After getting into competitive shooting and going through the 08 drought, I learned to stock up. I buy primers 10-30k at a time, powder 8+ pounds at a time, and bullets 1-10k at a time. Sometimes I split orders with other people I know. It is cheaper to buy in bulk when product is available. I did overpay for 22lr during the last scare. $27 per brick of 22 was high, but I was using it a lot and didn't want to be without. $15 to $20 was normal. Now $27 seems like a steal, but I am still stocked up.
I have bought a few primers and a couple single pounds of powder at the LGS. When I like a product, such as trail boss powder, I buy it in bulk. A 5 pound can from powder valley is much cheaper per pound than a single pound can at the LGS, and a big order splits up that hazmat across multiple products.
I did jump on the whole AR 15 bandwagon. I already thought about getting one within the next year as I wanted to shoot 3 gun. The threat of a ban just caused me to get there sooner. I shoot a lot of 223 compared to when I just had a mini 14 Target Model, so I need to stock up on components for that when things get better. I had supplies to put together 4500 rounds of 223, before this mess started last fall. I also ended up getting around another 3k rounds worth of components from my grandfather. I will be set for a while, but the last scare in 08 seemed to take about a year to really settle down.
I read about all of these people who can't find ammo to buy or who can't find components and I don't feel too bad. It is a bit annoying to listen to them whine. On the other hand, it sucks for those who are new to the sport and also those who did not already know about the roller coaster that is our ammo supply.