.22LR ammo - what is the real truth?

[socalbeachbum]

what are the honest, hard facts about what has gone on with .22LR ammo? the most common round on this planet?

why are not .22LR ammo manufacturers off shore flooding us with containers full? why are not the ammo resellers importing container loads.

are there restrictions? is there a hidden secret that we are not privvy to?

a year ago the major ammo makers sent letters to retailers saying they would be prioritizing centerfire ammo manufacture. what I do not understand is that rimfire ammo would be made on completely different equipment, probably different powders and components. I can't fathom shutting down your entire production line for .22 and shifting those workers to centerfire equipment and just leaving it shut down.

anyone know what the facts are?

 

[BLB68]

Fact is, people are buying up lots of .22. That's it. Demand is simply outstripping supply's capacity at the moment. It's a temporary surge in sales, so capital investment (new plants, equipment) doesn't make financial sense. Thus, the best we get is increased number of shifts, but it's not enough to keep up.

The panic will die down eventually. Maybe after another eight or so years.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Don't believe the hype .....

I think there is a lot of hype, miscommunication, false rumors, and speculation about the sale-availability of .22LR in the USA/shooting sports public.

I'd suggest start reviewing or researching the gun industry/shooting sports industry: NSSF, NRA, Shooting Sports Retailer, The Shotgun News, Military Times, etc.
I don't own any .22LR or .22mag firearms at this time.
I looked into buying a new Ruger LCR revolver in .22LR but decided against it.
I think many .22 shooters nationwide are still buying up bricks or cans of .22LR because they want to save $ & have ample amounts of ammunition for practice or small game hunting. I don't think hoarding or re-sale/carpet bagging is as much a problem in 2015 as say early 2013.
I've also seen & read a few articles saying .22LR overall as many misfires & problems with QC/production. I wouldn't waste $$$ on cheap ammunition .22 or any other common caliber(5.56mm, 9x19mm, .45acp, etc).
I saw a online item from about 18mo ago where the CEO of Hornady claimed very little of his company's overall ammunition line went to public service agencies or military contracts. Other big names have made similar statements in the 2013-2014 era(when logistics & supply was extremely low for many popular rounds).
I think the US shooting sports industry will level off as fewer guns are sold & ammunition lots/production fall back to "normal" conditions.
I doubt any major ammunition firms like Federal, Corbon, Hornady, DRT, Winchester, etc are working 24-07 like in 2014 or so.

 

[788Ham]

I work part-time for a large outdoor sports company. In the shooting/hunting area, .22's are still as sparodic as ever, not knowing if and when any of the ammo will arrive. People still think times are like they were in the '50's and '60's, "buy all you want", store policies mandate 2 50 round boxes, or 1 100 round box or larger, per person, per day. Some folks get peeved, throw the boxes back onto the shelves and curse as they walk off. Store manager tells us they can't get anymore than whats shipped, who truthfully knows whats going on.

 

[Aragon]

I think the shortage is largely due to hoarding -- whether it's the person who used to shoot a box of 50 every now and then who now has a couple of bricks stowed away or the weirdo that has a closet full -- the kind that actually takes photos of the full closet and posts them on the web, and everyone in between. He doesn't shoot much, mind you -- he gets off by hoarding and then gloating about it.

I used to shoot just about a brick, or a brick and a half a month for many years. One practice session of 200-300 rounds (at least) and one match of the same. For the last 2 years I have shot only the match.

Yes, I might hoard to some degree (I might buy a dozen bricks) today if given the chance at a good price -- simply so I could resume monthly practice sessions and shoot a few additional matches and not to fill a closet like the weirdos.

Things are getting better -- ever so slowly.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

In my experience its about where you shop. My LGS hasn't been without .22 for the last few months. Bulk packs get bought up almost instantly. But they always have 100 rds you can buy whenever now. I stop by the store almost daily and buy whatever they'll sell me. I stockpile some, and shoot the rest. But theres no shortage there. Walmart on the other hand, I havent seen a bulk pack since Newtown, CT. Ammo still gets there though. Just moves off the shelf too fast for me to every see it. (Because I work during the day)

Fact is simple.. The demand is still FAR greater than the supply. The supply wont ramp up, because when it does all of the extra machinery will become unnecessary, and a waste of money for the ammo companies. I would say that if any of the ammo companies knew the demand was going to be as high as it is now two years ago, they may have ramped up. But it doesn't make sense now.

 

[loose noose]

The price of the .22LR ammo at our LGS is enough to make me continue to reload every thing from .32 auto-.45 acp, and everything from .223-45-70. I'll be darned if I'll pay $65.00+tax for a brick of .22LR. Thankfully I have about 1500 rounds of the older Remington, Winchester, CCI and Federal HP's etc. and that will have to last me until, the prices come down considerably.

I believe the shortage is due mostly to greedy dealers, trying to create a panic, which seems to be working, so certain people will panic and buy up all the available ammo at inflated prices, thereby filling the deep pockets of the distributors. That is IMHO what is going on.

 

[TimSr]

Fact is simple.. The demand is still FAR greater than the supply. The supply wont ramp up, because when it does all of the extra machinery will become unnecessary, and a waste of money for the ammo companies. I would say that if any of the ammo companies knew the demand was going to be as high as it is now two years ago, they may have ramped up. But it doesn't make sense now.

I think people have been buying it a lot faster than they have been shooting it, and most of what has been made the last two years is sitting on shelves and in closets. People buy it whther they need it or not, for fear they won't find it when they need it.

You are absolutely right about the ammo mfgs. The minute they ramp up production enough to meet all demand, the demand will tank because people will stop buying it while they've already got a closet full if they know they can pick more up anywhere.

Its a self fulfilling prophesy in perpetual motion driven by consumer fears.

 

[readyeddy]

From a consumer perspective, the cause of the shortage is irrelevant. If there is not enough .22 LR to shoot, then I will shoot something else.

So the 10/22 gets pushed to the back of the gun safe and the .223's and air guns come forward.

Speculating or "yelling at the rain" is not productive imo.

 

[mgkdrgn]

22lr isn't available at the WHOLESALE level ... much less at the retail level ... and hasn't been for some 3 YEARS now.

Yet, Winchester, Federal, Remington, CCI, yadda yadda yadda all say they are running 24/7/365 making a bizzilion round a day.

I have no idea where it is going. There ain't enough WalMart staking out neckbeards in the country to buy up that much ammo ... and even if there were they wouldn't have any place to store it.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Quote:
Fact is simple.. The demand is still FAR greater than the supply. The supply wont ramp up, because when it does all of the extra machinery will become unnecessary, and a waste of money for the ammo companies. I would say that if any of the ammo companies knew the demand was going to be as high as it is now two years ago, they may have ramped up. But it doesn't make sense now.
I think people have been buying it a lot faster than they have been shooting it, and most of what has been made the last two years is sitting on shelves and in closets. People buy it whther they need it or not, for fear they won't find it when they need it.

You are absolutely right about the ammo mfgs. The minute they ramp up production enough to meet all demand, the demand will tank because people will stop buying it while they've already got a closet full if they know they can pick more up anywhere.

Its a self fulfilling prophesy in perpetual motion driven by consumer fears

Precisely, On top of that, its not like it cant be found. If you want to pay 10cents a round its there for you all day. literally everywhere. If you dont want to, you need to visit your lgs frequently. Theyll get it in, you just need to be there when it happens.

 

[jmr40]

A good article from about a year ago.

https://sierrabullets.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/why-cant-i-find-22-lr-ammunition/

In a nutshell, people are still buying it faster than it can be made. With all ammo manufacturers running at full production it works out to about 1 round of 22's per shooter per day.

Under normal circumstances that is more than enough to meet demand. Manufacturers are reluctant to set up more equipment, it would be an investment in millions of dollars, that wouldn't be needed as soon as the panic buying is over.

FWIW, things are much better locally. Walmart has nothing. And nobody seems to have the cheap bulk ammo. But I'm finding quality target ammo at fair prices pretty easily now.

 

[Plan2Live]

The real truth is I buy it pretty much whenever I want it and pay between 5 and 7 cents per round. I don't get to pick and choose from multiple brands but within two or three days of diligent effort I can find it on the shelf. I've quit buying because frankly I have my share covered and probably one or two other people's share too. It just takes effort.

 

[MedWheeler]

Twelve responses and nothing that isn't contained in any of the other numerous threads on this..

It's old, albeit continuing news. There is no "real truth" hidden here..

 

[wally]

I don't think hoarding or re-sale/carpet bagging is as much a problem in 2015 as say early 2013.

You are wrong, there lots of places still selling the 550-round $26 bulk pack for $50 and the 140-round $66 bucket for $140, problem is I can only by one on each trip to Academy and no guarantee they'll have any at all. I buy it if they have it when I'm there (same for Walmart) but I don't make a trip specifically for .22lr ammo like I used to when I could just buy 2-3000 rounds with no problem.

I noticed most of the "specials" I see for the overpriced ammo have greatly increased or removed the quantity limits, so maybe they see production starting to catch up as hopefully folks are finally realizing that buying from speculators at twice the "real" price is just stupid and counterproductive in the long run.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

The problem is me, and many others like me. Were pushing the demand through the roof, buying whatever we can, when we can. That's it. This last panic had influenced countless amounts of shooters to buy up .22 when it was never even a thought before. All my money used to go to 7.62x39, and 9mm. Now it goes to .22 when I can find it. The demand is sky high.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Production, supply......

Who thinks major firms like Remington, Winchester, Corbon, Hornady, etc are still going 24/07?
If gun sales and accessories-sporting goods profits decline how or why would the ammunition lines still be cranking out?
Wouldn't firearm rounds be filling shelves or stock full?
Prices per case or box would slowly decline or be lowered if interest-sales decrease.
As posted, the .22LR cases or buckets may move fast or get sucked up by staff or employees who tip off relatives/buds.
I also don't think the supply-materials is a problem either. Rimfire ammunition has been cheap & plentiful for decades. I agree that some non gunners or hunters might get irked as to why they can't buy 1000 round .22 buckets for $5.00, .
If you asked 100 people in the general public how much a new factory made 9x19mm or .40 JHP round costs 80-90% would say 0.05 or 0.10 cents, .

 

[robmints]

IMO. Groundhog day. Everything is still the same. Opportunists, & hoarders of 22lr. Manufacturers lying about production.

Manufacturers making most of the highest margin stuff first and concentrating on that, usually some CF round. The supply food chain has no reason to catch up. Sales are great, and prices are way up, what's not to like? One thing they are not doing, is what they say they are doing. They are not making 22r ammo as fast as they possibly can. All that would do is drive down the price, then they would be working harder for the same or less money. That makes no sense.

The opportunity buyers, & hoarders are still buying keeping prices high. It would be insane to work so hard as to over-take their desire.

 

[Tom609]

The local Dicks seems to have a good supply of Remington 525 boxes lately. Speaking with the clerk this morning he said they're starting to see more and bigger shipments. They say 1 box per customer per day, but he gave me two. Let's hope it's a sign.

 

[redneck2]

I just got a 525 pack at WalMart last weekend for $22. As of maybe a couple months ago, they had gotten little or none for months at a time. Lady there said they're now getting some every week or so.

Between now and maybe October I am gonna try to get 8-10k rounds. Guys like me are part of the reason it's in short supply, but I'm not gonna get caught short again. I suspect there are millions of guys thinking like I am. That's where your ammo is going. Into my cabinet

 

[X-Rap]

Between now and maybe October I am gonna try to get 8-10k rounds. Guys like me are part of the reason it's in short supply, but I'm not gonna get caught short again. I suspect there are millions of guys thinking like I am. That's where your ammo is going. Into my cabinet

This is exactly what is still happening, I don't fault these guys a bit, same thing is still going on with powder, primers and bullets. The sales of guns and other accessories can drop off to nothing and people will still be spending their hard earned money on ammo and components.
I know a lot of guys who never thought they'ed see the day when you couldn't just stop off on your way to the hills and pick up a brick.They aren't getting caught in that spot again and for well under $50 per thousand they are sacking away thousands of rounds.

 

[stompah]

Rusty, ammo is a consumable firearms are not. My one and only XD9 has over 7,000 rounds through it. I am sure some guys on here have a gun with over 10k, 20k, 50k+ rounds through them.

I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said except that since the shortage I have cut back my firing of 22 to almost nil and my purchasing of 22 to nil. There must be a lot of others like me who haven't bought any 22 since 12/2013. We had to have offset the hoarders and resellers somewhat.

 

[Robert]

Nothing has changed since the last .22 shortage thread we had.