Anybody really "know why there's no ammo"?

[bowhair]

I live in Olympia, Wa. and cannot manage to buy any bulk, or boxed .45, 9mm, .357 , .40, or .223 etc., etc. etc. from my local outlets (Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse, small local shops etc.) Just looking for target/plinking grade ball ammo for the most part; there are sporadic showings of defense ammo, but too expensive to shoot for fun. As soon as some arrives at any of these places it is sold out in a matter of hours. I understand the hoarding mentality that is driving all this nutsoid panic buying. But why aren't the ammo makers (most are U.S. companys) not running 24/7 to supply the demand, even if it is particularly heavy due to this? In a stagnant economy, seems like there'd be some hot opportunity for these companies to expand and make a fortune. Credit for expansion is probably a factor for some, but some have capital reserves to cover ebb and flow of the market.

I just bought my reloading equipment a short while ago with the idea of getting to the range more often and saving some bucks while doing so. Bought plenty of brass and bullets, but waited to buy powder and primers until my reloading friend and I could get together and select them. Can't find the supplies I need now either.

I'm talking to all these folks and they don't seem to have a clue what the real problerm is. Anybody have a rational explanation backed by some concrete facts? I"m as able to slip into conspiracy theories and paranoid scenarios as the next frustrated American. But the gov't doesn't build the ammo so far, so what's the deal?

I have other hobbies, but shooting isn't something I'm wanting to put aside even temporarily. It's a weird puzzle for me so far. :huh::(:angry::o

[magnomark]

:unsure:Rumor has it;goverment mandate for the manufacturers to produce less.They don't want us herd animals to be able to defend ourselves from the oncoming butchers!:ph34r:

[bowhair]

Anything's possible, but I gotta believe profit trumps mandate without a major move on the part of the feds, which I doubt would overcome public outrage or even greater resistance from the manufacturer's???:o

[abc38419]

You can order from Cabelas mail order. You can get ammo at Cabelas but it sells out quickly. I talked to a salesman and he said they stocked up for a sale and all the .22 RF was sold the first morning and they couldn't believe it. I explained it to him: people are stocking up on semi-auto centerfires (pistols and rifles and ammo) but can't afford to shoot the centerfire stuff in order to prepare adequately for SHTF, so they are also buying .22 RF pistols, rifles, and ammo. I got a mailing from NRA and it was very alarming. So I think the alarms NRA is sending out and the panic reactions to them is resulting in panic purchasing and the mfrs think "why produce the cheap stuff when we can sell all the expensive stuff we can make (and the profit margins are larger) and why should we go overtime or invest in new equipment when we can make more by just upping prices and the panic buying has to die down some time."

Anyhow, look around Olympia. I now a place where you can buy .223 in lots of high quality 500 ($230) and 1000 (slightly cheaper/round) and have it delivered to your door. I've found quality .45 ACP for $18/50. Not buying it yet (so I'm not saying whose selling :-) don't want to start a stampede), just waiting for the price to drop 25%.

Oh, and BTW, I suspect more guns & ammo have been sold in the last 6 months since Obama was elected than in any other time in history; most the black rifle mfrs are backordered for 3-6 months or more and many are investing in equipment. Prices have sky rocketed--look at the MRSP on the Mini-14 ranch--around $900 now and the black rifles have gone up 25% too.

[BobSmith]

Highly doubt it is a govt mandate. Just simple supply and demand. My cousin bought an upper kit the manufacturer said it would not be until sept till he receives it. My local dealer always has lots of 223 but never any handgun ammo. If there was a govt mandate there would not be any 223 either IMO.

[Mikeyboy]

Ammo suppy you ask, let me throw this little tidbit at you.

The Chinese Military (PLA) has 2.25 million active servicesmen(and women) and is the largest military in the world. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Liberation_Army )

Since the 2008 presidential elections, over 7 million firearms have been sold in the US. ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/13/guns-nra-america-obama-virginia )

Normal US citizens are buying ammo to feed enough firearms to arm the chinese military three fold. It has nothing to do with US military demand, its all civilian.

[uzitiger]

The same thing was at Wal Mart where they had two 500 round boxes of .22 ammo. When I and another customer bought them they were out of ammo again. The stuff sells as soon as it gets to the store. It's like that everywhere they sell ammo.

[WoodyWoodPecker]

I spotted a box of 100 rounds 40 cal for my pistol at the local Wally World but no sales clerk was around. I looked around for some more items and went back to find it gone ! Next time I'll grab it when I see it if I have to drag a salesperson to the locked case ! :angry:

[abc38419]

Boy was I stupid! Went back to get that Hornady and PMC .45 ACP stuff and it was all gone and the store owner said he had no idea when he would get more (been asking & asking) but was going to start selling his reloads ... Maybe I'll have to put in an order to Cabela's and see if that works, Midway has been out for months.


p.s. did get 500 PMC 55 gr .223 for $199.99 from surplusammo.com

[abc38419]

check out surplusammo.com in Lakewood, WA; good buys on .223 and .45 ACP LE hollow point ammo.

[hoplophile]

I've seen an increase in availability in this area, but most of it is at much higher prices. Taking into account the dollar's decline, the prices might not be so unreasonable.

[BobSmith]

I've seen an increase in availability in this area, but most of it is at much higher prices. Taking into account the dollar's decline, the prices might not be so unreasonable.

I have seen an increase in availability too, but at WM and basspro prices are still the same as before.

[Sandho79]

I've hit gunshows and picked up reloads for the former cost of ammo, ~15 bucks for 50rds of .40 vice ~30 bucks for the same.

now that being said...i have no idea where the closest range is. I'm in the Seattle metro area and can't find a range. I know there's a bunch out east, but this far west....ugh.

[AKnarrowback]

Ammo is short in interior Alaska. Same as everywhere else. .22 LR just went on the "endangered caliber" list a while back. Lucky I stocked up on 5K rounds early on this summer. The standard handgun calibers are tough to find. PMC .223 and xm193 are around in small quantities. large rifle is doing good, not as much demand there.

The rush on primers, powder, brass and all things reloading seems to be slowing and materials are becoming a little more easier to find.

The supply in Anchorage seems to be better all around.

I started reloading over the winter and am using lots of Berrys plated for the handguns. Cheap and easy to reload and gives a ton of practice for pennies.

.223 is a little more spendy to reload but the brass is plentiful if you just sit at the range for an hour and plink with the .22. Sooner or later some kid pulls up with his "black rifle", knocks out 100 rds and takes off leaving the brass right there. Still warm! I have more .223 brass than I know what to do with.

The big rush is going to happen the 8th when we (Alaskans) get that gift of the dividend check. $1300 bucks in the bank overnight. Too bad the -40F temps for 5 months is going to take my cash in the form of heating oil...:(

As for any government intervention??? I doubt it. It's supply and demand right now. Capitalism is still functioning and doing well.

My own observations are that for all the ammo flying off the shelves there isn't an equal amount of extra shots going down range on the weekend....

People are stocking up. No doubt about it. Confidence is the current administration to support our freedoms, protect our nation or do anything except weaken our nation, has people praying for the best and preparing for the worst.

I'm only shooting reloads, the factory ammo is sealed and waiting.

[camocorvette]

I'm only shooting reloads, the factory ammo is sealed and waiting.

thats seems about right, funny thing is i cant even get match grade 7.62 for my m21 or m24 in Iraq. the ammo guys have it but they dont want to give it out at all.. im not in a recon/sniper section but i went to the school and got the gun now where's my damn ammo? i havent even been able to zero my 24 since i left washington.....

[minimouse]

wait till 2010, every shooters shelves will be glutted with supplies and the dealers won't be able to give the stuff away......:D

[magnomark]

wait till 2010, every shooters shelves will be glutted with supplies and the dealers won't be able to give the stuff away......:D<_<Yea-but all of the shooters will need that stuff to fend off the obambazombies in 2010 when the swine flu vaccine coolaid starts to take effect!:rolleyes:

[trforester]

Like in "I am Legend?" I did hear that some scientists came up with a possible vaccine for cancer, the very opposite of SV-40....