Hoarding ammo?

[BerniePA]

Well it is a new gun, so I want to fire it a couple hundred times to make sure everything is good.

Well, see -- there you go, in the case of a new gun, it's a wise thing to know what is happening with it --- goes right long with the "a man's got to know his limitations", if you don't know it will do what you want it to, when you want it to............

[BerniePA]

Most calibers are obtainable, (although I only shoot .45 & 5.56mm).

What I can't get is any variation of Glazers (blue or grey tips, in .45)

I live outside NYC, so I'm not involved with the "NYPD pistol gestapo".

BTW, if anyone is interested, I've got about 1,000 rounds of .45 auto brass and will part with them for free, just pay postage.

Bruce (no Avatar yet)

Well, how about that, I happen to have a bunch of homeless .45 heads that need homes. I'll send a PM to you, Bruce. Maybe we can find homes for them.

[lago]

Even if you reload, it is difficult to find all the components. I have 3 or 4 websites that I order from and all are out of stock of most everything I need(want).

Ken

[Bruce Cohen]

On a more serious note, does anyone know why ammo is so scarce?

Bruce

[shoottx]

On a more serious note, does anyone know why ammo is so scarce?

Bruce

Since we are keeping this non political, let's just say the current political, economic and social agenda's have people concerned. That concern has translated into self protection activities such as collecting extra guns and ammunition (in large quantities).

Or there is the scientific answer
Every month since November the sale of firearms nationally has been up of 25%. So all of these new owners are buying ammunition to practice and improve their proficiency.

Hope that helps.

[cgallery]

Since we are keeping this non political, let's just say the current political, economic and social agenda's have people concerned. That concern has translated into self protection activities such as collecting extra guns and ammunition (in large quantities).

Or there is the scientific answer
Every month since November the sale of firearms nationally has been up of 25%. So all of these new owners are buying ammunition to practice and improve their proficiency.

Hope that helps.

Due to the prolonged shortage, some police departments actually were caught short, and now nearly all departments are stockpiling whatever they can.

[RAFlorida]

Has anyone ever heard of the time limit

factor of ammo? Several times I've heard, (by rumor only) that ammo has a shelf life of less than 2 years. After that length of time, the ammo becomes duds. Or so they say.
I've over 1K of 7.62, 380, etc., and it's all over 5 years old and still fires properly. Just wondering about the so-called shelf life.

[cgallery]

factor of ammo? Several times I've heard, (by rumor only) that ammo has a shelf life of less than 2 years. After that length of time, the ammo becomes duds. Or so they say.
I've over 1K of 7.62, 380, etc., and it's all over 5 years old and still fires properly. Just wondering about the so-called shelf life.

I had a very experienced ammo expert tell me just yesterday that ammo stored inside in a cool/dry location has a nearly unlimited shelf life. WWII ammo, properly stored, is still good.

[steve-u]

Here in Chicago area it is getting hard to find plain old practice ammo for 9MM, .40, and .45.
Local Walmarts I have gone to are totally wiped out. Compounding the problem is that less and less places sell ammo. I used to be able to buy handgun ammo at Sports Authority and Sports Mart a while back but no more. Around here .40 and particualry .45 has almost doubled in price from what it was a year or so ago. I was at the local gun store over the weekend and one of the employees there was telling us that Winchester is trying to fill a backlog of several million rounds. Another motivation to "stock up" is that may states are planning ammo taxes like .10 a round or more and even considering requiring that brass casings being etched with serial numbers/identifiers which I am sure would substantionally raise the cost of ammo if ever implented and make life very difficult for shooters as you would certainly want to keep track of every shell as they could be tracked back to you.

[steve-u]

I have shot .22 rimfire ammo that I had since I was in my teens [I am 57 now] without a problem. However if I was police/FBI/etc I would make it a habit of keeping fairly fresh ammo in the magazine of my firearm and use older stuff for target practice.

[messmaker]

Ammo shortage is showing up here as well. I stopped at 3 different stores before I got what I needed. I am not sure what is up. The dealers I talked to said they are having a hard time getting handguns as well. They said they get 1/2 or less of what they order.

[John Hunter]

I reload and since I shoot a lot I stock up on components and buy in large quantities so I always have plenty of ammo.

[Black wallnut]

factor of ammo? Several times I've heard, (by rumor only) that ammo has a shelf life of less than 2 years. After that length of time, the ammo becomes duds. Or so they say.
I've over 1K of 7.62, 380, etc., and it's all over 5 years old and still fires properly. Just wondering about the so-called shelf life.

Ammunition life span depends on storage conditions. The primers will detonate decades later as long as they have been kept dry and free from oils. Smokeless powder degrades with age, heat, and the exposure to oxygen. So even if it fires it may or may not perform as it once did. It really matters how it has been stored. Cool and dry with out high temp extremes are best. That said I've shot military surplus from decades ago. I've shot .45 match ball with a headstamp of 73 and it was very accurate.

snip.... Another motivation to "stock up" is that may states are planning ammo taxes like .10 a round or more and even considering requiring that brass casings being etched with serial numbers/identifiers which I am sure would substantionally raise the cost of ammo if ever implented and make life very difficult for shooters as you would certainly want to keep track of every shell as they could be tracked back to you.

AS has been in a number of states each year for the last several years. So far in most cases these laws have not made it out of committee. I believe when some have they were declared dead on arrival to the floor. That's not to say that it will not happen; it pays to be steadfast in opposition as I'm sure the anti side is steadfast for such things.

I reload and since I shoot a lot I stock up on components and buy in large quantities so I always have plenty of ammo.

As do I, well I least I once did when I shot lots. I also cast my own bullets and have plenty of lead. Suffice it to say I could load for many days worth in case of need. I'm not subscribing to the sky is falling panic yet. There are many politicians that still remember the cost of the last Brady bill in lost seats and control of the House.

For what it is worth there is some word that this shortage is a nature of less available raw materials from which to make components for ammo. Supply and demand is at work thus we have less supply and higher prices. Add to this fear and panic due to politics, which I'm sure is playing a part just as it it did back in the mid 90's. Demand has actually increased as folks are trying to stock up. Rifle prices are up too. Check on an AR15 or any of the clones.

[bmyers]

When times are tough, ammo is the one true currency.

[Woodshark]

I don't know about metro Atlanta. A buddy and me went to Bass Pro and they were out of a lot of popular ammo. The guy said that it left the shelf about as fast as they could get it in.

Last week I was in South Carolina. Went to the local gun store just to check on what they had. The store was pretty crowded and people were buying.

I think due the shifting political winds, people are stocking up on ammo because they fear a large tax and/or restrictions on it in the near future.