Lesser known calibers in this time of shortages
- Thread starter Crazy Horse
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I bought a PMR-30 as a "plan B" gun if there was another ammo panic. It's easy to find ammo for, been getting a lot of use lately. I just wish they made a compact version..lol
Howland937
Member
It's illegal to ship ammo via USPS, and ammo can only be shipped ground through UPS and FedEx.
Through the end of this year, ammo must have the "cartridges small arms/ ORM-D" label attached or drawn on.
Through the end of this year, ammo must have the "cartridges small arms/ ORM-D" label attached or drawn on.
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Koroner
Member
TTv2
There is a reason the alternate calibers are available. They are not as good. while they say at Gunsite "any gun will do if YOU will do" I prefer to swat flies with a flyswatter rather than a stick.
There is a reason the alternate calibers are available. They are not as good. while they say at Gunsite "any gun will do if YOU will do" I prefer to swat flies with a flyswatter rather than a stick.
TTv2
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You could make that case about calibers like .32 ACP, until the last few years defense ammo was all lacking, but we've got evidence now that shows certain loads like Hornady Critical Defense and Fiocchi Xtrema are capable with a long enough barrel. You could also say that .380 and 9x18 not being as powerful as 9mm, yet costing more make them "not as good" but the goal for self defense isn't what works better, it's plainly what works.
There was a very detailed study on real world use of calibers done years ago that a lot of people have cited and I recently took the time to watch videos that did a good overview of the study and what surprised me was that the .380 was about equal to 9, 40, and .45 in terms of successfully stopping an attack. That really opened my eyes up to what .380 and 9x18 are capable of and if used in long enough barrels combined with a good defensive ammo, they'll do the job.
Calibers that are as or more powerful than 9mm, but are still "alternative" calibers, stuff like 7.62x25 and .38 Super... they're all just as capable as 9mm or .40 are, but they're limited in variety of guns, limited in ammo variety, and accessories. They're not useless, they will work, but you have to really question which one you'd rather have and which caliber is likely going to be available in the future.
For the record, I don't view 10mm as an "alternative" caliber, it's far more popular and practical than all the actual alternative calibers.
Howland937
Member
When I was more into centerfire rifles, my goal was to have specific rifles for specific tasks, with no gap in between. Everything from small caliber for small varmints on up to "if Cape Buffalo ever establish a presence in Ohio". I later learned that a couple of rifles will do whatever I need.
With handguns, I'm still a fan of variety. Having something is better than not, and if you have multiple options, the likelihood of finding ammo for something you've got is better. Around where I live, I can go buy 38 Super about anytime I want. Don't need any right now, but it's nice knowing I wouldn't be fighting anyone for it.
With handguns, I'm still a fan of variety. Having something is better than not, and if you have multiple options, the likelihood of finding ammo for something you've got is better. Around where I live, I can go buy 38 Super about anytime I want. Don't need any right now, but it's nice knowing I wouldn't be fighting anyone for it.
FedEx Ground stopped accepting ORM-D shipments a while ago, packages containing ammunition must have the new Limited Quantity label.
Howland937
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Yes, guess I didn't differentiate between the requirements of the 2 carriers. UPS is still accepting ORM-D through this year, then they switch according to the clerk at the UPS shipping center a couple weeks ago.
zaitcev
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At this point we've shifted far away from stocks in old ammunition. When I visit retailers, including those far away, the only thing that's available is 9mm. The .380 and .45 come and go, and there's absolutely nothing in obscure calibers like .22 WMR or 10mm. The shortage has gone on for so long that the conventional wisdom was overturned completely. Only the freshly made ammunition is being sold, and the ammunition makers mostly stopped loading oddball cartridges while they're struggling to supply 9mm.
huntsman
Member
^ that does seem to be the case at least from the 2nd hand intel I’ve received.
LGS has 9mm for between $15.00-19.00 a box but quantity is limited.
LGS has 9mm for between $15.00-19.00 a box but quantity is limited.
Charlie98
Member
That's just a rerun of the Dark Ages 10 years ago. You couldn't find a box of .380, because they shifted production to 9mm... etc, etc. Even ammo manufacturers like Hornady discontinued certain ammos to concentrate on others... like the 147grn Critical Duty, which was what I carried. In fact, they still don't catalog a 147grn defense load other than the XTP.
I have an Astra A80 with .38 Super Auto +P barrel and a 9X19mm barrel that I really enjoy. Double stack magazine with 15 rounds capacity for either. While I don't think 38 Super Auto +P is significantly more powerful than 9X19mm I also don't think 38 Super Auto +P is significantly less powerful than 9X19mm +P either. AmmoSeek shows considerable availability remains in 38 Super Auto +P including hollow pont SD varieties. I'd like to see evidence 38 Super Auto +P "isn't as good" as you put it.
https://special-ops.org/astra-model-a-80-auto-pistol/
https://www.sgammo.com/product/38-s...grain-jacketed-hollow-point-federal-american-
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Howland937
Member
I'm not sure to what extent the difference would need to be to be considered significant, but my most accurate 38 Super load is right at 250fps faster than my fastest 9mm load with the same 124gr Sierra JHP. To get similar accuracy, I have to drop the 9mm load to around 1150fps. Same powder, same gun, same bullet, just swapping barrels.
So you're like me and would like to see a Koroner report with objective data to support his assertion.
Tallball
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This is exactly why I have bought cheap but perfectly serviceable LE trade-in and military surplus handguns whenever there's been a really excellent deal.
I paid $200-$300 for Beretta 81, Glock 22, Russian Makarov, Chinese Tokarev, etc. when they were widely available and cheap.
If there is any ammo for sale at all, I probably have something that will shoot it.
Something to think about before the next shortage.
I paid $200-$300 for Beretta 81, Glock 22, Russian Makarov, Chinese Tokarev, etc. when they were widely available and cheap.
If there is any ammo for sale at all, I probably have something that will shoot it.
Something to think about before the next shortage.
.455_Hunter
Member
Um, no.
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Anybody had trouble getting .30 Carbine lately? Im well stocked on .223 and 7.62x39 but Ive been shooting the Carbines a bit more lately and saving the "front line" cartridges just in case.
Oldschool shooter
Member
I was at a local Cabelas a couple dsys ago. 5 boxes of .25 auto snd 1 box of 5.7mm was the only pistol ammo on their shelves.
Same with the Cabelas by me, though 22 Mag seems to be available everywhere. I have a PMR-30 and a Rock Island 1911 in .22 Mag that haven gotten a lot of use lately..haha
Armybrat
Member
.327 Federal Magnum wasn’t easy to find pre-Covid/riots.
Glad I stocked up though the previous two years...and with a few boxes of S&W Long too.
Glad I stocked up though the previous two years...and with a few boxes of S&W Long too.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Did you sweep it up and take it home? All you need now is bullets, primers and powder!
"If you don't handload, you ain't right."
-- Uncle Herbivore.
OP
OP
Crazy Horse
Member
I should have, but I didn't. I did see 40s&w ammo on sale at academy. It was steel cased ammo, but it was available. Unlike 9mm ammo or primers, it can be found.
Getting the itch to look for a used LEO firearm for sale. They're usually cheaper than new, and are broken in.
CH
Getting the itch to look for a used LEO firearm for sale. They're usually cheaper than new, and are broken in.
CH
tactikel
Member
Mom and Pop LGS had zero ammo except 5 boxes of .32 acp. I'm thinking a P32 is in my future!
TTv2
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Of all the unpopular calibers out there that I will flat out say is not worth owning, .25 tops the list and .38 S&W is a close second. I know this is an autoloader focused thread, but between .32 and .38 S&W, what .32 at least has going for it is you can shoot it in a .32 H&R Mag or a .327 revolver. .38 S&W is just... that's it. Like, if H&R had chosen to use .38 Short Colt instead of .38 S&W, they probably would have sold more guns being able to sell people on being able to use .38 Short Colt in both their top break revolvers and the .38 Special.
So basically, I'm not surprised .25 is sitting there.
Garandimal
member
That is patently absurd.
The .40/180 gr. - has been the high-water mark for LEO calibers, with a street record to back it up, for Decades.
Limp-wristed bean-counting FBI Pogues not withstanding.
The world is not suddenly... new.
GR
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