Just an observation but, ive noticed that .22 (here) isnt bening talked about much.

[dswancutt]

To be honest, I rarely shot my 22LR before the shortage began. When I was shooting bowling pins, I used a little. Since it's a 500 mile round trip to shoot pins, with gas so high I have stopped that.
I have been able to stockpile a small amount, mainly through my sisters boyfriend who gives me a 100 rnds every so often.
I am much more concerned about the lack of pistol powder.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Found, .22LR Today

I drove the approximately 20 miles to the nearest Academy Sports today, you won't believe it but they had Federal 36 grain, Copper Plated, Hollow Point, 525 round value packs for sale. Only one per customer though and the price was $23.53 which included tax. I know this isn't a great price and I cannot attest to the quality of this round but it was on the shelf and for sale, something very unusual around here lately. Wally World across the street had none! I hope you understand that I'm not boasting just very glad to see .22LR for sale at less than SCALPER prices!

 

[b3337]

I just plain gave up on finding any locally. I bought a brick online, but ordered it on my lunch hour. Anything left to order by the time I get off work is too expensive for my budget. I was fortunate enough to have quite a bit stocked up when all of this began and have not ran out. It has been easier to find powder, primer, and bullets for what I reload. I have also stopped looking at .22 firearms. No sense in buying something I can't feed.

 

[IAhunter]

I think many people have given up as I have. I have better things to do than stand in line at 6AM at Walmart to possibly purchase .22 rimfire ammo. I have a couple thousand rounds left for when my kids are home from college.

I have substituted shooting reloaded .38 special ammo out of my revolvers at the range. Now the problem is pistol powder. I can get bulk bullets, both plated and lead. Once my stash of Unique and Accurate #2 powders are gone, I'm going to take up throwing rocks.

 

[djt17]

Back in April I purchased a 1400 rnd pail of .22lr online from Natchezss for .07/rnd including shipping. I get notifications from the Ammo thread in the 15-22 forum. My job is flexible enough to be able to respond. (Besides I'm the boss!) I have seen lots of .22lr recently for .10 shipped, but thats more than I am willing to spend. If I didn't have any to shoot that might be different.

 

[bvd1]

Glad to see it's not talked about much. It's been talked to death. I usually don't read .22lr threads and only read the first post.

 

[MyDads38]

I would like to own a few 22 rimfire firearms, at least a rifle and handgun of some type. But since there is seldom any 22 ammo available locally, I see no reason to buy either.

The last 22 ammo I saw for sale was $6.99/50 or $13.99/100 and that was the cheapest! I've seen prices as high as $19.99/50 locally and I just walked away shaking my head.

As others have stated, I can reload my centerfire pistol rounds cheaper than that; so that's what I do. I don't look for 22 ammo anymore and won't even ask about it at WM-whose ammo case has become bare again, after the clerk telling me a few months ago that ammo was becoming more available and would soon be on the shelves. Hmmm, wonder what happened there?

 

[Art Doc]

WATCHDOG- Is there a point to your comments?

ladyT- Some consider gouging, profiteering, exploitation of emergency circumstances, etc to be capitalism. I do not.

 

[jbull380]

I haven't bought any .22 ammo in 2 years. I refuse to participate in the madness. I'll hand load center fire instead. I hear people to me how they buy it at walmart and sell it at auctions for inflated prices and idiots buy it.They can have it.

 

[biggbiker]

I am new to shooting, after a 20yr break. Decided June 2013 that a S&W 15-22 was my choice. Realizing 22lr was non existant, and despite my brother says don't do it. I decided I would get 3000 rds of ammo before buying the gun. By Dec 15th I had 3000rds (approx. .10 rd) Gun purchased 12/31/2013. I figured I needed 7000 more rds. Jan-April, I got 20,000 more rds ( .07 rd average) After shooting in April, I realized 1000 rds a month is more real. I have since passed on appox 10,000 rds. Some were less than 5 cents a round. I also sold all Remington and Winchester ammo, but kept the CCI and Fed. I was blocked from selling on armslist by a bunch of locals. Every time I put up 22lr at any price, it was flagged as spam or overpriced (.05 cents a round) So I was forced to put it on gunbroker and made a windfall. I think a lot of this shortage is people refusing to pay more than 5-6 cents a round. Right now .10/rd is the market, I think it will settle at.07-.08/rd, and that's the price you all have to choose. I am all in at that. 1 person in 20 is a millionare in this country. Look at gas prices ($3.25/ gal sounds cheap)

 

[blujax01]

22 LR is so readily available that at least one moderator has taken to posting links to on line merchants.

Saxonpig, I do like your example of how hyperbole can be humorous! "Exploitation of emergency circumstances"? Classic!

 

[the ringo kid]

I certainly hope so. Then we can get back to woofing on WalMart and threatening a boycott for selling Chinese made junk and not paying a decent wage.

This deserves more than one like. Heh heh, I like your way of thinking--at least on this.

 

[the ringo kid]

In the for what it is worth category, one LGS "hand" told me another reason why it is so short! Many ARs are being made in the 22lr and they can use up a brick in just a short time.

FYI!

I have the STG 44 version, but I only "tossed" two--50 rd packs down its throat--had my thrill and left. It hasnt "spoken" in over a year. The next .22 I want--but buying schedule moved back a number of months--is a Heritage arms SSA Rough Rider .22.I can get one w/TT&L--for less than $200 NiB. that wil be the one I will fire more often

I remember the last timeI took a bolt action .22 to the range--some 25 or more years ago. It took me at least 5 hours to shoot a brick (then in tubs) which cost soewhat less than $5 a tub.

 

[the ringo kid]

22LR ammo supply hasn't gotten any better and I think people who are out have either decided to stop worrying and chasing it or they have decided to pay much higher prices to have some to shoot.
To me it's not an accident that 22LR is rim fire ammo and one of the only ammo's that reloader's can't reload but that's probably just my way of thinking as a Combat Vietnam Vet.

I pretty much just quit looking and asking. I got tired of the made up stories as to why this and that happened. However, if im lucky enough to see some on the shelf? ill buy some. That last time was at Academy over 2 months ago--the visit with the whiney lady.

 

[the ringo kid]

Glad to see it's not talked about much. It's been talked to death. I usually don't read .22lr threads and only read the first post.

What I had originally meant about not being talked about much--wasnt meaning being talked about here on this site--but locally where I live. I no longer hear the whispering of the "that son of a *******" kind of thing. So, im HOPING that is a good sign that the scalpers are also starting to see. Well, next Gun show in my area is in mid August. Ill be going and taking notes.

 

[the ringo kid]

I would like to own a few 22 rimfire firearms, at least a rifle and handgun of some type. But since there is seldom any 22 ammo available locally, I see no reason to buy either.

The last 22 ammo I saw for sale was $6.99/50 or $13.99/100 and that was the cheapest! I've seen prices as high as $19.99/50 locally and I just walked away shaking my head.

As others have stated, I can reload my centerfire pistol rounds cheaper than that; so that's what I do. I don't look for 22 ammo anymore and won't even ask about it at WM-whose ammo case has become bare again, after the clerk telling me a few months ago that ammo was becoming more available and would soon be on the shelves. Hmmm, wonder what happened there?

You guys must be geting scalped all around up your way. I think the cheapest listed price tag ive seen for a.50rd box of .22 at WM--was $1.99. However, you guessed it--none to be seen.

 

[Harpman]

In the for what it is worth category, one LGS "hand" told me another reason why it is so short! Many ARs are being made in the 22lr and they can use up a brick in just a short time.

FYI!

Bingo, we have a winner.

 

[the ringo kid]

WATCHDOG- Is there a point to your comments?

ladyT- Some consider gouging, profiteering, exploitation of emergency circumstances, etc to be capitalism. I do not.

Very well put.I wish I could be as succinct when posting. Two likes on this one as well. Saxon said it all that ive been posting about for months. I dont care if one buys a ton of .22--just NOT in emergency situations. I went through that trying to find batteries and another flashlight--the last time we had a major threat of a direct hurricane hit here locally. Luckily I had more food stuffs etc than I would figure ever needig-already in my pantry at home.I already had 2-3working flashlights and batteries-also had a working water purification system at home too.

Well, I got off work1 hour early--went home,changed and headed to Wm.Onentering the parking lot--I saw scapers set upallover the area with shopping carts full of canned food, water, flashlights and batteries etx. I wet in figuring they wuld have nothing I really needed, but looked around anyway. I found a nice maglight flashlight and Duracell batteries hidden on a shalf and grabbed them. I ventured by the canned food and water area--not a damn thing on the shelf. The scalpers had emptied the shelves and went outside to make their profits. Its people like those--I totally loathe.

 

[Camster]

Slightly off-topic but relevant: the .22LR is going the way of the 15-inch tire, which I have on my 2003 Buick LeSabre. Got a flat the other day that couldn't be fixed and was unable to find a used replacement. 15-inchers are very scarce. Had to go to the bone yard to find one.

Yeah,it took a while for my tire guy to find me a 15" white wall for our 1986 Pontiac Parisienne. ;-)

 

[the ringo kid]

I am new to shooting, after a 20yr break. Decided June 2013 that a S&W 15-22 was my choice. Realizing 22lr was non existant, and despite my brother says don't do it. I decided I would get 3000 rds of ammo before buying the gun. By Dec 15th I had 3000rds (approx. .10 rd) Gun purchased 12/31/2013. I figured I needed 7000 more rds. Jan-April, I got 20,000 more rds ( .07 rd average) After shooting in April, I realized 1000 rds a month is more real. I have since passed on appox 10,000 rds. Some were less than 5 cents a round. I also sold all Remington and Winchester ammo, but kept the CCI and Fed. I was blocked from selling on armslist by a bunch of locals. Every time I put up 22lr at any price, it was flagged as spam or overpriced (.05 cents a round) So I was forced to put it on gunbroker and made a windfall. I think a lot of this shortage is people refusing to pay more than 5-6 cents a round. Right now .10/rd is the market, I think it will settle at.07-.08/rd, and that's the price you all have to choose. I am all in at that. 1 person in 20 is a millionare in this country. Look at gas prices ($3.25/ gal sounds cheap)

Not that im trying to start a fight but, i can still find it for under 10 a round locally. Normally about 4-6 cents a round at Academy. I just flat out--refuse to play the scalping game.

 

[Gunhacker]

I've decided that no matter how hard I want it not to be, the new "normal" online price for a brick is settling into $40-50 and it's going to remain there as the usage landscape for .22LR has changed.

I was at an outdoor rifle range with my M1A for about an hour sighting in a new scope, and during the time I was there I watched in total disgust, as a group of 3 guys showed up with their 22LR M4's and proceeded to each gleefully go through 3-4 bricks of ammo. They were still blasting away when I left.

People talk about "boycotting" .22LR ammo and the price will go down... well how about not buying .22LR firearms that consume ammo like Ms. Pac-man... or showing some freaking restraint at the range, it ain't a video game.

Locally, there's none to be found, and a new LGS that opened near me is charging $90 for a 500rd brick of Armscor.

It reminds me of how gasoline has gone from being an average of $1.50 a gallon to $3.50 - $4.00 (out here in CA).

And like gas, the bar has been raised and consumers are proving that they willing to pay the new prices to have their fun. I don't think we're going to see much change in the near future.

Plus in addition to demand, higher prices from panic buying are always just another "crazy shooter incident" away, especially in states where the legislators are gladly willing to put pen to paper to regulate ammo as a means to "protect" us from such miscreants.

At least there has been some clouds lifting from the center fire pistol ammo front... I haven't see 9mm so abundant and cheap for a long time, with a 50rd box of "name brand" 115gr nudging the $10 mark.

 

[walnutred]

I stopped by the LGS yesterday and they still had 50 rd boxes of Federal Champion for $2.95 a box, limit 2. A couple of my 22's like that ammo so I pick up a couple boxes whenever I'm in the area.

 

[biggbiker]

Not that im trying to start a fight but, i can still find it for under 10 a round locally. Normally about 4-6 cents a round at Academy. I just flat out--refuse to play the scalping game.

My point is the local armslisters in my area took off .05 ammo off the market, and forced it to inflate 125%. That ammo was sold to a scalper who marked it up more. The armslisters localy thought they were helping by not just me, but anyone advertising 22lr.
They did me a fine service by doubling my money from the sale. Lets just say I got a real cheap, new gun after the dogooders stopped me from selling at cost.

 

[NZshooter]

a group of 3 guys showed up with their 22LR M4's and proceeded to each gleefully go through 3-4 bricks of ammo

Good for them IMO. Better than squirreling it away or flipping for a profit.

 

[the ringo kid]

Glad to see it's not talked about much. It's been talked to death. I usually don't read .22lr threads and only read the first post.

BVD,I didnt mean lack of .22 discussion on this site--I meant in the area where i live. Ther are abundant threads on .22 here-BUT--nothing stating what the "word"is fromwhere others live.

 

[the ringo kid]

My point is the local armslisters in my area took off .05 ammo off the market, and forced it to inflate 125%. That ammo was sold to a scalper who marked it up more. The armslisters localy thought they were helping by not just me, but anyone advertising 22lr.
They did me a fine service by doubling my money from the sale. Lets just say I got a real cheap, new gun after the dogooders stopped me from selling at cost.

I did understand your point. My point is-is I flat out refuse to do business with anyone (or) anyplace--who IMO--is selling at scalping prices. I have around 3,000 rounds of .22 and havent fired a shot since I "tested"my new .45. So I, personally--aint short of .22 ammo. However, I like getting some for my three Nephews who either cant find it? or dont have the time like I do-to search for it. Ill do without more--as long as prices remain high (with the exceptions of) buying it from Academy and WM-when i happen to be there and when they have it (WM) in stock. Academy here gets tons of it in all the time, but since I do not have a car--it's a hardship for me to go to Academy to buy it. I havent been that far in over 2 months. So--my only realistic place is the WM I go to most often.

To put it simply--I buy many DvDs. I can find new ones for sale for as low as $2 bucks at a "dollar type" store. Online--those $2 movies are going from $10 on up to $20. Im NOT--paying $20 for what I can get for $2.

 

[ladyT]

Good for them IMO. Better than squirreling it away or flipping for a profit.

You know I don't care if someone wants to squirrel whatever amount of ammo they feel appropriate for their situation. Simply don't care.

I don't care if people want to sell their ammo at whatever price they can get after all it's their property not mine. So I don't really care what they do with their ammo.

I don't care if someone wants to run through bricks of 22lr during a range trip, again its their property and I'm not their mother.


Now when someone comes in and says the reason some 4H kids or other group of kids have to use pellet guns instead of 22lr is because of people standing in line to buy ammo does get under my skin. Blaming others because they were too lazy to stand in line or too cheap to buy online just doesn't cut it.

 

[coltle6920]

I don't think I could go through a brick of .22LR if I was in a field surrounded by 500 rabid prairie dogs.

I have a AR-15 that I take to the range along with 14 loaded 30rd mags.I rarely shoot more than 5 mags at an outing.I can very well afford to spray lead all over the North Forty on a daily basis but what does that prove? I think this is the problem with the kids coming up that think shooting firearms is like their video games.It is counterproductive and wont be of any help later on in their life.

I have two revolvers and one lever action rifle in .22LR.I have a 120rd speedloader for the rifle.I don't think I've ever shot more than 300rds total in that caliber at one sitting.I try to make each shot count for something.

The real kicker is (and I can't figure out why) that I have close to 9000rds of .22LR and still find myself buying more when reasonably priced.I would give it away to friends before ever trying to make a profit on it.

Is 22ammo overpriced? Of course it is and obviously some more than others.Do I consider it gouging? Maybe,But not in the same sense as what happens during a crisis.You can't survive very well in a disaster without food and other essential staples but I haven't heard of anyone dying for lack of .22LR.

Like it or not this is my two cents.