It apparently depends upon the area, but I don't recall seeing 30-06 or .243 out of stock very often even during the peak insanity at most stores that I visited. It was surprising to me, though, because those two are such popular calibers. Those were very lonely though, as probably 80% of the other shelves were bare most of the time. I never paid attention to some of the other calibers that you listed so I can say about those. .22 rimfire of all types is STILL a rarity!
Easiest/hardest common calibers to find during recent ammo crunch?
- Thread starter peacebutready
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Common stuff sold out first, was first back on the shelves. The less common stuff stayed on the shelves longer, but has still not made a comeback. And it may be a while. Ammo makers aren't going to stop making 223 and 308 and start making more 7X57 until there is a surplus of common ammo.
I still think it unwise to purchase guns in oddball calibers hoping to find ammo on shelves during shortages. Use the money to stock up when there is plenty of ammo and you'll be farther ahead by sticking with common stuff.
In my lifetime I've only seen this happen once, and don't anticipate it happening again. Even if it does I have enough 22's to last for about a decade. And I haven't bought any in 2 years. Plenty ammo, and loading supplies to get me along that far with 12 ga, 223, 308, 9mm, 45, and 10mm as well. I have guns in other calibers, but they get shot a lot less and I could do without them if no ammo were available.
I still think it unwise to purchase guns in oddball calibers hoping to find ammo on shelves during shortages. Use the money to stock up when there is plenty of ammo and you'll be farther ahead by sticking with common stuff.
In my lifetime I've only seen this happen once, and don't anticipate it happening again. Even if it does I have enough 22's to last for about a decade. And I haven't bought any in 2 years. Plenty ammo, and loading supplies to get me along that far with 12 ga, 223, 308, 9mm, 45, and 10mm as well. I have guns in other calibers, but they get shot a lot less and I could do without them if no ammo were available.
anothernewb
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I guess its not on your list - but it can perform similar, within range.
12ga of all types, including buckshot and slugs never left my area.
7-08 and 30-06 never fully left the shelves either.
Actually, when I really think of it. about the only calibers that totally vanished were current-use military ones. 7.62 and 5.56
12ga of all types, including buckshot and slugs never left my area.
7-08 and 30-06 never fully left the shelves either.
Actually, when I really think of it. about the only calibers that totally vanished were current-use military ones. 7.62 and 5.56
I saw plenty of 30-06 available locally though you couldn't be picky about brand. I didn't buy a single box but it was always available. 270 was also almost always available. 30-30 and 308 were a bit more iffy. 223 went away completely and quickly but came back fast at pre-panic, or near, prices. 7.62x39 never disappeared completely but it was iffy for a while. Both of these came back at stupid prices for a while and then bottomed out quickly. I am referring to basic Tula and such on both calibers.
Of course 22 LR was, and is, the least available at the local level though I was able to buy more than enough through online purchases. All the rimfires were pretty rare but I have seen some 22 mag and 17 lately. 22 LR is still almost nonexistent locally other than in some LGS that have it for $49 a box. That's ridiculous but at least they have some for those that are out.
I saw .40 come back first in the "common" pistol cartridges, followed by .45, 38/357, 9x19 and, still in short supply, 380.
Of course 22 LR was, and is, the least available at the local level though I was able to buy more than enough through online purchases. All the rimfires were pretty rare but I have seen some 22 mag and 17 lately. 22 LR is still almost nonexistent locally other than in some LGS that have it for $49 a box. That's ridiculous but at least they have some for those that are out.
I saw .40 come back first in the "common" pistol cartridges, followed by .45, 38/357, 9x19 and, still in short supply, 380.
We had the wally truck deliveries down pat, .22 was not an issue. Actually quit buying it.
.25, 32 auto, .380 were non existent. 9mm and .45 dripped in. Plenty of .40 for some reason.
Most rifle calibers came in small quantities.
.223 and 5.56 were tight, as everyone had to buy all they could for the ARs they bought....
.25, 32 auto, .380 were non existent. 9mm and .45 dripped in. Plenty of .40 for some reason.
Most rifle calibers came in small quantities.
.223 and 5.56 were tight, as everyone had to buy all they could for the ARs they bought....
I have never been a Walmart ammo shopper but over the past couple of years I have made it a point to stop by the counter when I go in. I bought some 380 and 9mm earlier this year when I was running low and have routinely bought shotshells for dove from them but I don't run in just to see if they have ammo. I buy most of my factory ammo online because they deliver it to my door for roughly the same, or less, than the LGS. Guns, I buy them locally 95% of the time.
illinoisburt
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I cannot think of a single instance where 762x54R was not available, or "new" mosin-nagants with which to shoot them. 
On the local shelves, always had plenty of shotshells and slugs, 40 caliber pistol, and tons of 17 rimfire. 22 mag was plentiful up until just the last month or two. There was a short time when 223 and 762x39 went missing, but it was back in a couple months.
What was unobtainable? Primers (other than 209's), powders, 22LR, 9mm, 45acp.
On the local shelves, always had plenty of shotshells and slugs, 40 caliber pistol, and tons of 17 rimfire. 22 mag was plentiful up until just the last month or two. There was a short time when 223 and 762x39 went missing, but it was back in a couple months.
What was unobtainable? Primers (other than 209's), powders, 22LR, 9mm, 45acp.
peacebutready
Member
I cannot think of a single instance where 762x54R was not available, or "new" mosin-nagants with which to shoot them.
Off Topic: "New" Mosins in that they were stored and not fired or ones in like new condition? Where can they be found?
morcey2
Member
I'm trying to find the link, but there are (or 'were' as of 2011) new production 91/30s and another slightly modified model being produced by Molot. I have the link here somewhere. I think they make them in 6.5x54R, which I think would be fun.
If you buy a refurbished M91/30 from a major distributor or gun store, odds are that it hasn't been fired since it was refurbished. Most of them have like-new bores and if you can find a 1945 or later, it may have never been fired.
Matt
illinoisburt
Member
"New" was the silly advertisement/hang tag Cabelas put on them. Same rifles as everywhere else. Of course, it was "new-to-you".
Back to topic:
Most of the common caliber premium centerfire hunting ammo over $30 per box stayed on the shelves around here for a long time. At any time I could have picked up a couple boxes of 270, 30-06, 300MAG at Gander Mountain. Come to think of it, 308 was gone for quite a while too.
sappyg
Member
During the height of the panic I recall seeing a good bit of 7.62x39 & 5.45. Not so much anymore.
I would say that 40S&W and .30-06 were pretty much always in stock. 9mm, 22lr and 308win were always missing.
7.62x54r was never on the shelf locally, but it seemed that someone online had it available all the time.
17hmr was thin but scrougable.
7.62x54r was never on the shelf locally, but it seemed that someone online had it available all the time.
17hmr was thin but scrougable.
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