Ammunition Shortage - My Solution

[SFsc616171]

Hi Folks!

The ammunition shortage that has plagued this nation, for too long in my eyes, has prompted me to devise a 'Plan B', (I can hear the 'Oh No's').

I have .38 Special revolvers, and I have noticed somethiing peculiar, on the store shelves, and on the web. Any .38 Special ammunition that is produced, in anything OTHER THAN standard full and semi-wadcutters, is getting sucked up by that federal vacuum, and suppliers are listing 'out-of-stock' items to where the caveat, "We got it, but we don't got it, and we can cancel your order at anytime.", is the norm.

So ... "Engage, Plan B!"

Plan B is this: purchase said full or semi-wadcutter ammunition, as produced by the vendor, for the sole purposes of plinking, home and self defense, and concealed carry. The rationale is that it is MANUFACTURED ammunition, and NOT anything that I might have the potential to attempt handloading. I do NOT have unlimited funds, so for those that would propose, "a buck a bullet that goes at plus-p speed, but are not plus p", I'm not interested. I have looked at Bitterroot Valley Ammunition Company; The Hunting Shack; Georgia Arms; and I.Q. Metals, for sources.

How do you consider using these companies, for my intended purposes?

 

[Sam1911]

Plan B is this: purchase said full or semi-wadcutter ammunition, as produced by the vendor, for the sole purposes of plinking, home and self defense, and concealed carry. The rationale is that it is MANUFACTURED ammunition, and NOT anything that I might have the potential to attempt handloading. I do NOT have unlimited funds, so for those that would propose, "a buck a bullet that goes at plus-p speed, but are not plus p", I'm not interested. I have looked at Bitterroot Valley Ammunition Company; The Hunting Shack; Georgia Arms; and I.Q. Metals, for sources.

How do you consider using these companies, for my intended purposes?

What?

What is the question? I don't understand what you're asking at all.

If it is, "should I buy ammo from these folks?" Sure, why not? Otherwise I'm lost.

 

[Ironclad]

Why couldn't you reload it?

 

[goon]

I have been reloading to take the edge off the ammo shortage/price increase. I don't know what factor .38 is going for right now for a 50 round box, but I know I don't pay anywhere near that for reloads. And I enjoy reloading.

In your case you could just get a box of good defensive ammo to keep your revolver loaded with for defense, then use cheaper stuff for practice. I've used bargain brands like Ultramax before and it worked fine. Revolvers are pretty tolerant of most ammunition.

 

[David E]

You might start considering a Plan C.....

 

[Yarddog]

"You might start considering a Plan C....."

Or Revise plan A & B
Y/D

 

[Mike1234567]

I buy lots of ammo when it's plentiful and cheap. I never buy ammo when it's rare and expensive. I don't generally sell it when I can make a nice profit but I do barter with it to get things done around the homestead. The flaw, as "I" see it, in your plans is that you're not thinking far enough ahead and investing in the future. Ammo pricing, as with most other things, is volatile... hi-cap mags too. Knee-jerk reactions don't produce the best end results. Think ahead... be calm and patient... "invest" when prices are low. Then there's no need to worry so much. One thing I'm sure of is, if you buy "low", then you'll never lose money on ammo.

 

[frankenstein406]

"You might start considering a Plan C....."

Or Revise plan A & B
Y/D

business plan:

1. Collect Underpants

2. ?

3. Profit



Why not buy a lee turret and reload?.

 

[moxie]

Huh?
Federal vacuum? For .38s? Not.

 

[87hurricane]

Reloading is how I deal with the ammo shortage. Unless the "cheap" ammo you're looking at is steel cased, there is absolutely no reason you couldn't reload it. Guess I too am a little confused about plan a and b...

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Errr...

If this is "Plan B", one has to wonder what "Plan A" was.

Buy ammunition as you see fit...or do not buy it. The choice is yours as to what, how much, and why.

.38 factory ammunition is reloadable, like any other centerfire brass cartridge is. If you "don't have the potential" to reload it, then I'd suggest you remedy that by investing some time and resources in that. Then you can turn your once fired .38 brass into any kind of .38 load you wish at your leasure.


If you need ammunition and you find a good deal...buy it. It's that simple.

 

[45_auto]

Plan B is this: purchase said full or semi-wadcutter ammunition, as produced by the vendor, for the sole purposes of plinking, home and self defense, and concealed carry.

Why would you use the same ammo for plinking as you would to defend your life?

Either you're wasting your money on high-priced high-performance ammo for plinking, or you're counting on defending your life with cheap low-performance ammo.

Why not buy a box or two of good stuff like below to defend your life, and just use the cheap stuff for plinking?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/59...5-grain-brass-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-20

 

[TennJed]

Are you asking if semi wad cutter is a good all around option. Yes and espically if it is all you can find. Your post is not too clear though

 

[788Ham]

Theres a small shop close to me, they had some of the Bitterroot 38 spl. ammo for $23.00 for 50 a while back, I grabbed 300 rds. NOW I have the reloadable cases I was short on. This is plinking ammo at best, but still get to practice at the range. I order off Midway for lead bullets, 500 in a box, 158 gr. SWC, have more of my loads to shoot now. I know some folks aren't in that capacity right now..... something to think about though.

 

[David E]

I reread the OP and it seems that "Plan B" isn't to buy what's not in stock, but to buy what IS in stock......I see where he's going, here: If he buys the ammo that's IN stock, instead of not buying the ammo that's NOT in stock.....he will then......have ammo!

That's just crazy enough to work!

I like it!

.

 

[goon]

The OP could probably also find a trustworthy shooting buddy who does some reloading and maybe cut a deal to get some reloaded ammo. Maybe if you bought the components and let his shooting buddy have half in exchange for loading the rest up as ammo for him?

Personally, there are only a few people I trust enough to use their reloads though. I never shoot mystery reloads.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

The more times I read this the more confused I get!

 

[hentown]

Drugs, alcohol? There is help available.

 

[Jaxondog]

I think he may be asking if the company's he has named has trusted remanufactured ammo. If so I will stand behind Georgia Arms as I have shot and used a ton of their stuff with no problem's. Other than that, I don't understand the ?.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I think it was a backhanded dig at Buffalo Bore. Seems the OP wants to find wadcutter ammo as good as the BB but at a cheaper price.

 

[bannockburn]

The only "question" that I can derive from the OP is whether any of the companies listed make decent remanufactured ammo. As such I have used Georgia Arms ammo and it's been very good; no other knowledge or experiences as to the other companies or their products.

 

[MrWesson]

I have plans in place for the ammo shortage by reloading and casting..

My plan for a rimfire shortage was to quit shooting. To me shooting without bringing along my .22's isn't fun. New plan is if you can't beat the hoarders then join them.

 

[Mike1234567]

RE ammo hoarders: What designates a person as an ammo hoarder? One who has more than two hundred rounds per caliber? Eight hundred? A couple thousand? Five thousand? I have at least two hundred rounds per caliber and less than two thousand per caliber. I even have ammo in calibers I don't shoot. Am I a hoarder? Perhaps, but not in an extreme way. I keep more than I'll ever "need" for years but no more. And if my neighbors need some ammo they can barter for it at fair "non-shortage" prices. Oh, and I bought it all when ammo was plentiful and cheap... vs. today's prices and availability.

 

[MrWesson]

I know people who have 20,000+ rounds of .22.

8,000 rounds of 9mm and .223.

I consider them hoarders.

I'd say if you buy 4 value packs of whatever you shoot whenever you see it regardless of how much you have at home.. hoarder.

The guy who has 200rds per caliber is barely scraping by IMO. bump that up to 2,000 and....

 

[wanderinwalker]

I've heard nothing but good about Georgia Arms. Freedom Munitions (??) is another source I've heard good things about as well.

And yes, get a Plan C: start reloading! I have an inexpensive Lee Pro1000, a cheap portable work bench and some other compact pieces. It's fairly portable considering when up and running smoothly I can make 250-300 rounds an hour. Just the ticket for keeping .38 and 9mm in stock while everybody is looking forlornly at the ammo "display" at the local stores. When not in use it fits in the back of a closet.