A question of etiquette: "leave some for the next guy"

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uuumm for the same reason you would help someone who just got hit by a car? Or give directions to someone who was lost maybe... its basic decency. If everyone looked out only for themselves in times of panic, the species would not have survived the last ice age.
 
Since you've asked for feedback, I'll give some. There is an ammo shortage right now. That implies some people don't have enough. That also suggests that the moral thing to do is to share what you have, or to at least not make the shortage worse. Hoarding makes it worse. Now is not the time to be profligate at the range. It's time to conserve what you have. Not buy up every last box to add to your pile.
Why is it time for me to stop shooting when I don't have to. I look all the time, I'm pretty dedicated to continuing my shooting. It is less, much less, because there is no ammo. When there is it's my responsibility to leave it for the next guy. So I can pat myself on the back, I'm not trying for an outstanding citizenship award, I'm trying to get to the range, enjoy range time with my kid. I've been the disappointed guy walking in to find it all gone more times than I've been the guy in the position to buy. I check often, this time it worked out.

I'm prepared for the likelihood that I won't find another box for a good while. I have to try to adjust my range time to calibrate for a time period for which I do not know. My point is, I put the time into this, I paid for it. I also think we have applied the use of the word "need" kind of loosely. Such as "more than I "need", "how much do you "need" to add to your pile". Is there an unspoken rule about how much ammo someone can have before they have exceeded the acceptable, "needed" amount.

To me it's as arbitrary as going online and buying a case. If you are a shooter, and find a case after a long dry spell, the status of your chosen website changes and it finally says "in stock". Are you going to pass it up so you can be a great guy and leave it for someone else? I shoot alot, now I shoot alot less, buy it when I can so I can continue to shoot on a subsistence level I suppose, I understand the first come first serve philosophy pretty well. The ammo situation is such that if you aren't getting after it when you can, you ain't gonna shoot. That includes putting the time in, checking often, driving to different places. I'm saying I put the time into it and I have just as good a shot as anybody. It's not like I have insider access to delivery schedules, employee tip offs. Its luck of the draw.

I have to agree with everybody's ire concerning scalpers.
 
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Clearly it’s weighing on you or you wouldn’t have come to a forum looking for some sort of validation. I’ve left ammo, I’ve left toilet paper and milk because I believe in kharma and what goes around comes around. But that’s me. You be you.
 
Another note. If I walked in to find somebody else ahead of me and they only bought 5 out of 10 boxes, I wouldn't assume he left those 5 for me, I would assume he bought all he needed. If he bought them all though, I wouldn't think wow, what a jerk, I would have just thought "damn, should have got here 5 minutes ago".

I don't look favorably on the guys who scalp it, but I also don't begrudge those buying what they can when they can, because I'm that guy. I get it.
 
Clearly it’s weighing on you or you wouldn’t have come to a forum looking for some sort of validation. I’ve left ammo, I’ve left toilet paper and milk because I believe in kharma and what goes around comes around. But that’s me. You be you.
No, that's not exactly correct. I have been on this forum for years and have seen these issues come up for more than a couple panics and it's of interest to me to find out where people are coming from. You're making assumptions. I'm also not 99% sure about my logic and whether there was something critical I was not taking into account because I have seen people I respect share these "leave some for the next" sentiments. While I don't necessarily agree in my current thinking, I wanted to get some feedback.

If I increased the frequency of when I looked for ammo to every day and was able to buy 100rds at a time, always leaving some for the next guy, every week for 15 weeks, how exactly is that different from buying 1500 rds in one shot. If buying it in one shot keeps me from having to look for a few months to shoot through what I have, doesn't it all shake out the same. Looking all the time and buying less more frequently, or looking semi regular and buying all in one shot.
 
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Clearly it’s weighing on you or you wouldn’t have come to a forum looking for some sort of validation. I’ve left ammo, I’ve left toilet paper and milk because I believe in kharma and what goes around comes around. But that’s me. You be you.

I think it likely that you have an active inner life and wonder about what it means to be "moral."
 
No, that's not exactly correct. I have been on this forum for years and have seen these issues come up for more than a couple panics and it's of interest to me to find out where people are coming from. You're making assumptions. I'm also not 99% sure about my logic and whether there was something critical I was not taking into account because I have seen people I respect share these "leave some for the next" sentiments. While I don't necessarily agree in my current thinking, I wanted to get some feedback.
I’m not judging. Just providing feedback. But if you’ve got what you need to shoot for now, why not leave some for someone else? Who gets hurt?
 
IMO, if the seller is offering X quantity at Y price you're willing to pay that price for some or all ... none of my business how much you buy. None at all.
it's a free market. Participate to the degree you wish.
 
This isn't like an inner crisis where I'm struggling to figure out what to do. I realize it might have come off like that. I was really just struggling with the idea that alot of folks seem to have what I would call misdirected anger at guys who are just trying to get ammo to shoot. If you've struck out 29 out of 30 times, and you get the opportunity to buy some ammo to continue shooting, why are we getting bent about it? I just am not getting where some of you are coming from I guess. That's OK. But, at the same time I think it's nice of folks to cut themselves short on behalf of the next guy. Definitely nice, I just don't know that it should be such a widespread expectation. But nice all the same. I'm not too broken up about the "basic human decency" style of remark, that is a lil severe, a lil different kind of viewpoint on the matter, but OK.
 
Before folks jumps all over DustyGmt, perhaps he will be gifting a bunch of this fresh ammo to jobless pals.
I have entered gun shops and simply shrug my shoulders if shelves are bare.
If someone in front of me scored the last few boxes...I would think they are totally lucky that day. :)
 
Just like toilet paper, this shortage is manufactured and will end. People will be stuck with all those boxes of ammo and I hope they lose a lot of money. Over the past 10 years I've bought enough ammo that I'm not too concerned about my supply. I have enough to get by if I pace myself.

I refuse to buy at the exploded prices. If more people would not buy you will see the prices come back down to normal.

I was in Walmart not too long ago and they had just received their order. I bought 5 bricks of .22s. They had a completely stocked shelf and cabinet plus the salesperson told me they were stocked up in the back room. I told my friends to get over there but by the afternoon they were completely empty. Someone came in and bought a BIG supply.

I admire the OPs wife for buying what she figured was needed but leaving more for the next guy. If we don't start thinking about the next guy we will be in serious danger soon.
 
The best solution is to buy in bulk during times of plenty so you don't have to go through the hassle of looking for ammo during panics and paying inflated prices. That also makes it a bit easier for those who didn't/couldn't plan ahead to buy what they need during the panic.

Ok, let's assume you're in the middle of the panic and you haven't stocked up sufficiently to carry you through it. Buy what you need to support your normal shooting routine--assuming you can find it. If you're in a panic then you will have to work harder and pay more, but if you're buying only what you need to support your normal shooting routine, at least you're not contributing to abnormal demand.
 
Before folks jumps all over DustyGmt, perhaps he will be gifting a bunch of this fresh ammo to jobless pals.
I have entered gun shops and simply shrug my shoulders if shelves are bare.
If someone in front of me scored the last few boxes...I would think they are totally lucky that day. :)
I don't know that I'll give a "bunch" of it away, but I help others with ammo occasionally. Gifting it or selling for cost, picking it up for people when I can and hosting a number of shoots where I supply the ammo. Primarily this will be used to teach my daughter how to shoot and provide us with something to do together on my time off, something that seems to be hanging in the balance in this current situation, but a lil less so when I can buy a few bricks here and there. I breathe a sigh of relief when I'm able to find it, i don't buy it so I can look at my "pretty pile" or take advantage financially. With the inflated prices, I can't afford to pass it up when I find a wicked deal,, to me that just seems, well stupid honestly. I would say for those who want to jump on me, go for it I guess. I would ask that you present an alternate viewpoint that is more thoughtful than "demand is high, other people would like to buy that".
 
The best solution is to buy in bulk during times of plenty so you don't have to go through the hassle of looking for ammo during panics and paying inflated prices. That also makes it a bit easier for those who didn't/couldn't plan ahead to buy what they need during the panic.

Ok, let's assume you're in the middle of the panic and you haven't stocked up sufficiently to carry you through it. Buy what you need to support your normal shooting routine--assuming you can find it. If you're in a panic then you will have to work harder and pay more, but if you're buying only what you need to support your normal shooting routine, at least you're not contributing to abnormal demand.
Thing is, I'm not even buying enough to support my normal shooting routine and in addition I've decided to shift my shooting interest to other more available calibers. I've given up on 9mm for the time being. I've literally calculated how many range trips I can have with my carry gun, it's not very many. If I can make it more, I will. Thats kind of my point. What's the fault in that.

See I can stretch what I have, and will. But if I get the opportunity to increase my range time, it'd be kind of crazy not to right? See you can stock up in times of plenty, but what I've learned is if you're a regular shooter, you can dwindle down pretty quick if you aren't shopping. For a while I wasn't shopping and felt I had enough to shoot a lil, and kind of wait and see. Since then, whether founded in what will play out in reality or not, I'm starting to wonder if things will ever get back to normal, like, ever. So I'm a lil more active about finding stuff to shoot.

For the guys that stocked up and can shoot straight through the next 5-10 years, I envy you and admire your preparedness. You're doing what I wish I did. I've heard some people say that they have enough to shoot for the rest of their life. I say congrats. I don't think you should be thinking of others who have none or whatever anybody else thinks.
 
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I have encountered ammo in calibers I do not even own, purchased it, and sold it to friends at cost.
It was me basically stumbling upon available stock and buying it as I knew my buds would want it.
 
Thing is, I'm not even buying enough to support my normal shooting routine...
Right. That's not the ideal solution. The ideal solution means you pay good prices, aren't inconvenienced by panics (since you have stock on hand to carry you through) and you don't contribute at all to the panic demand.

But at least, if you buy only what you normally would (or less), you're not contributing to abnormal demand. It's not the best solution (in fact, you're really the one who's taking the brunt of it by taking on more hassle finding it and paying more to get it when you do) but at least you're keeping your demand constant, not going out and buying more than you normally would/more than you need and becoming part of the inflated/abnormal demand.

There are three kinds of people when it comes to panic/shortages. This applies to all panics.

1. People who are helping the panic end more quickly. These folks are buying less than they normally would--either because they're cutting back on their usage or because they are using stock that they have built up when prices are good and there's no panic.

2. People who are neutral to the situation. They are doing what they always do in terms of what they buy. They're just buying what they need.

3. People who are making the panic worse/last longer. They are intentionally buying more than normal even though they really don't need to.

Now, before anyone starts getting offended, none of these three options are necessarily "moral" choices. It's not like people who are in category one are righteous while the folks in category three are evil. (It could be a moral situation if, for example, someone were buying/hoarding medical supplies they didn't need while others were dying for want of it, but in most cases it's not really a matter of right or wrong.) It's just an easy way of seeing how things shake out.

Anyway, to my way of thinking, as long as a person isn't in category 3, they're doing ok and shouldn't feel like they're part of the problem.
 
Now, before anyone starts getting offended, none of these three options are necessarily "moral" choices. It's not like people who are in category one are righteous while the folks in category three are evil.

Lol, I don't know why I couldn't have just thought to say that. You just summed that up very nicely. That was sort of what I was thinking, and I just ended up yammering on.
 
I stopped by the LGS today and discovered that they had dozens of 800 round cases of Federal .22 ammo for $49 each. They also had dozens of boxes of .30-30 Hornady ammo for $24.99.

I had plenty of .22 ammo and didn't own a .30-30. So, I texted my brother and said they had ammo finally. He replied that he just grabbed a box and to check with dad to see what he needed. Called dad and he wanted one box of .22. texted my girlfriend and told her to let her co-worker, a verified gun guy, know that ammo was available.

Went in and bought one box of .22 for my dad. Was tempted by the .30-30, because I saw that it was going for $100+ a box on GunBroker. Could have made a killing on it, but just couldn't bring myself to be "that guy".
 
by my own semi contrary nature in choosing cartridges, I can get ammo/components for most of my guns any time I go to the store. I can buy bricks of .22s for the same 40-60 bucks it would have cost me pre-covid. I dont really care to buy piles of ammo, nor will I do so to the detriment of my fellow shooters/hunters, that's my choice.
I also respect the fact that all of our brick and mortar stores have kept prices at a reasonable place, and will not take advantage of that to TRY and make a buck, also my choice.

I did buy one box of 556 ammo, as I've completely exhausted my supply and my dad likes shooting his AR....I've also loaded 30-30 rounds and given them away to friends and range buddies who dont have any....I dont own a .30-30, likely never will, but I've got the gear to load it because so many folks use them here.
Were in the suck together, no point in being sucky to each other.

Equally, I dont begrudge the guy that buys all the ammo he's allowed...we arnt OWED anything, and if he's faster so be it.
 
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Buy what you need to see you through, then carry on.

Pretty simple.

I really see it the same way, it’s not complicated.
I just bought my first 44 magnum, and while the shortage is going I’ll buy what I need and little to no extra.

Now when the bounty returns and the prices drop.. it has been said “buy it cheap and stack it deep.” I’ve hardly bought any ammo In the last year, but my stockpile isn’t what it once was.
 
I went in the local cabelas to pay on a CC bill a few weeks ago. About a mile before the entrance there is a car tailgating me pretty bad. We pull into the parking lot and he whips around like the place is on fire and he's going to put it out. I get out and I am say 50yards ahead of him. He is now power walking to the door. He turns around to go back to his car and get a mask and is now jogging to the door. He hits the door as I am about 3ft away, doesnt bother to hold the door and makes a mad dash for the gun area. I stand in line and the CC counter is packed so I take a walk. I see jerk standing there with a basket and he's right in the middle of the aisle. I walk over and he looks at me with a scowl look and doesnt move. I walk around the other way and about 1k of 22lr, 1k of 5.56 and about 500rds of 9mm are sitting there. I say to him I cant believe they even have this stuff its like gold bricks. He gives me a nasty look and says "what?" I repeated myself and kind of chuckled. He doesnt say anything and turns to buy his limit of 5.56 and then grabs a limit of 9mm. He then calls someone and tells them to come to Cabelas because they have ammo. I see some Herters 22lr and grab 1 out of say 10 boxes and google it because I have never seen Herters 22lr before. Well jerk reaches over while he's standing 2ft away and grabs several boxes and walks away. Another jerk walks over and brushes me as he walks behind me without saying excuse me, stands almost touching me and reaches right in front of me while brushing my arm and grabs a box of 22lr and reads it like I was and then grabs all the 22lr. I said so much for social distancing huh and leaving some ammo for someone else. I am standing there with a pack so he should have at least offered me 1-2 more instead of grabbing everything.

Same store a few Saturdays ago I couldnt sleep and wanted some 12ga to shoot my new shotgun. I checked their website and it showed shotshells in stock. I get there and the parking lot 30min beforehand looks like its a black friday sale. I stand in line and I am about the 5th or so in line. One guy stuck out about 12th in line standing about 7ft tall with a couple large buddies so hard to miss. The manager opens the door and says "no need to rush, we have no pistol or rifle ammo at all. Please follow the line to the ammo area they had roped to form a line. People hit the door and just scatter. There are several employees back there that coral people in the roped line and the 7ft tall jackass with his like buddies say screw this and leave the line and go around the shelves and start grabbing stuff while the rest of us are trying to obey the rules and stand in line. More followed and I heard him say see if they have any federal shotshells. I figured since everyone else left the line I would go get some federal shotshells. Hehehe. I was really there for Herters cause they were cheaper but I grabbed my limit which was almost the last of the federals. An older man asked where I got them from and I told him they had 1 box left. After I thought about how much I wanted to screw over the 7ft tall idiot I put some federal boxes back which the older man grabbed both and grabbed some Herters.

I have 4300rds of 22lr that I have purchased over the last 6-7yrs. I only grabbed 1 box of the Herters to try so I know for next time if my gun likes it and if its worth buying and because I had never seen it before. I dont need any more and wont buy any more even if I see it. Yes, if you dont need it you should leave it for the next guy that maybe just looking for some rounds to hunt with or try a new gun. We have all been there where you got a new gun and cant find ammo. I almost couldnt deer hunt back in December because I couldnt find 45-70 ammo. I found it but for $13 more per box. I grabbed 2 thinking it would be enough to sight in and hunt with and glad I did. I left 4-5 boxes and now instead of $13 more per box its $20 more per box. I didnt need it so left it for someone else because I have morals. On a local FB hunting page guys couldnt find slugs or ammo to deer hunt with because jackass's want to buy 1k rounds of hunting ammo because god forbid someone else get it or they believe the BS slung around the internet about how sleep joe is gonna come kick your door in and take everything but the kitchen sink and want to hoard hunting ammo. Most of us dont have extra money to buy thousands of rounds of ammo or have thousands of dollars in ammo just sitting around because people lost their freaking minds every 4yrs. Its a hobby. Unless its hunting rounds or you need to train because your LEO or the sort then there is no reason to put yourself in debt or grab every single last box to jump on a forum and tell people how you bought the entire stock (30lbs) of Varget from PV and your set until 2075. Your just screwing over the working man who cant afford but a pound or box every 6 months. I know a few people who just purchased a gun or need ammo to qualify for work and must pay for it on their own and cant find any or they are paying $75 for ammo to qualify and they only make $12hr. This is a hobby and should be treated as one. My life doesnt come to a stop because I dont have thousands of rounds of ammo. If I am not reloading I am fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, woodworking, bull riding, snake charming, rock climbing, racing cars, rodeos, hanging with J lo, you name it. Find something else to do with your time.
 
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