The Deer Hunter
Member
Get a bunch of sardine cans and pack them with ammo. That way, you never have a partially full ammo can.
Ammo Shortage merged threads, aka UberUltraMasterAmmoThreadOfPower
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Readyrod
Member
The great ammo shortage
I'm asking for the next time there is an ammo shortage. I missed the Obama shortage cause I'm in Japan but I'm curious; what ammo went missing first or the most? What ammo was still left on the shelves? What ammo came back on the shelves the fastest? I'd like to know cause I want to know what would be good to stock up on in case there is another scare. It would also be nice to know what you don't need to stock up on.
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'm asking for the next time there is an ammo shortage. I missed the Obama shortage cause I'm in Japan but I'm curious; what ammo went missing first or the most? What ammo was still left on the shelves? What ammo came back on the shelves the fastest? I'd like to know cause I want to know what would be good to stock up on in case there is another scare. It would also be nice to know what you don't need to stock up on.
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Ohio Rusty
Member
At the Walmart in my local town, there is an absence of all calibers of handgun ammo. Everytime I walk in there at look at the selection, there is usually a couple boxes of overpriced .45 acp. Probably the same ones that were there the last time.
There is no shortage of rifle rounds and shotgun shells. Those shelves are always in good supply in most big box stores I visit.
Ohio Rusty ><>
There is no shortage of rifle rounds and shotgun shells. Those shelves are always in good supply in most big box stores I visit.
Ohio Rusty ><>
I still can't get .380 anywhere,38 special and 357 are also nowhere. 40 cal is in pretty decent supply, wal-mart has no handgun calibers. .22lr is even getting difficult to find, yesterday I picked up my sigma from the gunsmith and he wanted $37 for a $14 brick of basic remington.
chris in va
Member
22, 9mm, 380, 45 all seem to be in short supply. The two pistol calibers I see the most of are 357 SIG and 40 S&W.
I've just started reloading and plan to stock up in that manner instead. If it comes down to it, I'll get 10,000 primers (the limit) and get buckets of wheel weights.
I've just started reloading and plan to stock up in that manner instead. If it comes down to it, I'll get 10,000 primers (the limit) and get buckets of wheel weights.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
I'm in W.N.C., the .380acp went out first then 9mm, .38 - .357 and .45acp.
there's some centerfire rifle of the common calibers and shotgun buck, just not much.
seems .40 S&W has been available.
there's a big gun show down in Greenvile, S.C. this weekend a buddy at it called me - only one vendor has any primers and they are high (in rifle only small). powder is higher than pre-obama but not much wer'e splitting 4 lb jug of PP.
there's some centerfire rifle of the common calibers and shotgun buck, just not much.
seems .40 S&W has been available.
there's a big gun show down in Greenvile, S.C. this weekend a buddy at it called me - only one vendor has any primers and they are high (in rifle only small). powder is higher than pre-obama but not much wer'e splitting 4 lb jug of PP.
420Stainless
Member
9mm, .223, .380ACP, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum all disappeared around here first. The only handgun cartridges that have been commonly available have been .40S&W and .44 Magnum. I've been lucky in that I have a local gun store that doesn't gouge and has managed to keep some form of most calibers in stock throughout. I now occassionally see a box of .45ACP at the Walmart.
What do people shoot most? That's what disappeared first. While I was in NM, .40S&W seemed to be the only fodder not commercially common enough to dry up. But by the time I moved to WA, the common stuff (9x19, 45, 38 & 357) was making a strong return to the shelves at the WAC gunshows. It's now stuff with smaller overall sales (like .44M, 32H&R) that seems to have dried up while the manufacturers focus on the hi-volume stuff.
Good news; primers & 22LR bricks are available again; and I'm occassionally seeing 9x19 and 45 again at the big-box stores.
edited to add: Even during the worst part of the ammo drought, I could find stuff in out-of-the way places at fairly normal prices. If Clovis, Lubbock and Amarillo big-box stores were out of 100rd 9mm & 45, I would still find some while on travel in places like Oxford MS or Roswell NM; or the occassional hardware store.
Good news; primers & 22LR bricks are available again; and I'm occassionally seeing 9x19 and 45 again at the big-box stores.
edited to add: Even during the worst part of the ammo drought, I could find stuff in out-of-the way places at fairly normal prices. If Clovis, Lubbock and Amarillo big-box stores were out of 100rd 9mm & 45, I would still find some while on travel in places like Oxford MS or Roswell NM; or the occassional hardware store.
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2TransAms
Member
Short answer: All the military/LE calibers. .45, .40, 9mm, .223 and .308. Other common SD and hunting rounds and older surplus too, .38/.357, .44, 30-06, 7.62x39 etc.Then people started shooting more .22 and that became hard to find in some areas, although there's been plenty of .22 in my area all along.
Suggest you also try the online ammo stores (Cheaper than Dirt, Midway, Sportsmans Guide, Graf and Sons, Wideners, ...). For a while, they were all out of everything but blanks and some of the exotic stuff (Magsafe, Glaser).
You should be able to check these periodically, even in Japan, to see what has disappeared, what has come back, and how much the price has increased.
You should be able to check these periodically, even in Japan, to see what has disappeared, what has come back, and how much the price has increased.
Steve Marshall
Member
30 Carbine is hard to find. Primers disappeared and is now starting to show up but at a much higher price than previously. A local shop was selling Winchester primers for $21 a little over a year and a half ago.
Stock-up on whatever calibers you have. If you have any common MIL/LE/SD calibers, get an extra couple cases as that is what disappears first. Also, shotgun ammo is readily available, but only if you want cheap practice rounds. 12 ga. slugs and especially 00 buck got scarce and more expensive.
BTW, today @ gunshow I saw .223 for $270/1000. W-M had 4 boxes of handgun ammo. And gun shop had 20,000 rounds of Wolf 7.62x39mm and SEVERAL (50-100??) more cases of handgun ammo and .223, .308 etc. Unfortunately, the prices are HIGH. Case of 7.62x39mm = $440+TAX, .45 for $30/50, and 9mm Federal @ $20/50 which is 2x W-M price. So, availability is up, but prices are to high. Eventually they will need to lower their prices or their shelves will collapse from all of their unsold, overpriced ammo.
BTW, today @ gunshow I saw .223 for $270/1000. W-M had 4 boxes of handgun ammo. And gun shop had 20,000 rounds of Wolf 7.62x39mm and SEVERAL (50-100??) more cases of handgun ammo and .223, .308 etc. Unfortunately, the prices are HIGH. Case of 7.62x39mm = $440+TAX, .45 for $30/50, and 9mm Federal @ $20/50 which is 2x W-M price. So, availability is up, but prices are to high. Eventually they will need to lower their prices or their shelves will collapse from all of their unsold, overpriced ammo.
Any ammo that is used in currently manufactured Semi-Auto firearms was gone instantly.
For example .223, .308, 7.62x39, gone.......30.06 .243win, no problem.
The rule for stocking up is still the same......Semi-auto ammo first.
For example .223, .308, 7.62x39, gone.......30.06 .243win, no problem.
The rule for stocking up is still the same......Semi-auto ammo first.
kda
Member
.380 Auto .. I don't shoot one but a buddy does and we have been asking all over Tucson for months. All you get is a chuckle and that glance... like "no chance, you must be kidding". He eventually scored a couple of boxes of .380 auto by calling all over town day after day for weeks, but it seems to be the #1 hard ammo to find.
I see .223 coming back just this week; suddenly it is all over the place. And out of 6 gun shops and Walmart, I found one place with Rem and Federal .22 in bricks / value packs of 500 rounds for $20. Previously, if you could find a brick of .22, it was $31 or more and there would only be one on the shelf. Also .40 S&W is showing up in several places now with good supplies on hand for those that have any in stock.
9mm is now better and could be described at "hit or miss" ... if you visit enough shops you'll likely find it. I'm seeing it at $16 a box of 50 now at one gun shop. Our Walmart is still short of just about everything except shotgun and .17 HMR ammo.
Self Defense Ammo in all calibers is now becoming generally available but at crazy prices.
I see .223 coming back just this week; suddenly it is all over the place. And out of 6 gun shops and Walmart, I found one place with Rem and Federal .22 in bricks / value packs of 500 rounds for $20. Previously, if you could find a brick of .22, it was $31 or more and there would only be one on the shelf. Also .40 S&W is showing up in several places now with good supplies on hand for those that have any in stock.
9mm is now better and could be described at "hit or miss" ... if you visit enough shops you'll likely find it. I'm seeing it at $16 a box of 50 now at one gun shop. Our Walmart is still short of just about everything except shotgun and .17 HMR ammo.
Self Defense Ammo in all calibers is now becoming generally available but at crazy prices.
TexasRedneck
Member
Y'know, ah recall a conversation along those lines havin' ta do with the better half's bra one time.....the Doctor assures me that my memory WILL return - he hadn't seen too many folks survive a beatin' that bad......
blazerking78
Member
Then:
Durring the run on ammo every thing was bought as fast as it could go. 5.56 got up to 800.00 per K. 9mm and 45acp were non existent.
Now:
Most of the sporting stores around here have full shelves. I've even been buying primers OTC for awhile now. It is limited to 200 per type per day, but that's just so the store can keep more customers happy. Although one store is still selling the by the thousand and stock is gone in 2 days. There is 2 different ammo manufacturers in the area and their stuff is really stocking up. One even has their own outlet store. I haven't gotten the chance to use any yet, the prices are still to high for my taste. W-M is still bone dry. I say with in 2 or 3 months there will be MASSIVE ammo sales in my area due to the over stocked shelves. Every store I frequent there are at least 30 to 40 EBR's on the shelves including some way high $650.00 ak's I did see some new M&P15's for under a grand so they are lowering the prices as the stuff sits.
Once every thing cools off I am going to to my stocking and have about 10,000 rounds per pistol caliber and 20k for my varmint guns. My hunting rifles I'm fine with the amount I have for reloading which is about 200 to 300 per caliber. Then I can just reload as I shoot.
Durring the run on ammo every thing was bought as fast as it could go. 5.56 got up to 800.00 per K. 9mm and 45acp were non existent.
Now:
Most of the sporting stores around here have full shelves. I've even been buying primers OTC for awhile now. It is limited to 200 per type per day, but that's just so the store can keep more customers happy. Although one store is still selling the by the thousand and stock is gone in 2 days. There is 2 different ammo manufacturers in the area and their stuff is really stocking up. One even has their own outlet store. I haven't gotten the chance to use any yet, the prices are still to high for my taste. W-M is still bone dry. I say with in 2 or 3 months there will be MASSIVE ammo sales in my area due to the over stocked shelves. Every store I frequent there are at least 30 to 40 EBR's on the shelves including some way high $650.00 ak's I did see some new M&P15's for under a grand so they are lowering the prices as the stuff sits.
Once every thing cools off I am going to to my stocking and have about 10,000 rounds per pistol caliber and 20k for my varmint guns. My hunting rifles I'm fine with the amount I have for reloading which is about 200 to 300 per caliber. Then I can just reload as I shoot.
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bowman1962
Member
Ant and the Grasshopper 2009
THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER - This one is a little different... Two Different Versions! .................. Two Different Morals!
OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010 .
"In God We Trust"
THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER - This one is a little different... Two Different Versions! .................. Two Different Morals!
OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010 .
"In God We Trust"
Nicodemus38
Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
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commodities market has driven the price up, their is no shortage of ammunition. my local stores of dunhams and walmart refuse to order any ammunition other then shotgun. namely because those prices have small fluctuations compared to handgun and rifle.
Readyrod
Member
Great replies, thanks all.
Gunnie, I just wanted to get a general idea of the ammo shortage all over, not anywhere in particular.
Gunnie, I just wanted to get a general idea of the ammo shortage all over, not anywhere in particular.
i can only speak for AL and TX, but like most everyone else said, whatever fed what was likely to be banned disappeared. 9mm, .223, 7.63x39, .308, .45, .40, and many others. mostly popular handgun cartridges and military rifle cartridges. i never had any problem finding shotgun shells and they didn't seem to increase in price. the first to become easy to find were the "hunting" loads even in the military calibers. usually, you could find stuff online even when the big box retailers had been out for weeks
redneck2
Member
Local dealer had over 20k of various primers on the shelf this week. He also has a LOT of 9mm, and milsurp.
Another dealer had over 20 boxes of .380.
As noted, lots of EBR's on the shelves.
Stuff is starting to show up all over. Good time to slowly start stocking up. don't get caught short again.
Another dealer had over 20 boxes of .380.
As noted, lots of EBR's on the shelves.
Stuff is starting to show up all over. Good time to slowly start stocking up. don't get caught short again.
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