.22 LR -- Lack of Availability -- Maybe I'll Just Sell ALL of Mine!!

[Mike1234567]

I'm neither of what you listed. I have not bought and 22 in almost 2 years. I have only sold 22 to close friends, at approximately what I bought it for. Sorry I don't keep receipts.
I'm just saying, no matter what you or I do the issue will not go away.

I suggest keep/shoot what you have and don't buy anymore. Unless you want the money, sell it all and be happy.

Thanks but I sold my .22LR firearms when times were tough so I'd need to buy another firearm just to shoot this ammo. Frankly, it's not worth it to me at today's prices and/or hassles. Around here, I can do just as well with a very decent pellet gun and .223 rem. Truly, a .22LR is unnecessary here. I do have a .22 WMR but that ammo is far overpriced too and I'll just as likely sell that ammo, and the rifle, when/if I sell the .22 LR ammo.

 

[mljdeckard]

Like always, I pretty much agree with the Old Fuff. As bad as the situation seems, the manufacturers have been killing themselves to fill the demand. The price and availability are currently artificially inflated. if it stays this high, new manufacturers will start, and current manufacturers would vastly expand. This is a businessman's dream, to have a product in demand so high, people across the country have been camping out at the stores to get it as soon as it hits the shelf for a year. they WISH this would last forever. But there is still a limit. Hoarders and scalpers have a limit too, they just haven't hit it yet. I will admit to being surprised that the drought has lasted this long, but that doesn't mean it will last forever.

I am too proud to go camp at Walmart for .22. I am too cheap to pay scalper prices. So for now I will sit on the several hundred rounds I have, and hold my breath. But I still think that .22 is the best way to train and introduce kids and new guys. I have a .22 upper for my M-4, and a conversion slide for my 1911, as well as other assorted .22s, and I don't plan on changing my plan at all.

 

[Mike1234567]

Last week Gander Mtn. had Federal 525 bulk packs for $22 in Rogers, MN. I had gone to Mpls. and stopped at Cabelas while visiting there. Cabelas did not have any 22LR, very poor selection of bullets or powder.
When we left I drove past a new Gander Mtn. which had a grand opening banner out, so we swung in. They had 2 tables, 4 x4 stacked 6 high with these bulk packs, but a limit of one only. There was a bit of a flap over them. . There was a donkey customer who was all upset because the ad that was placed in the local paper said there was a limit of 10 boxes per customer, he was demanding 10.
I asked a employee if they had any powder and bullets. They are kept under lock and key. I got 2 lbs. of imr 8208 and 2 boxes of 6 mm v-max 87 gr.
Powder was $29 a lb. and bullets were $23 a box of 100. I didn't really consider those scalping prices, more like inflation.
When we do come back to a normal supply, prices will be remain high. Just like the fuel we buy, we have shown the industry we are willing to pay the high prices. The shooting community has grown by leaps and bounds. The newbies never experienced the low prices that we have. They are willing to pay the high dollar price, its as simple as that. Supply and demand drove the price up. New shooters will only welcome a stable supply and the high price will be the new norm which they will agree with.
We that belong to the shooting community prior to 2008 are in the minority now. We can rant all we want about the old days, but the newbies will only listen to the rant and pass it off as old fools who are entertaining to listen to.

Thanks for the info... but I'm in a semi-rural area and seldom drive to any metropolis although San Antonio, TX isn't that far. But since I seldom have need to go there it makes no sense for me to drive a 40-80 mile round trip (100+ if driving all over the city) and shop for 3-6 hours to "maybe" buy a box or two of .22LR.

 

[koolman]

Here in Australia, we are used to being gouged for anything gun related, for anything in fact. I'm originally from Canada, and have been in Oz for 17 years. The first thing I realized when I came here was the high price of things compared to Canada. But I suppose it's all relative.
What I can't believe is the way we are gouged for gun and rifle stuff. We pay on average 35 to 50% more for our gear than you do. Yes I know there is currency conversion etc. but really that much?!
As for the 22lr shortage, well there was some talk about it here, but it never really transpired. You can pretty much get ammo whenever you want, just certain types, high end target stuff is a bit hard to find. The local gun shops are pushing the crap rounds on us like the Remington Golden Bullets. What a joke they are.
22lr prices here haven't changed much in the last number of years. I'm paying about 6.50 AUS for a 50 round box of Winchester 42 Max subs. I bought a bucket of Golden bullets, I know I'm a dork, but they were cheap, 1400 rounds for $85AUS. I sort of look at the Golden Bullets as my stash for back up in case of shortage.

 

[dogtown tom]

Oh noes!!!!! Another .22 tain't nowheres to be found thread.

I've learned when my local WM's tend to get ammunition, which ones get the most .22 and how to find the clerk with the key to the ammo cabinet. It aint rocket science.

Cabelas has had .22LR in stock nearly every day since June....everything from Remington 525's, CCI MiniMag 100's to Winchester PowerPoint 100's.
I know, I've bought at least one box nearly every day.
They ship it free to the Cabelas six miles away.


Those who prepared aren't impacted in the least.
Those who learned from the Ammopanic of 2008-09 aren't impacted in the least.
Those who spend a few minutes each day checking out the local WalMart WILL be rewarded.

 

[22-rimfire]

Thanks but I sold my .22LR firearms when times were tough so I'd need to buy another firearm just to shoot this ammo. Frankly, it's not worth it to me at today's prices and/or hassles.

The just sell it and forget about it since you don't even own a firearm chambered in 22LR. Even $0.05/round is a win for you as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Ringer]

All this excitement over lack of ammo for a caliber you don't even own or seem to have any intention of owning?

Scalpers and Gougers are bad for selling ammo at a high price. It's OK for you though since you bought it before the shortage and are fed up.

These ammo threads are like a bad accident. Really don't want it to happen but when it does I can't help but look.

:banghead:

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

Alamo city - San Antonio?

The other day Bass Pro had a large stock of Federal Target Grade 22 LR and 50 round boxes of CCI. The pain was that you could only buy one.

That's because of the 22 hoarders who patrol the stores every day.

It is a crisis generated by a small number of ....

Note - I went to Bass Pro to look at hiking shoes.

Really? You don't say. So tell us how do you explain the situation of no ammo in the stores. It's not people waiting in line to buy ammo thats the problem. Its the absence of ammo in the first place. In your own words "That's because of the 22 hoarders who patrol the stores every day" as the reason there is no ammo but the fact is ammo is not being delivered and when it is delivered its in miniscule amounts. Maybe enough for upwards of 10 people. Of course stores have a limit on the purchase which in and of itself prevents the very reason you espouse as the reason for the shortage.

You need to ask yourself a question. Why isn't the ammo being delivered to the stores.

 

[22-rimfire]

I heard Bloomberg is paying $0.50/round for 22LR. I think they are delivering it by the truck load.

 

[Ringer]

Really? You don't say. So tell us how do you explain the situation of no ammo in the stores. It's not people waiting in line to buy ammo thats the problem. Its the absence of ammo in the first place. In your own words "That's because of the 22 hoarders who patrol the stores every day" as the reason there is no ammo but the fact is ammo is not being delivered and when it is delivered its in miniscule amounts. Maybe enough for upwards of 10 people. Of course stores have a limit on the purchase which in and of itself prevents the very reason you espouse as the reason for the shortage.

You need to ask yourself a question. Why isn't the ammo being delivered to the stores.

Really? NOOOooo.....

Here we go with the same questions that will be followed by the same answers. I'm going back outside where it is 56 F and Sunny here in Georgia!

 

[Mike1234567]

All this excitement over lack of ammo for a caliber you don't even own or seem to have any intention of owning?

Scalpers and Gougers are bad for selling ammo at a high price. It's OK for you though since you bought it before the shortage and are fed up.

These ammo threads are like a bad accident. Really don't want it to happen but when it does I can't help but look.

:banghead:

Hate on me all you like... but I'll not sell you my ammo for 1/2 to 1/4 of what I can buy it for. At least I'm not buying right now, during a shortage, just to take advantage of the shortage and scalp you.

Would YOU sell YOURS at 5 cents per round? I didn't think so. I'll buy all you've got for a nickel per round right now.

And, BTW, I like shooting .22LR. I WANT to buy another rifle in that caliber but I won't if I can't buy ammo for a reasonable price. I might as well shoot .223 Rem.

 

[Inebriated]

I shot some .22LR I managed to find at my local FFL about 4 months ago, but outside of that one afternoon, I don't think I've shot .22LR (for plinking) in over a year. I've got a few thousand rounds of it, but with 9mm reloads, 7.62x39, 12 gauge birdshot... I'm not hurting for cheap range fodder. I still have plenty of .22LR for training new shooters and pegging the odd squirrel, but I've strongly considered selling all of my .22's and the ammo. I can use a pellet gun for the squirrels, and I can use light 9mm and .38 for the new shooters.... I just don't care to deal with all the BS surrounding .22LR anymore.

 

[Mike1234567]

I shot some .22LR I managed to find at my local FFL about 4 months ago, but outside of that one afternoon, I don't think I've shot .22LR (for plinking) in over a year. I've got a few thousand rounds of it, but with 9mm reloads, 7.62x39, 12 gauge birdshot... I'm not hurting for cheap range fodder. I still have plenty of .22LR for training new shooters and pegging the odd squirrel, but I've strongly considered selling all of my .22's and the ammo. I can use a pellet gun for the squirrels, and I can use light 9mm and .38 for the new shooters.... I just don't care to deal with all the BS surrounding .22LR anymore.

Bingo!!! My thoughts exactly.

 

[Inebriated]

I'm not even really interested in selling at 10, 15 cents per round.. I'd just sell it to my friends who need it at the price I paid. I haven't decided, I keep waiting for it to stabilize, but if it continues on, my friends and family may have a big surprise.

 

[Mike1234567]

^^^ Yeah... I've done that and gifted a lot too. But few people seem to want to reciprocate generosity these days and... they always seem to want to take advantage and profit from others' hard times. I've mostly quit the generosity thing because, unless it's coming "their way", it doesn't exist anymore.

 

[TanklessPro]

Really? You don't say. So tell us how do you explain the situation of no ammo in the stores. It's not people waiting in line to buy ammo thats the problem. Its the absence of ammo in the first place. In your own words "That's because of the 22 hoarders who patrol the stores every day" as the reason there is no ammo but the fact is ammo is not being delivered and when it is delivered its in miniscule amounts. Maybe enough for upwards of 10 people. Of course stores have a limit on the purchase which in and of itself prevents the very reason you espouse as the reason for the shortage.

You need to ask yourself a question. Why isn't the ammo being delivered to the stores.

:banghead::banghead:

They are delivering the same they always had. A friend that owns a LGS told me that he used to order bricks maybe twice a year and shelves were always stocked. Now he tries to order it every chance he gets. It's simple economics and I don't have to take my tin foil hat off to tell you that.

 

[Ringer]

Hate on me all you like... but I'll not sell you my ammo for 1/2 to 1/4 of what I can buy it for. At least I'm not buying right now, during a shortage, just to take advantage of the shortage and scalp you.

Would YOU sell YOURS at 5 cents per round? I didn't think so. I'll buy all you've got for a nickel per round right now.

And, BTW, I like shooting .22LR. I WANT to buy another rifle in that caliber but I won't if I can't buy ammo for a reasonable price. I might as well shoot .223 Rem.

Didn't mean to sound hateful. Just don't get the justification. By all means sell it for what ever you want and make what you can. But it is what it is, profit due to the current situation. Your ammo, your decision.

I have no intention of selling any of mine and I don't think I have even purchased any in the last 3 years. Wish I had continued buying the occasional brick. Lately I have been shooting more than normal due to both my daughters taking up interest. If the situation doesn't change in the next year I will have to make a decision as to shooting less to keep some in stock for the future.

Situation sucks, lets hope it gets back to semi normal soon.

 

[Mike1234567]

Sorry, Ringer... maybe I'm just a bit oversensitive at the moment. Yes, it's my ammo... but it's not about "profit" in my situation. It's about "replacement cost". That's all. Why should I give you a $5 bill in exchange for a $1 bill just because they're made of the same paper and cost the same to print? Why should I sell you an ounce of gold for $100 just because that's what I paid for it 50 years ago? If my grandfather bought what is now a very rare rifle for $5 but is now worth $50,000 why should I sell it for $5?

It is what it is, as you wrote.

EDIT: My point is I want out of this mess. I'll buy better ammo at better prices than .22LR.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I know what you mean. .22 prices aren't pretty right now. :banghead:

 

[MCgunner]

Originally Posted by Inebriated View Post
I shot some .22LR I managed to find at my local FFL about 4 months ago, but outside of that one afternoon, I don't think I've shot .22LR (for plinking) in over a year. I've got a few thousand rounds of it, but with 9mm reloads, 7.62x39, 12 gauge birdshot... I'm not hurting for cheap range fodder. I still have plenty of .22LR for training new shooters and pegging the odd squirrel, but I've strongly considered selling all of my .22's and the ammo. I can use a pellet gun for the squirrels, and I can use light 9mm and .38 for the new shooters.... I just don't care to deal with all the BS surrounding .22LR anymore.

I break out the Rossi 92 now and then. It mimics a .22 using a Lee 105 SWC mold and 2.3 grains of Bullseye and is real cheap to load. It's a very accurate round from that gun, too. But, I'm not panicing and I love my .22s too much to give up on 'em. My scoped mark 2 is my favorite squirrel hunting tool.

 

[jcwit]

It amazes me that .22 firearms are still in demand. Especially the semi-autos.

Its like buying a gas guzzler in a fuel shortage. MOOC

 

[Mike1234567]

So... should I sell my few thousand rounds of .22LR and get out completely for awhile? I can buy .223 Rem and shoot it for not that much more and... I can actually FIND it.

 

[CZ223]

I am an unrepentant Scalper

and apparently I am also a hoarder because I saved up approximately 40 thousand 22 caliber bullets and another 20 or so thousand in different calibers over the last 15 or 20 years. Oddly enough when Obama became president I got caught short of manufactured ammo, and primers and started buying whenever I could. That left me with several thousand rounds of ammo for several calibers including some for guns I don't even own anymore. Last year when the current panic had firmly taken hold, I went to a gun show to help a friend who had tables there. He asked If I had anything I would like to sell. He had no ammo to sell so I decided to reduce my stock and turn factory ammo into reloading components. I made a boat load of money and continue to buy whenever possible. I have sold to gun shops that couldn't get ammo through their distributors and I have sold at flea markets. I plan on doing another gun show in the Spring. I keep my prices below what the dealers are selling it at, often way below so that people are happy to buy from me and they are. You know you really can't win around here. If you don't have enough ammo on hand to get through a shortage, you are unprepared and foolish. If you do have enough on hand to get through a shortage then you are a hoarder. If you buy it when you can and sell at a profit then you are a Scalper.
Call me what you what, it really doesn't bother me. I am going continue to keep buying all I can afford whenever it is available. Now that 9mm and 40 seem to be available on a fairly regular basis I buy a few each week. I buy 45 and 380 whenever I can also. I will buy any 223 I can for around 40 cents a round. I am buying all the 30 round mags I can, especially Mag-pul. I will occasionaly go to Walmart in the wee hours to try to get some 22's. When I find a good deal on Glock mags and I have the money I will order a bunch of them. Why? Because I will not get caught short handed again and I will not miss the opportunity to make a good profit, provided by the people who are unprepared when this happens again.

 

[hovercat]

Yes!! Sell it all!

 

[Inebriated]

I break out the Rossi 92 now and then. It mimics a .22 using a Lee 105 SWC mold and 2.3 grains of Bullseye and is real cheap to load. It's a very accurate round from that gun, too. But, I'm not panicing and I love my .22s too much to give up on 'em. My scoped mark 2 is my favorite squirrel hunting tool.

I bet that 92 shoots like a .22 with that load! I need to get 357 lever gun. And I love most of my .22's too much to get rid of, that isn't even a consideration. But the others and the bulk of my ammo were on the table. I have always tried to not shoot what I can't replace, so for a long time now, the .22LR has been sitting there doing me little good. So naturally, selling it to someone who could use it comes to mind. But I think I've got too much effort invested in having that ammo to give it all up. Still helping new shooters and family, but I feel like I'd regret selling when (or if) it comes back.