upcoming 9mm and 5.56 ammo shortage?

[D.B. Cooper]

I don't blame this on politics. I blame it on the manufacturers/sellers of ammo and reloading components. They are rascals that should wear a patch over one eye. This may never turn around but then again it may very well turn around. Only the almighty dollar will decide.

Actually. The Invisible Hand will decide.

Look at ti this way. If you had ten grand to invest, would you invest it in a market that was returning 5% or 500%? You're going to pt your money where it is most profitable. Same with ammo manufacturers. (Any business, really.) If ammo is flying off the shelves at 50˚/round, and they can't make enough to meet demand, they're going to raise the price per unit until the product clears the market. Meaning there is no one standing in line to buy ammo and there is no surplus of ammo sitting idle on shelves. That's the goal of any company regardless of world geo-political tensions.

 

[nettlle]

That's the almighty dollar part.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

And notice they're all the most expensive variants. Get used to it, folks. For a long time. (Unless, of course, Israel cancels their response to Hamas and the Ukrainians surrender to the Soviets.) There will likely be at least "some" ammo available for a while, but eventually, that will go, too.

One of my concerns is for the hunting crowd. Last couple of seasons, even common hunting ammo has been either unobtainium or trés expensive. I suspect that is due to the demand for primers in military contracts. I really believe that primers are the choke point. Powder has been available, at least sporadically, for about the past year or so, but I have only seen primers for sale once in the past five years.

Yeah I know that the hunting type rounds are kinda hit or miss.... Like usually they will have at least something available... it might not be fancy but it should work ok.

 

[Hunter 08]

Hunting ammo has more than doubled the cost over the last 7 years. Federal Powershok 150 and 180gr ammo was $16.99-$18.99 per box, now its $24-$36 per box at some places. I know this because back then, I'd buy one box every few weeks. Even surplus Winchester 147gr FMJ ammo used to be like $14 per box, now it's over $20. So I'll probably only just have stuff delivered at this rate, least I can find ammo online at reasonable costs...just have a $16 flat rate charge for HAZMAT.

Keep in mind, Winchester operates at least 3 plants all together. Lake City, another in Mississippi, and I believe theres one in Illinois. I'm not sure if the Mississippi one is specifically only for military contracts or if it also commercial as well.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I think most of us that reload have learned to keep safety stock. Call it hoarding if you like. It wasn't our choice. We were taught to do this by others.

Its called the ant and the grasshopper. Even before the net was invented I had seen these shortages and learned to not let them effect me. After the net got going good it made the panics FAR worse but again I had learned. Do feel bad for new shooters who come along in the middle of one. 99% of the crying is people who have seen at least a few of these and refuse to learn so its on them. Already see the blame game saying places like SG are bad. Hey I guess it makes the grasshoppers feel better
I like to be able to shoot weekly when I have time. So I like having plenty in house when these predictable shortages come along. Some seem to prefer having none and complaining instead. Hey to each his own.

 

[HKGuns]

If you haven't learned from the previous and NUMEROUS other shortages, not having ammo at this point is on YOU.

 

[JTHunter]

If you haven't learned from the previous and many other shortages, not having ammo at this point is on YOU.

Or use ammos that aren't in as much demand.
While I have a gun that uses 7.62x39, I have over 2K rounds. The others are .243, .22LR & Mag, .38/.357, .380, and 12 gauge. And I reload the .243, .380, and .38/.357 myself. And, not being a member of a "gun club", I don't have access to a range and don't shoot much.

 

[WooD]

I have enough 9mm, 5.56, 7.62x39 to probably outlast me. Enough CCI SV and subsonic to outlast my kids.

I'm very shy on 7.62x51 thou.

 

[pharmer]

I ordered a 500 rd box from Target Sports this am. Stock shows "99+" available. I've been buying a box or 3 every month since getting the "+" membership in April. Joe

TSWM51991-BULK - WM51991	Federal Champion 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain FMJ 100 Rounds Value Pack-Case of 500 (5 Boxes of 100) - Free Shipping	1	$119.55	$119.55

Order Notes: None

SubTotal: $119.55 Shipping Insurance: $1.85 Discreet Overbox Packaging Shipping: FREE SHIPPING FL State Tax: $8.96 Total: $130.36

 

[Alex Clayton]

I ordered a 500 rd box from Target Sports this am. Stock shows "99+" available. I've been buying a box or 3 every month since getting the "+" membership in April. Joe

TSWM51991-BULK - WM51991	Federal Champion 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain FMJ 100 Rounds Value Pack-Case of 500 (5 Boxes of 100) - Free Shipping	1	$119.55	$119.55

Order Notes: None

SubTotal: $119.55 Shipping Insurance: $1.85 Discreet Overbox Packaging Shipping: FREE SHIPPING FL State Tax: $8.96 Total: $130.36

Wise man. Many who get caught complain they could not stock up. Many places have the stuff in stock at decent prices. Buy a little at a time. Many online places offer free ship if you buy at least a couple hundred bucks worth. So every time I work some extra I buy some more. I have heard others mention they wonder how many who say they can't afford to set some aside are seen waiting in line each morning to pay a shocking price for a cup of coffee at some coffee joint? All priorities I guess?

 

[Hunter 08]

I'm noticing a lack of hazmat fees. Is that only when buying powder, primers, and caps that theh tack that on?

 

[Gun-Reck]

Not to be rude or anything, but you guys are late to the party on this...

Really late.

Last 9mm was Speer Lawman 147 gr. TMJ: $10/50 box.

Last 5.56mm ball (M193) was Wolf Gold 55 gr. FMJ: $6.80/20 box.

Semper Paratus

 

[tominboise]

I'm noticing a lack of hazmat fees. Is that only when buying powder, primers, and caps that theh tack that on?

Right - hazmat on powder, primers and caps. Not on ammo.

 

[tominboise]

Well, the next question, does one stock up on ammo, or on reloading components? What has priority?

 

[Hunter 08]

Well, the next question, does one stock up on ammo, or on reloading components? What has priority?

If one handloads, could go either way. Maybe half and half. Knew I should've taken up handloading years ago.

 

[tominboise]

If one handloads, could go either way. Maybe half and half. Knew I should've taken up handloading years ago.

I've reloaded for years and typically end up buying ammo and shooting reloads, lol....I pull a box of new ammo out occasionally and shoot it up.

A couple days ago I ordered 5k small pistol primers and tonight I ordered a case of 9mm and a half case of 45ACP. Cheaper and healthier then drugs, I guess.

I should add that for rifle ammo, I mostly only shoot my reloads. The exception is 223Rem FMJ and M1 Garand. I reload for both of those but also have a ton of surplus ammo, so I mostly shoot that and save the brass for future use. I also tend to buy component bullets when I see guys selling off their stocks from their reloading room. I will likely never run out of bullets to reload rifle cartridges ( I am 63).

 

[Alex Clayton]

I'm noticing a lack of hazmat fees. Is that only when buying powder, primers, and caps that theh tack that on?

Yes, no HaxMat on ammo. For those of us who order things like powder and primers this can be mitigated buy buying the max they allow. For those who don't want that much in one bite try to get someone else who rolls their own to go in with you and split the cost.

 

[Alex Clayton]

If one handloads, could go either way. Maybe half and half. Knew I should've taken up handloading years ago.

EVERYONE who shoots should at least learn to roll. A simple set up is not pricey. All should get a basic set up at least, learn how it works, then set aside the supplies. I have not rolled in a couple years do to lack of time to do so BUT, I have the stuff to do so again if I ever need to. Nice to know its sitting there.

 

[lionking]

I'm so over this, the Ukraine war and the Russian ban has been going on for two years and prices were dropping and dropping besides the fact, and now just because Israel is taking on a "police action" 5.56 and stuff goes up 20 cents a round? C'mon man...

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I'm so over this, the Ukraine war and the Russian ban has been going on for two years and prices were dropping and dropping besides the fact, and now just because Israel is taking on a "police action" 5.56 and stuff goes up 20 cents a round? C'mon man...

Where is the care react when we need it??

 

[jonnyc]

Uh...last I knew, IMI/IWI was supplying the US with 5.56 and 9mm. Not sure what the Hornady effect will be, but Israel shouldn't be the problem here...if one actually exists.

 

[armoredman]

I checked supplies - with my current shooting habits, I probably have enough to keep me at the firing line for a few years, but I do need to get back out on the back porch and cast some more bullets. I have the stuff to make my own black powder, and gonna get a cap maker, plus I have the molds, so worst comes to worst, I can pop smoke with the Holy Black for a while. Took a quick look at MidwayUSA, and they seem to have ammo in stock.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

EVERYONE who shoots should at least learn to roll. A simple set up is not pricey. All should get a basic set up at least, learn how it works, then set aside the supplies. I have not rolled in a couple years do to lack of time to do so BUT, I have the stuff to do so again if I ever need to. Nice to know its sitting there.

Yeah I agree.

When I was competing with 44 spl, I loaded a lot. Once I moved over to 9mm for competition, I stopped loading, other than about 100 rds per year for my hunting rifle. I generally shoot 60-80 in preseaon practice and save 20 or so for actual hunting.

When 44 spl was 60¢/rd, it made sense to reload. With 9mm at 25¢/rd, it doesn't. But you're right; it's good to know it's there, even though I'm not set up for 9mm reloading. (Like, I don't even own the dies.)

 

[armoredman]

That's actually what I load the most, 9mm, but with home cast/powder coated bullets, the cost is ridiculously low. In fact, my now wife used to buy me components so she could go shooting with me, so at one point I was loading 9mm for the cost of the electricity to run the lead pot and the toaster oven to bake on the powder coat!

 

[Hokkmike]

Fortunately I have a good supply of .223/5.56. Not so much with 9mm.

DUH - I never saw this coming. I'll need t look around.....