how did you fare through the ammo shortage .....
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I bought some white-box .45 online instead of waiting for wal-mart to restock. Not much but I should have waited, 'cause I really didn't need it but bought it anyway, which was stupid to do. The most strange "shortage" to occur recently was for 7.62x25, which is now available everywhere for 130 or so for 800 rounds. Strange, all the dealers got the stuff at about the same time. I've shot that ancient Bulgy and it seems to work alright for ammo about the same age as myself.
Strykervet
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I load my own and I fire obscure cartridges, and I get once fired military rifle brass for other cartridges. The Grendel is my favorite AR round, so in a shortage, I doubt there will be a shortage of 6.5mm bullets. Or .500 bullets for the Beowulf. Those are always collecting dust somewhere. Overall, the ammo shortage affects those that buy ammo much more than it affects a reloader. What affects a reloader are metals prices and shipping fees for hazmat and such that get passed down. Bullets, safe to store, would be a great idea to buy in great bulk when prices are down and are reflected.
Primers and powder are different though. And you don't really want to store too much of that stuff without consulting the NFPA and other codes regarding storage. Sometimes there are shortages on those, and the ocassional run, but overall those are pretty stable.
What I do is everytime I order something or go to a store, even if just to look at stuff, I always purchase at least a box of bullets or can of powder or whatever. Wife expects to spend at least $20 anytime we go to a store that sells what I use. Or pistol defense ammo, the T series stuff by Winchester in +P, +P+ --I don't load that hot, so I purchase those --everytime I go to that store, needed or not.
Try NOT to buy during the runs... You need to stock up on some things now, right now. After the Giffords shooting, I and others expected a mag ban over this. I got caught with my shorts down, and I couldn't find a decently priced FAL mag, and the ones I did find were rusted garbage. Now I'm stocked up, instead of getting any new weapons this last spring, I only bought magazines. I didn't even shoot. It was very boring, but I don't have to worry about mag runs and mag bans again. Ever. I figured on 40 mags per rifle, I only have 34 for the FAL, but I don't shoot it as much and those mags are tanks too, and at the range I only use one mag until I wear it out. Since they last longer than a year on average, I should have a lifetimes supply.
My advice for those of you that buy ammo, is to frequent gun shows and the internet and find the best prices and then commit that amount every month to a purchase. Even if you don't need it. Think of it like the water bill and all will be good.
Primers and powder are different though. And you don't really want to store too much of that stuff without consulting the NFPA and other codes regarding storage. Sometimes there are shortages on those, and the ocassional run, but overall those are pretty stable.
What I do is everytime I order something or go to a store, even if just to look at stuff, I always purchase at least a box of bullets or can of powder or whatever. Wife expects to spend at least $20 anytime we go to a store that sells what I use. Or pistol defense ammo, the T series stuff by Winchester in +P, +P+ --I don't load that hot, so I purchase those --everytime I go to that store, needed or not.
Try NOT to buy during the runs... You need to stock up on some things now, right now. After the Giffords shooting, I and others expected a mag ban over this. I got caught with my shorts down, and I couldn't find a decently priced FAL mag, and the ones I did find were rusted garbage. Now I'm stocked up, instead of getting any new weapons this last spring, I only bought magazines. I didn't even shoot. It was very boring, but I don't have to worry about mag runs and mag bans again. Ever. I figured on 40 mags per rifle, I only have 34 for the FAL, but I don't shoot it as much and those mags are tanks too, and at the range I only use one mag until I wear it out. Since they last longer than a year on average, I should have a lifetimes supply.
My advice for those of you that buy ammo, is to frequent gun shows and the internet and find the best prices and then commit that amount every month to a purchase. Even if you don't need it. Think of it like the water bill and all will be good.
Smokin Gator
Member
I paid a little more than normal to stock up on primers but was pretty set with brass and and other components. Never paid crazy prices, but didn't want to get down too low on supplies. Mark
Ignition Override
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As in summer/fall in '08, you buy it simply because the prices will go up, on average.
Then you are covered when the scalpers induce panic in the sheep, to create profit potential.
The scalpers did not want to explain what my astute gun show buddies clarified just after the election: Obama and his leaders (the Senate) planned to save their fresh "political capital" for the huge health care bill, instead of wasting part of it on guns or ammo. And that's exactly what happened.
Around Memphis, a few selfish low-lifes bought up heaps of large rifle primers so that they could charge exorbitant prices at the gun shows from Southaven MS to Jackson TN.
This explains part of the local shortage. My only goal was to find a small box of one hundred, in order to learn reloading.
Then you are covered when the scalpers induce panic in the sheep, to create profit potential.
The scalpers did not want to explain what my astute gun show buddies clarified just after the election: Obama and his leaders (the Senate) planned to save their fresh "political capital" for the huge health care bill, instead of wasting part of it on guns or ammo. And that's exactly what happened.
Around Memphis, a few selfish low-lifes bought up heaps of large rifle primers so that they could charge exorbitant prices at the gun shows from Southaven MS to Jackson TN.
This explains part of the local shortage. My only goal was to find a small box of one hundred, in order to learn reloading.
I fared just fine. I pretty much stopped buying ammunition entirely for most of the shortage which cut into my stock a little. When prices came down and ammo was back on the shelves again in normal quantities, I began buying again at a bit above my normal pace to replenish what I had used during the shortage.
I try to keep a good stock of ammo on hand at all times for the following reasons:
I try to keep a good stock of ammo on hand at all times for the following reasons:
- I refuse to pay exorbitant prices for ammo just because people are panicked and the shelves are temporarily empty.
- I shoot a lot and I don't like to have to run to the store every time I plan a range trip to buy enough for that trip.
- So far I've always come out ahead by buying ammo when I find good deals and storing it until I need it.
- I refuse to contribute to ammunition panics by purchasing ammo when people are already concerned about supply.
- I refuse to support vendors who charge exorbitant prices during temporary panics.
- Finally, if things ever do really go sour and I can't buy more ammo either for financial or political reasons, I want to be able to shoot for several more years before I have to give it up for lack of ammo.
Fishslayer
Member
I bought my first handgun in 2008. I was reloading in 2009. Never ran out of .45 or .357. Had to get creative about getting brass at first. Scrounged some & bought used.
I worked graveyards & would hit Walmart every morning on the way home. Sometimes I'd get lucky.
Reloading was key, though. While there was much wailing & nashing of teeth I was blasting away.
At the moment I have enough for...well... let's say "quite awhile." And makein's for a lot more, though not at the levels I see some people.
But I still grab a K of primers here, a pound of powder there. Living in Kalifornistan I also stocking up on bullets and am giving serious thought to a stockpile of lead. It's only a matter of time before the nanny state figures lead is just too dangerous.
Somebody mentioned food. I am not a "prepper" by any means but keep a stash of non perishables that at least will keep us fed for quite awhile.
I worked graveyards & would hit Walmart every morning on the way home. Sometimes I'd get lucky.
Reloading was key, though. While there was much wailing & nashing of teeth I was blasting away.
At the moment I have enough for...well... let's say "quite awhile."
And makein's for a lot more, though not at the levels I see some people. But I still grab a K of primers here, a pound of powder there. Living in Kalifornistan I also stocking up on bullets and am giving serious thought to a stockpile of lead. It's only a matter of time before the nanny state figures lead is just too dangerous.
Somebody mentioned food. I am not a "prepper" by any means but keep a stash of non perishables that at least will keep us fed for quite awhile.
Smokin Gator
Member
Where I am located, northern Ca., the biggest price jump seemed to be for primers. Brass and powder didn't seem to be affected as much. I did notice that there wasn't a lot of factory ammo around in popular calibers, but I wasn't really up on the prices for ammo anyway because I reload nearly all my own. Mark
doc2rn
Member
Never did local pawn shop/ bailbondsman got a manufacturing liscense and started making whatever we wanted.
Lets just say when friends were unable to find .22 ammo, I was able to give it to them out of the personal stash without worry. .22 was the only caliber I shot that was almost impossible to find at reasonable prices, and even then, there were deals to be had if you kept your eyes open. I survived the shortage simply because i saw it coming, and prepared in advance, rather than attempting to after the fact. I did make it a point to have more rifle ammo on hand, as I wasn't throughly impressed with my 7.62x39 stash, and didnt have an AR at the time (but I do now).
FROGO207
Member
Instead of buying a new SUV back then I put what I would have spent on it on primers and propellant each month when it was available. I have reloaded since the early 70's and had a good stash already ahead. I like to keep 10K primers of each type ahead and forget they are there. Also the same for a 40MM ammo can of .22 bricks. Loaded ammo for my firearms is at 1500 rounds each. So no ammo shortage other than I slowed down my shooting of the MAC10 and MP40 for a while.
Maple_City_Woodsman
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I learned two lessons:
#1) Yes, it is important to have some kind of a stockpile
#2) It is just as important NOT to follow the herd in your purchases.
Let me explain #2 - During the crisis, when even the "universal, will be around forever" round like 22LR and 9mm were completely dried up, there WAS actually plenty of ammo to be had. People just didn't want it. Nearly every retailer had their entire stock of 25acp and 22 magnum left in tack through the 'crisis'. Many still had 32acp as well. It was yours for the taking if you didn't snub it.
Guess what I have now? A .25acp pistol, and a .22 magnum rifle.
IMO, 'reducing the calibers' you own, or 'consolidating your collection' is the worst thing you could possibly do if you are worried about future shortages. What happens when nobody has 9mm or small rifle primers at ANY price? Your screwed, that's what.
There is no stratagem that says you HAVE to have 1,000 rounds for every gun you own - especially if it is not a training gun or a hunting gun. A budget pocket pistol, or a H&R handi rifle in "odd ball" calibers may save your skin when everything else is snatched up.
#1) Yes, it is important to have some kind of a stockpile
#2) It is just as important NOT to follow the herd in your purchases.
Let me explain #2 - During the crisis, when even the "universal, will be around forever" round like 22LR and 9mm were completely dried up, there WAS actually plenty of ammo to be had. People just didn't want it. Nearly every retailer had their entire stock of 25acp and 22 magnum left in tack through the 'crisis'. Many still had 32acp as well. It was yours for the taking if you didn't snub it.
Guess what I have now? A .25acp pistol, and a .22 magnum rifle.
IMO, 'reducing the calibers' you own, or 'consolidating your collection' is the worst thing you could possibly do if you are worried about future shortages. What happens when nobody has 9mm or small rifle primers at ANY price? Your screwed, that's what.
There is no stratagem that says you HAVE to have 1,000 rounds for every gun you own - especially if it is not a training gun or a hunting gun. A budget pocket pistol, or a H&R handi rifle in "odd ball" calibers may save your skin when everything else is snatched up.
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hirundo82
Member
For me, the shortage struck at a time in my life that I didn't have much time for shooting anyhow. The main issue that I ran into was carry/SD ammo--I use Federal HST 9x19 for several SD guns, and I wasn't able to find any of that for a year or more. I was at one point down to only a couple boxes.
I'm sure to keep at least 500 rounds of the HST around now, and I'm building up my stock of common calibers for range use (.22lr, 9x19, .223Rem, 7.62x39) as funds permit. I'd like to have at least a couple thousand rounds per caliber at least. Only there with the .22lr right now, but I'd prefer to have 10K of that (that's about 2 years worth for me).
I'm sure to keep at least 500 rounds of the HST around now, and I'm building up my stock of common calibers for range use (.22lr, 9x19, .223Rem, 7.62x39) as funds permit. I'd like to have at least a couple thousand rounds per caliber at least. Only there with the .22lr right now, but I'd prefer to have 10K of that (that's about 2 years worth for me).
pockets
Member
There was an ammo shortage?
At any given time I generally have on hand;
1000 rounds of each type center-fire cartridge I shoot
10+ bricks of Blazer
10+ bricks of Walmart Federal .22LR
5 bricks of .22 Colibri
5 bricks of .22 Super-Colibri
2-3 boxes of CCI .22CB Caps (Long and Short)
20+ boxes of CCI Mini-Mags .22LR
and a few boxes of CCI .22 Short.
.
At any given time I generally have on hand;
1000 rounds of each type center-fire cartridge I shoot
10+ bricks of Blazer
10+ bricks of Walmart Federal .22LR
5 bricks of .22 Colibri
5 bricks of .22 Super-Colibri
2-3 boxes of CCI .22CB Caps (Long and Short)
20+ boxes of CCI Mini-Mags .22LR
and a few boxes of CCI .22 Short.
.
I was inconvenienced in that I didn't have the normal amount of some calibers that I like to keep on hand. But I never ran out.
But then, for a long time I didn't keep much 22lr on hand at all. I was in the habit of just stopping at a local store and grabbing a few boxes on my way to the plinking party. Nowadays, I keep at least 1000 rounds of 22lr handy.
But then, for a long time I didn't keep much 22lr on hand at all. I was in the habit of just stopping at a local store and grabbing a few boxes on my way to the plinking party. Nowadays, I keep at least 1000 rounds of 22lr handy.
Jonah71
Member
I don't have one now, but at the time .380acp's were hard to find. Other than that I barely noticed. But I did have a good supply of .45acp's at the time. One thing that's getting hard not to notice is the price increases!
Lone_Sheep_Dog
Member
I think the ammo will dry up again around August 2012. I am prepared for it now. I was not prepared in 2008.
Dr. Dickie
Member
I reload, so I only remember the primer shortage.
And I did fine, as I tend to keep 10K of each (LR, LP, SR, SP) on hand.
And I did fine, as I tend to keep 10K of each (LR, LP, SR, SP) on hand.
GBExpat
Member
Very well, thank you. Over a period of 6-7 years I accumulated a nice stockpile of milsurp ammo at excellent prices and was mostly done about 4 years ago. The last two types of ammo that I purchased in any quantity were 3 tins of Polish 7.62x25 from Century ~15 months ago (to add to, probably, ~10k already in-stock ... but I realized than $79/tin Tokarev ammo would soon end) and 2 cases of the M2 AP ammo that CMP offered 1-2 years ago in their initial deal.
I also reload for many of my calibers and have developed a decent stock of most of those components.
I had over 300,000 rounds in the basement of my gunshop when the shortage hit.
I made out like a masked bandit.
People were buying 45ACP $500/1000 (and it's STILL pretty goddamn expensive). I won't tell you what I was paying for it (2004-6 era pricing).
I sold 50,000 rounds of 7.62x39 for $300 a case (5x what I paid for it).
I managed to get ahold of 500,000 primers during the height of the shortage (was first in line on a backorder). I went around and restocked all the local gun shops, kept 50k of each size for own greedy self.
Of course once it was gone, it was gone.
If I were you guys, I'd be more worried about FOOD than ammo being short.
If there were a major crisis that disrupted the food supply, game animals would be near-extinct in fairly short order.
I spent a big chunk of the money I made during the shortage almost exclusively on freeze dried food and MRE's. Got enough to feed my family of 8, for 6 months comfortably.
My friends always say "I'm coming to your house if anything ever happens."
I say, better bring a truckload of food, because you aren't getting any of mine!
I made out like a masked bandit.
People were buying 45ACP $500/1000 (and it's STILL pretty goddamn expensive). I won't tell you what I was paying for it (2004-6 era pricing).
I sold 50,000 rounds of 7.62x39 for $300 a case (5x what I paid for it).
I managed to get ahold of 500,000 primers during the height of the shortage (was first in line on a backorder). I went around and restocked all the local gun shops, kept 50k of each size for own greedy self.
Of course once it was gone, it was gone.
If I were you guys, I'd be more worried about FOOD than ammo being short.
If there were a major crisis that disrupted the food supply, game animals would be near-extinct in fairly short order.
I spent a big chunk of the money I made during the shortage almost exclusively on freeze dried food and MRE's. Got enough to feed my family of 8, for 6 months comfortably.
My friends always say "I'm coming to your house if anything ever happens."
I say, better bring a truckload of food, because you aren't getting any of mine!
The only thing I was short of was .22lr ammo. I found a deal on primers for $7.00 per 1000 so I stocked up. Also, a person I know bought the inventory of a gunshop that was going out of business. He had lots of bullets at very good prices so I stocked up. I have 15,000 rnds of .22lr stashed and am adding 1000 a month until I have 25,000 on hand.
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