Ammo prices

[Gene R.]

I didn't want to highjack 338 ammo thread so here's my question that's been bugging me for a while.
How can ammo companies justify the price tags on loaded ammo these days?
I know some companies are using premium bullets and some are specialty calibers. Also, people hoarding ammo with the current Commie leaders in Washington doesn't help either. But everything from 22lr to 338 factory ammo became ridiculous in price long before this. Come on, over $50 to $100 for 20 rounds for common hunting calibers ? It's brass, powder, primer, lead and copper? It's not a fricken GPS guided missile!
Another Question is with all these ammo sales due to hoarding and price increase we should have 1000's of dump trucks full of money from Robertson Pittman act. Anyone know the numbers on that and what they're doing with it?

I have always reloaded ever caliber I've owned. Dies and brass are always a part of new caliber purchase for me. But people who can't or are just starting out have be in total "sticker shock" when the go to purchase factory ammo. You would think Ammo and firearms companies would make it affordable to attract and keep people in shooting sports and hunting.

 

[JackinSD]

I don't think they are having any problem attracting people to shooting, either hunting or sport. Record gun sales for almost a year, and selling ammunition faster than they can make it. Until supply catches up with demand the prices will stay high.

 

[digger11]

I'm happy to report that I am a rich man (finally)! Based on the 22lr ammo prices on GunBot,and the amount I've had on hand (for years,,not hoarding).I am worth a
#$%^load of money.
I cant believe the prices! $30 for 50 rounds of Remington subsonic.REALLY,,SERIOUSLY

 

[Kennibear]

Surplus Ammo & Arms had a SALE on 22LR- $99 for a brick of 500! My son bought an ammo can with 2000- 22LR, 4 bricks, for $80 at Cabela's not two years ago.

Friend Steve is a NRA Rep and his contact @ CCI says they run the rimfire production line 24/7 and have upped the price by very little to cover material cost increases. That is millions of rounds per day!!!

This is wholesaler and vendor price gouging. I only buy from the places that have held their prices. Here in Western Washington Sportsman's Warehouse, Federal Way Discount Guns, SportCo, Cabela's and, believe it or not, Walmart have all held their prices. Powder I bought from Sportsman's two years ago for $23/lb is now about $27/lb. That is reasonable. Plated bullets have jumped from $30/500 to $50/500 or more so that is a bunch. But I suspect shooters have discovered their benefits (costs less than jacketed, work just as well for practice). Demand is driving that.

I can get 9mm for about $12.50 delivered on the net but local 22LR- when it is available- runs that or more. With reloading plated bullets in 9mm I have a cost of <$9 per 50rds. The 22's stay in the safe and we shoot the 9mm's, 380 Auto and 40 S&W's.

KB

 

[RMulhern]

I haven't bought factory ammo since 1948!!

 

[WildRose]

I didn't want to highjack 338 ammo thread so here's my question that's been bugging me for a while.
How can ammo companies justify the price tags on loaded ammo these days?
I know some companies are using premium bullets and some are specialty calibers. Also, people hoarding ammo with the current Commie leaders in Washington doesn't help either. But everything from 22lr to 338 factory ammo became ridiculous in price long before this. Come on, over $50 to $100 for 20 rounds for common hunting calibers ? It's brass, powder, primer, lead and copper? It's not a fricken GPS guided missile!
Another Question is with all these ammo sales due to hoarding and price increase we should have 1000's of dump trucks full of money from Robertson Pittman act. Anyone know the numbers on that and what they're doing with it?

I have always reloaded ever caliber I've owned. Dies and brass are always a part of new caliber purchase for me. But people who can't or are just starting out have be in total "sticker shock" when the go to purchase factory ammo. You would think Ammo and firearms companies would make it affordable to attract and keep people in shooting sports and hunting.

Try running an ammo business. The cost of the regulatory compliance load alone is staggering. Add to that things like insurance, Obamacare for your employees and the increased cost and reduced availability for all components and you have a recipe for high priced ammo.

Hell just figure the cost for you using all new components to load your own and then add their costs of doing business and a reasonable profit.

Keep in mind the manufacturers are basically all in a bidding war for all of the components too since they are in short supply with historically high demand.

 

[Gene R.]

Ok, I'm not the only one who is baffled some or at least annoyed.

The 22lr I believe is partially due to not wanting to shoot up center fire ammo during last scare. Also the $400 22lr ar15 style rifles. Maybe more so. They started as a good practice platform in place of Standard issue AR. Now though bang away with 223 its easier to find component.

Wildrose, I can understand your post about EPA, gov Regs, F***ing Obumma care, Bidding for materials. Though, you would think that Pro gun lobby would bring this to the attention of the pro gun citizen to let them know which candidates are going to do something about it. Or hey how about this we find someone who will. These materials are used in many many other products you would think they would all have some sort of lobby to make citizens and elected aware.
I heard on news that the last lead smelting facility in USA was closed. If true that has to suck for us.

Call me conspiracy brother, but if we cant get and afford ammo or components basically we all have safes full of steel pipes with fancy scopes. And don't get me started on No lead bullets in commie republik of CA to save 8 Condors. Natural selection people. Or worry about lead poisoning in big game that has been shot. For who me or the deer? I'm pretty sure the lead poisoning is the last thing the deer has to worry about if shot. And if I or anyone else eats a chunk of lead some how left in processed deer. Well, again Natural selection has it's place.
I'm all better now, carry on

 

[gohring3006]

I buy factory ammo just to get brass and I buy new brass also but its expensive and the short supply is demand but the way our government has been acting I think they could be behind some of it its to the point that I'm saving what I got and started shooting my highpower air rifle to get some trigger time and shooting my bow alot more also...

 

[WildRose]

Ok, I'm not the only one who is baffled some or at least annoyed.

The 22lr I believe is partially due to not wanting to shoot up center fire ammo during last scare. Also the $400 22lr ar15 style rifles. Maybe more so. They started as a good practice platform in place of Standard issue AR. Now though bang away with 223 its easier to find component.

Wildrose, I can understand your post about EPA, gov Regs, F***ing Obumma care, Bidding for materials. Though, you would think that Pro gun lobby would bring this to the attention of the pro gun citizen to let them know which candidates are going to do something about it. Or hey how about this we find someone who will. These materials are used in many many other products you would think they would all have some sort of lobby to make citizens and elected aware.
I heard on news that the last lead smelting facility in USA was closed. If true that has to suck for us.

Call me conspiracy brother, but if we cant get and afford ammo or components basically we all have safes full of steel pipes with fancy scopes. And don't get me started on No lead bullets in commie republik of CA to save 8 Condors. Natural selection people. Or worry about lead poisoning in big game that has been shot. For who me or the deer? I'm pretty sure the lead poisoning is the last thing the deer has to worry about if shot. And if I or anyone else eats a chunk of lead some how left in processed deer. Well, again Natural selection has it's place.
I'm all better now, carry on

Without getting too political or sounding like a conspiracy nut just keep this in mind.

There are one hell of a lot of very anti gun people working for the federal gov't, anti-gun and anti-hunting both in fact. The bulk of the bureaucracy exists to grow it's own powers through regulation.

There has long been a desire by the anti-gunners in this country to attempt and end around of the 2nd Amendment by using the regulatory process.

What better way to further the anti gun agenda that many of these individuals have than to make ammo so scarce and expensive that most people currently involved in the shooting sports find other hobbies.

As a rule businesses that actually produce "things" succeed by providing products that people can afford, not by screwing us out of our money.

Just keep the above in mind when we get irritated about ammo prices and availability.

I've spent hundreds of hours on the phone with the same people at more than one ammo mfg over the years and I have seen and heard first hand what they go through and how their ability to stay in business is made tougher and tougher by the regulatory state over the years.

This is why you just won't see people who aren't already involved someway in the industry decide one day, "Hey let's start a new ammo company" producing ammo.

 

[Revraz]

I can't believe the prices of the .338 ammo.

My buddy recommended the .338 to me after shooting 357 revolvers for the last 25 yrs, and I didn't even think to price the ammo first. So here I am at the shop, getting my rifle ordered, rings and scope. Got it all paid for then I'm like, hey do you have ammo for it, and the guy brings out a box of 20 for $140.. I'm like *** lol

 

[WildRose]

I can't believe the prices of the .338 ammo.

My buddy recommended the .338 to me after shooting 357 revolvers for the last 25 yrs, and I didn't even think to price the ammo first. So here I am at the shop, getting my rifle ordered, rings and scope. Got it all paid for then I'm like, hey do you have ammo for it, and the guy brings out a box of 20 for $140.. I'm like *** lol

Hence the reason most .338L shooters reload.