Stock up.

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I still have a couple thousand rounds of 12ga and 20ga game loads from back when I found sales for $2/box 15 years ago. I never really had much of anything else until my eyes were opened during the panic buying through the Obama years. Since then I've slowly increased my stockpiles of 9mm, .45 acp, .38/.357 and .223/5.56 when good prices showed up. And I bought boxes here and there of .380 and .44 mag as it's a little harder to find great deals on those items in bulk. No need to panic buy for me, I'm good for about 10 years on .22, and 3 years for everything else. I have everything covered for reloading too except the bullets, I need to put in an order for those and I'll be good for at least 6 additional years.

I guess I do need a set of dies for .45 acp, maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a good price on those.
 
While part of me says it would be really wise to stock up now while everything is abundant and cheap, the other part of me says that in the not too distant future a lot of us might be sitting on inventory that we won't be able to legally use. It's a tough call to make given the current state of things.
 
While part of me says it would be really wise to stock up now while everything is abundant and cheap, the other part of me says that in the not too distant future a lot of us might be sitting on inventory that we won't be able to legally use. It's a tough call to make given the current state of things.

I think you can hedge your bets though.

Maybe dropping 10k in stripped lowers isn’t a great idea (maybe it’ll be genius, who know?), but I think it’s safe to say adding a couple rounds of ammo here and there isn’t a bad thing.

No need to go out and panic buy, but it’s never bad to have a little put back for a rainy day.
 
No panic buying for me, thank you very much.

I've been slowly buying ammo over the course of a decade. During that time, my opportunities to go to the range have decreased due to family and work commitments. I've got more than enough to weather the next storm (or two).

Couple that with my current supply of bullets, powder, cases and primers and I'm set for quite some time.

Could use a couple more mags for my Ruger MKIV, but that's about it.
 
I just realized i'm out of bottled water, milk with long expiration,....
And we are in middle of Hurricane season. I will pick up few boxes of ammo next time I shop.
 
No telling what the future holds, but gun and ammo, especially ammo prices haven't been this good since circa 2005.

My inbox is full of "specials" on ammo with prices only about 50% higher from those 12 years ago, including stuff that was almost unobtainable four short years ago. Except for the cheapest .22lr which is still about double what it was back then.

I'm retired and mostly enjoying shooting my retirement investment ammo and reloading supplies purchased circa 2005, but I never imagined .22lr being hard to find at decent prices, so I'm stocking up on .22lr and refreshing the stocks of reloading supplies and others I've been shooting the most (9mm, .308, 5.56, and 7.62x39.

If retirement in on your horizon and you plan to do more shooting instead of golfing, now might be a good time up update your portfolio :)
I retired about 6 1/2 years ago. Early on made for long nice days on the range. I have also been around for a few years and been through all sorts of shortages. My ammunition buying habits have never really changed or my buying habits for all my reloading components. When I am out and about if I see what I feel is a good deal on ammunition I buy it and like most here just about everyday my email inbox has offers from someplace selling something.

Retired from a career in electrical engineering my crystal ball is broke and I can't seem to fix it so like most I have no clue what tomorrow may bring. I am not all that worried about it since I am reloading with components I bought during the '90s so haven't even gotten into the "new" stuff yet. When it comes to 22 LR? During the recent shortage I supplied my son and his friends and don't think I put a dent in the small mountain of stuff I have which I actually have replaced and then some. The way I have this figured if I live to be 120 years old there will be ammunition left when I go for friends and family to shoot or sell. I still take advantage of a good sale only because I still have room in the house.

I guess it is just a Que será, será or simply put Whatever will be, will be, The future's not ours to see Que será, será. If I ever get my crystal ball working I will make sure I start a thread and share with all you nice people what the future holds, until then I would stock up as you can. :)

Ron
 
During tha last few panics, ammo was scarce, limited to 2 boxes, disgustingly expensive, and mostly nonexistent stock to be had. I was still lugging an ammo box full of ammo to the range weekly and shooting till I decided to quit with no worries. I keep a good stock of primers on hand, buy powder in 8lb jugs, and have enough lead to cast bullets for a few more years. I did feel bad when I saw guys there shooting their 2 boxes and going home to try and find another 2 boxes. I helped more than a few get into reloading, showed them how to find components, and taught them how to build a stash.

Politics, shortages, and any other ridiculous things happening are irrelevant if you plan ahead and lay in a good stock before it matters. Buy a couple boxes of ammo each payday, maybe a case now and again if your budget allows. Grab an extra pound of powder now and again, some primers too. Help brother Jake out and send him some money for bullets once in a while even if you have a good stock. Just be smart, do it while you can, and the next panic won’t effect you.
 
I,m good for the long haul. Got a brick of .22lr, box of 06, 200 rds .223 and I really went all out and bought two value packs of 100rd 12ga at Wal-Mart.
:D:D:po_O:what::rofl::D:D
 
"Stocking up" is one of the things that causes false shortages.
No, what you are talking about is panic buying. Buying a little extra here and there when the prices are right and funds allow is just smart.

What guns do you like to feed? Like to shoot handguns? Rifles? A favorite caliber? None of the above? Just here to take little shots at others? Have something productive to add?

THR exists to promote responsible gun ownership and share the enjoyment of them with others who are like minded, as well as teach and share with new gun owners. And as such we tend to be strongly pro gun, liberals, conservatives, libertarians, contrarians, you name it, we all try to put aside our political leanings and exist as a very diverse gun community sharing and helping others and fighting the gun control crowd.

That can be hard to do sometimes when we disagree politically, which is why we don't do politics (Or religion). (Thankfully)

So, what guns do you like to shoot? Shoot competitively? Just plink for fun?
 
This is one of those topics where I really don't understand people's thought process.

I remember walking into a gun store the day after Obama was elected. The line was literally to the back of the store and this was a good sized shop.

I remember reading for 8 years that the big three ammunition manufacturers were running 3 shifts, 7 days a week and still couldn't meet demand. I understand that while part of that was due to panic buying and profiteering the end result was still a shortage. I also understand that people are people and given similar circumstances it's all going to happen again.

I got caught really short by the last panic. I also got caught by surprise when Colorado implemented magazine capacity restrictions. Those two events changed my whole mindset regarding guns and I decided that I was never going to get caught short like that again.

I am confident that the magazines I currently own will last the rest of my life. I don't have nearly as much ammunition as I want but I'm fairly well stocked and when the opportunity presents itself I buy more.

As I mentioned earlier I'm convinced that this is all going to happen again and I can not find the words to say how dumb I think it is not to be stocking up right now.
 
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Prices are indeed good now. And I am 100% in agreement with you that a “storm” will return. Maybe with this coming election cycle, maybe further out. But a storm will return. Inflation is a real concern too and with P/E ratios of equities at record levels I am concerned most “investments” will not meet inflation rates in coming time. We increased our starting pay $2/hr to get applicants. I bet next year we raise starting pay (and prices charged to customer) just as much to keep business going - Doing our little part to feed inflation... Eventually that inflation will find its way to the doors of CCI. :p

I’ve been strongly considering switching entirely to 32 caliber handguns due to concerns of a future supply shortage along with other reasons.

Generally I can cast two 32 bullets from one 36 bullet worth of lead. 32 generally use significantly less powder than larger calibers like 38 special. Uses primers at the same rate as larger calibers. ;-) Make that lead and powder go pop atleast twice as much as I otherwise could.

Unfortunately I have a dismal rate of recovery for 32acp brass (Tomcat!!) that is very discouraging. I also find filling and assembling with such skinny brass tedious and unenjoyable despite not having thick fingers. So that undoes a 32 revolver despite 100% brass recovery. Enjoyment is requirement #1.

I intend to stock up on commercial 209 primers and lead shot later this year. A shortage of those would cause me some heartache more so than 22. So I’ll be proactive now. Maybe even stock up on various tungsten & steel shot too incase various agendas seek banning lead beyond the river and water with a potential policy shift in DC.
Iirc the US no longer has specific lead processors or miners due to EPA regulations. I think we recycle most of our lead but if imports were to be restricted...$$$

Also worth noting I recently became aware nitrocellulose (large component of modern smokeless powder) breaks down with time in such a way that causes increased pressure and could self combust so I am weary of stockpiling powder and ammo of large quantities that may not be used in their entirety within a decade or four.
 
I think .22 LR will again be the first caliber to disappear with the next crisis, real or not. I was caught short back in 2012 and had to curtail my shooting of that caliber somewhat but now if it happens, I'll just kick back knowing I have more than enough to get me through it.
As for powder going bad, I'm using Unique and Bullseye from the early 90's that works as it should and shooting surplus 54r, 30.06 and 8mm from the 50's and newer with no problems. Correct storage is the key.

Bill
 
Also worth noting I recently became aware nitrocellulose (large component of modern smokeless powder) breaks down with time in such a way that causes increased pressure and could self combust so I am weary of stockpiling powder and ammo of large quantities that may not be used in their entirety within a decade or four.

I shot nitrocellulose powder that had been in storage for 50+ years in the Army
 
Prices are indeed good now. And I am 100% in agreement with you that a “storm” will return. Maybe with this coming election cycle, maybe further out. But a storm will return. Inflation is a real concern too and with P/E ratios of equities at record levels I am concerned most “investments” will not meet inflation rates in coming time. We increased our starting pay $2/hr to get applicants. I bet next year we raise starting pay (and prices charged to customer) just as much to keep business going - Doing our little part to feed inflation... Eventually that inflation will find its way to the doors of CCI. :p

I’ve been strongly considering switching entirely to 32 caliber handguns due to concerns of a future supply shortage along with other reasons.

Generally I can cast two 32 bullets from one 36 bullet worth of lead. 32 generally use significantly less powder than larger calibers like 38 special. Uses primers at the same rate as larger calibers. ;-) Make that lead and powder go pop atleast twice as much as I otherwise could.

Unfortunately I have a dismal rate of recovery for 32acp brass (Tomcat!!) that is very discouraging. I also find filling and assembling with such skinny brass tedious and unenjoyable despite not having thick fingers. So that undoes a 32 revolver despite 100% brass recovery. Enjoyment is requirement #1.

I intend to stock up on commercial 209 primers and lead shot later this year. A shortage of those would cause me some heartache more so than 22. So I’ll be proactive now. Maybe even stock up on various tungsten & steel shot too incase various agendas seek banning lead beyond the river and water with a potential policy shift in DC.
Iirc the US no longer has specific lead processors or miners due to EPA regulations. I think we recycle most of our lead but if imports were to be restricted...$$$

Also worth noting I recently became aware nitrocellulose (large component of modern smokeless powder) breaks down with time in such a way that causes increased pressure and could self combust so I am weary of stockpiling powder and ammo of large quantities that may not be used in their entirety within a decade or four.

If I was concerned with storage I would focus on what is sealed in cans 9x19, .45ACP (Russian) or in vinyl pouches 9x19, .40S&W, .45ACP (Korean). I read someplace that stinky "semi-smokess" holds up longer so I suppose rodent proof tin can Russian stuff is the way to go. I don't bother because I do not want to tie up money in guns or ammo. I did buy two boxes of Federal Syntech Defense on my last outing.
 
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If I was concerned with storage I would focus on what is sealed in cans 9x19, .45ACP (Russian) or in vinyl pouches 9x19, .40S&W, .45ACP (Korean). I read someplace that stinky "semi-smokess" holds up longer so I suppose rodent proof tin can Russian stuff is the way to go. I don't bother because I do not want to tie up money in guns or ammo. I did buy two boxes of Federal Syntech Defense on my last outing.

Ammo in plain cardboard boxes will last for decades. I have shot 50 yr old ammo without problems.
 
I’ve been strongly considering switching entirely to 32 caliber handguns due to concerns of a future supply shortage along with other reasons.
Berrys stopped making my favorite .32 bullet when the craziness first started, the 83 Gr HBWC (Also stopped making the 83 Gr DEWC), and have never started back. All the bullet makers stopped making some things and concentrated on the most popular bullets they were behind on the most. Most things are back in production, but I wonder what other not so mainstream bullets were never started up again across all the makers.
 
This might be on the edge of political but I don't think the Statists are as stupid as they present themselves. I think they're aware that there are a lot of well armed people out here in fly-over America who don't like them and who have no intention of beating their swords into plowshares.

I think our little eight year buying spree scared the Hell out of them and I hope it gave them pause.
 
Also, beware of which types/brands of .22LR you Already stored over several years.

This wasn't an issue with my .22 rifles, but this first .22 handgun (M&P) was bought After storing a good bit of .22 ammo. Too bad almost all of it is the substandard Federal 'blue box' and Automatch...
 
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