Reason there is a .22LR shortage

[mojave30cal]

I walked into my LGS this morning with my dog Harley to see
what they had in their used gun case. A couple was there, and
the wife was looking for a gun. The husband asked the guy
behind the counter why there was a shortage of .22 ammo. The
clerk started explaining about supply & demand, more shooters
than before, people hoarding the stuff, etc, etc...

On my way out I mentioned to the wife that trying to figure out
why there is a .22 shortage is like trying to figure out the
meaning of life. Who knows.

 

[Irn-Bru]

My local gun store told me they only make the stuff for 6 months of the year. He also told me Colts from Walmart are made using blemished parts so who knows.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I imagine there are a few of us who keep 10,000+ rounds of all our calibers including 22LR in the ammo safe and other hiding places.

 

[Sebago Son]

Only 10,000 rounds?

You're slipping Rick!

Drew

 

[Marshwheeling]

Had a conversation at coffee today with an enthusiast who opined that .22 was scarce because it has such a low margin of profit. During the shortage, manufacturers concentrate on the larger calibers that are in demand because they can make more money on them. Sounds as good as a lot of theories. Of course, they can raise prices, but only so far before they run into price resistance.

 

[perrazi]

when you have been thru this shortage thing once, it should never happen to you again. prepper mentality or no, it only makes good sense to never get caught short again.

 

[H Richard]

At any gun show you can find plenty for sale for $65 to $80 a brick!

 

[Bkreutz]

.22 LR is the only caliber that aliens(UFO pilots, not the other kind ) use. It's all stockpiled on the dark side of the moon.

 

[diamonback68]

At any gun show you can find plenty for sale for $65 to $80 a brick!

And that's where it's going to all the scalpers.
I know a guy who stands in line every day at Wally World when ammo comes in, buys his three brick limit at $23.95 and them puts them out on his table at the weekend flea market for $75-$80 and usually sells almost none at the price.
Another guy in that same line at W W says he has over 50,000 rounds of 22LR already, but can't seem to help himself from hoarding more.

There's the reason for your shortages and it's happen at hundreds of thousand places all over the country. I hope they all get stuck with it.

I have 3 bricks and that's more than I will ever need for a long time for my purposes.

 

[Cyrano]

I've go enough for recreational shooting, but I like to shoot match grade in my match pistols, and I haven't seen any CCI Green Tab in more than two years.

 

[Fishslayer]

Had a conversation at coffee today with an enthusiast who opined that .22 was scarce because it has such a low margin of profit. During the shortage, manufacturers concentrate on the larger calibers that are in demand because they can make more money on them. Sounds as good as a lot of theories. Of course, they can raise prices, but only so far before they run into price resistance.

The machines used for .22 are different from those used to make CF cartridges. According to the manufacturers they are balls to the wall making .22LR. There's plenty available if you are willing to pay scalpers $65 a brick for it.

 

[ladyT]

I've go enough for recreational shooting, but I like to shoot match grade in my match pistols, and I haven't seen any CCI Green Tab in more than two years.

They still make it?

 

[LostintheOzone]

I wasn't aware there was a shortage. Of course I haven't tried to buy any in about ten years. Just reload 9mm, it's cheaper.

 

[gm272gs]

I've go enough for recreational shooting, but I like to shoot match grade in my match pistols, and I haven't seen any CCI Green Tab in more than two years.

There's better stuff than Green Tag out there, in my opinion.
Eley Target, Wolf Match Target, and Federal AutoMatch are excellent choices, if they are available.

 

[Hamster65]

All of the factories that produce 22LR are working 24/7 and producing more than they ever have before. The problem is, EVERYBODY has at least 1 or more 22LR guns, (I have 2 and am looking to buy a 3rd) it's still relatively cheap compared to other calibers, and they're great for teaching the young ones how to shoot.
Just don't bother trying to buy any at a gun show because, they are price gouging like crazy. The last gun show I went to, I found .17 cheaper than 22LR. One idiot was charging $20.00 per 50ct box his 50ct boxes of .17 were only $13.00. At another table, they were charging $45.00 for a 225ct bulk box of Remington Golden Bullets that you can get at Walmart for about $11.00.
Needless to say, I went home with the .17's and no 22's that day.

 

[perrazi]

just received a brick of sk pistol match. had it on order from and old favorite distributor since last fall.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I walked into Palmetto State armory's new store in town and found full shelves of Federal auto match 22lr, 325 count for $24.99 a box. Not the greatest price but they had some! I bought 2 boxes.

 

[Waywatcher]

The problem is, EVERYBODY has at least 1 or more 22LR guns, (I have 2 and am looking to buy a 3rd) it's still relatively cheap compared to other calibers, and they're great for teaching the young ones how to shoot.

No .22 guns here! This whole mess hasn't encouraged me to get one either.

 

[NYlakesider]

No .22 guns here! This whole mess hasn't encouraged me to get one either.

I now have 3 rifles and4 handguns in .22 and I always try to keep a good amount of ammo for them on hand.

No, I hardly have bought any .22 ammo in the last couple years. One notable exception to that was the grand opening of a well known big box store about 70 miles away last year. Wife and I took a ride and we both got two bricks (reasonably priced) each (maximum allowed).

I always have a decent amount of .22 on hand as in a serious SHTF scenario it will be as valuable as gold. Would make good trading stock as just about anyone with a gun has a.22. + it is small and takes up little space!

 

[gregintenn]

Who is John Galt?