Ammo Prices

[tygerpaw]

Does anyone think that ammo prices, (surplus in particular) may come back down if we ever wrap up these stinkin' wars? Or are we facing nothing but increasing prices for the long haul? I see Aussie cans going for $120 each and I'm blown away. The most I ever paid (a couple of years ago mind you) was $ 40.00 a can. I sure am glad I bought a lot of .308 while it was cheap! I remember getting Port for $150 shipped! Funny, I've become a big fan of .22lr's lately

[ocabj]

Nope. The rapidly increasing cost of metals, including lead, copper, and brass are the primary reason why ammo prices have gone up (including individual components), not the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maybe in 2-3 years after China's spike in industrial infrastructural growth have subsided, the cost of metals will stablize.

If anything, what you should also be concerned about is the cost of firearms, especially match grade barrels. Stainless steel has more than doubled in price. How long before we start to see this affect the price of barrels?

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Nope. The rapidly increasing cost of metals, including lead, copper, and brass are the primary reason why ammo prices have gone up (including individual components), not the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maybe in 2-3 years after China's spike in industrial infrastructural growth have subsided, the cost of metals will stablize.

Surplus stuff was made, 20-40 years ago. That does nothing to explain the current increase in prices.

[PistolPete75]

doesn't matter when it was made, current market determines price. and china is buying all the scrape metal they can get their hands on.

[ocabj]

Surplus stuff was made, 20-40 years ago. That does nothing to explain the current increase in prices.

Actually, it does. As mentioned, increased demand calls for increased prices. Plus, surplus ammo isn't going to remain the same price if the cost of the materials in the ammo is valuable. Otherwise you wouldn't see that cheap ammo anymore because people would be buying it simply to strip down and resell as scrap.

For the longest time, people have been getting surplus ammo and pulling it down to sell the components. One such example is gibrass.com. A few years ago, you could get 1K of 152gr M2 surplus for $40-$50. Now gibrass.com is selling those same 152gr pulldowns for $75 per 1K.

[.22guy]

I think you have to consider gas prices as well. The ammo has to be transported.

[EricCartmann]

It will be a long time before we have surpluses again. I think the USA and most of the other countries already sold off their old surplus and they are trying to build new surpluses. But the ware is also keeping them from building up their surplus.

After this war, I can see the USA stockpiling for while, then it will be another 20 years after that before they are release to the general public. But who knows by then ammo might even be banned.

[mike100]

The UN doesn't help. They get small countries to sign no export treaties and just destroy all arms and munitions.

Our own sanctions against Iran and Syria cut out a couple of cheap 7.62x39 producers. Also I heard that ATK bought Wolf in some way or other. Surplus is created when demand is low (AWB or lack of conflict).. you may have to wait 10 years for stuff to show up somewhere in the world.

[ibanezfoo]

Looks like we need to start investing in semiautomatic assault lasers and rail guns.

-Bryan

[Patriot]

Let's not forget the myriad ammo import prohibitions that artificially throttle supply here in the USA.

Looks like we need to start investing in semiautomatic assault lasers and rail guns.

-Bryan

Assuming you mean pulse lasers , else I'd find it hard to differentiate between semi and auto

[Ford8N]

If they would just get rid of that Presidential ban on the importation of cheap Chinese 7.62x39 steel core. Those were the days...

[ar15barrels]

After this war, I can see the USA stockpiling for while, then it will be another 20 years after that before they are release to the general public. But who knows by then ammo might even be banned.

Thanks to Bill Clinton, US ammo will NEVER be surplussed again unless there is another executive order overturning his executive order.

[Mr. Beretta]

Nope....Only going to get worst!

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Actually, it does. As mentioned, increased demand calls for increased prices. Plus, surplus ammo isn't going to remain the same price if the cost of the materials in the ammo is valuable. Otherwise you wouldn't see that cheap ammo anymore because people would be buying it simply to strip down and resell as scrap.

For the longest time, people have been getting surplus ammo and pulling it down to sell the components. One such example is gibrass.com. A few years ago, you could get 1K of 152gr M2 surplus for $40-$50. Now gibrass.com is selling those same 152gr pulldowns for $75 per 1K.

From what I understand the amount of scrap with surplus is nowhere near as valuable when it is still in its ammunition form. Remember the kid selling brass by banging the bullets of the cartridges in NY? The scrap brass would be nowhere near as valuable if he sold it originally as ammunition.

I understand the S&D of economics, that's what I think is driving the prices, NOT the amount of raw resources needed. I read that somewhere either on this forum or another where someone debunked it with current steel prices - the increase in demand for materials was used as an explanation for the rise in new gun prices. If China needing resources was really the reason behind the increase in ammunition they would not be able to undercut the steel businesses here in the United States.

[ocabj]

I understand the S&D of economics, that's what I think is driving the prices, NOT the amount of raw resources needed.

Increased demand causes increases in prices. If there is a spike in demand for metals, prices will go up. Look at the cost of individual components. Precision Bullets just enacted a 40 cent per lb surcharge on all orders due to the increased cost of lead. Sierra 22cal Match Kings went up about $20 per box of 500 at the first of the year. Lapua brass has gone up about $10 per box of 100 across the board. Primer prices have shot up about 30-40%. Winchester primers used to be $12-13 per brick before 2007. Not they're hovering at $20 per brick.

The demand for metals is what is controlling the cost of ammo, not the demand for ammo itself. Granted, the increased ammo consumption by the military does have some impact, but it's not the sole reason.