Ammo hoarding

[magnanimous_j]

First of all, I believe that the current spike in ammo cost/demand is purely speculative. People believe that ammo will be hard to get and voila, now it is.

To people who are buying every bullet they can get their hands on: How much is enough? Why are you doing it? What is the worst case scenario that you are preparing for?

My thoughts:

1) Securing price
In my mind, this would be the worst reason to buy. I believe that as the panic dies down, the prices will go back down and you'll be sitting on X value of stock that you paid 3X for. I read somewhere that in Montana, demand is outpacing production by about 100,000 rounds a day. Eventually production will catch up and unless people over there are shooting 500 rounds every weekend, the public will have a glut of surplus ammo. Not a bad thing of course, except from the viewpoint of someone planning to resell it for a profit.

2) Legislation
I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but I haven't seen anything to suggest the new administration is serious about imposing new restrictions. The Attorney General said in the beginning that he wanted to reinstate the AWB, but he has since backed down after other Democratic Party leaders publicly said that they wouldn't support it. Obama is getting ready to sign into law an amendment allowing concealed carry in National Parks. A small victory, but its the best indicator so far as to how Obama will treat 2nd Amendment issues. I think that there are a lot of swing voters currently in Obama's camp who are strongly pro-gun (myself included) and I think that at this point, he doesn't want to alienate them. Besides, the assault weapons ban never REALLY dealt with ammo anyway.

3) End of the World as we Know it
I fully admit to having a survivalist streak in me. I bought my AK for this very reason (and allowed myself to get scalped on 2000 rounds for it this year). They say that the only 2 times you can have too much ammo is if you are swimming, or on fire. That's probably true, but I think realistically, the violent, road warrior part of any major catastrophe would be short lived. Like Hurricane Katrina. And also realistically, any fire fight that you would be in where you are spending thousands of rounds of ammo: You're probably not going to survive it. Better to choose your battles.

I've got a few thousand rounds in various calibers at my place now, but I just wanted to hear thoughts from people who are advocating stockpiling hundreds of thousands of rounds. 

[boneaddict]

Well I didn't get on board withthe panic, so now I am sitting here without some of the ammo I need and can't get it.  Thats kind of a pisser.

[ICEMAN]

Come October, there will be some really pissed off deer and elk hunters who have not been paying attention and cannot find even rifle ammo.

Everytime I talk with someone who notices half the ammo shelf empty at the store....and explain even a bit about why I believe the run on ammo is happening....they get big eyes....and hit every store in town looking for any ammo to buy.

I do not think this is anywhere near being over. Still millions of folks who have yet discovered the current shortage. As they discover it, it can only get worse?

[HawkenBob]

I dont hoard ammo. I do have enough supplies to keep me shooting and hunting for probably 2 years. This isnt something I planned either, just what I have and what I bought before the big scare.

I reload everything so I dont look for loaded ammo. IMO its the "end of world guys (EOWG)" who started this, then the guys who realised what was happening to ammo early stepped in and then the late ones buying everything left. 

I have decided to hunt Elk this year with a bow so now I shoot it more than my rifles lately. And enjoy the crap out of it.

Im also not one to be worried about everything. I fight for our rights as they are now (NRA and such) but if the government decided to ban guns, and it happened, I wouldent die in a fire fight trying to protect my so called rights. Things change. And times change.

I think Ice is right, its not over, once the shelves start filling, the late guys will hoard, and the EOWG's will buy even more. Then there will be the guys buying to sell for huge profits.

I think everyone needs to relax a bit.

[mazama]

I enjoy shooting i have always bought a lot, even before this started i spent about 600 for powder,brass,bullets, for one gun its christmas all year long for me.

[littlebuf]

im not hording riffle or pistol ammo, with my paranoia the only thing that comforts me is my bunker full of RPG's and the sherman tank i built outa scrap 

[GigPig]

   Thats funny right there 

[jackelope]

I think everyone needs to relax a bit.

if they would, ammo would be  a lot easier to come by. 
maybe i should get my poll up and rolling again.  it's interesting to see the results of that. not as many people shooting as much as i thought, given the ammo paranoia.

[whacker1]

I am hoping that those that have bought so heavily in reloading supplies will begin selling it to me, because I can't find much.  Good on powder for this year, but will probably run out of a few types of primers sometime this summer, but will hopefully have enought to get through the fall.

[HawkenBob]

I think everyone needs to relax a bit.

if they would, ammo would be  a lot easier to come by. 
maybe i should get my poll up and rolling again.  it's interesting to see the results of that. not as many people shooting as much as i thought, given the ammo paranoia.

Thats the problem IMO. The EOWG's dont shoot it up. There scared to run out now. Lol. I like to get to the rifle/pistol range about every 2 weeks.

[actionshooter]

First of all, I believe that the current spike in ammo cost/demand is purely speculative. People believe that ammo will be hard to get and voila, now it is.

To people who are buying every bullet they can get their hands on: How much is enough? Why are you doing it? What is the worst case scenario that you are preparing for?

My thoughts:

1) Securing price
In my mind, this would be the worst reason to buy. I believe that as the panic dies down, the prices will go back down and you'll be sitting on X value of stock that you paid 3X for. I read somewhere that in Montana, demand is outpacing production by about 100,000 rounds a day. Eventually production will catch up and unless people over there are shooting 500 rounds every weekend, the public will have a glut of surplus ammo. Not a bad thing of course, except from the viewpoint of someone planning to resell it for a profit.

2) Legislation
I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but I haven't seen anything to suggest the new administration is serious about imposing new restrictions. The Attorney General said in the beginning that he wanted to reinstate the AWB, but he has since backed down after other Democratic Party leaders publicly said that they wouldn't support it. Obama is getting ready to sign into law an amendment allowing concealed carry in National Parks. A small

First of all, I believe that the current spike in ammo cost/demand is purely speculative. People believe that ammo will be hard to get and voila, now it is.

To people who are buying every bullet they can get their hands on: How much is enough? Why are you doing it? What is the worst case scenario that you are preparing for?

My thoughts:

1) Securing price
In my mind, this would be the worst reason to buy. I believe that as the panic dies down, the prices will go back down and you'll be sitting on X value of stock that you paid 3X for. I read somewhere that in Montana, demand is outpacing production by about 100,000 rounds a day. Eventually production will catch up and unless people over there are shooting 500 rounds every weekend, the public will have a glut of surplus ammo. Not a bad thing of course, except from the viewpoint of someone planning to resell it for a profit.

2) Legislation
I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but I haven't seen anything to suggest the new administration is serious about imposing new restrictions. The Attorney General said in the beginning that he wanted to reinstate the AWB, but he has since backed down after other Democratic Party leaders publicly said that they wouldn't support it. Obama is getting ready to sign into law an amendment allowing concealed carry in National Parks. A small victory, but its the best indicator so far as to how Obama will treat 2nd Amendment issues. I think that there are a lot of swing voters currently in Obama's camp who are strongly pro-gun (myself included) and I think that at this point, he doesn't want to alienate them. Besides, the assault weapons ban never REALLY dealt with ammo anyway.

3) End of the World as we Know it
I fully admit to having a survivalist streak in me. I bought my AK for this very reason (and allowed myself to get scalped on 2000 rounds for it this year). They say that the only 2 times you can have too much ammo is if you are swimming, or on fire. That's probably true, but I think realistically, the violent, road warrior part of any major catastrophe would be short lived. Like Hurricane Katrina. And also realistically, any fire fight that you would be in where you are spending thousands of rounds of ammo: You're probably not going to survive it. Better to choose your battles.

I've got a few thousand rounds in various calibers at my place now, but I just wanted to hear thoughts from people who are advocating stockpiling hundreds of thousands of rounds.  

victory, but its the best indicator so far as to how Obama will treat 2nd Amendment issues. I think that there are a lot of swing voters currently in Obama's camp who are strongly pro-gun (myself included) and I think that at this point, he doesn't want to alienate them.

I've got a few thousand rounds in various calibers at my place now, but I just wanted to hear thoughts from people who are advocating stockpiling hundreds of thousands of rounds.  

 Heres my opinion and it goes along with a manufactures rep that I am an aquainted with.

 Answering to your points.

 1) Its way too late to buy on price speculation. If your buying bulk right now, your going to take it in the shorts. Buy what you need, the price will go down.

2) Legislation is what caused this, hands down, no way around it. It was the pending Coded Ammo Bill. Yes it died without voting on it, but the authors have vowed to bring it back. People are stocking up because they don't want anything to do with that in the future. Other people have no idea what whats going on and are stocking up because everyone else is stocking up. (lemmings)  
 I wouldn't look at Obama for new laws, thats SUPPOSSED to be congresses job, thats where the anti-gun laws are going to come from. Remember Pelosi ripping Holders ass? I believe you have to look at Obamas gun record pre-president and thats not good for gun owners.

 3) End of the world?  Better have a gun, but 2000 rounds. You will never get a chance to use them. For that scenario you better be self reliant. Stock up on gardening rakes  

 I have a lot of ammo I bought years ago, at a good deal. The only problem is, I don't want to shoot it because it worth so much now.  

 

[jackelope]

1) Its way too late to buy on price speculation. If your buying bulk right now, your going to take it in the shorts. Buy what you need, the price will go down.

thats probably the most important or relevant piece right there.

[Huntbear]

That is what we are doing, buying 2-300 primers when we find them.  Buying a lb. or 2 of powder when we find it.  Bullets are a little easier to find, but also, still had some.

[Pat/Rick]

I started hoarding years ago. Perfectly normal. Perfectly healthy.

[TeacherMan]

I'm not having a hard time finding ammo. Go to Idaho, last weekend found everything I have been looking for. The only thing that I can't find is Primers and Powder. Reloader 19 and rifle primers 

[StanwoodSpartan]

I say we start an arrow scare so everyone goes and picks up every arrow out there and leaves the ammo alone...

[littletoes]

Horder? Sure.....call me what you want, but I USE to shoot competition. If I wasn't to compete anymore, I would have enough ammo and powder for the rest of my life....well, almost.

How much ammo does the average "hunter" social shooter use? Nothing. Competitive shooters can shoot upwards of 30,000 rounds a year. A couple that rank in the worlds top have been quoted as saying that was the amount they fired yearly. Me? A few thousand would get me through.....but the cost is/will kill me.

[WonkyWapiti]

I say we start an arrow scare so everyone goes and picks up every arrow out there and leaves the ammo alone...

Oh please no!  After last weekends 3d shoot I am already going broke on new arrows!   

[Alpine Mojo]

I read somewhere that in Montana, demand is outpacing production by about 100,000 rounds a day.

Considering that the population of Montana is around one million, there must be a whole lot of shootin' goin on round them parts.
 

[GEARHEAD]

it is kind of crazy, i really don't see the point in the hording, i was out for a day of shopping a few weeks back, went to sportco and the warehouse and while i was not looking to buy ammo, it was hard not to notice the complete absence of hangun ammo in the stores.
Beer is good, but People are Crazy.

[boneaddict]

You forgot God is great.

[Pat/Rick]

Its like anything else in "tough times".You should have a well stocked pantry,enough food for a couple of months,cash set aside (not in a bank),and lots of ammo to help insure you can keep your supplies. Don't go with the BS around gold.How you gonna carry it? you gonna' convince who how much its worth? If you need heavy metal to survive it best be in the form of lead. Preperation is hoarding,hoarding is preperation. Scenario: Guy comes up to your house, says his family hasn't eaten in four days. Wants to know if you have anything extra. Says he'll pay for it in gold.Whatta Dumazz.

[littletoes]

BS with Gold???

If its too much for you to handle, send it my way, I'll carry it for you!   

The Bible says to buy Gold, thats good enough for me....if you've read it enough-you'd know why.

Now back to hoarding....If anyone here has been paying attention to who the obamination has been nominating to all of the "appointments", ALL of them are liberal anti-gun folks, thats explanation enough.
It seems there may be a time when our 2nd Amendment Rights will be "Change'd". 

[Straight Shooter]

It seems there may be a time when our 2nd Amendment Rights will be "Change'd".  

I'm sure that we all hope that this will never happen, but there's nothing wrong with being prepared... where's my shovel and waterproof containers!!

[stumprat]

I do not have a political affiliation. I vote with common sense based on each issue. I really get tired of the civics lessons that are given by some of the sporting good store employees that have no idea or facts to back what they are saying. They only repeat the *censored* they hear from some chickenlittle mentallity customer running his mouth. Then I watch the customer that hears this crap feel like he needs to buy every bit of ammo in sight. This happened in the early 90's to a lesser extent. I think the prices will go back down eventually.
Right now we are our own worst enemy. The politicians do not need to price us out of ammo..........We are doing a great job of that to ourselves.

Don't get me wrong I have what I would call a healthy fear of our government. But some of the things I hear fueling this issue are pure extremist *censored*.

[littletoes]

"pure extremist *censored*"---HAHAHAHA! You kill me! 

You vote with "common sense", hell haven't you been watching the news? If you have done any form of reading of what our new pres has voted for in his previous 143 days as a senator (yep, thats the ONLY experience he has), or the folks he has nominated for differant offices (such as the new supreme court justice((she wants a "floating" Constitution)), you'd relize that our Constitutional rights are at risk BIG TIME.

Read my sig.....

[stumprat]

"pure extremist *censored*"---HAHAHAHA! You kill me! 

You vote with "common sense", hell haven't you been watching the news? If you have done any form of reading of what our new pres has voted for in his previous 143 days as a senator (yep, thats the ONLY experience he has), or the folks he has nominated for differant offices (such as the new supreme court justice((she wants a "floating" Constitution)), you'd relize that our Constitutional rights are at risk BIG TIME.

Read my sig.....

I didn't say who I voted for. I just said the things I have been hearing are a little off. Hell an employee at Cabelas commented while I was looking for .223 ammo that the new administration had raised the tax on ammo by 200% three weeks ago.  Then a couple guys standing there start getting all worked up about the new tax.

So yes I would have to say some of the fuel is complete *censored*. This is not the only kind of things I hear spread like wild fire.

[littletoes]

Oh I won't argue with that, sure it is. I just think we're seeing the writing on the wall. Even the powder companies are confused a bit by whats happening. They are predicting it to slow down a bit in the next few months. Primers are starting to show up here and there, even small rifle.

Actually, I haven't had any trouble finding anything, and have refused to pay the inflated prices. Guess buying so much so long ago paid off?

I just hope the prices come down.

[demontang]

I have found a guy that just got 400,000 primers in I dont think he had large rifle but small/ small mag and pistol.

[Pat/Rick]

If it gets so bad that it is time to bury your guns, then it is most certainly time to dig 'em up. Our 2nd Ammendment rights have already been *censored*ized enough. Does the first Ammendment only get limited to quill pens and hand presses? My political affiliation is to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. The most dangerous enemy is the one within your ranks. +1 Littltoes on your sig. Liberty!

[magnanimous_j]

Our 2nd Ammendment rights have already been *censored*ized enough.

If I wanted to jump through all the right hoops and had a lot of money, I could buy a fully automatic MP5K, put a silencer on it, and legally carry it on my person almost anywhere in the state.

What else do you want?

[Pat/Rick]

National concealed carry/reciprocity would be the starting point. No red tape, no hoops, and no ultra expensive fees to exercise those Rights as aforded by the Constitution, all of those very instances "infringe".

[BigGoonTuna]

i think there's a little humor in this for me.  i believe that a shotgun is about the most practical weapon for any kind of "end of world" or survival situation.  yet the shelves at every retailer i've seen are packed with shotgun shells in every gauge and variety.  yeah, the price sucks, but that's because lead went up about 400% over the last couple years(used to be able to get 1lb rolls for fishing for $.89, now they're 4-5 bucks everywhere, because china has been buying it up from us).  i'd rather have a shotgun than any rifle to defend myself against banditos/zombies/looters etc.

now what really pisses me off is that i can't buy 22LR anywhere.  pretty sad considering that cabela's and sportsman's warehouse are right down the road.  even tried the cesspool that is walmart.  found one box of 22 ammo at a local gun shop, about walked out of the store with it and saw that they were only 22 shorts, oops!

i'm gonna get a big laugh when all the speculators end up being wrong, like usual.

[Gearhead1940]

BigGoonTuna- head north to Surplus Arms and Ammo in Lakewood - lots of 22lr (as of a week ago)

magnanimous_j - Are you in OR/ID? As far as I know WA state doesn't allow Class III weapons and while silencers are legal to buy here you can't use them within the WA state. (I did get to shoot an MP5SD at Bullseye back when that stuff was legal and it was FUN!)

[BigGoonTuna]

someone told me about that place in lakewood when i was at the gun shop the other day, i'll have to make a run up there.

stopped in to sunbirds in chehalis on the way back from the river, they had lots of ammo(but only junk 22LR).

[Gearhead1940]

Tactical Tailor is out in front of the shop - have a look in there too. Made in WA high quality military gear - lots of stuff that can be used for hunting/camping/fishing/shooting.  Pricey, but really high quality and they do mods on all there gear while you wait.

[follow maggie]

All of the gear I brought to Iraq was Tactical Tailor.  Their quality is the best you'll find, and the price pretty reasonable for the quality.  Nice people, too.

[BigGoonTuna]

i made it up to surplus arms today -- didn't have exactly what i was looking for, but a decent selection compared to just about everywhere else i've seen.  nice folks there too.