More Ammunition Shortages?

[LostintheOzone]

Nothing wrong with discussing shortages and stocking up. The problem is the hoarders with too much money who buy skids-full of ammo to fill their bunkers with.

I'm not seeing how hoarders create a shortage. Remember that the military and LE buy 100x more ammo than rec shooters. If they can meet that demand they can certainly meet the rec shooters demand, regardless of hoarding.

In any business, companies manufacture what they can sell if they have the resources to do that. The pandemic caused some labor issues which in turn caused some shortages. Now we're back to 2019 except there has been some inflation since then. That means the price of ammo has gone up like everything else.

I'm going with prices dropping even more until next spring and that's when I stock up again on primers. I don't buy ammo.

 

[Dave Lively]

I'm not seeing how hoarders create a shortage. Remember that the military and LE buy 100x more ammo than rec shooters. If they can meet that demand they can certainly meet the rec shooters demand, regardless of hoarding.

The military has long term contracts for ammo. The same is probably true for large LE agencies. With a long term contract the ammo companies can know how much capacity they need to fill the contracts and plan accordingly.

But with the civilian market demand is wildly unpredictable with large and sudden surges in demand often followed by long periods of low demand. Build enough capacity for the surges and they have to pay overhead on expensive under utilized factories when demand is low. Don't build more capacity and they miss the opportunity to sell when demand and prices are high. It's more complicated and risky than dealing with military contracts.

Falling victim to FOMO panic is more often than not an expensive mistake. And in the case of ammo it makes life hard for regular shooters that prefer to buy ammo in small quantities as needed. The best solution I see at this time is for any that shoots often to have enough ammo on hand to get through the next shortage.

 

[rockquarry]

I'm not seeing how hoarders create a shortage. Remember that the military and LE buy 100x more ammo than rec shooters. If they can meet that demand they can certainly meet the rec shooters demand, regardless of hoarding.

In any business, companies manufacture what they can sell if they have the resources to do that. The pandemic caused some labor issues which in turn caused some shortages. Now we're back to 2019 except there has been some inflation since then. That means the price of ammo has gone up like everything else.

I'm going with prices dropping even more until next spring and that's when I stock up again on primers. I don't buy ammo.

Agreed on alleged hoarders. Many threads of dubious value on many forums, but this ammo shortage "fad" ranks among the most useless.

 

[Kinman]

One thing that came as a surprise to me was the shortage of quality target .22 ammunition. I shoot an Anschutz 54 from the early 70's at a friendly impromptu type Saturday morning shooting match. I was surprised that guys were shooting Blazer and other common "plinking" grade ammo. I asked what the reasoning was as anybody that shoots .22's at distance knows its more about the ammo than anything else. Can't get the good stuff. I know a guy that is world class quality with a .22, he couldn't shoot in his game because he couldn't get ammo. He could have gotten ammo but it would have required him to send his rifle in for test firing, then your allowed a couple cases...thats what the smart guys and club shooters do. My rifle is super picky when it comes to ammo and usually requires spending at least $14+ per 50rnd box....if you shoot competitively that starts adding up quick. I asked the guys at the old CCI plant in Lewiston, ID why there was a shortage of muzzle loading caps. They explained that the same machinery line that produces caps and primers is also used to manufacture .22/.17 rimfire.

 

[bushmaster1313]

No shortage
But prices are going back up
If anyone sees quality 5.56 at $0.35/rd please let us know

 

[The Preacher]

We're getting all kinds of mixed information at this point. Wars in Ukraine and Israel using small arms ammo at a high rate. Lake City not selling to civilians, Hornady fire, Vista selling off to a foreign investor. Then Lake City says they never said they wouldn't sell to civilians, plus now some areas (NY) are contemplating not allowing Lake City 5.56 ammo to be sold as it's claimed that a large percentage of "mass shootings" have happened with LC ammo... confusing and convoluted at the best. I've been told by my local dealer that once what's on the shelf is gone, the distributors have very little if any 5.56 to ship. Who knows what's trues at this point. However, I'd say we're primed for a prolonged shortage of NATO rounds (and all rounds as components are used up for the NATO rounds) and I'd suggest if you need something, well now it would be prudent to buy. As the saying goes, Ammo don't eat hay.

 

[djohns6]

I've learned that if you are well stocked on ammo , don't advertise it to your friends or family . Suddenly you will become the go - to guy for those that didn't prepare for the shortage . And they will expect a bargain price to boot .
Been there .

 

[The Preacher]

"Loose lips, sink ships"..... Another once used phrase.

 

[Greyman50]

Decide after you look on PSA site for 62 grn. 5.56 mm, Also none in local walk ins around Jax.