Ammo Prices - At what point are you priced out of the market?

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Scout21

Scout21

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I've been watching ammo prices slowly creep up over the past six or so months. Things seemed to come down and stay down for a bit, but are now creeping back up ever so slowly. For most chamberings, prices are getting dangerously close to my limit. I may soon drastically reduce my shooting; for some chamberings I'll stop altogether. I believe I may become the stereotypical box or two of deer ammo a year kind of guy.

My limits are as follows.

Centerfire hunting ammo - $40 a box for common cartridges, a little more for something more exotic like lead-free or uncommon cartridges. I'd only buy a single box as needed at that price, though. It's not so bad paying more than normal since I don't have to shoot it much.

Slugs and Buckshot - $2 a round.

Birdshot - $.50 a round.

.22 L.R. - $.10 for bulk, $.15 for nicer standard velocity stuff for small game.

.223/.556 - I haven't bought any since this mess began, but I'd say $.50 a round. Seems as though you can only find this price online and in bulk, generally steel case as well.
 
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I bought another bolt action .22 long rifle a few weeks ago. I can buy the loaded ammo for the price of just primers to feed my Dillons. I have scaled back but I still shoot more than the average guy maybe 250 rounds of various calibers per month. I have a decent amount on hand that is components and loaded ammo it's about replacing what I use at this point.
 
SP5 said:
I've seen the opposite prices have been coming down
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I'm not really in the market for ammo so don't check prices online. I only know that local prices haven't decreased in months. At Walmart, Mini-Mags have gone up a buck a box in the past couple of weeks.
 
I don't know....

I got into handloading for a while now. I have a couple .303s, a 6.5 Carcano, and a .357 Sig. Feeding those has been expensive since day one. On the other hand, I handload for less expensive cartridges as well. I've bought ammo as well, mostly .22 and 12 gauge and continue to do so.
 
I haven't really ever felt like factory ammunition was reasonably priced, with the exception of "promotional" 12 gauge shells. Now it is worse than ever, of course - I just can't get my head around the idea of paying two bucks for a round of .30-'06 with a cup-and-core bullet, for example - but I always figured you have to be pretty well off to do much shooting if you don't handload.
 
mokin said:
I don't know....

I got into handloading for a while now. I have a couple .303s, a 6.5 Carcano, and a .357 Sig. Feeding those has been expensive since day one. On the other hand, I handload for less expensive cartridges as well. I've bought ammo as well, mostly .22 and 12 gauge and continue to do so.
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I recently have been venturing into reloading after playing with a friend's setup, dropped some serious cash on a Dillon and some reasonably priced components. Have had to slow down for financial reasons, though. Haven't even been able to load a round on the thing, yet.
 
My opinion probably doesn't count for much as I buy very little factory ammo. But I would say that it depends on the caliber and its intended purpose. I paid $40+ a box for 2 boxes of 270 ammo for my BIL right before the 2021 Deer Season opened. For him, it was pay the price or not hunt. (nor really, I would have loaned him a rifle) That tore up a $100 bill! I recently paid $25 or $26 for a box of 380 self defense loads for my Wife's CC pistol. But I wouldn't pay those prices for every weekend shooting at the range.
If I didn't reload I would slow down shooting or go to something cheaper. 9MM, 223 and later on 22 rimfire.
 
I have reloading components and commercial ammunition acquired long before the current marketplace situation. I really do not know what the new normal $$$$$ is going to be in the short term and or long term. I've moderated my consumption of commercial and reloaded ammunition. Basically I'm shooting handguns at a significantly reduced consumption of number of rounds and periods of time. At some point all thing pass be it short or long term.
 
I literally just bought another 500 rounds of 7.62x51 (308) for my rifles. I have not attempted to reload rifle rounds before, but I likely attempt it when the garage cools down a bit this fall. Hopefully I won't screw it (reloading 308) up too bad. :)

I have enough 10mm and 40 S&W to last for a bit as well as a start at reloading components for emergencies. It will likely get worse before it gets better. If it ever does.
 
I reload three pistol and three rifle rounds for the enjoyment and the ability to fine tune to my specifications. Rising prices and limited availability definitely limit what I can replace after using old stock. When I shop for ammo to replenish .22lr or worn cases or to maintain a limited stock for the calibers I don’t load, I only buy at sale prices. My experience is that stock is going up and prices are coming down.

As to the question of being priced out, I’m already buying less, and as inflation reduces my buying power I expect this trend to continue to the point that I’ll eventually cut back on the number of calibers I now shoot.

This from the perspective of a retired senior, I spent fifty years absorbing rising prices among all my interests without any serious thoughts of slowing down or being forced out of the market.
 
Scout21 said:
over the past six or so months ... Things seemed to come down and stay down for a bit, but are now creeping back up ever so slowly ... .22 L.R. - $.10 for bulk
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Actually on the "Affordable 22LR ..." thread started in March of this year, price trend of 22LR has fallen from $47-$48/500 down to below/slightly above $40/500 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-shipped-pricing.902560/page-6#post-12334427

In past shortage cycles like the previous 2013 to 2019 cycle, 22LR jumped from $20s/500 to above $50/500 and gradually fell down to $30s/500 and below $20s/500 by 2019.

Current cycle pushed price over $50/500 and has gradually fallen below $40/500 and holding steady slightly above $40/500 and I am monitoring to see if there is a general break below $40/500. While I doubt prices will fall down to $20/500 (inflation, supply chain, etc.), I am hoping we may see more prices in the $30s/500 as true bottom of current cycle at which point I will be restocking (I am well stocked to last several more years).

IMHO, I think some may think we are at the near bottom of current cycle and already restocking, which maybe tipping the supply/demand balance but if supply side continues to provide inventory (Which appears to be the case), prices should continue to fall once temporary restocking demands are met by existing and new gun owners (Yup, over 150+ million guns sold in recent decades to many new owners will put A LOT of demand on the existing supply side and why we have seen a protracted run on ammunition ... but they are returning. ;))
 
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SDDAVE56 said:
Im thinking of setting up a go fund me for my ammo.
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In the "Handloading & Reloading" subcategory, we have already recommended members set up a "shooting/reloading fund" to save money each month to buy when components go on sale. Using tax refund is a good way to jump start the fund and any extra money you come across.

I don't quite believe 22LR pricing has bottomed so members have some time to save up money to stock up when we do reach the bottom. (I hope)
 
LiveLife said:
I don't quite believe 22LR pricing has bottomed
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I'm having a hard time deciding to buy up as much of the Walmart Automatch as I can afford or hold out for the theoretically lower bottom. I could potentially get more for my money if I wait, but it could also go up or go OOS overnight. Their Mini-Mags and CCI Standards have already went up about 10% in the past few weeks. Really tough decision.
 
Scout21 said:
I'm having a hard time deciding to buy up as much of the Walmart Automatch as I can afford or hold out for the theoretically lower bottom.
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At $21/325 rounds (Under $34/500), I don't think you could go wrong by stocking up on AutoMatch.

Scout21 said:
CCI Standards have already went up about 10% in the past few weeks.
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CCI SV for $45.24/500 shipped and CCI Blazer has shot comparable for me (around 1/2" at 50 yards) as cheaper consideration at $42.57/500 and $5/50 all day shipped from CCI direct - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-shipped-pricing.902560/page-6#post-12334427
 
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