Ammo prices/shortage

[burleytog]

Bought ammo lately?  I've checked three different WalMarts in the area, their ammo shelves are mostly bare.  What they do have is about 75-100% higher than it was four or five years ago.

Checked the local hunting/fishing robbery joint earlier today, they had a decent selection, but their prices are 20-30% higher than what you'll pay elsewhere.  That said, they did have Blazer 22LR for $2.30/50 rounds.

Well, the key word is they DID have it in stock.    I bought all 2000 rounds they had in stock.  Wish they would have had another 1000 rounds on the shelf.

Swung by WM to pick up some odds and ends for the Roadtrip, they had 1000 rounds of CCI  MiniMag, so I cleaned them out of that as well.   :-[

Just wish I would have bought more 223 and 9mm back when it was cheap.  When I bought my first AR, I could get 55 gr Wolf for $100/500 rounds.  Now I'll pay $200 for those same 500 rounds.  38 Special is outrageous.  Kind of glad I didn't buy that 270 WSSM a couple of years ago as that stuff is going for $45 a box now.

Main regret is that I didn't stock up on primers and powder a couple of years ago.  Reloading supplies are hard to come by these days.   :-X

[Stasher1]

Just wish I would have bought more 223 and 9mm back when it was cheap. When I bought my first AR, I could get 55 gr Wolf for $100/500 rounds. Now I'll pay $200 for those same 500 rounds.

I was paying $100/500 rds for Federal XM193 5.56mm back in '04-'05, and $90/1000 for Wolf .223    Heck, I remember turning down S&B 5.56mm @ $4 a box because it was just too expensive.

The war drove up the price quite a bit, add to that the global demand for raw materials and the panic buying surrounding the last election, and the cost of ammo has become too high for us workin' stiffs to waste it blasting at paper targets.

[bassdocktor]

I was just at a range in MI on Wednesday and they had a 5 box limit on all ammo.

But, consider yourselves lucky. Atleast you guys can own handguns. Here the fine city of Chicago sees to it that we can't. However, just go the distance of 1 house outside the city and you can.

[Copen1822]

Bassdocktor, why can't you own a handgun? I thought there was a similar law in DC that was overturned last year because it was unconstitutional? Seems it should be the same in Chicago? I'm I wrong about this?

[done]

That's what I thought as well. However, it probably needs to be challenged in court and a lot probably depends on exactly how the law was written.

[moby bass]

There are numerous bills floating around various sate and i believe the federal legislatures that will require all ammunition to have a serial number.  All old ammo, along with reloading supplies, etc, will have to be destroyed.  If you are caught with any old ammo, it will be a felony and will be reason enough to have your property searched and your guns confiscated.  Thankfully, so far, I don't think any of these bills have passed.

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f20/ammo-bill-8733/

[Fishing Doug]

Timely topic.  I just picked up some match grade ammo in 308 and 338 Lapua. Yeah-that will set ya back. Long range shooting has become veeerrrryy expensive.

[bassdocktor]

Hey guys they still haven't been able to get anything changed yet in Chicago. There have been groups that were pushing for it but nothing has come up yet. Something about concealed carry or handgun ownership comes up pretty much every week or other week.

As the laws stand right now all handguns/guns must be registered in the city. However, I believe back in the 70's they stopped taking registration on all new handguns. So it basically comes down to you could probably buy one but since it can't be registered it would be illegal.

But any type of long gun as it states is pretty much ownable. I do believe there is a limit to the shot capacity of them. Not entirely sure as I haven't looked that closely lately.

They are also pushing for the state to have concealed carry because along with WI we are the only state not to have some form. But, once again Chicago is applying alot of resistance. Our great politicians are basically the only ones offering opposition.

[GLADES]

I noticed that last week. I paid $30 for a box of .45 hollow points.

Thats is all they had on the shelf at BPS in Ft Lauderdale.

All of the other calibers were gone.

I will definately check stores for ammo as I am out and about.

[bass or bass ?]

In Arizona you can carry openly . I have had a concealed permit for 5 years. Arizona is a "shall issue" concealed carry state. Once you have passed the class the state "shall issue" the permit , as opposed to "may issue " states where you must show a valid reason for the government there to issue you a permit.      Happy fishing.

~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~A.M.A.~

[Bassn Blvd]

Too bad you're not close by me.  I just gave my brother a couple hundred .38 rounds and 9mm.  I have a couple hundred .40 cal rounds but not too many 223 rounds.

[skunked_again]

has anyone tried to buy powder of late? i handload shotgun/rifles and .45acp but havent bought powder in a long time. i wonder if thats gone crazy too.

[Copen1822]

There are numerous bills floating around various sate and i believe the federal legislatures that will require all ammunition to have a serial number.  All old ammo, along with reloading supplies, etc, will have to be destroyed.

Scary stuff. I've read some of that too, but I can't see it happening. Who would enforce this? I am pretty sure the local law in my area would have a major problem with it. I also think that even though they may talk about it they have to be smarter then to really believe people would stand for something like this. I know several who would not. I'm still young and my blood runs hot! >

[skunked_again]

There are numerous bills floating around various sate and i believe the federal legislatures that will require all ammunition to have a serial number. All old ammo, along with reloading supplies, etc, will have to be destroyed. If you are caught with any old ammo, it will be a felony and will be reason enough to have your property searched and your guns confiscated. Thankfully, so far, I don't think any of these bills have passed.

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f20/ammo-bill-8733/

i dont see this ever happening. it sounds more like an NRA scare tactic.

[skunked_again]

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/are_states_going_to_require_serial_numbers.html

a good read.

"Such a proposal is being pushed by a company that holds a patent on bullet-coding technology. But none of the 31 bills introduced last year ever made it out of committee."

[R520dvx]

I do a lot of reloading ..... lead prices have gone crazy .... powder has gone up, but not terrible ..... primers have gone up quite a bit, but if you know where to buy them, probanly 25%.

I haven't had any problems finding bullets or powder, but primers have been hit or miss. Again, you have to know where to get them.

[Sam]

When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.

Keep an eye on your legislatures and what they are doing.

My New Orleans friend told me that S&W stock is doing well.  I have not checked but I believe him.

I was told that there were lots of guns sold after the presidential election.

Just a word to the wise.  

[moby bass]

Sam is right. Keep in touch with your legislators.  Don't take anything for granted.  Any of this could change in a heartbeat. My local gun dealer told me that he sold a lot after the election.  I don't know what the reasons for an ammo shortage are, whether it is a run to stock up before something might change or if there is really something going on. Hopefully it will stabilize in the near future and prices will become more reasonable. Here are some of the bills that have been proposed, according to ammunitionaccountability.org

http://ammunitionaccountability.org/Legislation.htm

[Siebert Outdoors]

buley you aint kidding.  I was cleaning up some stuff last night and found a box of large rifle primers.  Thats like gold right now.  Around here pistol ammo is very hard to find in the standard popular calibers.  Lots of 223 right now.  For now.  

2 something for 22 blazers for 50.  yikes.  Local shop has federal champion for 12.99 for 500 of them. 8-)

[burleytog]

Like I said, that place is the local tackle robber.  $12 for Koppers Live Target cranks, $6 for a bag of Power Worms, $11 for a xCalibur One Knocker, $260 for a Chronarch 50mg.

[Siebert Outdoors]

i dont know the actual price on a 50mg but should be identical anywhere you go.  I do believe they set the price.

[burleytog]

Been available for $150-180 for the last few months.

[Fisher of Men]

Sam is right. Keep in touch with your legislators. Don't take anything for granted. Any of this could change in a heartbeat. My local gun dealer told me that he sold a lot after the election. I don't know what the reasons for an ammo shortage are, whether it is a run to stock up before something might change or if there is really something going on. Hopefully it will stabilize in the near future and prices will become more reasonable. Here are some of the bills that have been proposed, according to ammunitionaccountability.org

http://ammunitionaccountability.org/Legislation.htm

I know this legislation is well-meaning, but what if someone steals my ammo while I'm out of town and commits the crime before I can report it?  Are these people naive enough to believe that all criminals buy their ammo at a retailer?

[TruflShufl]

I work at a Dick's and handgun ammunition has gone crazy since the election. We'll get 20 cases of 9mm in (10,000 rounds) and someone will buy every bit of it as soon as we open.