps, I can still put together percussion caps for my 1861 Navy! Perhaps I should look into an 1860 Army?

 

[Green Frog]

I realize that this may sound like a step backwards, but as long as soda still comes in aluminum cans and I can still get a supply of roll caps, I can still put together percussion caps for my 1861 Navy! Perhaps I should look into an 1860 Army?

Or go really high tech and get an 1858 Remington! Nothing like that solid top strap to add to your safety margin.

As for stocking up on hard to find ammo, I don't own any firearm very long without acquiring the wherewithal to load for it. I've never reloaded a single round for my 5.56 NATO, 9mm, or 300 Blackout, but am prepared if I need to. A lot of the stuff I like to shoot regularly I reload for economy or because that particular ammo is already hard to find.

Froggie

 

[max503]

I believe primer supply is the issue. The number of manufacturers is limited and they can make more money shipping large orders to the ammunition manufacturers. I also fear that gun control advocates will find a perverse way to limit primer supply through taxation, regulation or liability litigation. Without primers we're back to flintlocks.

I am surprised that some enterprising company has not figured out a way to make and market small scale primer manufacturing gear suitable for the home user. The metal forming aspect seems like child's play, simple die cutting and forming of light gage metal. Home brewing priming compound would take some doing, but the scale is still very small.

I snagged 5000 WW small pistol primers just this week, normal price. They are out there if you look.