Opinions Needed

[LoboGunLeather]

Prices are bad enough but shortages are even worse. You can get started in reloading for a few hundred dollars to a few more hundred dollars if you shoot a lot and need some equipment designed for higher production.

I've reloaded a long time but after the shortages after 2012 I make sure that I keep plenty of components. If you keep it simple and don't add every gadget, you can see cost savings, especially if you shoot more expensive ammo. 9mm, not so much. .357 and rifle, I save a ton.

I'm NOT going to get caught with my pants down again.

Well put. A modest reloading set-up can be put together in very little space and cost less than 6 or 8 boxes of premium-grade ammunition. Total cost can be recovered very quickly, then the equipment remains usable for decades.

I started reloading in 1971, then started casting bullets in 1972. Every firearm added since then has been accompanied by appropriate reloading dies and a bullet mold. All of that equipment remains fully functional. I own several firearms that have never been fired with factory ammo. I regularly load handgun ammo (.38, .357, 9mm, .40, .45 and others) for $5 to $7 per 50-rounds, and rifle ammo for $5 or $6 per 20-rounds, allowing me to do much more shooting with the dollars I can commit to the sport.

If I were required to live in Californistan I would be stockpiling primers, powder, and projectiles for the future. I would never allow myself to be dependent upon "approved" dealers.

 

[dben002]

The answer in Calif(and other restrictive states) is as it is in all states and at the Federal Level.

The voting booth....but apparently there are not enough pro 2A voters in Calif to make a difference and be able to change the gun culture.

Therefore, if you choose the California life style for whatever reason, accept the political environment, adapt to it and live a happy life. It is apparent from looking from the outside in, that the Anti-2a majority in California has a lock on the voting booth and rather than get better, will deteriorate even more over time.

That's your choice as you choose to live or work there.
I can feel your pain and sympathize with you but face it...that's all either of us can do.

 

[DWalt]

Same recommendations:
1. Build a large ammo inventory while you can.
2. Start reloading and stockpile a large inventory of powder, primers, and bullets right now. It won't take long for CA to clamp down on reloading just as it has on ammo.
3. Or just leave CA ASAP.

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

In talking with an owner of a LGS near me, CA DOJ does not have their computers ready to start the licensing of "ammo sellers" let alone ready to conduct background checks for buyers (CA can't even conduct instant background checks for gun buyers let alone ammo buyers, so will CA ammo buyers have to wait 10 days before they can pick up a single box of ammo?).

Rumor is this ammo background check is going to be postponed until January 2019. But I wouldn't doubt that CA will try to enforce the law without the means to conduct background checks. Thus, a de facto ammo sales ban in CA.

 

[Maddog 521]

I do believe one of you from California should be running for Governor. It's time ya'll get in this fight and start making changes. I don't know how it got so far out of hand but it's time for new leadership.

 

[Engineer1911]

Unless your feet are anchored in concrete or you are chained to a large tree, LEAVE California ! ! ! ! ! Just how bad does life have to get before you gun owners leave?

 

[ExcitableBoy]

Check Allied Vans and Mayflower Movers... they're in the book. freedom is but a phone call away.

I lived in Kalifornski at one time. I have absolutely no inclination to ever even visit again. Currently, the Big Bear State is just way beyond the pale in every way, shape or form. I wish it were not so, but it is what it is. Voters have to get their heads straight and force their "leaders" to adhere to the Constitution of this great republic, of which many of us have served and love.

The job situation is getting better across the country, if that is a concern. If you have a skill, you can get hired almost anywhere in the U.S. If you are retired, tack a map to the wall, throw a dart and pull up stakes. The cost of living between the coasts is exponentionally cheaper... and with a whole lot less hassle. Lay down your cash, get ammo. Ta-da!!!

To me, oppression in any form is totally unacceptable. But maybe that's just me.

Good luck, my friend. I feel for you.

 

[scattershot]

You knew this was coming, amd should have stocked up last year. Anyway, I see trips to Vegas in your future.

 

[amyp502]

If you're in Southern California, I'd recommend checking out LAX Ammo's parking lot sale on December 16th and 17th. The prices on factory new and reloaded LAX ammunition is going to be really cheap. If the prices are right, I'll probably make this my last bulk purchase of the year, but I can't make any promises lol.

I've ordered from them online before and haven't had issues with their ammo. I also think since we are going to be required to purchase our ammo in store in the near future, it'd be best to get close and familiar with some of the local ammo stores. Maybe becoming friends with them will make monthly trips to purchase ammo bearable.

LAX Ammo Parking Lot Sale December 16 & 17, 2017 | LAX Range

 

[HCH]

Ammo dealers will no doubt, charge a background check fee for your in state and mail order ammo. In Ohio, I've seen between $20 and $50 for a transfer, so I would expect about the same. Ammo is the cheapest it's been in years. I would lay in 5,000 mail order rounds of your favorite calibers if you can afford it before the law goes into effect.

 

[Maddog 521]

I just read this thread again and I do believe THEY want every gun person to move out of California. The sooner the better must be the plan. THEY want the whole state to themselves. Good luck out there.

 

[SCruzer]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Yea it's really going to be a harsh couple years in California for me. Leaving California is definitely an option that is being weighed, but for now, I am just going to purchase bulk ammo as fast and cheap as I can and hope for the best.

 

[SCruzer]

If you're in Southern California, I'd recommend checking out LAX Ammo's parking lot sale on December 16th and 17th. The prices on factory new and reloaded LAX ammunition is going to be really cheap. If the prices are right, I'll probably make this my last bulk purchase of the year, but I can't make any promises lol.

I've ordered from them online before and haven't had issues with their ammo. I also think since we are going to be required to purchase our ammo in store in the near future, it'd be best to get close and familiar with some of the local ammo stores. Maybe becoming friends with them will make monthly trips to purchase ammo bearable.

LAX Ammo Parking Lot Sale December 16 & 17, 2017 | LAX Range

This is actually really close to where I live! I definitely plan to make it for at least one of the days to check out their prices! I've bought ammo from them online before and always work as good as name brand ammo. If the prices are low enough, I'll run my bank account and wallet dry stockpiling ammo lol.

 

[Bill Lear]

I'm beginning to worry and panic about the price hike on ammo in California starting next year. Haven't even begun to mentally prepare for an increase in ammo prices, let alone am I financially ready for it. Be honest everyone...how bad do you really think the prices will be at the start of 2018?
When Trump went into office I did see a drop in prices for ammo, but at this point, when new laws take action in California its all over.

I too live in California. Unfortunately, I already have more ammunition on-hand than I'm ever likely to shoot, so the up-coming restriction is unlikely to matter, but all is not so bleak.

First, you can be sure a law-suit is in play on this issue...and with a 5-4 conservative majority on the Supreme court, the ammo regulation might be struck down - in the future.

Meanwhile, you can still go in a buy ammo at a local store, and you can still order ammo on-line to be delivered to a LGD. I have already discussed this with my LGD and he's going to handle all my ammo transfers, so other than added cost (the REAL intent of the new law) I will still have access to my favorite brand(s) (UNDERWOOD).

Also, it will be a MISDEMEANOR if caught carrying ammo across State lines....just saying. What with California's urgency to empty it's prisons thanks to a Federal court order, being caught with ammo is likely to result in nothing more than confiscation, but in reality, unless one is driving around with a giant neon sign advertising they're carrying ammo, nobody would know....again, just sayin' not that I would, nor would encourage anyone to break the law.

Hand loaders will be unaffected and will be able to purchase components to their hearts desire...I just ordered 500 .460 Rowland cases to roll my own in that caliber.

The problem is there isn't a single California. There are at least three Californias. There is the super-liberal California driven around LA, SF, SD, Sacramento, and the coastal region south of SF. Then there is the conservative central Valley or "Inland Empire" which is hugely pro-gun, and the third area is northern California above Sacramento. Unfortunately, most voters haven't a clue and thus the gun-grabbers remain in office.
"Most" Californians seem to believe guns are already "illegal" until educated by someone in the know...so there it is....education. Get the message out there and what one sees is people start wanting to buy a gun and start paying attention to the laws in place.