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[BillyGoatMachine]

Like reloading?

I think it's easier to find ammo than reloading components right now

[Suvorov]

I don't really consider it a hobby, so I guess I'll just have to make due.

[Jpach]

Like reloading?

I love reloading! I just need powder and more Lapua brass. Isnt there a way to reload for 5.45x39 by forming some .22sumthin brass into 5.45? And the .224 to .221 die?

[Mason McDuffie]

I was at Big 5 a few weeks back and the guy in front of me bought every single box of .22lr on the shelf. He had a shopping cart full of all their ammo. He probably had about 60 box's in his cart. Since then, they maybe get a few box's a shipment but thats it. I'm not one to do the whole Y2K hoarding but its getting harder and harder to shoot on the cheap now. My range now limits you to only 4 box's a visit! Even if your a member. Their justification is that thier not getting any in and they need to keep box's for the other customers. I used to just show up, buy a crate and then go off and do my rockin rollin.

Reloading here I come.

[Ford8N]

It's definitely changed from the days of $70@case7.62x39/$220@case.308/$100@case.223.

[CaliGunOwner]

Which version of the vow of poverty did you take? Everything you've stated I do & do gladly because that is how I've dedicated myself to my affliction...
Between building my AR in multiple calibers & stocking up ammo in the 1000s for the calibers i now own -- I'm gonna get this economy back on its feet on my own

[swerv512]

unfourtunately i dont own any rimfires, in fact i just ordered my first "bigger-bore" rifle in 300WM. fortunately there's no line out the door waiting for 300WM but factory ammo costs up to $65/box. I guess i'll be spending alot more time in the reloading lab....
why do i keep doing this to myself- i cant control the urge.
there's always free meals at the soup kitchen....

[AndrewMendez]

I think everyone has that every now and then! Its difficult to get into the sport when you cant find the right ammo! And more so recently, I have seen a bunch of knuckle heads at the Range shooting sideways and what not! But dont give up! Stick with it! It will get better!!

[jsigone]

Get a .22.....

+1 thats what I did....still stocking up 40sw from walmart when possible

[CAL.BAR]

You hit the nail on the head.

I have been collecting and shooting since I was 12. I like to shoot and collect unique weapons. I don't need/want CCW, not looking to shoot at "them" when "they" come to take my guns etc. No zombies and no survivalist jags.

However, plain old fashioned gun ownership/shooting etc. HAS become more than a casual hobby. Gun ownership and shooting takes more work and dedication than in years past. We risk arrest and felony prosecution for OLL builds, risk having unintentional AW's, officers ignorant of the law (and the work arounds we have come up with).

Ammo is hard to find and expensive when we do find it. We have to place backorders for half a hear at a time just to get basic ammo. (CMP ahem) Reloaders are now having problems even getting the raw materials to reload. And someday after 2010, when/if microstamping goes into affect - the party may just about be over. If you think ammo is unobtainable now - wait until you have to order it custom made with your gun's serial number on each round. (or some such nonsense)

We can't talk to friends or acquaintances about our hobby or advertise our sport/hobby on our vehicles homes or possessions for fear of law enforcement attention or theft. We can't/won't tell anyone we even have guns, how many or what type for the same reasons. (go ahead and look at the "what AW's do you have thread" - nothing but a bunch of overly suspicious "it's a trap" responses) (P.S. - if they're RAW's THEY already know you have them!)

Almost makes me want to take up a "safe" hobby like skydiving

[ripcurlksm]

narrow it down. 22, 223, 45 & 308 for me

[cgseanp1]

I have a few .22's, but even that seems to be sold out all the time.

I see .22 ammo a lot.. may not be the cheapest .22 ammo there is, but it is still available.. I think Big 5 usually has 500 for like 22 bucks.. Maybe that is "expensive" but still a lot cheaper than any other caliber.

[JoeC]

People say to reload as an answer to this ammo shortage/price problem but I wonder if it's really a solution.

With reloading you have to buy the whole reloading kit which can run $400-$800 but that pays for itself over time. However you have to constantly buy primers, powder, brass(if you don't collect your own), and bullets. Then its a matter of finding time to put it all together to crank out sufficient numbers.

Is it really that much cheaper?
For exotic rounds I imagine it is, but for common rounds is it cheaper?

Not to mention reloading supplies are becoming harder to find just like manufactured ammo.

[cgseanp1]

People say to reload as an answer to this ammo shortage/price problem but I wonder if it's really a solution.

With reloading you have to buy the whole reloading kit which can run $400-$800 but that pays for itself over time. However you have to constantly buy primers, powder, brass(if you don't collect your own), and bullets. Then its a matter of finding time to put it all together to crank out sufficient numbers.

Is it really that much cheaper?
For exotic rounds I imagine it is, but for common rounds is it cheaper?

Not to mention reloading supplies are becoming harder to find just like manufactured ammo.

Primers, bullets, and powder don't cost much.. If you don't collect your own brass, then that will add a lot, but still probably cheaper than buying your own. Plus, you can buy some cheap brass... I see 1k 223 brass for like 60 bucks.. thats not bad. Plus, if you reload your own, you can reload good loads which cost a lot if you buy the good match grade stuff.

[stormy_clothing]

I've converted my old laser tag rifles into true laser weapons that run off electricty stolen from my neighbors w00t!!!

here's my pair of them "brain melter" and "car killer"