Ammo Prices and the Strong Dollar

[Go Navy]

Because the dollar is strong vs. other currencies, esp. the Euro and other European currencies, ammo manufactured overseas should be cheaper in dollar terms.

I haven't bought any lately, but has anyone noticed cheaper prices on imported ammo? (Note: I never buy any Russian ammo in any caliber since I've had bad experience with it.)

[AKSOG]

Because the dollar is strong vs. other currencies, esp. the Euro and other European currencies, ammo manufactured overseas should be cheaper in dollar terms.

I haven't bought any lately, but has anyone noticed cheaper prices on imported ammo? (Note: I never buy any Russian ammo in any caliber since I've had bad experience with it.)

I don't think russian ammo is importable currently due to sanctions. Overall I have not noticed prices get lower as a direct result of the currency exchange. I imagine that it gets imported in big lots and takes a considerable amount of time to enter the market. So any noticeable difference would be later down the road. That's just a guess though

[k1dude]

Yes. All the brass Italian, Serbian, Turkish, and Taiwanese ammo costs far less than the US made equivalent brass ammo at Walmart. At the same time US ammo was increasing in price, foreign ammo was dropping in price. In fact, Walmart now carries far more brands of foreign ammo than they ever did previously.

[Paulo]

nope..have you seen flight tickets for Europe go down in prices as well ?..

[AreWeFree]

Cost may go up/down for importers and distributors with exchange rates, but I don't see any significant cost decrease for the end market.

Several years ago (~2012) it was $300 for a case of .223 PMC Bronze, most recently it was $340. With ~2% USD yearly inflation it would be $318, and this past year USD is roughly 10% stronger than the WON, but our exchange rate is about even over a 2 year period. Basically, exchange rates only effect you if it drops, or when you're buying direct. Otherwise, it's just fluctuating profit for importers/distributors.

[klewan]

Any savings the vendor is going to put in his pocket; you'll never see a cent of savings. Just how it is.

[hambam105]

It's more about your perspective rather than price.

Hey Navy,

Anyone, anyone who thinks they know tomorrows availability of any kind of ammunition originating from Eastern Europe or the Middle East countries is sadly misinformed. Ammunition coming from the Orient...these countries have draconian repercussions on anything firearm related so getting reliable ammunition from this region is sketchy.

The price difference btwn. (.223/5.56) U.S. gold standard and Russian, it's about 13 or 14 cents per round. Less than a dime difference for 9mm. There is a big concern on quality control issues with this Off-Shore ammunition so you take your chances.

Some shooters will settle for WKRP ammo because they got a good $deal on it. Too many shooter believe a couple of duds out of a box of ammo is somehow acceptable.

[bountyhunter]

Because the dollar is strong vs. other currencies, esp. the Euro and other European currencies, ammo manufactured overseas should be cheaper in dollar terms.

I haven't bought any lately, but has anyone noticed cheaper prices on imported ammo? (Note: I never buy any Russian ammo in any caliber since I've had bad experience with it.)

NO, and the dollar won't push the price of ammo down. That isn't what sets the retail price, it's the retailer and they gouge to the max when there are shortages like there are now. Same with gasoline, they price based on demand and shortages (some of which are imaginary or artificially created).

[bountyhunter]

Some shooters will settle for WKRP ammo because they got a good $deal on it. Too many shooter believe a couple of duds out of a box of ammo is somehow acceptable.

Funny..... I sill have some blocks of brand new Winchester .22 LR from a few years back that had about 10% dud rate (no primer). Our whole bullseye club bought a bunch of it from Big 5 when it was on sale and we were all cursing when you hear the CLICK....CLICK....CLICK.

[bountyhunter]

Yes. All the brass Italian, Serbian, Turkish, and Taiwanese ammo costs far less than the US made equivalent brass ammo at Walmart. At the same time US ammo was increasing in price, foreign ammo was dropping in price. In fact, Walmart now carries far more brands of foreign ammo than they ever did previously.

Can't tell if you are kidding..... the only thing our Wal Mart carries in the ammo department is a big selection of empty shelves.

[bountyhunter]

Any savings the vendor is going to put in his pocket; you'll never see a cent of savings. Just how it is.

Free enterprise system... capitalism at it's finest.

[k1dude]

Can't tell if you are kidding..... the only thing our Wal Mart carries in the ammo department is a big selection of empty shelves.

The Walmarts around me have had empty shelves for years. But the past few months the pickings have been pretty good. That is until the M855 fiasco started. Then it was back to empty shelves. But slowly are surely, the shelves are filling again. I just bought a bunch of Italian Perfecta, Serbian PPU, and Turkish ZQI yesterday - along with a bunch of Federal.

[Jimi Jah]

The Euro is at around a buck now, but Tula/Wolf has not dropped in price.

Someone is making some money.

[AceGirlsHusband]

My .22LR purchases are almost always imported because I shoot match and BR. My best rounds are RWS and Eley. And all I have seen in the past two years are price increases on both (and Lapua, too). Perhaps the decline of the Euro has helped to prevent higher prices than what I see, but the cost of British and German ammo has increased about 20% over that span of time.

[bountyhunter]

The Euro is at around a buck now, but Tula/Wolf has not dropped in price.

Someone is making some money.

I still remember back when Britain devalued the Sterling pound...... I went down to the MG dealer and asked when the prices of the new cars would be lowered to reflect it.

Somewhere that man is still laughing.......