[Drakejake]

The shortage of Wolf ammo in bulk seems very severe. Does anyone know of a dealer who has Wolf 7.62 and .223 in stock at "reasonable" prices? I just spoke to J & G and was told an order placed today might take 3-4 months to ship because of back orders.

Thanks,

Drakejake

[AJ Dual]

There IS NO "REAL" 7.62 X 39 SHORTAGE!

The "shortage" is a combination of three things:

1. Some of the Russian and East European manufacturers were filling LARGE orders to re-arm the new Iraqi army and police forces with Uncle Sam paying the tab. (It's easier and cheaper to buy new and know what you have is safe, than testing Saddam's old stockpiles. The remaining stockpiles that we hadn't already blown up to keep it from the insurgents, anyway…)

2. Import ammo comes in on container ships. Huge loads come in every few months, it's not a constant flow all the time. So if a panic gets going between mega-loads, there's a temporary shortage.

2a. For high-profile items like ammo, it then can take weeks more to clear customs, this slows it down even further. The pace of interantional shipping from the overseas ammo factory to the major American distributors is much different in time and scope than the 1 week it takes you to get it via UPS.

3. Unscrupulous (or smart, depending on your outlook) dealers have taken advantage of panic buying based on Internet and gun-show rumors, and have jacked up the prices on their remaining stock.

Keep shopping around, Sportsman's Guide is supposed to have some, or is at least filling orders every few weeks. Also if you're interested in paying a bit more (which you will, anyway) for S&B and the other "expensive" ammo (But still way cheaper than US) that most people overlook while scrabbling for Wolf at it's cheapest, you'll find plenty of 7.62 X 39 too.

Also, try looking for smaller lots than the large cases, you might find 250 and 500 round lots or odd amounts availible because the majority of interest seems to be on the 1000 round cases. Again, you'll pay more, but if you're terrified that "Mad Max Days" is just around the corner, you'll at least have your ammo. :)

The overseas ammo makers aren't stupid, they know there's HUGE demand for 7.62 X 39 in the US, it just takes time for them to get it here. The market will be flooded again, probably by the end of summer, and things will return to normal, more or less. It's possible you'll never see $99+ s&h 1000 round cases again, due to inflation and the international value of the dollar, but it'll still be "cheap"…

[KONY]

If you have one near you, Gander Mountain has 'em on sale for $2.49 per box of 20.

[Cosmoline]

They're back in stock locally to some extent, though I still can't get orders for heavy 153 grain Wolf filled.

This will NOT be a long-term shortage. The factories are very busy and when the need from the middle east is satisfied they will again be supplying all their orders stateside.

In the mean time I'm taking the opportunity to experiment with handloading the x39 more.

[MechAg94]

Try www.gulfcoastammo.com. I think that is who some of the local gun show guys buy from. 7.62X39 has been available the last few gun shows here though at a higher price.

[Drakejake]

Gulf Coast Ammunition. They are out of 7.62 by 39.

The answer is no--no one has Wolf ammo in this calibre in bulk at prices similar to what we paid last year. In fact, it is not easy to find any major dealer who ANY Wolf by 39 in bulk in stock right now. This is a major shortage, considering how many of us have bought SKS rifles recently. The popularity of AK and SKS rifles has been based in part on the cheapness of Russian ammo. I do hope that the shortage is temporary, but because of backed up demand, I think the delays will be longer than some may think.

Drakejake

[Red Tornado]

Sportsmansguide's new catalog had 640 round spam cans for ~$75, but I haven't checked their web page. Hold on.......I'm back, sorry I took so long, it's herehttp://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=205292 and it's $77.97 per 640.

RT

[Car Knocker]

Red T, if you click to add to your cart, this is the message that comes up:

We're sorry, this item (Product: 640 rds. 7.62x39 FMJ Ammo (WX2-92750)) is not currently in stock. This backordered item will be delivered as soon as we get new stock in our warehouse. You will not be billed until the item is shipped.
This item is expected at Sportsman's Guide on April 28, 2006.

[Don't Tread On Me]

This has been debated a lot on this forum and others.


Can anyone provide any citation or proof that the shortage is a result of manufacturing ammunition to re-arm the Iraqis or any other State that might be placing large orders?


For some reason, I am not entirely confident that the entire U.S. supply of 7.62x39mm has been practically cut off in order to fill an order for 1 other country.

[Drakejake]

You cannot go by dealers' web pages or ads in SGN. Many list this ammo for sale but when you call them up you find out that they don't have any, haven't had any for some time, and will not have any in the next few weeks or months. In the meantime, I will shoot .308, .22, and other calibres. I do expect that that eventually we will again be able to get a case of Wolf for about $100.

Drakejake

[grimjaw]

OK, I admit it. I've secretly been buying up all the stock of 7.62x39, to hold in reserve for when the price hits a certain point. I'm going to use the profit to buy several pieces of land in a country where the exchange rate is very favorable, and start my own country based on libertarian principles. :p

jmm

[jagdpanzer347]

Buy it cheap and stack it deep. Sometimes being an ammo whore makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Seriously, I think things will return to "normal" for the 7.62x39 market in a few months. When it gets closer to a hundred a case, stock up, if feasable.
-jagdpanzer

[Schmitty]

If you're willing to pay about $150/1000 shipped then you can get some through this ad: http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976695220.htm

About the best I've found right now.

[tarrigoni]

outdoormarksman.com has about 4000 20 round boxes in stock of varying weights.

[aguyindallas]

There was a time when I used to buy 10 boxes at a time here and there at shows and at Turners Outdoors when I lived in Californistan.

I didnt have much use for it at the time as I only have 1 gun that uses it. I just kept thinking that sooner or later, it would come in handy. Well, a lot of little rocks make a big pile and I think I have about 1000 rounds on hand. Now that I see this supposed shortage, it makes me glad I have what I do. I have not bought any in a few years, but I do know that when it gets to be readily available, I will resume my old habits of buying it 10 boxes at a time, assuming it gets back to the 2.00/box to 2.49/box price again.

[Seven High]

There have been numerous newspaper articles lately about Iran and Venezuela buying large quantities of AK47 rifles and accessories, including ammunition for them. Venezuela purchased 100,000 rifles. This is where all the ammunition is going.

[petergriffin]

According to this:

http://www.gunclicks.com/blog/

there is no shortage of Wolf ammo.

It is all you new guys (me included) hoarding it for their SKS :)

[secamp32]

I backordered 1000 rounds and they shipped it within 3 weeks.

[StopTheGrays]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM624-3227-257.html

7.62x39 Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, 122-Grain Hollow Point Bullet, 500 Rounds
Item #: AMM-624
Our Low Price: $79.97
Club Price: $75.97

300 cases in stock.

[MechAg94]

At the gun shows around Houston, the ammo sellers have had 7.62X39. The last one was just a couple weeks ago. They had Wolf, Silver Bear, and Brown Bear. All were in the $160/1000 range. No 5.45X39 though. Maybe it was all the stock they had. I have not tried to buy it mail order.

I think the shortage is just a rapid increase in demand that the manufacturers were not ready for. Plus a lot of the surplus ammo dried up at the same time taking away an alternate source of supply. I think the demand increased due to the large number of WASR's, SKS's, and other cheap AK's on the market over the last year.

[Drakejake]

OK, secamp32, thanks for the tip. Although Cabelas does not have x39 in stock, they expect to be able to ship in a couple of weeks. The price is not too bad and it looks better when you consider the nice plastic containers holding the ammo. I ordered two cases of x39 and two cases of .223 (in stock).

Drakejake

[Firehand]

It's been interesting what you hear. An ammo dealer I buy from said he's getting very little Wolf 7.62x39, about two cases a month and NO 9x18mm. His information was they're filling big contracts with Syria and Venezuela, as well as some bought by the U.S. to feed the Iraqi army.

[brandyspaw]

I don't think we will ever get cheap ammo prices again due to metal
expenses and shipping costs going up. I would also bet that once the
prices of ammo get high enough you will see much more available although
there is a lot of ammo capacity going to the Middle East and South
America. (kind of like fuel)

I also don't blame ammo hoarders as being responsible for the
shortage. They don't help the situation but they certainly aren't the
cause. I think its just a time period of increased demand and increasing
materials and shipping costs. Nothing sinister-just bad timing.

[iomasterv41]

They've got some on www.fastarms.com (http://www.fastarms.com). They are just starting up apperently. I gave them a call and they have 7 cases. The catch is they can only deliver to Northern and Central New York. They don't have the hasmat certification they need to ship it yet.