Ammunition

[Catpop]

I personally am getting pretty disgusted with the lack of ammunition (and reloading components) on the shelves!
But what I really getting disgusted over is the fact that NO ammunition conducive to hunting is available. I mean all you can find is FMJ and then only in 223, 9mm, 45 acp.
Don’t the ammunition manufacturers realize there are some of us who still rely on readily available factory hunting ammunition to put meat on the table. Many don’t reload and do have a legitimate need for factory ammunition- farmers, ranchers, property protection from animals, etc.
What gives? Am I a dying breed?

 

[brewer12345]

I think they are simply swamped with demand and cranking out the highest volume products they possibly can to minimize changeovers. That is inevitably FMJ range ammo. After all, you might crack off 200 rounds in a range session, but how many premium hunting rounds do you typically shoot in a year? 5?

This is the universe tapping you on the shoulder telling you to get a basic reloading setup together.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

If you're referring to centerfire rifle hunting ammo its plentiful local to me, just expensive.

I haven't really looked for it online because I don't need any but if I can find it locally I gotta believe there are online sources as well, again, probably not cheap.

 

[Bazoo]

Whats the caliber situation over there? Round here I ain't seen much of anything for a while. A year ago though I seen some 30-30, some 06, and some 270. I left it for someone that needs it. The woman at the counter was shocked when I told her I didn't need it cause I reloaded.

 

[jmr40]

I didn't need it cause I reloaded.

Unless you're well stocked on loading supplies even that won't help. I can get powder locally. Not my go-to choices, but powder that would be usable. But I can't find bullets or primers. Fortunately for me I'm in good shape and can make what I have last for a while. I just don't shoot my hunting loads as often.

I'm seeing the same. I can get all the 22, 9mm and 223 I can use, although at higher prices. When I do go to the range to shoot it is mostly those 3 because I can replace what I shoot after each session. I'm seeing a fair amount of 308, but mostly FMJ. The handful of boxes of hunting loads in 308 have been in the $40-$50/box range. There is a fair supply of 6.5CM hunting ammo but that is about it. None of the traditional hunting rounds like 30-06, 270, or any of the popular magnum rounds.

 

[armydog]

What kind of ammo are you looking for? I'm sure you will get some links to get some from somewhere.

 

[tws3b2]

I personally am getting pretty disgusted with the lack of ammunition (and reloading components) on the shelves!
But what I really getting disgusted over is the fact that NO ammunition conducive to hunting is available. I mean all you can find is FMJ and then only in 223, 9mm, 45 acp.
Don’t the ammunition manufacturers realize there are some of us who still rely on readily available factory hunting ammunition to put meat on the table. Many don’t reload and do have a legitimate need for factory ammunition- farmers, ranchers, property protection from animals, etc.
What gives? Am I a dying breed?

You're not alone. There are many out here that are just as disgusted. When all this crap started and hand gun ammo first started to disappear from shelves. I managed to grab up enough hunting ammo to last me a few years.
That's not really that much ammo. I just don't use a lot of deer rounds. FMJ was about all that was available near me but since Remington came back on line hollow point has been showing up on shelves once in awhile. But only in 9mm.

 

[Bazoo]

Unless you're well stocked on loading supplies even that won't help. I can get powder locally. Not my go-to choices, but powder that would be usable. But I can't find bullets or primers. Fortunately for me I'm in good shape and can make what I have last for a while. I just don't shoot my hunting loads as often.

I'm seeing the same. I can get all the 22, 9mm and 223 I can use, although at higher prices. When I do go to the range to shoot it is mostly those 3 because I can replace what I shoot after each session. I'm seeing a fair amount of 308, but mostly FMJ. The handful of boxes of hunting loads in 308 have been in the $40-$50/box range. There is a fair supply of 6.5CM hunting ammo but that is about it. None of the traditional hunting rounds like 30-06, 270, or any of the popular magnum rounds.

I’m well stocked for 30-30. 30-06 overlaps some. But it ain’t really my thing like 30-30.

I don’t load 270 but I always note it cause a friend has one.

 

[KY DAN]

Well as I have said and will continue to say you had the ENTIRE Trump presidency (4years) of the cheapest priceses on ammo, reloading components, guns etc and failed to stock pile what you NEEDED then this is on YOU. Stop crying because you have none you made a choice now live with it.

The factories do not give a flying rip about "dying breeds" its what sales and your hunting ammo does not sale in the quantities that generate profit margins they want to see.

Average hunters in western Kentucky I know personally may have 8 rounds in a 20 year old box of 30-06,270,etc and feel they are loaded for bear. I don't understand that thought process.

The only advise I can give you is start contacting ammo remanufactures and bugging them. Some will load whatever you need, won't be cheap but 100 rounds of your favorite hunting cartridge might get you through this rough patch.

WHAT EVER YOU DO WHEN THIS MESS IS OVER IS BUY FACTORY AMMO, PRIMERS, BLACKPOWDER, ETC AND BE READY FOR THE NEXT SHORTAGE.

 

[fxvr5]

But what I really getting disgusted over is the fact that NO ammunition conducive to hunting is available. I mean all you can find is FMJ and then only in 223, 9mm, 45 acp.
Don’t the ammunition manufacturers realize there are some of us who still rely on readily available factory hunting ammunition to put meat on the table. Many don’t reload and do have a legitimate need for factory ammunition- farmers, ranchers, property protection from animals, etc.
What gives? Am I a dying breed?

My understanding is that all the ammo makers have conspired to produce only FMJ ammo just so that you, personally, will not have a choice of other bullets.

 

[imac98374]

https://ammoseek.com/

It’s out there. As you you’ve probably surmised, it’s not cheap, but if you’re truly only looking for a few boxes, it’ll get you by.

 

[Lyle Wyatt]

I haven't hunted in many years but I still have my .30-06 my .308 and 2 .30-30s. I have on hand, at least, 500 rounds of soft point hunting ammunition in each of those three calibers, why? because if you own a firearm you need to maintain a significant amount of ammo, on hand, for that firearm. Next time your caliber of choice is available don't buy a box of the stuff, buy a case, then when the next ammo crises comes along, and it will, you'll be able to hunt to your hearts content.

 

[igotta40]

It still doesn’t make sense, though. Academy, Cabela’s, etc will get in a pallet of WWB 5.56 but not one box of .243.

 

[shafter]

I personally am getting pretty disgusted with the lack of ammunition (and reloading components) on the shelves!
But what I really getting disgusted over is the fact that NO ammunition conducive to hunting is available. I mean all you can find is FMJ and then only in 223, 9mm, 45 acp.
Don’t the ammunition manufacturers realize there are some of us who still rely on readily available factory hunting ammunition to put meat on the table. Many don’t reload and do have a legitimate need for factory ammunition- farmers, ranchers, property protection from animals, etc.
What gives? Am I a dying breed?

Manufacturers aren't "one of us". They are for profit companies who will crank out whatever makes them the most money.

We've been through this cycle a bunch of times in my lifetime and it still amazes me that people don't put aside some ammo for a rainy day. The shortages annoy me too but it's just wise to have a few boxes of hunting and defense ammo put aside for times when it's hard to come by.

 

[hq]

Well as I have said and will continue to say you had the ENTIRE Trump presidency (4years) of the cheapest priceses on ammo, reloading components, guns etc and failed to stock pile what you NEEDED then this is on YOU. Stop crying because you have none you made a choice now live with it.

From my point of view you're partially right; not preparing for the future is certainly everyone's own fault, but on the other hand having to hoard and stockpile on (relatively) common consumables fearing the next inevitable shortage has a distinct soviet flavor to it. Having ammo is not quite as optional like having, say, Playstation 5.

Then again, nothing will prevent some people from voting for dystopian despots so it's a wise move to prepare for anything and everything. This has at least reflected to our freeze dryers, we're fully booked until 2023 because people have realized that some food items may be in short supply in the future.

 

[e rex]

Boys, I'm 79. Next hunting season I'll be 80 on a fairly limited income, how much you reckon I should stow away?

 

[GBExpat]

... on the other hand having to hoard and stockpile on (relatively) common consumables fearing the next inevitable shortage has a distinct soviet flavor to it. ... (the whole post, actually)

Well stated. hq, Wordsmith.

 

[Steve S.]

I am fortunate to have squirreled-away a bunch of factory ammo and loading components during the plentiful years. Not because I am all-knowing and wise beyond all of mankind, but simply because I had the means at the time so I forward bought the stuff.
I have a lifetime supply of just about everything with one exception - I am filthy rich with LPP’s and somewhat poor with LRP’s (I am down to my last 800 count but I have gobs of calibers already loaded so not near any panic mode yet) - so I am in pretty good shape. I can still purchase LRP’s online but, I will pay dearly for them.
I feel for that anxiety of a lack of shooting fodder and I refuse to be holier-than-thou on this forum because I have a good supply - I am simply fortunate. I will manage what I have and hope for the best that the land of plenty will return - I am also hopeful.

 

[JDeere]

See post #5...Exactly where I am at. I have plenty of components except for my favorite hunting bullet. I like to shoot my hunting rounds year round to stay in shape I guess you could say. 7MM hunting bullets are scarce.

 

[Zerodefect]

Every single type of high end hunting ammo and jhp pistol ammo is in stock here.

Only plinking ammo is flying off the shelves.

 

[Archie]

Boys, I'm 79. Next hunting season I'll be 80 on a fairly limited income, how much you reckon I should stow away?

One box - each caliber - for hunting arms and defensive arms. I'm 72 and likely will not use up what I've got except at the range for pleasure.

 

[JEBruns]

Quite a variety of rifle hunting ammo at my local Bass Pro yesterday, even 30-06. Their shelves have been full for a while now. I'm sure there are some less popular calibers that are hard to find though.

 

[rust collector]

Ammunition companies note what sells, and those loads get priority. When hunters buy one or two boxes per year and 3-gun folks burn a case or so each month in season, what do you expect?

I am seeing much more softpoint and hunting ammunition on shelves around here, but dealers will always stock the quick-turn types at least 20 to one.

 

[Anchorite]

I think there is more to it than meets the casual glance. I was at my local Bass Pro within the last 2 weeks and they unloaded quite a bit of 270/30-06/7M on the shelf (limit one box, of course), and all the 350 L and 450 BM you could shake a stick at.

Maybe the issue is more of logistics than manufacturing? Who, or rather how is a shipment of “X” determined? Why do some locations get some stuff, but others nothing? I think that’s a relevant question.

 

[KY DAN]

I am fortunate to have squirreled-away a bunch of factory ammo and loading components during the plentiful years. Not because I am all-knowing and wise beyond all of mankind, but simply because I had the means at the time so I forward bought the stuff.
I have a lifetime supply of just about everything with one exception - I am filthy rich with LPP’s and somewhat poor with LRP’s (I am down to my last 800 count but I have gobs of calibers already loaded so not near any panic mode yet) - so I am in pretty good shape. I can still purchase LRP’s online but, I will pay dearly for them.
I feel for that anxiety of a lack of shooting fodder and I refuse to be holier-than-thou on this forum because I have a good supply - I am simply fortunate. I will manage what I have and hope for the best that the land of plenty will return - I am also hopeful.

It has nothing to do with being fortunate or holier than thou.

It a personal choice they made, you,me, and everyone else on this forum has what they have because of choices they made for themselves.

I do not understand how this is such a debatable topic, there is no luck, no brother hood, just self preservation. If a person fails to secure what they need it is their fault, there have been hundreds if not thousands of "watchmen" on the wall that have sounded the alarm on all the gun forum's.

The world is what it is and you either adapt to the environment or you lose