Ammunition Shortages Aren't Limited to THR'ers

[308win]

From Today's Columbus Dispatch Editorial Page:

Troops running out of ammunition





I have three family members serving in the military, two in Iraq. I have no doubt that I could come up with 39 reasons for never sending one soldier to Iraq. Recently, at 1 a.m., I discovered a 40 th.
My nephew called, after being in Iraq for one day, requesting that his first care package include subsonic ammunition for his sniper rifle. My response, of course, was, "Are you kidding me?"
His answer: "No."
"How much ammo do you need?"
Answer: "40 rounds."
Reason No. 40 to leave Iraq: having to track down ammo for our soldiers.
BILL ROGERS
Pataskala

 

[General Geoff]

Wow.

 

[Babarsac]

Something is very wrong here.

 

[jestertoo]

It's my understanding, that unless he's special forces (in which case he probably wouldn't be asking for this stuff in care packages), using nonstandard ammunition is a no no.

 

[GhostlyKarliion]

course, it must be remembered that it was a comment from a nameless faceless avatar on the errornet...

but if ti is true, then...

 

[callgood]

I'm going to assume the report is correct- my response is, "Where the hell did all of the ammo GO?"

My only guess is that it's needed for the "unaccounted for" weapons they "lost."

 

[sacp81170a]

subsonic ammunition for his sniper rifle

 

[molonlabetn]

Subsonic .308 exists, of course... but the commercial loads I am aware of use expanding projectiles. It seems to me that this would violate military policy, by using non-standard ammo (as mentioned before). Besides that... how did they plan to ship ammo internationally, unnoticed?

 

[sacp81170a]

Subsonic .308 exists, of course

But for a "sniper rifle"? I have no doubt that a "sniper rifle" could fire subsonic ammo, my question would be why? A .30 cal round at <1000 fps certainly wouldn't require a scoped "sniper rifle" for accuracy since its range would be limited. Why not just shoot 'em with a 9mm (.358 cal) round at 1100 fps? It makes absolutely no tactical sense. That's why it sounds extremely fishy to me. Sounds kinda tacticool, but it don't add up.

Reminds me of the old jokes about "50 feet of flight line and a bucket of prop wash..."

 

[Cosmoline]

I agree, something sounds very fishy about this. The only subsonic sniper rifle rounds I know of are those really hoikey ones that fire an enormous bullet from a wee cartridge to make use of the very large bullet ballistics. I don't think the US military uses any of those, and I know you can't easily buy them.

 

[El Tejon]

Someone is up on the power curve who has a can for their M40 or M110 and he needs ammo? Only 40 rounds???

Did this letter run in the New Republic as well? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20191386/site/newsweek/

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Maybe his first day in Iraq went something like this:
Nephew: "Is this ammo subsonic?"
Armorer: "We don't issue subsonic ammo unless you are SF. You don't even have a suppressor"
Nephew: "But I want some"
Armorer: "Take the ammo I gave you and get the **** out of here"
Nephew: "I'm gonna git some from home!"

 

[MillerTimeLV]

Wow... definitely an interesting topic! If this is true, then all I can say is ***! I thought our military was smarter and better prepared than this. I don't see how it's not their fault that they didn't bring enough ammo or have enough readily available for a war!
If this is true and ammo is really needed THIS BADLY... do you think the military would stick to their guns (no pun intented) and not let other types of ammunition be used?

 

[MechAg94]

Did some of you actually read the first post? Neither he nor the Army is short of ammo.


I don't see the issue. I have never heard of the Army using subsonic ammo in general. I think many are or will miss the distinction.

 

[Geronimo45]

The army's not short of ammo - everybody else is. Much of the ammo production's steered towards giving the military enough rounds to do the job - and civvies are a second priority.

 

[earplug]

As I type this I can hear Fort Carson's soldiers shooting at the range. They practice much more since the Iraq invasion then prior.
No shortage noticed.

I do recall A early report that some solders were using .22LR to shoot out street lights. That might be the shortage?

 

[CWL]

I do recall A early report that some solders were using .22LR to shoot out street lights. That might be the shortage?

Only 40 rounds of .22lr?

One day in deployment and he's calling his uncle?

Something about this article doesn't feel right.

 

[W.E.G.]

It is illegal to send ammunition in United States Mail

http://pe.usps.gov/search/jsp/searc...er=Simple&querytext=(ammunition)&dtype=2#hit0

See rule 8.6

__________________________________________
__________________________________________

UPS will not allow you to use their carrier to export ammunition


http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/advisor/intl_shipping/reference/verify_export.html

__________________________________________
__________________________________________

Moreover, UPS will not accept any weapons for export to Iraq

http://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US

__________________________________________
__________________________________________


Exceptions to these restriction may exist for shipments to the military entities abroad. However, I'm quite sure a "care" package to a service member at an APO address would be subject to all the same restrictions as a shipment to any other individual. I'm sure "military exceptions" do not apply to a "care" package.

 

[feedthehogs]

More anti war propaganda.

Looks like the TCPV is still alive and kicking.

 

[Dravur]

I call Shenanigans

and BS. My cousin is deep in the heart of Iraq and they have not had a shortage of anything except armored vehicles and he says they have those now. He has all the ammo he can fire.

If you tried shipping ammo to Iraq, you would have some dudes knocking on your door.

40 rds of subsonic? what is he shooting? a couple cats?

Sorry, nameless, faceless and an obvious anti-war sentiment. I call Shenanigans.

 

[asknight]

I call BS as well. If he's wanting to use non-standard, non-issued ammo, then perhaps there IS a shortage of that... but issued ammo is in abundance.

 

[jungleroy]

I still have contact with a few friends who are currently serving, and I have heard of no such shortage in munitions.
I have been asked to send beef jerky, thats about it.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Doodz

It's a hoax.

They ain't no ammo shortage in the military.

They's a shortage for law enforcement, but you'll never guess why.

It's cuz law enforcement demand has gone up 40% over last couple years.

So tell me, why would that be, hmmm?

You DO know that Mil and LE ammo are made at different plants, yes?

Look around a bit. I'll bet you can find the story with the 40% increase in LE ammo requirement.

Kinda long.

Worth reading.

If you can't find it, raise your hand, and I'll post the link.

Meantime, no point making it too easy.

Y'all gotta work for your sources, same as me.

On yer marx, git set, GO!

 

[arthurcw]

Y'all gotta work for your sources, same as me

TEASE!

 

[asknight]

Kinda long story about the law enforcement ammo demands being increased 40%?

Not a very long story I discovered... "9/11 forced us to increase our training regimen."

Except for the ConfederateYankee ramblings on the subject.