Surprise (to me) - The Cost of .22 Ammo Has Gone Down ?
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ohioshooter
Member
seems like is here every other week in the Columbus Ohio area.
I don't really have a problem with "flippers" or "hoarders". I flipped some 223 back in 2013 at a nice profit. I didn't buy it with the intent to sell it but after Sandy Hook I had people begging me to sell to them so I accommodated them at prices well below the going price for plinker 223 and I made good money.
Hoarders? 200,000 rounds of 22LR ammo, at "normal" prices, is $10,000. That's not really a huge sum of money for a lot of people.
I have to admit that I missed the call on the 22 shortage. I thought it would be a 6 month to one year deal but it has been three years since we have seen a readily available supply at the local retail stores. I have bought plenty of ammo in that time frame from online sources but I am now seeing it at every LGS I go into as well as the big box sporting goods places. In the past two weeks I have seen 22 LR ammo in three LGS(all I have been into), every Academy, and every Gander I have walked in and this is GA, AL, MS and MO. Many different varieties at somewhat affordable prices and it seems they are all selling 50 ct boxes now which isn't really lucrative for "flippers and hoarders" since they can only buy a couple of boxes(unless they bring in their extended family).
Maybe the normal Joe can fill his needs with the 50 ct boxes and put those dastardly flippers out of business.
Hoarders? 200,000 rounds of 22LR ammo, at "normal" prices, is $10,000. That's not really a huge sum of money for a lot of people.
I have to admit that I missed the call on the 22 shortage. I thought it would be a 6 month to one year deal but it has been three years since we have seen a readily available supply at the local retail stores. I have bought plenty of ammo in that time frame from online sources but I am now seeing it at every LGS I go into as well as the big box sporting goods places. In the past two weeks I have seen 22 LR ammo in three LGS(all I have been into), every Academy, and every Gander I have walked in and this is GA, AL, MS and MO. Many different varieties at somewhat affordable prices and it seems they are all selling 50 ct boxes now which isn't really lucrative for "flippers and hoarders" since they can only buy a couple of boxes(unless they bring in their extended family).
Maybe the normal Joe can fill his needs with the 50 ct boxes and put those dastardly flippers out of business.
gonoles_1980
Member
Will 22LR's every get back to the 4cent range again? I just can't see paying 9-10 cents unless it's the CCI copper which are the only rounds that will fire out of my Jennings J-22 without issues. But my other 22 will fire whatever you put it in. I miss shooting the 22's, but I'm not paying as much for them as I can nearly reload 9mm for.
Cruised by the local shop yesterday - he had around 20 bricks of American Eagle @ $29.99, quite a few of the CCI Troy Landry for $29.99 / 300 rds. He also had around 6 boxes left of CCI Standard Velocity in a Christmas box - CCI just packaged 23 100-rd. plastic boxes of their Standard Velocity in the box - it was also $29.99.
He also had a few flavors in smaller boxes (100 / 50 rds.) but I didn't pay much attention to what and the price.
Looks like his 22 inventory / deliveries continue to grow and stay on the shelf longer.
He also had a few flavors in smaller boxes (100 / 50 rds.) but I didn't pay much attention to what and the price.
Looks like his 22 inventory / deliveries continue to grow and stay on the shelf longer.
danez71
Member
Based on materials, I dont see them getting lower than roughly 25%-35% of the cost of run of the mill 9mm such as WWB
When you add the cost of brass, reloading isn't as cheap as people report and if you add your time... it's a lot more than people think.
I posted a link a cpl weeks ago that was quality 22lr delivered to your door at 8.6 cents ea.
Was out at the local gun shop today - he finally got in 10 bricks of CCI Standard Velocity 22 @ $34.99 / brick. His last few orders were $39.99 / brick - 14 months ago they were $29.99 / brick.
Here's the pricing history of CCI Standard Velocity bricks from my local shop:
6-4-2014 / $29.99
4-10-15 / $39.99
10-13-2015 / $34.99
His supply of all types of 22 continues to increase, with inevitable(?) price drops now taking effect. He still has lots of Troy Landry CCI for $29.99, which aren't moving very fast.
Let's just hope another panic doesn't set in before the prices come back down to "normal" levels.
BTW - I grabbed 4 bricks fer myself and 2 for a friend - thought about getting 'em all, but wanted to leave a few for other silencer shooters.
The shop was nice enough to give me a call as they knew these were the only 22's I was interested in for silencer use. I got him to hold 6 boxes for me - he said it was a good thing as by the time I arrived somebody had already bought the 4 boxes I left, and tried to buy my 6 boxes!
For you folks that still can't find any...hang in there!
Unless there's another panic, they should be appearing in your neck o' the woods before long.
Here's the pricing history of CCI Standard Velocity bricks from my local shop:
6-4-2014 / $29.99
4-10-15 / $39.99
10-13-2015 / $34.99
His supply of all types of 22 continues to increase, with inevitable(?) price drops now taking effect. He still has lots of Troy Landry CCI for $29.99, which aren't moving very fast.
Let's just hope another panic doesn't set in before the prices come back down to "normal" levels.
BTW - I grabbed 4 bricks fer myself and 2 for a friend - thought about getting 'em all, but wanted to leave a few for other silencer shooters.
The shop was nice enough to give me a call as they knew these were the only 22's I was interested in for silencer use. I got him to hold 6 boxes for me - he said it was a good thing as by the time I arrived somebody had already bought the 4 boxes I left, and tried to buy my 6 boxes!
For you folks that still can't find any...hang in there!
Unless there's another panic, they should be appearing in your neck o' the woods before long.
Aragon
member
That's true. The one thing I really dislike hearing is "now that 22LR ammo is so expensive, the price is NEVER coming back down!"
Wanna bet? It is right now. The HUGE glut people have stowed in their garages, basements, dens and bedroom could well lead to some very low coming prices once the "shortage terror" abates a bit more.
I doubt it.
It's already been three years and a huge part of the increased demand is more people shooting more .22lr
Aragon
member
I'm not at all sure that's true...
That was true, but I'm sure those shooting more has probably gone way down.
There was a big sales rush on all the AR / 1911 (and more) style 22's over the last few years (I was one of them). Now that everyone has spent some time and burned a lot of ammo with their new toys, many will see much less use in the future, with the resulting lower demands on ammo makers.
Don't get me wrong - the new normal is not going to be the same as the old normal AFA 22, but just as there was a perfect storm resulting in the shortages / price increases, unless something happens we may see a perfect storm in the other direction - ammo makers catching up, distributor inventories rising (with the resulting cancellation of "phantom" orders), flippers getting kicked to the curb, and prices coming down.
gbran
Member
Saw a cardboard sign at my LGS, it read; Will Work For 22lr ammo.
Hondo 60
Member
One local mom & pop gun shop has had a constant supply of .22 lr, but at $4.95/box of 50.
Wally has had some now & again, but they're out now & they don't know when they'll get more.
It just shows up on the truck.
I just sold one of my 22 handguns, so my need is less, but still have 2 guns to feed.
Wally has had some now & again, but they're out now & they don't know when they'll get more.
It just shows up on the truck.
I just sold one of my 22 handguns, so my need is less, but still have 2 guns to feed.
Ignition Override
Member
Supposedly there has been much less demand for .22 guns since the panic first spiked, for those with a choice of various gun chamberings.
With 7.62x39 still at .21/rd. this ammo has much more value for its price than all but a small fraction of .22LR at common prices. At least a single round from an SKS can destroy a small target.
With 7.62x39 still at .21/rd. this ammo has much more value for its price than all but a small fraction of .22LR at common prices. At least a single round from an SKS can destroy a small target.
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ColtPythonElite
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Not from what I have seen. I belong to a gun club with over 300 members. We have a dedicated .22 range. I check on the ranges at least 3 times a week. It is rare for me to find someone at the .22 range. The centerfire ranges get plenty of use. 3 years ago, the .22 range was used steadily. Not now.
AStone
Member
Today, at Cabella's, I bought a box of 50 rnds of 26 gr Winchester Varmint for $10.
Thought I'd try it out in the new .22 (see sig line) on Friday along with the other rnds I have from years ago.
Several commented something like, "Well, it's not cheap, but at least it's on the shelf."
I've wanted to try some 26 gr. Never shot it before. Seems better for squirrel than 36 or 40.
Thought I'd try it out in the new .22 (see sig line) on Friday along with the other rnds I have from years ago.
Several commented something like, "Well, it's not cheap, but at least it's on the shelf."
I've wanted to try some 26 gr. Never shot it before. Seems better for squirrel than 36 or 40.
ColtPythonElite
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I doubt if that 26 gr stuff groups worth a crap. It is too light and too fast, IMO. The best grouping .22lr is usually subsonic . IMO, it is tough to beat a subsonic load like CCI SV for squirrels. It doesn't crack and scare squirrels, plus is quite accurate in most rifles.
AStone
Member
^ That's a testable hypothesis.
I stopped by the ammo shelves while in Wal-Mart yesterday and noticed .22lr on the shelf. Like others, it’s the first time I have seen .22 available in three years. The ammo cart was outside the enclosed shelves so I must have been lucky since they were in the process of stocking.
I bought the only two boxes available – 525 rds. of Remington Golden Bullets (Hollow Point) for $27.57 each. That’s 5.25 cents per round.
Two points – 1. It’s nice to see that Wal-Mart does not price gouge. They may limit sales but have not engaged in the steep price increases due to high demand. 2. Since Wal-Mart is able to sell .22lr at this price and still make a profit, one can conclude that other large retailers are maximizing their benefit due to demand. However, smaller retailers in the distribution chain may not be able to command lower bulk pricing.
I bought the only two boxes available – 525 rds. of Remington Golden Bullets (Hollow Point) for $27.57 each. That’s 5.25 cents per round.
Two points – 1. It’s nice to see that Wal-Mart does not price gouge. They may limit sales but have not engaged in the steep price increases due to high demand. 2. Since Wal-Mart is able to sell .22lr at this price and still make a profit, one can conclude that other large retailers are maximizing their benefit due to demand. However, smaller retailers in the distribution chain may not be able to command lower bulk pricing.
AStone
Member
I shot a few rounds of it today in my Remington 597 HB -- maiden voyage; shot mainly other stuff). Two things will cause me to shoot little of it in the future. 1. It shot very high. 2. Two rounds did not cycle the action (all other ammo did fine). Too light I guess.ColtPythonElite said:
I'd like to try some subsonic, but wonder if it'll cycle my action.
I have been "hit and miss" with this. CCI sub sonic is my favorite for use in suppressed firearms and generally cycles with no problem but some of my tube fed rifles sill not cycle at all and it will not work in my Buckmaster.
It's sort of a moot point right now since I haven't been able to find any at my price point for a while and I am down to maybe 200 rounds.
scaatylobo
Member
NYS at a gun show today
Went to a fairly smallish gun show in Newstead NY.
Found Aguila super extra 40 grain,plated .22's
A brick [ 500 rounds ] was 50.00 ---- BUT if you took 2,they were 40.00 each.
I took 2
.
And there were plenty left on the table.
Many at the show were asking more for the same stuff,dealer that I got them from [ ex cop like me ] told me that the dealer / wholesalers where hoarding them and THAT was the reason for them being scarce.
I have known this man a long time,and I trust him.
So he tells me what I see to be true.
Went to a fairly smallish gun show in Newstead NY.
Found Aguila super extra 40 grain,plated .22's
A brick [ 500 rounds ] was 50.00 ---- BUT if you took 2,they were 40.00 each.
I took 2
.And there were plenty left on the table.
Many at the show were asking more for the same stuff,dealer that I got them from [ ex cop like me ] told me that the dealer / wholesalers where hoarding them and THAT was the reason for them being scarce.
I have known this man a long time,and I trust him.
So he tells me what I see to be true.
While doing my grocery shopping today at my local Walmart, I made my normal swing by the ammo case for a look/see - darn if I didn't catch the gal putting out 22 ammo in the middle of the day!l
Prices were:
1. $21.94 for the CCI "Christmas Special" - 3 boxes of 100-rd. Mini-Mags.
2. $17.37 for Winchester 333.
3. $27.88 for Winchester 555.
Of course, one reason the ammo was probably being put out (and hadn't already been wiped out by the circle of insiders) is the gal putting the ammo out I have never seen before. I told her somebody was going to be really upset when they came in tomorrow morning and found the backroom 22 stash gone!
She tried, but couldn't help but laugh...she knows what's been going on locally.
She did tell me that you could only buy 1 UPC code of each 22 ammo, 3 boxes max. If she's correct, this is a policy change for our local store - it has always been 3 boxes of 22, no mention of UPC code. They still have the old sign up that says 3 box limit (no mention of UPC code limitations).
If our local store has truly changed their policy, it makes me wonder if possibly the insiders have finally abandoned the 22 market? The local gun shop has been getting in an increasing, steady stream of 22 over the last 2 to 3 months.
BTW - his identical Christmas Special CCI / 300 rd. box is $29.95, so he's not too bad on his prices, unlike some gougers I've seen.
And no, I didn't pick up any - got all I need, and am only in the market for cheap subsonics at this time.
Prices were:
1. $21.94 for the CCI "Christmas Special" - 3 boxes of 100-rd. Mini-Mags.
2. $17.37 for Winchester 333.
3. $27.88 for Winchester 555.
Of course, one reason the ammo was probably being put out (and hadn't already been wiped out by the circle of insiders) is the gal putting the ammo out I have never seen before. I told her somebody was going to be really upset when they came in tomorrow morning and found the backroom 22 stash gone!
She tried, but couldn't help but laugh...she knows what's been going on locally.
She did tell me that you could only buy 1 UPC code of each 22 ammo, 3 boxes max. If she's correct, this is a policy change for our local store - it has always been 3 boxes of 22, no mention of UPC code. They still have the old sign up that says 3 box limit (no mention of UPC code limitations).
If our local store has truly changed their policy, it makes me wonder if possibly the insiders have finally abandoned the 22 market? The local gun shop has been getting in an increasing, steady stream of 22 over the last 2 to 3 months.
BTW - his identical Christmas Special CCI / 300 rd. box is $29.95, so he's not too bad on his prices, unlike some gougers I've seen.
And no, I didn't pick up any - got all I need, and am only in the market for cheap subsonics at this time.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Got a Midway email this morning advertising the Winchester 333 Packages for about six cents a round. Not bad and not great.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/95...weekly-_-availablenow-_-winchester-_-20151029
Ron
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/95...weekly-_-availablenow-_-winchester-_-20151029
Ron
Delford
Member
I bought 2 boxes of Winchester 555s at Walmart for about $.052 per round on Monday. Limit was 3 boxes. Also a half gallon of Roundup for $18.50. I went for a 9v battery and the Roundup. I've been fortunate to get about 4k rounds in the last year never over $.075 per round. Academy, Dick's, Walmart. Then my motor home sank. Lost it all.
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