Posted on 08/29/2014 2:46:29 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
It happens daily. Still. I get calls and e-mails asking where all the ammo is. Except it is not “all” ammo anymore. For the record, there is no conspiracy. There is no secret government contract. It’s not Bloomberg or Soros (even though their actions and pronouncements often increase demand. Ironic, huh?).
The major domestic ammunition makers have been producing more ammunition than ever. They are all up in terms of total production—double, and in some areas, triple-digit increases. They are all running three shifts. And when it comes to center-fire cartridges, at least of three of the big makers are caught up and beginning to load either new products, line extensions or specialty loads. Previously, lower-demand chambering or atypical bullet weights or styles were shelved due the time it took to change over the tooling. Now, on the center-fire side, anyway, the manufacturers can start to really catch up to demand and get to cartridge producing they have not loaded in two years.
But not on rimfire. Affordable .22 Long Rifle in particular remains like a Bigfoot sighting. Despite running three shifts—I recently talked with Federal Premium’s Tim Brandt specifically about this—rimfire capacity is at its maximum at the Federal Premium Anoka, Minn., and CCI, Lewiston, Idaho, plants. The other rimfire makers in the United States (and some overseas) tell me the same thing. Maximum production is coming out of all them. And it is not enough. Demand for .22 Long Rifle still exceeds production capacity.
The problem with rimfire production is that adding capacity is incredibly expensive and not easy. The machines are very spendy and cannot just be ordered out of catalog. And then you have to train the workforce, too, after the tooling is in and the plant built....
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
I ended up buying a 9mm carbine and dies. Now about finding pistol powder.....
Hey I live in the sticks. People five years ago were shooting all the time. Ammo was everywhere and cheap. No gun range needed just walk outside in the yard. Today? Nothing. My neighbor about once a week puts out about six rounds practice that’s it. One guy five years ago was firing multi caliber rounds all day long almost non stop. I know because I was trying to deer hunt and he owned land about a quarter mile away. He too even though he reloads cut back substantially.
I saw 2 boxes 100 rounds each at Walmart last week very early in the morning. Remington standard velocity. I bought a 100 round box, left the second box for others.
Walmart likely runs out fast for the simple reason they likely only order small amounts to start with. Whether it's ammo or tooth paste Walmart keeps limited on hand inventory. They don't care if they can make more money. The ones in Bentonville who control how much of any item any of their stores or warehouses can have on hand operate on an On Time Inventory System. They are their own worse enemy. They would rather keep minimal items in stock and low inventory cost than have more sales keeping items fully stocked. They went to that type of system about five or so years ago. In my local Wally World they didn't have motor oil for several weeks one time.
I think it’s Jonesboro now, Newnan coming, or something like that.
One in McDon and a new one opening in Newnan in the future.. might have to check them out... McD is pretty far.
Customers are buying it.
.22 is, relative to other ammo, _cheap_. I may balk at getting 1000 rounds of 5.56 (whadayamean it’s $0.50-$1/round?!?!?), I’d still think nothing of picking up 1000 rounds of .22 - _if_ I happen to see it. It’s the new plinking round, cheap to run thru the AR15 when I just feel like putting holes in paper.
As such, between relative affordability and increased demand, supply is overwhelmed by demand, and as the lead article notes it’s real expensive to increase supply with no guarantee of long enough demand to amortize that expense properly.
Why would the government care about siphoning .22 off? It’s not a strategically important round, they don’t use much of it, and denying it to the public won’t have significant sociopolitical effect.
BTW: the notion that the gov’t is buying up ammo to keep it out of civilian hands is like the notion that the FDA is trying to solve obesity by buying up potato chips.
Am fine for years
I caught a sale on Cabela's back in early 2008. They had the bulk 525 round boxes of Federal hollow points for about $9 per box on sale PLUS if you bought over $100 of stuff you paid $5 shipping, AND for every four boxes you got a free ammo box.
I bought 24 boxes so now I have not had to worry about my 22LR supply.
I personally know the night manager at my local Walmart and he is in charge of the shipments. In this store any employee caught reselling the ammo is fired instantly. Also, they are not allowed to empty the shelves of ammo, especially 22LR. They are more strictly limited to purchase quantity than the customers.
The management is strict.
Have you been to the new Grand Rapids Cabela's? I was there two weeks after it opened as my Mom passed away at Butterworth Hospital.
Since they had just opened they had everything on the shelves except 22LR. I even got to buy a box of 38 Specials but was quite disappointed in the overall store. I am so used to stopping at the huge Dundee store.
Good job. Compliments in thinking ahead.
My strategy is to buy anything I can find reasonably priced.
When the supply dries up with govt restrictions years from now, one can trade for the caliber one needs.
Marketplace in action.
That’s about the right price - I’ve seen it much higher, like 10 cents + per round.
Same here. A friend of ours goes to Walmart every Sunday morning and sometimes he can pick up a box of .22 LR - sometimes not. You have to be there Sunday morning at 8 am when they unload it IF they get it that week. Then of course, it's rationed to I believe he can get 2 boxes.
There was an article that stated it was as cheap or cheaper to reload 9mm than use bought .22!! Thats just crazy!
I do reload .45 and the cost has gone way down. Although i see most ammo is back in stock... minus 22 of course.
Yes you can buy it online with no problem. Its kind of pricey but you can buy bulk.
When was the last time a Potato Chip was used as ammo for a weapon to preserve freedom or self defense? The answer as to Why would the government want .22 greatly limited is posted in this thread many times. Do they really want you to practice? Well do they? Again I say I am not stepping outside the door and even hearing .22 rounds going off anymore. It's close to hunting season and around here lots of persons hunt on their land.
Good grief if .22 rounds had been flying out the doors just to private sector consumers purchases then you'd be hearing the shots and everyone buying if not shooting would be very well stocked now. The bottom would fall out of the private sector hoarding now simply because of undercutting. It's not happening and simple hoarding isn't the reason unless that one hoarder has unlimited funding and storage. Who has unlimited funding and storage? Who placed the unprecedented ammo order on other caliber rounds to get the ball rolling?
I was able to locate some via internet bulk purchase, but I will surely need to check my credit card balance before ordering!!!
That’s exactly the rhetoric we heard about ammo in general not long ago. Now most of it is back to (basically) normal (save for elevated prices); the by-far cheapest, and largest volume, will take a little longer.
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