Which Cartridge Shortage Is Causing You the Most Angst?

[Reloadron]

Which does not change the fact that the endlessly repetitive refrain of "you should have prepared better" and "its your own fault" whenever the subject of personal ammo shortages is brought up is both annoying and unhelpful.

I'm curious. How would you like it phrased, so that you feel better?

You see I'm a big fan of personal responsibility. But if I can work with you on this I will.

While I agree strongly as to personal responsibility I also feel that personal responsibility extends well beyond having a large stash of ammunition for when things like this happen.

Many new and young shooters were simply blindsided by recent events. Compound that with the fact that many new shooters do not have the financial resources to stockpile ammunition in several flavors. Many of these new shooters are starting out with families or paying tuition for higher education. Personal responsibilities include setting priorities. Things like rent or mortgage as well as food on the table take priority over stockpiling ammunition for a hobby.

I am a 63 year old electrical engineer soon to be retired. My wife manages a small TV station. My kids are grown with kids of their own. We own the house and our trucks and have been debt free for years. That makes it pretty easy for me to buy what I want when I want it. Thanksgiving day morning I read where Gander Mountain was having a one day sale on Federal .223 at $299 for a 1,000 round case so I drove the ten min ride and snagged a few cans. There was a time in my life when popping $600 on ammunition a month before Christmas was out of the question. Not everyone, including my own kids, enjoys that luxury. For many new shooters popping an extra $25 for a brick of .22s is a seldom enjoyed luxury. For many the decision involves a new box or ammunition or a new box of Pampers. Pampers or a needed text book often win out in a decision made responsibly.

For me to drag out my little soap box and preach to the masses they should have been better prepared is senseless. I have much more respect for the new shooter living within his limits and addressing their personal responsibilities than the shooter shortchanging his family to buy ammunition or a new gun.

This concludes my little rant on the subject....
Ron

 

[788Ham]

I agree whole heartedly with you Mactech, in regards to a "stash". I've always has a couple of .22's around, rifle and handgun, or 2 rifles. I've always had a couple of extra bricks around, "just in case". I moved some things around in my reload area, cleaned up actually, re-organized many things, to my surprise , I have 7K of .22's. I'm not a hoarder, just accumulated them over time, remember the Winchester Xpediters? I have 2 bricks of those! My point here, I used to shoot .22's by the brick, but replenished them whenever I saw them on sale again, usually around $6 a brick. I've got plenty, but will keep looking, might need them for barter in the future.

 

[CZguy]

Originally posted by Reloadron

While I agree strongly as to personal responsibility I also feel that personal responsibility extends well beyond having a large stash of ammunition for when things like this happen.

Many new and young shooters were simply blindsided by recent events. Compound that with the fact that many new shooters do not have the financial resources to stockpile ammunition in several flavors. Many of these new shooters are starting out with families or paying tuition for higher education. Personal responsibilities include setting priorities. Things like rent or mortgage as well as food on the table take priority over stockpiling ammunition for a hobby.

I am a 63 year old electrical engineer soon to be retired. My wife manages a small TV station. My kids are grown with kids of their own. We own the house and our trucks and have been debt free for years. That makes it pretty easy for me to buy what I want when I want it. Thanksgiving day morning I read where Gander Mountain was having a one day sale on Federal .223 at $299 for a 1,000 round case so I drove the ten min ride and snagged a few cans. There was a time in my life when popping $600 on ammunition a month before Christmas was out of the question. Not everyone, including my own kids, enjoys that luxury. For many new shooters popping an extra $25 for a brick of .22s is a seldom enjoyed luxury. For many the decision involves a new box or ammunition or a new box of Pampers. Pampers or a needed text book often win out in a decision made responsibly.

For me to drag out my little soap box and preach to the masses they should have been better prepared is senseless. I have much more respect for the new shooter living within his limits and addressing their personal responsibilities than the shooter shortchanging his family to buy ammunition or a new gun.

This concludes my little rant on the subject....

You made several good points. I too am older and have the resources to accumulate ammo. I certainly agree that putting food on the table, or taking care of debts is more important than buying ammo.

It is my opinion though, that many people who are struggling financially, are not living as frugally as I did at that age. Heck if you just ate at home rather than eating out a couple of times you could afford a brick of .22 shells. And as to the teenage shooters, I hope they are shooting with a older person who can provide the shells as well as instruction.

I shoot with two Grandsons, and a Nephew, and am happy to provide all the .22 shells that they care to shoot.

 

[breakingcontact]

I've got a few more range trips before this ammo shortage begins to concern me. Then ill have to decide between paying 50 cents a round for decent 9mm or getting a different gun. Suppose it'd be about the same cost. I'd probably just get a M&P 22.

 

[provoartkaa]

only have 450 rounds of 50 BMG left