gezzer, while there is no shortage of gun stores in Cali, the amount and kind of ammo they have is inconsistent. In SoCal there is no Gander Mountain, Sportsman's Warehouse, etc. There is a decent chain called Turner's, but they almost never have the same ammo as WalMart. As much as I tried to avoid Wal Mart, sometimes it was about the only place to get practice ammo. Sometimes I would go to Turner's and all they would have in .45ACP was CCI, (which I have had horrible luck with for handguns,) Wolf, (Same thing,) and Black Hills reloads for $26/50 rounds. At the time, Winchester White Box was about $18-$20/100 at WalMart. So $18/100 for new FMJ ammo or $52/100 for leadtip reloads? If I had that kind of loot to throw around I would be reloading already.
Now WWB is filthy ammo, but it cycles fine in my 1911, unlike the other three.
When Turner's or SoCal gun or the like would have reasonably priced ammo, I would buy it, (I bought PMC from SoCal more than once.) I don't mind paying a few bucks more to support the local guy and not support China Mart, it simply isn't always practical in San Diego county.
Fortunately since moving up to WA state, I have discovered that the local guys do carry a better selection of ammo, and their prices aren't much more than Wally World. In the Wake of Zumbo-Gate, I have been trying to support Remington, and I have bought their ammo from three local shops, (Sam's, Lynnwood Guns, and my favorite shop AMS.)
