What are the three most ubiquitous (common & available) cartridges?

Hokkmike · Dec 19, 2020

What are the three most most available cartridges? The ones that you can find in any little store even in the middle of nowhere. (During normal times, of course)

Here are my picks (in order):
1. 22 long rifle
2. .30-06
3. 9 mm

What are your three top picks?

Pat Riot · Dec 19, 2020

.22 LR
.38 Special
9mm

ih772 · Dec 19, 2020

.22 LR
30-06
12 ga

A lot of small places in rural areas don't carry pistol ammo.

daniel craig · Dec 19, 2020

22
223/5.66
9mm

Hog huntin Harry · Dec 19, 2020

.223 Remington
9x19 mm
12 gauge

whughett · Dec 19, 2020

22LR
45ACP
38Special

MetalMan52 · Dec 19, 2020

22lr
9mm
223

shoobe01 · Dec 19, 2020

In order and ignoring which loads as that is partly regional, partly seasonal (and assuming CONUS):

12 ga
.22 LR
9 mm Luger/Parabellum

Go back 20 years, replace 9 mm with .38 Spl.

Barry the Bear · Dec 19, 2020

12 ga
.22
Tie for .45 and 9mm depending on location I know of several stores that just seem to have more of the other

reloaded_in_pa · Dec 19, 2020

12 GA
22LR
30-06

Mr. Mosin · Dec 19, 2020

12ga
.22LR
.38 Spl *or* 9x19mm, depends on locale

Ru4real · Dec 19, 2020

46 rimfire
256 Newton
351 Winchester self loading

earlthegoat2 · Dec 19, 2020

7.62x39.

First second and 22 might come in third.

Or were we talking just the US?

Skeptic13 · Dec 19, 2020

22lr
9mm
.223/5.56
.308/7.62
12 ga

I know you said three but really it is these five that make up the bulk of ammo sales during good times. The middle three are available in abundance because they are NATO calibers.

Mr. Mosin · Dec 19, 2020

Skeptic13 said:
22lr
9mm
.223/5.56
.308/7.62
12 ga

I know you said three but really it is these five that make up the bulk of ammo sales during good times. The middle three are available in abundance because they are NATO calibers.

And those 5 are always the first to go out of stock in a panic, followed by .38/.357, .380, .45 Auto, and 20ga

chicharrones · Dec 19, 2020

Back in normal times, it seemed like any store that ever carried ammo would always have .22 LR and 12 gauge.

#3 would be more unpredictable. Used to be .30-30 or .30-06 would be #3, not so sure anymore.

JTHunter · Dec 19, 2020

chicharrones said:
Back in normal times, it seemed like any store that ever carried ammo would always have .22 LR and 12 gauge.
#3 would be more unpredictable. Used to be .30-30 or .30-06 would be #3, not so sure anymore.

I am inclined to agree. If .22LR is first, I think 12 ga. would be second. There might be a tie or close shave with #3 as I believe the .38/.357 and 9mm are that popular. I just don't know if those two would beat out .223/5.56. Thanks to the average AR, I feel that the .223/5.56 is slightly more pervasive than a .30-06.

Legionnaire · Dec 19, 2020

.22LR
9x19
.223/5.56

12 gauge and .30-06 get honorable mention. They are no doubt popular, but can’t be as high volume as the others.

redneck2 · Dec 19, 2020

Ask Mr Google. Most popular cartridges. This is ranking of sales.

My search was U.S. cartridges. I really thought .22 would be first. Not so. Kinda hard to dispute

Hog huntin Harry · Dec 19, 2020

.400 Whelen
.220 Russian
8x22mm Nambu

trekker73 · Dec 20, 2020

In my region, probably 22LR, 30-30 and 38 special. Didnt seem to run out.

bullseye308 · Dec 20, 2020

Handgun would be .22, 9mm, and 45
Rifle would be .22, 30-30, and 30-06

Mr. Mosin · Dec 20, 2020

redneck2 said:
Ask Mr Google. Most popular cartridges. This is ranking of sales.

My search was U.S. cartridges. I really thought .22 would be first. Not so. Kinda hard to dispute

View attachment 963955

You gotta look at cartridges per box though. I'd think most folk buying .22 are buying the bulk pack, compared to 9x19 being most common in 50/rd boxes and rifle rounds being 20/rd boxes. You buy less boxes of .22 vs 9x19, but generally get more .22 vs 9mm

Elkins45 · Dec 20, 2020

redneck2 said:
Ask Mr Google. Most popular cartridges. This is ranking of sales.

My search was U.S. cartridges. I really thought .22 would be first. Not so. Kinda hard to dispute

View attachment 963955

I suspect that chart includes military purchasing.

Legionnaire · Dec 20, 2020

That chart is several years old, too.

What are the three most ubiquitous (common & available) cartridges?

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