Posted on 11/05/2009 5:56:30 AM PST by Sasparilla
A record setting 12 billion rounds of ammunition have been bought by Americans in the last 12 month That's up two to five billion over a normal year.
With a U.S. population estimated at 305 million at the beginning of 2009, the ammo sales in the last year amount to almost two 20 round boxes for every man, woman, and child in America...
There are a lot of reasons why ammunition sales are high. Some are economic reasons, and some are government related. In addition to two wars going on, there's target shooting, hunting, and Law Enforcement use where department's orders have increased 40% this year. And, yes, even some people who are stock piling ammo.
The U.S. Government has a lock on priority as first in line for ammunition purchases. All ammunition government contractors must provide for the military first. With two wars going on, that calls for lots of government purchased .308, .223, and 9mm.
Ammo sales have been good for commercial manufacturer's bottom lines. In addition to sales to the public, commercial manufacturer have government ammo contracts that take ammo out of the commercial market. Winchester reported a 2009 3rd quarter profit of $23 million, up from $9.8 million in 2008.
Commercial manufacturers are running 24/7 to try to keep up. Many people have been added to the payroll. These are verifiable jobs "saved" or "created" by Obama. Americans should give him credit for job growth here. David Axelrod would be proud.
There are pure economic reasons to buy too. The supply is low, and the demand is high, and the prices are rising proportionally. The cost of metals used in ammunition and other components are going up.
Some approximate examples from the surplus market are: for 7.62X39... the old price was...
(Excerpt) Read more at secondamendmentfreedom.blogspot.com ...
Why buy gold? Can’t protect your assets as well as a 12 gauge.
Now that’s what I call a “good start.”
My thinking exactly. If it all gets ugly I want tools that can do something for me. Gold does not qualify.
Ammunition works better for currency than gold, anyway.
Sure, gold has “intrinsic value”. But ammo has even MORE “intrinsic value” in that you can defend yourself and kill food with it.
Not enough.
My only mistake was not seeing the .380 prices go out of sight and out of stock.
Crap! I missed out on that one!
I wish I had the space to set up some reloading equipment where I live now, but that’s not an option. Besides, last time I was looking over at Cabela’s, even the reloading supplies were pretty slim pickings...
Exactly.
Come bad times a gun & ammo would be worth their weight in gold - if you could find somebody who would sell them.
I’m over supplied.
No such thing.
That's hardly a start.
that’s just commercial ammo. doesn’t even begin to touch how much us reloaders go thru. i’ve loaded at least 5,000 rounds for myself this year- and this is a *really* light year for me.
Glad to have contributed.
The truth is that many, many of us have never been more ready to take to the field than today. My 72 hour combat kit is always at hand.
From zero .40 S&W at either store to more than 2 dozen on display at one, and about 4 to 6 at the other (one store - the one that sells long guns - always has better ammo stock than the other - which only sells ammunition, no guns).
Ah... So that’s where all my Winchester small rifle primers went.
Thanks for the reminder, I need to buy some more ammo.
I wonder if ammo will ever be on the shelves in good supply ever again?
Got a weatherby 30-378 last month, reaches right out there too. Looking for an M1 30-06 dressed up some. New the 308's are around 3 gran for supermatch. I see used ones in 06 for 1200 to 1800 on computer lists. In Alaska, people still hunt moose with M1's, but they are older beat up rifles. I wonder which is the best M1 to get;;; any idears from you guys?
Like your tagline! I’ve been burning through my cheap Russian ammo and replacing it as fast as I can with much better domestic stuff - and practice makes ‘better’ though never perfect. Stockpiled ammo is of no use if you don’t get to the range regularly - unless you’re planning on selling or bartering with it.
The currency of the future IMHO. Gold, lead and chickens.
Gold would be the liquid asset that you would want to protect, wouldn’t it? Gold may be one of the few things that could be used as currency when/if things get really bad. I would want both...unfortunately I can’t afford much gold, but I can afford some guns. They’re a lot more fun anyway.
I can’t remember where I heard about it but it was suggested that the gubmint was buying up a lot of ammo to keep the supply low and out of the people’s hands. Maybe it’s just a tinfoil hat alert.
I probably have more than I need but not as much as I want...
Two boxes per person AIN’T enough. Keep buyin’. We may well need it.
Well, since we're a government by the people, for the people and of the people, and people are buying lots of ammo, this makes sense, except for the keeping ammo out of the people's hands part.
:^)
I have about 600 rounds of .380 left. I’ve been thinking of divesting myself of all of it and the pistol too.
Why buy gold? Can’t protect your assets as well as a 12 gauge.
Ammo, like food, helps YOU survive a crisis. Gold helps your WEALTH survive the crisis.
Well, I am holding up my end. Supply in my area of Western PA has started to pick up, but it still sells really quick. I, too, am buying ammo for several guns I have yet to purchase because the supply could just as easily dry up again. Can’t get too much.
ping for later
Increased Sales of Ammunition & Guns = More Jobs!
Thank you, Obama!
You probably heard it here.
Having it makes it less likely you’ll need it.
I need more, always.
I must be a pig. Bought more than my fair share of two.
Get thee to an Appleseed event! If you haven’t already. It’ll be the best weekend you’ve spent in a while. History, cameraderie, adn marksmanship.
Plus, you can got to the Appleseed.org website at any time and purchase the quick ‘n dirty AQT targets. Work it, work it, work it. A rifleman persists.
I do a lot of business with Bud's in Kentucky. I have sold them guns and bought from them. Lowest prices around and the price includes shipping to your FFL! I'm about to buy a Springfield Armory XD 45 compact. The price quoted me by Bud's is $100 less than the BEST price I could find anywhere else, including through a friend that is an FFL.
Well, I buy more long-gun ammo than that in a month.
If I lived in another state, I’d buy a handgun and a crate load of ammo a week.
Just to tick off liberals.
Ammo provides every thing you want.
CMP is still selling them for under 500 for rack-grade (if you want a fixer-upper) or 600 for a service-grade.
Why pay more than you need to?
Sounds like a real stimulus for ammo makers and their employees.
“Law Enforcement use where department’s orders have increased 40% this year”
Hmmm, wonder if they’re expecting something big?
I have both gold and lotsa ammo... ;)
Last year when the run on guns and ammo began, a local talk show host asked people if they were hoarding guns, food, or gold. Someone called in and said that if they had a gun, they could get the rest.
First time yesterday that I was able to buy a bulk supply of .380 ACP FMJ from online Cabelas in about a 10 months.
Is that ALL?!!!
Better go out and buy a few more CASES (especially .22 rimfire, .45, 5.56, and 7.62) to get that average up.
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