Why doesn't Wal-Mart carry 7.62x54r?

[monotonous_iterancy]

Recently I was at Wal-Mart looking for prices on 7.62x39, then since this store was bigger than my local one, I asked if they had 7.62x54r. He looked, said they didn't, and asked what gun shoots that. "Mosin Nagants mostly, they're surplus rifles", I said. He said that it was a military caliber. I said that so were x39s. He said that it wasn't common enough for Wal-Mart.

But that's got me thinking, is it really that uncommon? Most gun stores I know have at least one Mosin-Nagant, many have several. They made them by the millions. In fact, they still chamber guns in that caliber today. So that explanation doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Maybe you should ask Walmart

 

[TurtlePhish]

Dick's doesn't sell it either, at least not where I live. The explanation I was given is that it wouldn't sell nearly enough to be worth stocking.

You have to remember that even if gun stores have Mosins, Wal-Mart's primary purpose is not firearm sales. Plus, surplus ammo is probably cheaper in any quantity than they could sell commercial ammo for.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Do Walmarts sell Mosins? If not, then I'm sure they wouldn't carry the ammo for them. Plus, x39 is a much more popular caliber than 54r and is available in many more platforms, which explains why they have that and not 54r.

 

[flatlander937]

The most common gun that shoots the x54R is a bolt action rifle... the x39 are semi autos with usually a high capacity.

Which do you think will shoot more rounds in a similar amount of time(meaning more purchased)?

Plus due to the guns that do use it, they're not exactly known for super accuracy... so they're not typically used for hunting in the same numbers as more popular cartridges like .308 or 30-06.



Probably really just isn't worth it. If there were some newer guns chambered for it(and they became popular)... that might change. Yes I know about the VEPRs but they're not anywhere near as popular as standard AKMs chambered in 7.62x39.

 

[jim243]

You have to understand that Walmart purchases rifles 5,000 to 10,000 at a time. The surplus market can not supply them in those quantities that would make Walmart buy them for resale. Often, a special run is make just for Walmart, like the Ruger 10/22 "rifle" with a 22 inch stainless steel barrel (I have one). So often you will see unusual rifles stocked on their shelves that are not found elsewheres.

They where and may still be the largest seller of rifles in the US, yes larger than Cabelas and Gander Mt. put together. Since they have so many stores they only purchase in large lots of rifles.

Jim

 

[meanmrmustard]

Do Walmarts sell Mosins? If not, then I'm sure they wouldn't carry the ammo for them. Plus, x39 is a much more popular caliber than 54r and is available in many more platforms, which explains why they have that and not 54r.

My Walmart sells nothing in 7mm-08 at this time, but have several boxes of hunting grade ammo in this caliber. So, this logic is untrue, at least in cases from store to store.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Plus due to the guns that do use it, they're not exactly known for super accuracy... so they're not typically used for hunting in the same numbers as more popular cartridges like .308 or 30-06.



Probably really just isn't worth it.

I'm sure you realized the falter, but just in case, I'm sure some of the die hard Mosin shooters will be along shortly to set you straight.

My two cents: This statement is unfounded. I've not seen any evidence of a properly cared for and accurized Mosin being anything but accurate, as much so, as many popular bolt actions in other .30 cal chamberings.

But, as I said, I'm sure you didn't think that one through.

 

[kingcheese]

Well, the ammo is common, but walmart only stocks the most common, like 223, 9mm, 22lr, its not really trying to sell you everything you need, they just want you to spend as much as you can there while they maintain minimal costs

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Think about it from the supply chain perspective.

Walmart is not going to sell commercial 7.62x54r because the costs far exceed surplus. And the market for it is extremely small - since the whole point of shooting it is cheap surplus ammo.

Walmart is not going to have 440 round spam cans sitting around because not enough people buy them. I'll bet most people who buy one, buy it when they purchase a mosin and it lasts a lifetime. It's not like you are going to blow through one in a weekend at a tactical class.

Walmart is not going to go through the effort of breaking up and relabeling the paper packets in spam can for inventory control.

Finally, Walmart doesn't want to worry about CS problems inevitable with 1950's era corrosive ammo.

 

[saturno_v]

Wal-Mart tend to stock only the absolutely most common ammo.


Around here in western WA this is what every Wal-Mart carry when it comes to centerfire rifle ammo

223, 243, 25-06 (not totally sure), 7,62x39, 30-30 Win, 270 Win, 308, 30-06, 7mm Rem Magnum and 300 Winchester Magnum, that's it.

In addition to that they carry the 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum soft point which are both rifle and handgun rounds.

Some stores may carry the 45-70, I think I saw it in a couple of places.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

They used to carry 10mm ammo around here---maybe you should talk to the sporting goods manager and see what they can do.

 

[meanmrmustard]

They used to carry 10mm ammo around here---maybe you should talk to the sporting goods manager and see what they can do.

Odd thing. My local farm and home store carries 10mm, but not Walmart.

 

[valnar]

Why doesn't Walmart carry ammo for an old Russian gun that hasn't been made in decades and wouldn't be popular with the hunting crowd?

 

[Kachok]

Why doesn't Walmart carry ammo for an old Russian gun that hasn't been made in decades and wouldn't be popular with the hunting crowd?

^ +1 I have no desire to hunt with a 7.62x54R I already have a 308 and 30-06 in much more modern (and more accurate) rifles. No need to carry a crude 4 foot long 9lbs Mosin in the woods.

 

[meanmrmustard]

^ +1 I have no desire to hunt with a 7.62x54R I already have a 308 and 30-06 in much more modern (and more accurate) rifles. No need to carry a crude 4 foot long 9lbs Mosin in the woods.

Nostalgia, the power of the round, hunting with a non-American round, nostalgia of the rifle, reliability of the Mosin in the woods, I don't like a bigger bore round out of a light rifle...etc, etc.

Crude? Bolt actions by design are crude in general. Hasn't stopped their use, not by a long shot.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Why doesn't Walmart carry ammo for an old Russian gun that hasn't been made in decades and wouldn't be popular with the hunting crowd?

Quite popular, in fact. A quick Google search, and you'll see.

 

[valnar]

Quite popular, in fact. A quick Google search, and you'll see.

For the Walmart crowd? No it isn't. Stop it.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Because it's not made in China?

 

[meanmrmustard]

For the Walmart crowd? No it isn't. Stop it.

For many people in general. Not all, but many. To assume there is a "Walmart crowd" and that you know what they want is absurdity.

I shop at Walmart. I'd like them to sell more varieties of ammo. But, they don't. Perhaps, they should hire you for their focus group on the subject, seeing that you're Walmart crowd-savvy?

 

[firesky101]

Maybe some do, every wal-mart I have been to has a slightly different selection of ammo. About 6 months ago I was at the range when a guy and his son drove up and unloaded their "new" mosin. They also had 5 boxes of winchester 7.62x54r, he told me it was all he could find at wal-mart. Long story short, I traded him 60 rounds of surplus for his 100 rounds of winchester empties. I did explain to him about needing to clean after shooting it. I was just shocked they put 100 rounds through a mosin in an hour, that winchester stuff must be weak.