Ammo prices: rising, leveling off, dropping?

[dalek1967]

I ran up on this interview, text not video, that talks about the shortage and the future. Maybe buying that ammo is a good idea. This could still be a while yet.

http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=1392

 

[hachaduryan]

I would guess Canada.

I would not worry about current situation between Russia & Ukraine. The rise of Ukrainian Nationalism has been of concern in recent years. If Russians decide to eliminate some we should open few cans of beer order pizza and watch it on tv like the super bowl. No embargo against Russia should be contemplated.

You crazy?! This is not Ukrainian nationalism, this is Ukraine trying to steer away from going back to being a Soviet puppet. Pick your source of info more carefully, don't only listen to Putin's propaganda.
However this is a thread about ammo so I'm just going to stop here on this.

 

[Bexar]

I do a lot of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart because they have a few things my Wife likes the other area grocery stores do not. Anyway, I first buzz the ammo cabinet, just because, to check the pulse of the supply and there is now most every caliber that was nearly impossible to find several months ago. Some calibers are a little sporadic but most are now available. Even .22 long rifle has started showing up, albeit, very sporadically. I suspect once this ammo shortage slows down then the reloading powders will start showing back up as the ammo companies slow down production. Being a former hunter (age and physical capacity related...not an epiphany) and not an ammo hoarder I used to be price knowledgeable but now I couldn't tell you except .22 LR does seem high. But then again the last brick I bought was $9.99 too many years ago and I'm looking at it right now. All things reloading are showing up again pretty well except the dusty smokeless powder shelves. Anyway...I suspect even hoarders are getting full and if we win the Senate and House in November or even if it stays the same the bottom will fall out of the price market as supply increases. Unfortunately, I think we are going to lose both but that discussion is beyond the scope of this thread.

 

[dalek1967]

I go to the ammo rack every time I go into Walmart. Like you, I am starting to see ammo coming back at one of the stores. The other store is still fairly empty but they do get ammo in, it just sells fast. At the store where I get most of my ammo, I was told that 22LR does come in. I tried to find a price tag but didn't see one. I may ask next time I go in. I should have the other day but I had got on the floor since the ammo I wanted to look at was at the bottom. Arthritis in pretty much every joint and getting on the floor is pretty stupid but so is staying bent over for to long too. I can't win either way on that one.

Anyway, it is coming back but I still want to stock up as much as I can when prices are reasonable. I have no plans to pay $90.00 for a brick of 22LR tho. Nope. Ain't happening. I think I paid like $20 for the last one I bought.

When I get the ammo in and test it, I'll post a new thread on that. I'll post a link here for those that are interested in following. I plan to fire about 20 or 30 rounds or so. About 10%. Should give me a rough idea.

 

[Captain33036]

A few short weeks ago, my local WM was getting a few boxes of 9mm in at a very good price ($12-14/50). I was able to get there in the afternoon of the shipping day and get the 3 box limit.

No longer.

And NO 22lr. I used to get some 22lr from online sources, they are now dried up. And now...prices on the 22lr I want to shoot in competition is going way up. More than 9mm, in some cases.

I wish I knew what was going on and when it will end. Honestly, I am concerned enough to think about consolidating calibers. Giving up .45 and going just 9mm (and 22) for pistols. Just bought a 9mm die set, too.

 

[dalek1967]

Captain33036, I went to Walmart a bit ago. I went to the ammo case and counted at least 50 or 60 boxes of ammo there of various brands and types. I also saw some of those little plastic tub things with 100 rounds each in them. They had half a dozen or so that I could see. If I had contact info and you were interested, I would have called, told you what they have and the price, let you pick out what you wanted and me ship them to you and you mail me a check/money order. I suspect I could have got you at least several boxes of it.

While that store had quite a few, the other store in another town close to me stays pretty much sold out of ammo. It seems that Walmart is like yours. I think this has a lot to do with the type of people that live near those Walmart stores. If the people around there are stockpiling ammo, they sell them as fast as it comes in.

By the way, the price on a 550 round brick of 22LR ammo is about $24. That is a LOT better than the $90 I posted a link to the other day.

 

[wmtrp]

The last ammo i bought online came out of oklahoma and i bought 200 rounds and the shipping was 12.00 to california about 3 bucks a box

 

[texasgun]

classic situation... Walmart gets ammo in the morning, all gone by noon and then a few hours later the exact same ammo shows up on gunbroker with a 20%+ markup. Ever checked out some gunbroker profiles of ammo sellers? All they sell is WWB and other Walmart ammo. Nothing else.... it's sickening.

 

[rhinoh]

I've seen prices both ways.
I've become a little perturbed by some vendors practices- for example-
Palmetto State Armory had 500 count boxes of Blazer .22 for $50 the other day.
Walmart had the same exact thing for around $26. Bought my one box limit.
Say what you want against Walmart, at least they aren't gouging us.
I never thought PSA, who I've spent many thousands at, would stoop so low.
I kind of doubt PSA is paying much more for it than Walmart.
I could see maybe $10 more, but double?!

Still it sold out in no time, on the one hand I can't blame them for profiteering in these times, on the other hand, sure doesn't help to build loyal customers once things stabilize.

 

[Pointshoot]

Well, the only sources I've read that talk about a possible shut off of ammo from Russia are those that have a stake in selling the stuff. That is, ammo retailers.

Haven't seen any quotes from government sources (US or Russian). Someone speculating "Well, if things get bad they might . . . . " isn't hard information.

Personally, I don't mind since I had planned to pick up some ammo and the stories out there reminded me to do so. Even if it all turns out to be nothing but sales hype, I benefited.

 

[Pointshoot]

rhinoh: "Palmetto State Armory had 500 count boxes of Blazer .22 for $50 the other day."

That's actually not bad considering what some of the retailers charge in my area. CCI round nose 22LR for the equivalent of $75 per 500 rd box. gunbroker prices.
Of course, I passed on that deal.

 

[dalek1967]

Pointshoot, I'm still keeping a eye out at Walmart. The guy said the other day that Saturday morning is the best time for that ammo. If a person can catch it there, it's like $24 a brick. I have no plan to resell it tho. I only have a box and a half myself. I'm not going to do like some folks and mark it up and resell just to gouge folks.

 

[Ignition Override]

Having watched the prices for Russian or Ukrainian-made 7,62x39 almost every day on "Gunbot", there is no change I've noticed among the wide availability of .21-.25/round for this ammo since it came down to this price range.

Checking the lower prices among distributor websites began in early '08, and it was checked almost every week since summer of '08.
Any increase in US demand since the "Weapons Show And Tell" by the Black Sea might be miniscule, and it's not apparent, with so much 7.62x39 quantity available.

I would expect any noticeable price increase could be for Russian surplus 5.45, much of it still at .15-.18 rd. Not much above .22LR prices....
There is now also newly-manufactured 5.45x39 with Non-corrosive primers, at .25/rd. Was it "JG Sales" or "AIM Surplus"?

But to spend more than two minutes checking .22LR at current prices? A waste of time. Better to switch to centerfire, than center one's life on hunting for cheap .22LR ammo.

 

[dalek1967]

I got the ammo in today. FYI. It is not boxed up. It is loose. I'm not surprised by this given the price tho.

Ammo looks great. Clean and shiny just like I would get at Walmart or something. Pic alert:





Not bad for less than $0.50 each. I plan to shoot some in the next few days and let you know how it goes. If I do this on a new thread, I'll post a link here for those who want to follow.

Thanks much.

 

[Potatohead]

It sounds your talking mainly short term. In that case, I wouldn't buy right now. Things are still settling down from the panic. I think their will probably be some deals to be had once everyone's basements are full and some ammo sits on the shelf awhile.


If you're talking 5 year blocks, I say buy away! It dont drop long term.

 

[huntsman]

Yesterday I bought .45acp at LGS, CCI blazer $24.99 federal $24.99 then went to WW and paid $24.67 for Federal. I paid $17.00 for Federal at WW in 2010 so I'm not seeing any drop in prices.

 

[P5 Guy]

Went to the LGS and priced TULA 9mm at $17.99 per 50.
I do not think that was a good price.

 

[wildchild2010]

Tax refunds are coming in and people don't want to fight the 2016 election rush "as usual". I don't see anything getting cheaper anytime soon, If anything goes down with Russia and the Ukrainians prices with just shoot straight up. It is what it is.

 

[peacebutready]

I was in Wally World yesterday and the Independence branded 5.56 has dropped down to $7.37 for a box of 20. I got 3 boxes.

Sounds good. A while back I saw the same for around $10 at the same store. I don't know how much of a difference geographical area makes.

 

[Beam]

I found some winchester .22 last week at walmart
@12.50 per 333 rounds!

 

[Ky Larry]

The only factory ammo I buy is .22lr. In the last 18 months I've found exactly 3 fifty round boxes. It was $2.49 a box for Fed Lightning. Before the current silliness I was buying this ammo for $1.49 a box.