The Great 22 LR Shortage of 2009

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I found out the hard way exactly the same as the OP. I thought it was physically impossible to deplete all the 22lr. Oops.

Now that spring is here, I want to get my boys out shooting more, Walmart is starting to get back Mini-mags, I'm picking up 1-200 rds every time I'm there. Fortunately for me, my two current .22s are a 1911 conversion and a Nylon 66 knock-off that both like the hotter ammo to run anyway.
 
22LR is now hard to find in NorCal as well. This hoarding has reached insane levels. I am a competitive shooter and to save time reloading and money I shoot 22LR as part of my practice regime. I do have a stockpile but not for fear of being unable to get more but rather to take advantage of sales. Now I'm finding no sales and even worse, no decent bulk 22LR ammunition. IMO if you don't plan to shoot the ammunition in the next year you probably should not be buying it. Count me in the minority but I believe that 22LR and non surplus ammo prices will drop once the hoarders have stashed away a sufficient supply. There won't be a ban on 22LR ammunition and my friends in the industry say the factories will eventually catch up with demand. I sometimes have a stash of 22LR comparable to what some posters here maintain but I probably shoot about 10,000 rounds a year or more. I'm sure I'll find more of at least one of the three bulk 22LR brands I prefer long before I run out, but I'll also end up paying several dollars more per brick because everyone is so afraid that 22LR ammunition is going to run out. It won't happen. It's a free country and if you want to spend your hard earned dollars on overpriced 22LR so it can sit in a closet that's your right. But if you are doing it because you think it will be banned or gone in the next few years I think you are dead wrong.
 
22lr's getting hard to find in upstate ny. Wally's world is empty most of the time and when there is anything it's expensive high end stuff. 22lr are the new shortage as folks shift to 22's since they can't find/afford to shot centerfire.
 
Oh and that reminds me... Local gun shop cant keep 10/22s in stock for the past two months.
Click to expand...
can't you get on a waiting list or somthing ?Here in West michigan our local gander mnt has about 15 10/22s and shelves full of 22lr ammo for about $20 a brick
 
Once Walmart catches up with demand... wala... shortage over; wait and see.

You can't buy much any more in the centerfire calibers for $100. It is getting painful walking into a gun shop since I almost always buy something.
 
SG is completely out of stock, everything is backordered until late summer/early fall.:eek: Unbelievable. I'm ok though, I've got a good 3000 rounds to plink with, at about 100/month, I'm good for 2.5 years.:)
 
My Walmart now has a "2 Box" limit on all ammo, except shotgun shells..


When asked about the new limit, the saleslady replied, "Our warehouse has been out of stock for weeks. They simply don't have any stock for us to order. And when we do happen to get some in, one person usually buys it all. Thus the reason for the limit.."

:uhoh:
 
I have seen a show (Sighting in with Shooting USA?) focusing on the CCI plant in Idaho. They indicate the plant churns out 4 million 22 rimfires a day. I can understand the higher consumption leading to periodic stock outs but 4 million each day are going somewhere. I would expect to see someone having them in stock but all the shelves are empty and none of the major internet dealers have had them for some time.

Can anyone explain where the 4 million are going?
 
Interesting, Didn't realize CCI made 4 million rounds in a day. That sounds like a lot... add to that other company's such as Winchester, Remington, Agulia, Eley, Lupua, SK. That also make them, it does make a guy wonder where they are all going. Wonder how many 22 guns there are in the USA?

There is still none to be found in my area since I originally started this thread.
 
Just a hunch

Can anyone explain where the 4 million are going?
Click to expand...

I think it's going to a couple of places:

1) the lunatic fringe who are sure the end is near

- and -

2) profiteers who are buying large quantities from Wal-Mart and other large retailers, in order to resell at inflated prices.
 
I bought a bunch, but I don't know where the other 3 million rounds went.
 
Stopped at a Gander Mountain last week......had to laugh, they had 200 (50round) boxes on the shelves. Guess it gives the impression you have more inventory when you don't sell it by the brick and break out in smaller boxes.
 
I have reserves for all my firearms, but sense the shortage I have stopped shooting center fire and rim fire entirely. I have resorted to BB's and pellet's. Remember boy's and girl's, practice, practice, practice.
 
It's really tough to find here in the Dominican Republic.

I had a friend that was supposed to be buying a bunch in the US and bringing it back, but I haven't heard from him for a while......

I wonder what happened to him?
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Just kidding......LOL
 
I went to two WW's this evening and between the two, found 8 boxes of federal bulk 22LR and one box of 335 count 22. I bought only 2 boxex and am up to over 11,000 rounds of 22. Buying it a little at a time since December.

38's hard to find; got a few hundred rounds of it. 44, though can be found, is way expensive.

Shooting a shotgun should probably be an option for many of us right now. Seems to be pleny of ammo for them.
 
LOL. Have you looked at the available supply and price of pellets lately? The high-end stuff is getting hard to find. Crosman has (I hear from reliable sources) discontinued the sale of CPL's and CP's in the 1250/.177, 850/.20 and the 650/.22 cardboard box packages. I think they will still be available in tins, but of course, at a higher price. Beeman has now discontinued both Trophy pellets (gone) and FTS pellets (getting hard to find) pellets. JSB's are still available but often out of stock, and have been very hard to find in .20 cal especially. If you have an air rifle that is particular about the type of pellet it shoots best, you may want to stock up with a sleeve or two of your favorites. And yes, pellet rifles and pistols are the best way to practice often, inexpensively, and indoors. I try to shoot at least a couple of hundred shots a week and usually participate in some of the on-line, weekly matches.
 
I've seen a trickle coming back to Wally World. I kept calling until I caught a shipment that hadn't been bought up yet. It took me nearly a week of calls. The price is back down to only ~$15 per pack from $20 or worse at some stores. Gotta be quick, though. I got two packs.
 
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