A shift in .22lr production?

[WestKentucky]

With today's market being what it is for 22lr I felt fortunate to see a large quantity on the shelf today, and I did manage to purchase 4 50rd boxes of standard velocity CCI. The odd thing was that they had at least 20 times as much "premium" 22 ammo. I figured people bought all of the $3 boxes earlier, but the clerk said I was only about the 5th person today to buy standard ammo. SO have the makers of ammo pushed off into premium ammo rather than the cheap stuff to take advantage of the shortage? The clerk sure seemed to think so since she said its nice to see a $3 box rather than a 100 pack of some crazy name for 15-20 bucks.

What I saw on the shelf was:
standard velocity CCI at $3 for 50. About 40 boxes left
Mini mags for $12 for 100 about 40 boxes
Target grade CCI for $17 for 100 about 100 boxes
Wolf match grade for $10 for 50 about 20 boxes
Super-colibri for $12 for 100 about 5 loose boxes and a complete case underneath those.
22 short for $20 for 100 (don't remember brand) about 100 boxes.

 

[John828]

Was this a local gun shop, a big box sports retailer or a Wal-mart?

 

[WestKentucky]

Big box sporting goods store. Everything from baseballs to kayaks, shoes to guns.

 

[itsa pain]

Here the CCI's are 10 bucks for 50

 

[ford8nr]

What I saw on the shelf was:
standard velocity CCI at $3 for 50. About 40 boxes left
Mini mags for $12 for 100 about 40 boxes
Target grade CCI for $17 for 100 about 100 boxes
Wolf match grade for $10 for 50 about 20 boxes
Super-colibri for $12 for 100 about 5 loose boxes and a complete case underneath those.
22 short for $20 for 100 (don't remember brand) about 100 boxes.

Those prices were either what the store or the distributor was gouging for. Could be they DIDN'T have stock to replace it so they jacked up the price. The actual real prices as I've seen recently is:
CCI MINI's $6-7 / 100 (have a case on order)
Wolf Match $10 / 100 (just received 1000rds)
Super Colibri $6-7 / 1000

I think mfgs run large lots of a given flavor then reset for the next run. That's why you see TONS of CCI Blazers available and few Mini Mags.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Don't know about the others, but the Wolf was overpriced even if it was Match Extra.

 

[vamo]

Were they enforcing a buying limit? Hate to assume the worst of people but... if the buyers were re-sellers there would be more profit in the good stuff.

 

[WestKentucky]

2 boxes per person limit.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Premium ammo is way over priced and they should cut back on it's production.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Some of us need premium ammo for our hobbies.

 

[barnbwt]

"have the makers of ammo pushed off into premium ammo rather than the cheap stuff to take advantage of the shortage?"
That makes no sense at all. Why wouldn't they make more cheap ammo, knowing the market will buy it regardless the price they sell it for, and save on quality control?

The reason there's no cheap ammo is people buying it all --because it's cheap

"Premium ammo is way over priced and they should cut back on it's production."
LOL. People clamoring for cheap crappy beer-- I mean, ammo

TCB

 

[Averageman]

I buy premium .22 LR when available. Other, when it isn't, $10 for 50? I almost can shoot an AK cheaper.

 

[EchoM70]

It's Academy huh? Mine has the same for the same price, minus the Wolf Match. Been seeing a lot more rimfire on the shelves here lately. I don't think it will be too much longer around here until it's available regularly again.

 

[thriller]

My LGS has kept a few types of 22 in stock, CCI standards being one of them. Theres a 2 box limit,and I always opt for the CCI standard every time I go. My bearcat and my 9422 both love the stuff. They told me the same, people buy the hot stuff while this sits. Fine by me

 

[wally]

Just not worth driving to the store for a 2 box limit unless the boxes are 500+ rounds each.

 

[atblis]

$3 for CCI sv sounds about right. Good ammo.

 

[itsa pain]

There is a shift in 22 production. They have shifted into reverse

 

[LemmyCaution]

Some of us need premium ammo for our hobbies.

Some of us prefer premium ammo for our hobbies.

Fixed that for you.

 

[WestKentucky]

Yes on Academy. And I do think we will soon see availability go up. It just seems a lot more premium is available than cheap. If the margins are similar it wouldn't make sense to swap but if there are higher profit margins on more expensive ammo then that makes sense.

 

[heycods]

with the luck I am having with the cheap stuff (if their is any such thing now) I will opt for the premium all the way now.

 

[Strange Bob]

I pick up a little here and there and mostly 50rd boxes. I drive by an Academy on my way home from work and about 30% of the time I can get some.22LR their. I find few bulk packs. I did find a 225 round pack of Remington Golden Bullets at my LGS for 17 bucks. Yeah, I bit the bullet and bought. Gotta keep the kids shooting.

Might add that the Academy I go to has had some 50rd boxes of "match" .22LR for 20 bucks ... been on the shelf for a month now.

 

[WestKentucky]

40 cents a shot for .22lr. WOW...heatseaking?

 

[mljdeckard]

Actually, some of us run conversions that do need premium hi-vel to cycle reliably.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Some of us prefer premium ammo for our hobbies.

Fixed that for you.

When the competition starts using Thunderbolt at the benchrest matches, so will I.

 

[Shimitup]

When the competition starts using Thunderbolt at the benchrest matches, so will I.

No I'll keep shooting Green Tag, I need all the help I can get.