Ammo Question

[GeorgeMG]

I keep hearing the ammo manufacturers are cranking out product, but something just doesn't make sense. My LGS has been basically out of everything for 8 months or so, but it's a small place and probably doesn't have much pull. But, when I look at any of the big guys (Midway, lucky gunner, ammo supply warehouse, bud's gun shop) they are all completely out of stock as well. So, if the big retailers don't have anything, and the small shops don't have anything, then where is all this ammo getting sold? I understand the popular calibers (9mm, 38, 556/223, and even the rimfires), but, stuff like 243 and 270 win are out everywhere as well. Any ideas on where all this alleged stock is going?

[n8vrmind]

Safely stockpiled in homes of preppers and hoarders..

[cgseanp1]

I keep hearing the ammo manufacturers are cranking out product, but something just doesn't make sense. My LGS has been basically out of everything for 8 months or so, but it's a small place and probably doesn't have much pull. But, when I look at any of the big guys (Midway, lucky gunner, ammo supply warehouse, bud's gun shop) they are all completely out of stock as well. So, if the big retailers don't have anything, and the small shops don't have anything, then where is all this ammo getting sold? I understand the popular calibers (9mm, 38, 556/223, and even the rimfires), but, stuff like 243 and 270 win are out everywhere as well. Any ideas on where all this alleged stock is going?

This stuff is probably in stock at some point every single day. You have to look around, multiple websites. The less common calibers, or stuff you normally aren’t shooting a ton wasn’t really affected in the beginning, but as time went on and everything else was gone, people moved on to these less common calibers. And now they are gone as well.

[DDM4556]

Having no idea, I have also pondered this. My assumption is that ammo is not being cranked out in nearly the same quantity as before. In my line of work, parts and raw materials are more expensive and harder to come by right now. On top of that, global logistics is a nightmare right now. Ports are backed up. Ships are stuck with cargo, waiting for weeks to be unloaded. And this is causing a shortage of shipping containers. Now it takes weeks just to get a container, let alone travel time and the backed up ports.

[GeorgeMG]

Having no idea, I have also pondered this. My assumption is that ammo is not being cranked out in nearly the same quantity as before. In my line of work, parts and raw materials are more expensive and harder to come by right now. On top of that, global logistics is a nightmare right now. Ports are backed up. Ships are stuck with cargo, waiting for weeks to be unloaded. And this is causing a shortage of shipping containers. Now it takes weeks just to get a container, let alone travel time and the backed up ports.

You're really spot on with the logistics angle. My shipping costs have tripled in the last year, that's when I can even get something scheduled. Looking at it like that, well, that makes some sense.

[Divernhunter]

You do not seem to understand the concept of supply and demand and panic buying.
They are making more than ever before. The problem is people are buying more than ever also. Look at the firearm market. Everything is basically sold out and often to newer buyers who want ammo to go with the firearms. Then there are those that usually buy a couple of boxes(or small amounts of reloading supplies) who now are stocking up as much as possible since they are also worried. The same holds true for reloading equipment and supplies that usually are not effected to the degree they are now. Toss in all the new panic buying firearm owners and their needs and you have what we have now.
I have always had a good supply of reloading supplies and rarely buy much ammo. None of this has effected me because I have planned ahead and stocked up when costs were lower and supplies easy to get. This cycle will repeat again and all the "sky is falling" stuff will happen again. I will not feel a bit sorry for those that did not prepare or suddenly feel a need to buy a firearm--or ammo ---or reloading stuff

[GeorgeMG]

You do not seem to understand the concept of supply and demand and panic buying.
They are making more than ever before. The problem is people are buying more than ever also. Look at the firearm market. Everything is basically sold out and often to newer buyers who want ammo to go with the firearms. Then there are those that usually buy a couple of boxes(or small amounts of reloading supplies) who now are stocking up as much as possible since they are also worried. The same holds true for reloading equipment and supplies that usually are not effected to the degree they are now. Toss in all the new panic buying firearm owners and their needs and you have what we have now.
I have always had a good supply of reloading supplies and rarely buy much ammo. None of this has effected me because I have planned ahead and stocked up when costs were lower and supplies easy to get. This cycle will repeat again and all the "sky is falling" stuff will happen again. I will not feel a bit sorry for those that did not prepare or suddenly feel a need to buy a firearm--or ammo ---or reloading stuff

I understand supply and demand. That's not what I'm getting at. If the large retailers aren't getting anything in to sell, where is it going? I'm stocked pretty deep, and haven't bought anything in about a year, no way I'm paying these absurd prices, I've been through this before, but I don't ever remember it being this bad. The point made above about raw materials and shipping seems to make the most sense.

[tony270]

Big retailers are still getting shipments, on delivery day
people are waiting in line before the store opens. Stated becoming addicted to buying ammunition (like a hobby), but stores only kept small amounts in stock. When people started buying them out they never cought up, Walmart really was the best, when they fell off things really went south.

[Rickrock1]

The democrats are probably scooping it all up with stimulus dollars and destroying it

[Kyle1886]

Contrary to popular opinion, there are more firearms and firearm owners than "data" states.

Even my sons in VA and CO have issues with supply, so it's national.

Yes it's a pain, but I'm glad the populace is; let's say trying to be prepared.

Respectfully
Kyle

[tabascoz28]

They are in the homes of the people standing in line every work day. Before 2020, you won't see anyone standing in line for guns and ammo. Now on a non delivery day there's at least 5 people.

I dream of the day I can walk into Sportsmans, pick up 1k of LRP for 30 and 1K of SRP for 30. Then walk over to the powder counter and get a 8lb for 200.

[Rod Nokin]

Nobody is addressing op's question. I must have 20 online ammo accounts that I check all the time. Nobody ever has anything. Who's buying it? Is it a secret society? The last .17hmr I got was directly from CCI in early January. Nothing available since anywhere.

[Tarmy]

Safely stockpiled in homes of preppers and hoarders..

Those are mean labels...

I just started buying every time my calibers/shells were on sale about 5 years ago when I got my shooters...and ended up with more than I will shoot in a lifetime. My boys are sitting pretty...

I prefer the term...ready to shoot when I feel like it.

[MrFancyPants]

If the large retailers aren't getting anything in to sell, where is it going?

What makes you think large retailers aren't getting anything to sell? In fact they are, regularly, the stock just sells out VERY quickly, sometimes in minutes, hours at best. You just have to be there at the right time, and a little luck doesn't hurt. There are literally people with nothing better to do than camp out in front of retail stores every morning waiting for open to run in and see what they've got, and buy up to the limits of what's allowed. When they do find stuff in stock, they call all their friends and family to let them know, and it's wave after wave of people flooding into the store until there's nothing left. That's how panic buying works. How many of those same people doing this hardly ever went to buy ammo when it was cheap and readily available? No it wasn't a priority then. Now that nothing is in stock anywhere, it's all of a sudden top priority. Funny how it's always the same story. I don't feel a lick of sympathy for any of 'em. It's a hard lesson to learn, but they'll survive and hopefully plan better for next time, and there WILL be a next time, likely even worse than this time.

I have plenty of ammo stacked away for now so I'm not worried one iota. Matter of fact I'm not even visiting my local stores anymore, just taking a break for awhile. I'm just waiting for stock notifications for rifle parts from online vendors. Personally that's what I'd be focused on right now, since if anything semi auto "AW style" rifles could be next on the chopping block. I'm working on finishing the rest of the builds I want to complete before it becomes a problem. Ammo will always be around.

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[Mopar Guy]

Commodities will be in high demand. With the reopening, tangible products will have increased demand and inflation. Chip sector has a shortage of chips, Oil is now at 65 and will probably be 100 a barrel by summer. Natural resources will see price spikes. Guess that may impact the ammo market and keep prices high since demand is already been demonstrated with the riots last year. Sony cannot produce the play station 5 which my son wants. People sell them on ebay for twice as much. Ammo market will most likely follow the rest of the market in it's new "value investing" stocks which are now retaking command of the market from high tech. There are real shortages in many industries right now. Add inflation to the mix and it gets quite expensive to buy groceries, fill up the gas tank and go to the gun range.