Ammunition shortages.. the long view

[ras_oscar]

So, we are coming out of the most recent ammo shortage. I have seen full shelves at more than one retail outlet.

Question: I am a recent arrival in the shooting sports. Is this shortage a one time thing or has it happened before? What in the past has triggered shortages? Trying to polish my crystal ball and not get caught short next time.

 

[Mooseman]

This is not the first ammo shortage and it won't be the last. Stack your ammo cabinet deep.

 

[Mr H]

These "shortages" in recent years are, IMO, borne more of panic and fear, than any one big physical factor. Whether it was the 2008 election, the 2012/13 push for bans, or whatever other issues, people began hoarding.

I see now where retailers seem to have recovered and now stock a real variety (though .22LR for some reason still seems a unicorn).

Should there be any new "threat", look for it to start again.

In the meantime, shoot one box, buy 2 has always worked for me...

 

[Kman]

This is not the first ammo shortage and it won't be the last. Stack your ammo cabinet deep.

 

[Semper Noctem]

Exactly what mooseman said this is not the first ammo shortage and it will not be the last. Anything from a school shooting, to a terror attack, to a ramp up in military operations could lead to an ammo shortage. My advice: stack it cheap, and stack it deep. Buy a little bit here and there, or buy all at once - whatever your finances permit.

I bought 2 cases of XM-193 two weeks before the Sandy Hook shooting for $250.00 a case delivered. The week after the shooting, cases were going for $1000.00 (when you could find them at all). I was very fortunate.

 

[Half-cocked]

Other that .22, I'm pretty sure the "shortage" is way over.

The ammo case at the WalMart near me is literally packed full - not an empty spot in the whole cabinet.

 

[Semper Noctem]

I see now where retailers seem to have recovered and now stock a real variety (though .22LR for some reason still seems a unicorn).

Interestingly enough, my dad in Florida says .22 has become pretty common, and easy to find.

I still can't find any here in Virginia, and I imagine it's the same in Maryland.

 

[Mr H]

Other that .22, I'm pretty sure the "shortage" is way over.

The ammo case at the WalMart near me is literally packed full - not an empty spot in the whole cabinet.

Bass Pro now has a good selection out in the open.

Granted, it's only half an aisle, but it's something.

 

[FFJim]

I was happy to see 22LR at a gun show last weekend. CCI SV bricks for $45. At .09 per round that is not too bad. The really surprising part was that there was still some there on Sunday.

 

[protegeV]

Other that .22, I'm pretty sure the "shortage" is way over.

The ammo case at the WalMart near me is literally packed full - not an empty spot in the whole cabinet.

So what you're saying is they don't even have a SPOT for the 22?

 

[Mooseman]

So what you're saying is they don't even have a SPOT for the 22?

My local Walmart does not have a "spot" for anything. They fill the cabinet with what they have. You may find the same exact ammo in a couple of different spots at the same time. When they do not have enough ammo to fill the cabinet, the will put game cameras, more expensive fishing reels, knives, scopes, etc. in there to fill the space.

 

[Traveler]

Bread, milk, toilet paper for snow.

Ammo for the threat of possible ammo taxes or limitations.

Artificially created hoarding shortages. Learn to reload, or stack it deep so you don't have to overpay. I hope the gougers on 22 LR get theirs.

 

[kenpo333]

I still think that it is a good idea to get a storage of your own in calibers that you think might not be able to do without. When the prices go up and they will then you will be glad you did.

 

[K31]

Is this shortage a one time thing or has it happened before? What in the past has triggered shortages?

Butterfly farts.

Seriously, firearms owners will believe any rumor, started by anyone, at any time as an excuse to start hoarding.

 

[kenpo333]

Butterfly farts.

Seriously, firearms owners will believe any rumor, started by anyone, at any time as an excuse to start hoarding.

Amen. Am I allowed to say that now?

 

[Traveler]

Butterfly farts.

Seriously, firearms owners will believe any rumor, started by anyone, at any time as an excuse to start hoarding.

Are you implying there are many tin foil hat wearers, and hoarding douche-waffles here?

 

[protegeV]

My local Walmart does not have a "spot" for anything. They fill the cabinet with what they have. You may find the same exact ammo in a couple of different spots at the same time. When they do not have enough ammo to fill the cabinet, the will put game cameras, more expensive fishing reels, knives, scopes, etc. in there to fill the space.

gotcha. Most of the ones around here have a price tag in each space for each caliber, brand, etc in order. 22 is usually near the top left of the cabinet and almost always empty :

 

[Tactics]

Butterfly farts.



Seriously, firearms owners will believe any rumor, started by anyone, at any time as an excuse to start hoarding.

Great post.

 

[Pretoria78]

This is not the first ammo shortage and it won't be the last. Stack your ammo cabinet deep.

I'm stocking up on reloading components as well.

 

[Mooseman]

I'm stocking up on reloading components as well.

That is also a good plan.