Ammo shortage?

[Yojimbo]

For those members here who are also gun-owners: Has anyone else heard anything about a supposed shortage of centerfire ammo? A friend of mine in Law Enforcement said that there is a run on .308 & .223? Apparently there are folks out there in a panic pre-ordering pallets of this stuff. My cop friend said that it is happening all over, and that police departments too are upping their orders of .308, .223 & 9mm. Looked on web, found a little info from a few conspiracy types (who I don't really consider a reliable source of info) so thought that I would ask the board.

Since it's been a long time since I went out shooting, and hence have not been out to restock my ammo supply, I am wondering if any of our gun-owner members have had any difficulty getting ammo recently?

[FoodFight]

Yes indeed. There has been a lot of panic buying of both ammo and firearms since, oh, early November of last year. Also, reloading components are scarce, especially for many of the most popular calibers.

[Exatreides]

Yeah, the 7.62x54 and 5.56 rounds I normally I buy have been short or gone. Right wing nutters out there think the dems will "dey tok ur guns." sorta thing.

Not that big of a problem, local place said they get a new order in on the first. They also agree that it's just people afraid, and that it'll pass. And thats coming from life time NRA members.

Slightly nutters them selves for that.

[Skippy911sc]

I have heard this around as well...I have not had any problem getting my hands on ammo...don't see the big fuss. If there is a problem, learn to reload...problem solved.

[Yojimbo]

I have heard this around as well...I have not had any problem getting my hands on ammo...don't see the big fuss. If there is a problem, learn to reload...problem solved.
Been shooting since I was seven, but never took the plunge and learned to reload. Might as well get a start now, though, not just because of this supposed "shortage" but it really seems like a pretty cool hobby to get into. I've been meaning to learn this skill for quite a while, and should have learned to do this years ago.

[strayrider]

Been shooting since I was seven, but never took the plunge and learned to reload. Might as well get a start now, though, not just because of this supposed "shortage" but it really seems like a pretty cool hobby to get into. I've been meaning to learn this skill for quite a while, and should have learned to do this years ago.

Yes, it is a very satisfying hobby. I've been reloading my own ammo for years now. Currently working on prepping around 1100 rounds of .223.

Great hobby, give it a whirl.

:D

-stray-

[darth los]

The real question is, WHY is there a shortage?


Ya think Big Brother is slowly trying to disarm us?





:cool:

[AcesandEights]

Which one of you guys cornered the market on all the ammo?

[darth los]

Which one of you guys cornered the market on all the ammo?


It must be kHARDIS now that he has no other outlet for his frustration. :p





:cool:

[AcesandEights]

It must be kHARDIS now that he has no other outlet for his frustration. :p

:lol: We certainly get our mileage out of Khardis jokes, never gets old for some reason.

:)

[Mike70]

:lol: We certainly get our mileage out of Khardis jokes, never gets old for some reason.

:)

no, khardis jokes never do get old.

in addition to hoarding ammo, he's probably spending his quality time feverishly masturbating to soldier of fortune and hoping for his chance to show those commie bastards what for. he also is into raising bonsai trees and petting koalas to show his sensitive side.

[strayrider]

Maybe we should just start a dedicated Khardis thread ... maybe make it a "sticky". Here we could post our fondest memories of him, some of our favorite Khardis quotes, etc. This guy has become almost a legend on these boards.

http://forum.homepageofthedead.com/image.php?u=701&dateline=1158259481
"Some people pack up on bottled water toilet paper and tins of soup. I stocked up on ammo, guns and items to make explosives. I can justify theft and murder by my own hands in a post apoc world by the simple fact that the government and civilization will have broken down and its now a survival of the fittest. If you think someone like me is going to go hungry while someone hordes their food supplies, you are grossly mistaken I will take what he has wether he wants to give it or not. THAT is how the world will operate under those circumstances. Right, wrong, moral, immoral or not is all up for grabs." -- Khardis, 6 AUG 2008.

:D

-stray-

ps-- On topic update:

Went to the local gun show this morning and found no shortage of ammo (.223, 5.56, 7.62x39, and .308). It was all available ... at a price, roughly twice the norm.

I'm really glad that I took up reloading several years ago. I purchased 500 brass casings, 500 230-gr RN bullets and 1000 large pistol primers for .45ACP at $125. Factory loads for the same would have ran around $300.

I did notice a shortage of .308 and 7.62x39 brass though, but plenty of bullets and primers for both. .223 and 5.56 brass were also in abundance ($60 for 400 -- I have better luck getting mine for free at the range. Plus, I have 1100 or 1200 once fired brass already on hand and 900 or so 55gr .223 bullets, primers, etc) ... enough components to keep me loading for several months. :D

Oh yeah, also picked up a 75 round battle pack of British Radway Green .308 for about $50. It is berdan primed so I won't be able to reload it (easily, that is), but I like to keep a little of everything on hand and the Brit ammo is of high quality.

I also noticed that a few dealers were already beginning to mark down the price of their ammo now that the buying "surge" has peaked and beginning to decline.

Molon Labe! :p

-stray-

[Skippy911sc]

I got on the price hike band wagon early and sold off 2 ARs a month or 2 ago. Sold for more than I paid and I shot more than 1000 rounds through each. Of course I kept one for the SHTF moments. :D

[Wooley]

Ammo has been climbing in price for years now, as well as getting scarce. I've got a issue of Shotgun News from '04 that had Wolf .223 for $105/1000. It's going for $230+/1000 now.

Lots of it has to do with China and India's massive industrialization and their consumption of metals, along with the fact that the surplus has finally started drying up, the increase in military and police demand (lots of police agencies issuing patrol carbines, means a need for training, qualification and duty ammo), plus "Hurr derr! The Obacalypse is here! Buy! Buy! Buy!" and fears of economic meltdown leading to riots/increase in crime/flat out SHTF.

I haven't been shooting in years, a combo of no time and no place to shoot, plus not wanting to spend the $ to replace what I shot, so I've not had the price increase pinch me yet, plus I've got a .22 conversion kit for my 1911, and AR-15, I bought a Lee reloader kit to reload .38s for my .357 Model 19, and I never shot my Mini-14 or Remington 700 all that much. I'm thinking of getting another Lee kit for the .30-06. Shotgun shells are still fairly cheap, I hear, so maybe I'll get into trap/skeet.

[strayrider]

I haven't been shooting in years, a combo of no time and no place to shoot,

Blasphemy! I had figured you, of all people, would be banging away at least a couple of times a month. Get out there and find a place to shoot!

I took my 1911 to an indoor range today and put 60 rounds through it. 10 of these were a new hand load that I needed to test for function before "mass producing" (light charge, shot okay but kinda low at 25-yards, need to up the charge a bit and retest) and 50 American Eagle .45ACP (HOT factory load for my pistol, lot of muzzle flash, burned dirty, won't use again).

Lately, I've been concentrating on weak hand shooting (that is, I'm right-handed, but I've been shooting with my left hand ... first few rounds were "wild" but once I got a feel for it, I was able to keep most shots within a 9" circle at right around 5-yards, more than adequate for indoor, home-defense shooting).

This particular range has changed hands several times over the years, and had been closed for the last 8, but they're open again under new management.

http://www.miamivalleyshootinggrounds.com/

Certainly, there must be something similar in your area.

http://www.reloadbench.com/ubb/smilies/icon-67.gif

-stray-

[Crappingbear]

Blasphemy! I had figured you, of all people, would be banging away at least a couple of times a month. Get out there and find a place to shoot!

I took my 1911 to an indoor range today and put 60 rounds through it. 10 of these were a new hand load that I needed to test for function before "mass producing" (light charge, shot okay but kinda low at 25-yards, need to up the charge a bit and retest) and 50 American Eagle .45ACP (HOT factory load for my pistol, lot of muzzle flash, burned dirty, won't use again).

Lately, I've been concentrating on weak hand shooting (that is, I'm right-handed, but I've been shooting with my left hand ... first few rounds were "wild" but once I got a feel for it, I was able to keep most shots within a 9" circle at right around 5-yards, more than adequate for indoor, home-defense shooting).

This particular range has changed hands several times over the years, and had been closed for the last 8, but they're open again under new management.

http://www.miamivalleyshootinggrounds.com/

Certainly, there must be something similar in your area.

http://www.reloadbench.com/ubb/smilies/icon-67.gif

-stray-


I know this might be blashemy to the auto junkies but Im wanting a brace (2 for you kids) of 1836 Navy revolvers in metallic cartridge conversion models. I shoot better with old west iron than modern crap anyway so might as well get a couple nice ones. I'd rather have a Remington rolling block .50 than a Barrett anyways. Gotta have Vermeer rear sights, heavy octagonal barrel, gold dot front sight and quilted maple stocks. Yeah....thats how I roll.

[MaximusIncredulous]

I know this might be blashemy to the auto junkies but Im wanting a brace (2 for you kids) of 1836 Navy revolvers in metallic cartridge conversion models.

1836 Navy? Never heard of it, love to see a pic if there is one. Did you mean an 1851 Navy or the Patersons?

[Crappingbear]

1836 Navy? Never heard of it, love to see a pic if there is one. Did you mean an 1851 Navy or the Patersons?


Ok, had a few sunday beers over the bbq pit so you have me doubting myself. But, clouded vision still tells me I'm up on it. Not talking about the big Navies or the Patersons. Essentially, as I recall, the Navies were the platform most often used to do cartridge conversions to metallic cartridges.

Allright, how about a couple of these with an aged finish tucked into the belt shash. http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Conversions/51R-MConvOpener.htm

[MaximusIncredulous]

Ok, had a few sunday beers over the bbq pit so you have me doubting myself. But, clouded vision still tells me I'm up on it. Not talking about the big Navies or the Patersons. Essentially, as I recall, the Navies were the platform most often used to do cartridge conversions to metallic cartridges.

Allright, how about a couple of these with an aged finish tucked into the belt shash. http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Conversions/51R-MConvOpener.htm

Yeah those are nice :D. Uberti has also jumped into the replica conversion game:

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/army_navy_conversion_and_open_top.php

There was a book that dealt specifically with percussion conversions:

http://www.amazon.com/Study-Conversions-Other-Percussion-Revolvers/dp/0873414462/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238445623&sr=1-1

but it looks like it's out of print.

The whole Army/Navy thing was really more of an ammo description than anything else, .36 being Navy, .44 being Army with the gunmakers just slapping that designation to their pistol makes.

Both calibers were popular for conversions but unfortunately I don't have any numbers as to which caliber really was THE most converted.

[Wooley]

Blasphemy! I had figured you, of all people, would be banging away at least a couple of times a month. Get out there and find a place to shoot!

Certainly, there must be something similar in your area.

-stray-

Yeah, the guns haven't seen action on the range in a few years. But I've gotten some trigger time doing a shooter's event each year. And I dry fire quite regularly. I've also given thought to shooting my pellet rifle in the garage, with a proper trap.

I am working on finding a place to shoot. Wouldn't have been a problem a few years ago, when my parents still lived on our 5 acre hobby farm in a rural area.

As it is, my choices are either public ranges, which tend to be indoor, short range affairs (50 yards or so), and a bit of a drive (and I want to start learning advanced marksmanship techniques. I got John Plaster's Ultimate Sniper: An Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers this Christmas and want to try some of the techniques like reading the wind, mirages, and the like.) or private ranges that suffer from both high membership fees, and long drives.

There are a few bright spots nearby, and I'm working getting some info. I'm also looking into various competitions too. Silhouette shooting, high power, and small bore so far look pretty interesting to me.

[strayrider]

I got John Plaster's Ultimate Sniper: An Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers this Christmas and want to try some of the techniques like reading the wind, mirages, and the like.) or private ranges that suffer from both high membership fees, and long drives.

I'd love to do some long range shooting myself, but the only gun club in my area with a 200-yard range wants $250 a year membership dues + sponsorship from a current member. I have a sponsor. Could you loan me $250?

:D

-stray-

[Eyebiter]

I'd love to do some long range shooting myself, but the only gun club in my area with a 200-yard range wants $250 a year membership dues + sponsorship from a current member. I have a sponsor. Could you loan me $250?

:D

-stray-

Make ten donations to the local plasma clinic. Most places let you donate twice a week. If you start this week could be a member by mid May.

[Yojimbo]

Make ten donations to the local plasma clinic. Most places let you donate twice a week. If you start this week could be a member by mid May.

I know you were joking, but do blood banks still pay in your state? They don't in California as far as I know. But you can still get at least $100.00 if you will your body to science so that students can dissect you when you are gone, if you are hard up enough or really need to make that range fee. :skull:

EDIT: I spoke too soon, and apparently was misinformed about getting money for donating your body since I did a quick online search and learned that they no longer pay (at least in CA) for donations of this sort. Sorry for the misinformation!

[Eyebiter]

Been a few years, recall most blood plasma places would pay $20 for the first donation and $30 for the second donation in a single week. So an extra $200 a month. Could be more now days depends on where you live. Know a guy in college who used blood money exclusively to pay for his ammo.

[Yojimbo]

Been a few years, recall most blood plasma places would pay $20 for the first donation and $30 for the second donation in a single week. So an extra $200 a month. Could be more now days depends on where you live. Know a guy in college who used blood money exclusively to pay for his ammo.
Not a bad amount of extra income there if you can handle two pints every week!

[SRP76]

Not a bad amount of extra income there if you can handle two pints every week!

Not the same thing. Donating plasma only, not donating whole blood. It involves being hooked up to a machine that draws your blood, separates the plasma out of it, and then returns your blood cells to you.

[Yojimbo]

Not the same thing. Donating plasma only, not donating whole blood. It involves being hooked up to a machine that draws your blood, separates the plasma out of it, and then returns your blood cells to you.
You are right, brother, it is totally true that this is a different thing than donating whole blood. Thinking about it, I remember when I donated last and how weird it felt when they returned the fluid cells back into my veins!

[FoodFight]

I used to donate a lot when I was in college and the returning solution, which contains an anticoagulant, always gave me an odd sensation. They won't accept my plasma anymore because...get this...they're afraid that I may carry Mad Cow Disease. Ya gotta love the FDA.

[Yojimbo]

I used to donate a lot when I was in college and the returning solution, which contains an anticoagulant, always gave me an odd sensation. They won't accept my plasma anymore because...get this...they're afraid that I may carry Mad Cow Disease. Ya gotta love the FDA.
Odd sensation is exactly it. And getting a little dizzy after walking up a flight of stairs, spending the rest of the day feeling a little buzzed.

Mad Cow Disease? That is classic, brother!

[Wooley]

I've thought about donating plasma since I attend classes not far from a plasma donation center. It's either $35 or $40 a donation now from them. But both times I've been there they weren't taking anymore donations for the day.

Which sucks because with a Saturday and a Monday class, I could have an easy couple hundred bucks a month, which would pay range fees, ammo, and put together a precision rifle, because I want to be like that STARS guy from the second RE movie, or Andy from the Dawn remake and take on the coming reanimate hordes from a distance in complete safety.

Or just be able to brag about the ability to make accurate 500+ yard shots on targets.