How does this ammo shortage work?

[xfarfuldog]

I see lots of threads about the lack of ammo. Some ammo sellers believe it is OK to charge whatever the market will bear. I do not agree. I search the local channels regularly for my wants. (My needs are covered.) Ammo is available, just check that national auction site.

It is there but prices are terrible. Most of the ammo stores online say they have no ammo in stock. Same sellers have plenty but are using the auction to heavily increase their profits.

Let's remember them when this shortage clears up.

 

[vintage40s]

Where did you find the box of 500?

It was at Sportsmans Outdoors Superstore.

 

[vintage40s]

Since you've just bought your first gun, it's good that you have the 500 rounds so you can become proficient.

I bought the gun about 2 months ago, ordered about four 50-round boxes here and there online, and had shot off about half of them at a range, when I realized I had a problem.
A new order of 500 rounds sounds like a lot but at a weekly consumption, is not going to last long.
And yes, with an Apex trigger kit in my 642, and 25 rounds per week to reflect on, my understanding and accuracy is getting good.

 

[vintage40s]

This is why it's good to have a .22 - you can practice with that a lot cheaper. I've seen a little .22 ammo here and there, even in stores sold out of anything else...

So I was thinking. Due to the hard recoil and scarce expensive .38 ammo for my 642, how about a nice SW22 Victory for the range? But .22 rimfire is also scarce.

 

[vintage40s]

... At some point in time you may want to look into reloading...

I am just a newbie consumer of 25 rounds per week at a range. I cannot get into reloading. I will pay.

 

[vintage40s]

... save that spent brass...... collect the discarded ammo boxes and trays from the trash can and give them to my reload guy.

I shooot 25 rounds a week at a range. I pick up and toss the brass into their bucket.

I have 10 boxes of 50 coming in. I could just as well save the brass and the plastic trays, but is it worth sending them to anybody?

 

[RGNewell]

People sell the brass on the classified theads

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[reddog81]

Buying 500 rounds sounds like a lot... And then I remember that I shoot 250 to 350 rounds most weeks when the weather is nice. Thankfully I can replace those rounds with reloads easily enough. Once this round of panic buying subsidies you should be able to build up a decent stock at reasonable prices.

Keep up the weekly practice session and you'll notice considerable improvement. You'll be able to move the target further and further down range and get better groups while doing so. Before too long you might realize you need something a little bigger and with a longer sight radius like a 686 or 627. Pretty soon 25 yards shots become routine and ringing the gong at 100 becomes possible.

 

[TTSH]

I am just a newbie consumer of 25 rounds per week at a range. I cannot get into reloading. I will pay.

I shooot 25 rounds a week at a range. I pick up and toss the brass into their bucket.

I have 10 boxes of 50 coming in. I could just as well save the brass and the plastic trays, but is it worth sending them to anybody?

25 rounds per week sounded awfully low until I remembered that this is for a Model 642. Then it kinda made sense.

I just hope that range isn't too far away. Taking a long ride (as I would have to do) to shoot off 25 rounds will get tired fast.

 

[Arm]

Well, an ammo shortage is when you run out of reloading supplies...just
don't let that happen.

 

[cremaley]

When I was at my LGS today and was talking with one of the reps about the ammo shortage. He told me that part of the problem is a major manufacturer of primers in China is shut down which is inhibiting the ammo manufactures to produce ammo. This is the first time I heard that.

 

[Father Joe]

When I was at my LGS today and was talking with one of the reps about the ammo shortage. He told me that part of the problem is a major manufacturer of primers in China is shut down which is inhibiting the ammo manufactures to produce ammo. This is the first time I heard that.

Sounds like BS to me.

 

[Mehutch]

I began reloading when I was 19. mostly .357, 41 mag, 45 LC, and 44 mag.

I found it very therapeutic and cost effective. I am now 67 and I have reloaded and shot many thousand rounds. I have an embarrassing amount of quality reloads for all my guns. On top of that I have many thousands of factory loads for many calibers. And thousands of 22LR on hand. I had to stop.

I still have pounds of powder, brass, primers all things to make much more. Just incase. Ya never know. I enjoyed the process and have very careful skills.

I can see that I'll never shoot them all, but it was fun.

 

[jc2721]

If you want your skills to improve--dryfire a lot. It'll smooth out the action and you'll build muscle memory and grip strength. Take it seriously--put up the right sized target on your wall (I use a penny) make absolutely sure your piece is unloaded and there's no ammo whatsoever anywhere near you when you're practicing, and make every shot count.

 

[Frank46]

You have four different things affecting the ammo supply as well as the number of firearms being sold.
1. Civil unrest
2. People panicking and wanting to have something to protect themselves with.
3. Presidential elections coming up in November. People want to get guns and ammo before its banned.
4. And the Covid 19 virus. Its like 4 little storms coming together to form one big one. Now normally we'd only have the elections to contend with. Well that put a hurt on ammo,components and firearms. Folks were buying 22 rimfire ammo at store prices and selling it at 10 cents a round at gun shows. So that 550 round box of Federal bulk ammo now cost $55.00 a box. The 350 round box of Federal rimfire match ammo which was again bought at store prices now goes for $35 a box. Powder prices have taken a hit as well, primers now selling at $150 for a thousand. Don't know what components are going for but it's a sure bet more than this time last year.Last shortage took about two years to come down in price. Then there are some companies that jack up the prices every time an election rolls around.Not naming names but one uses the letters CTD and they do this all the time. And yes they will be remembered. Frank

 

[vintage40s]

25 rounds per week sounded awfully low until I remembered that this is for a Model 642. Then it kinda made sense.
I just hope that range isn't too far away. Taking a long ride (as I would have to do) to shoot off 25 rounds will get tired fast.

The range is 14 miles away and 25 rounds is about all my hand will take. I figure the total cost of bullets, gas and range fee is $37 per visit or $1.50 per shot. Almost $150 per month.

 

[Red Tex]

These ammo panics seem to occur every 4 years, in connection to the presidential election.

As others have mentioned, there are additional factors this time that will keep the ammo supply low for a longer time. The best strategy to avoid running dry is to stock up when the supply is replenished and the panic people have calmed down. I expect that will take a year or more this time around.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

AMMO ETC.

Most of us stock up during the good times and have ammunition lockers or safes as well as gun safes. A lot of the 9mm that I am shooting now cost $4.00 for 50 when purchased. Everyone's needs are different I have heard rules of thumb like 1,000 rounds for each gun. 10,000 rounds for each caliber or gauge. Truth is that you cannot have too much, and ammo will not be in the store when you need it most. Limit to the stockpile is usually the space allowed by the spouse.

Not here I do as I please and NO permission is needed. After 54 years, it works for us. As for the above- I'd say having the ability to load same is just as good.

 

[gen3guy]

One simple word explains it all, every time.
Panic

Exactly! Irrational panic. People worry about being caught in some dystopian social and political environment so they need 5000 rounds of ammo, 480 rolls of TP, and a milk cow.

 

[Dave Lively]

The range is 14 miles away and 25 rounds is about all my hand will take.

When the panic subsides try to find some 148 grain wadcutters. They are accurate, punch a nice clean hole in paper and most importantly have the least recoil of any factory round I seen.