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Has the latest ammo shortage changed your rifle of choice?

B

B3owulf

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Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 27, 2012
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Clarksville
I have been doing most of my shooting over the last year or so with a rem700 5R in .308. Good ammo is usually easy to find so it has been my gun of choice at the range. Lately though it has been hard to find any decent .308 available near me and I have been spending more time shooting my sporterized mauser hunting rifle in 8x57. It seems strange that a less common round is actually more available.

Curious for some thoughts on this from the forum. Anyone else here impacted by the ammo shortage? Not impacted because you handload? Not impacted because you already shoot a less common round?
 
I started stockpiling before the last election and never let up...I'm GTG for a while.

However the 'crunch' has prevented me from buying anything else in a new chambering. Not going to pay ridiculous prices for reloading components needed to get into a new cartridge.
 
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I went from a 6.5 Creedmoor for everything, to a shorty short 308 and a 6.5PRC. Now I can't find ammo for either one. Meanwhile, you can actually find 6.5 Creedmoor ammo on the shelf at many of my local sporting goods stores. Not that I normally buy ammo at stores, but at least it would keep me in the game since hunting season is upon us.
 
Right now I only have a 6.8spc II and a 5.56 ar-15s I built. Eventually I want to get a bolt gun, but no, current situation doe not make me rethink my current rifles. While ammo is more expensive now and a bit harder to find, it still pops up all over the place.
 
Crews said:
I went from a 6.5 Creedmoor for everything, to a shorty short 308 and a 6.5PRC. Now I can't find ammo for either one. Meanwhile, you can actually find 6.5 Creedmoor ammo on the shelf at many of my local sporting goods stores. Not that I normally buy ammo at stores, but at least it would keep me in the game since hunting season is upon us.
Click to expand...

I noticed my local store has 6.5 creedmoor in stock as well. Before I was not really interested in a more specialty round but now I'm starting to rethink.
 
Definitely impacted shooting pistols for me. All of my components are in a different state, haven’t restocked anything but primers and not planning on buying loaded ammo at election year prices.

No issue with centerfire rifle though, just loaded another 300 rounds of .308 this weekend.

Rimfire on the other hand, I’m down to my last brick and no plans to crack it open anytime soon.
 
This “shortage” occurs every four years. We should be used to it.

COVID made it worse because businesses were unable produce goods for a period of time.

This is not a singular event.

It shouldn’t change your path. In six months it will be back to normal. If you do not reload you should start.
 
Last edited:
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Powder_Burns said:
Definitely impacted shooting pistols for me. All of my components are in a different state, haven’t restocked anything but primers and not planning on buying loaded ammo at election year prices.

No issue with centerfire rifle though, just loaded another 300 rounds of .308 this weekend.

Rimfire on the other hand, I’m down to my last brick and no plans to crack it open anytime soon.
Click to expand...

This. When this shit is over I'm buying a ton of primers and a wheelgun.
 
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I have been lucky enough to buy my firearms in various calibers, from .22 LR to .45 for handguns and .22 Mag to .308
Safe is stocked accordingly with ammo, as I have purchased as I could afford it on a continuous basis.
Ex: During the last ammo/firearm shortage of early 2013, everyone thought the 9mm would be well stocked on the shelves, but it was one of the first to disappear. I did notice that the unpopular ,40 S&W ammo and firearms were the last to go, so I made it a point that after the shortage I bought an H&K P30L with corresponding ammo for it. My son recently purchased a Henry in .357 and will compliment my GP-100 if ever need be.
As for the shortage of .22 LR (not my fave caliber as I prefer the .22 Magnum more), I was fortunate enough to have two gamblers (I live in NV) I knew sell me a large quantity of their ammo at (surprise) half price, so they could raise a stake so they could go gamble in the casinos. I lucked out there! I was unaware of this new shortage until my son told me about his new Henry, but he could not buy any ammo for it in the state where he was stationed. I managed to find him some and even some for myself. Good luck to you all in your quests and it makes all of us think and plan ahead!
 
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Powder_Burns said:
158gr swc over 3.8gr unique love you long time in a .38 spcl.
Click to expand...

Something exactly like this. I bought two pounds of unique a while back, mostly for 300blk subs out of a bolt gun. I've shot quite a few rounds and I've barely put a dent in it. I've also seen it on shelves recently...

I think I'm going to start hitting up a buddy that works as a buyer for a scrap yard for wheel weights too.
 
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changing my mind on my rifles would take an act of god far more than a little old ammo shortage , though I am thinking when powder gets to filling the shelves again I am going to start stocking up on that and primers and brass and bullets more than ever maybe even start reloading my own I hope .
 
not change my mind, but i jumped on an AX in .260 remington and part of the drive was that i could get ammo and it wasnt the 6.5 creedwhore.

i have a metric pile of 308, which is still my main man.
 
I shoot mainly 6br and .260 - as such I'm a reloader. Have plenty of components. I suspect most reloaders are sitting on a pile of components.
 
Yes.

I was hell bent on a 6mm of some sort, but will be waiting until SRP's are back in stock or I find a bunch.
 
Yup. Shooting a lot more rifle than handgun and moved away from 223. I didn't reload for 223 much as it was "cheap", same with handgun.

Now everyweekend its 308/300 Win Mag/Soon to be 6.5 Creed
 
just over the weekend i ordered 500 dollars worth of projectiles and about the same in powder.

nothing has changed for me whatsoever
 
I generally like to keep five hundred rounds on hand for any caliber I have. I don't shoot often, and when I do it's less than 50 rounds so I'm good for times like this.

Bought a couple boxes of 6.5CM Hornady Outfitter ammo at a box store. Wasn't cheap, but it was there and I didn't have any hunting ammo for that rifle. If it shoots as good as their 300WSM equivalent I'll be happy.

Getting into reloading now, but not exactly looking for bullets, powders, and primers at the moment. Just getting dies and what not to have brass ready for when that stuff comes back into regular quantities. Then I'm going to stockpile that like I do ammo after reloading what I have now.
 
Hasnt changed much for me, i did decide to start building a 6cm slowly.
 
I’ve got decent stock but my 9mm is dwindling, I am shooting more 7.62x39 than I have before this mess.
 
Been looking for CCI BR2 Large rifle for about 2 months now. The only ones I found were $90.00 per 1000. Not that hard up yet, but powder and primers is a real problem.
 
No Change for me, Have been a competitive shooter for a long time, learned a good lesson about 12 years ago, Get stuff while its cheap!! I only shoot re loads, With the exception of Rim fire. Have been wanting a 6.5 PRC for a while, could not find brass to save my life. would not buy a rifle i could not shoot! Went in one day and Poof their it was, bought the brass a and rifle the same time!!
 
It has nudged me to not change calibers on my next purchase, it'll be 6XC or .308.
 
With the plethora of 6.5 creedmoor on the shelf I think I'll put one together again when we return to normal. Otherwise not really.
 
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I did a count and boxing on handgun ammo over the weekend. Count for all of the handgun calibers is around 5K, with enough components to load thousands more, so I'm good there. I need to get on loading and stocking up on the long guns. Projectiles are my holdup there, as with everyone else.
 
I've found 6.8SPC impossible to find. I already have a good stockpile but since this is my general purpose rifle (defense/hunting) I've just held off on shooting it much other than to verify zero before deer season. I'll just hold my stocks till things go back to normal(ish). I've been shooting 22lr more than usual. I've had no issues finding CCI SV, Eley subs, and Lapua Center X so I've been able to shoot cheaper than I normally do. I've also had no issue finding range ammo for my 5.56 so I practice with that instead of the 6.8. I've adjusted my pistol shooting somewhat as well, working on my draws and drills without actually shooting. This is a good time to be dry firing if you are running low on ammo. Rifles shouldn't be getting dusty during this time.
 
Nope my firearms will function independently of availability on ammo/parts/mags for life.
 
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It has defiantly made me more conscious of my ammo supply. If/when trump wins and ammo gets back to normal I will be more prepared!
 
Just my observation...but if you know where to look in town (Houston), you can find what you need. Higher end labels and good stuff is expensive. That stays on the shelves and can be found. Shit brand garbage and steel cased hicap stuff goes fast and is purchased by new gun owners and paranoid hoarders that waited until they felt threatened to bulk buy.

basically any quality hunting caliber is still around. online ammo is also an option. Sgammo is solid and hell, even midway stocks my Norma .300.
 
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Can’t take it to the grave....I’ll just re-up from the corpses. Keep enough for a small seige and enough to get the hell out of dodge.
 
B3owulf said:
I have been doing most of my shooting over the last year or so with a rem700 5R in .308. Good ammo is usually easy to find so it has been my gun of choice at the range. Lately though it has been hard to find any decent .308 available near me and I have been spending more time shooting my sporterized mauser hunting rifle in 8x57. It seems strange that a less common round is actually more available.

Curious for some thoughts on this from the forum. Anyone else here impacted by the ammo shortage? Not impacted because you handload? Not impacted because you already shoot a less common round?
Click to expand...
Not really. Just timely stuff. I do not reload yet. Trying to forget other hobbies. I just leave mail mark and they let me know. Having a bunch of time off lately. Sometimes the range is vacant. So, having fun and ordering more ammo. I play with the 6.5 creed and .17 hmr. The Tikka is sweet! The .17, well, have a 1700 dollar scope on a 500 dollar rifle. Shoot pennies at 100. The 6.5 at 200. The .17 is not all that. Ammo does keep creeping up. It’s called protection or no. Lol. You need it, you can get it.
 
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B3owulf said:
I have been doing most of my shooting over the last year or so with a rem700 5R in .308. Good ammo is usually easy to find so it has been my gun of choice at the range. Lately though it has been hard to find any decent .308 available near me and I have been spending more time shooting my sporterized mauser hunting rifle in 8x57. It seems strange that a less common round is actually more available.

Curious for some thoughts on this from the forum. Anyone else here impacted by the ammo shortage? Not impacted because you handload? Not impacted because you already shoot a less common round?
Click to expand...

These are the times that make men........

Glad to be reloaders!
 
I basically shoot 22LR now and limit myself to 556 green tip ammo. I also practically stopped shooting my pistols for now to conserve valuable 9mm and 45 acp. In a way, this covid crisis has been a blessing in disguise bc I purchased a 457 Pro varmint...and OMG I love shooting it. It has been a relevation of outstanding fun to be had. The curse of covid is I've purchased more guns and accessories during time exiled away in isolation.
 
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Not really. After the Sandy Hook panic finally subsided and stuff became available again, I went on an ammo stocking binge. I have enough bulk ammo now in 5.56, 9mm, .45ACP and probably .22LR to last probably the rest of my life barring the actual zombie apocalypse. I reload all my match rifle ammo anyway (.223, 6.5CM and occasionally .308) so as long as I have components I'm good. I've got probably 10 years worth of powder stashed away now, and 3-5 years of primers and bullets. My rate of purchases has slowed during the "pandemic" because I've been dealing with other priorities, but I'm good for the time being and when the current panic ends I'll resume restocking the stuff I'm shooting up now.
 
Peahi2 said:
I basically shoot 22LR now and limit myself to 556 green tip ammo. I also practically stopped shooting my pistols for now to conserve valuable 9mm and 45 acp. In a way, this covid crisis has been a blessing in disguise bc I purchased a 457 Pro varmint...and OMG I love shooting it. It has been a relevation of outstanding fun to be had. The curse of covid is I've purchased more guns and accessories during time exiled away in isolation.
Click to expand...

It won't be a curse if the left turns the election into a revolution. Pray not.
 
Looks like I’ll probably stick with LRP brass for now even though I’d like to move to SRP brass like the cool kids, because at least Large primers pop up now and then... with all the AR-ninjas buying/hoarding all the SRP’s it may be a while before I see any of them again...
 
Iv been shooting what I can find!! Definitely plinking more with the 22. Lucky I'm pretty stocked up for now with powder and bullets. Iv layed of shooting the ars and hand guns to conserve my stash
 
Yes actually. Reloading components do not exist in my neck of the woods and anything centerfire I put downrange is pretty much irreplaceable for the foreseeable. I've shifted to shooting my Anschutz almost exclusively because I have a large pile of high end .22. I guess the one benefit of shooting .22LR that's 20-30 cents a round is it is always in stock...
 
Not really. I mostly shoot my precision rifles already anyways, so lack of cheap .223, 9mm, and .45 acp hasn't effected me too much.

My main bolt gun is a .223. I can still find match ammo for about a buck a round. Its more expensive, but I still get to shoot.

My most shot gun is a precision .22. I used to shoot mostly CCISV which I can't find any more. That was my go to cheap but decent round. Now I shoot only the lapua, sk, etc at about 15-20c a round. I shoot less of it. But I also apriciate it more. That said, it also preforms a lot better at 100 than the normal stuff does, so its not a zero sum game.

The biggest hit to me is that I was ready to invest into reloading gear right before this bullshit hit. Now I can find gear,, but no components. So no relaodong for me for the next 6-18 months. Took that money and pimped the fuck out of my rifles.
 
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B3owulf said:
I have been doing most of my shooting over the last year or so with a rem700 5R in .308. Good ammo is usually easy to find so it has been my gun of choice at the range. Lately though it has been hard to find any decent .308 available near me and I have been spending more time shooting my sporterized mauser hunting rifle in 8x57. It seems strange that a less common round is actually more available.

Curious for some thoughts on this from the forum. Anyone else here impacted by the ammo shortage? Not impacted because you handload? Not impacted because you already shoot a less common round?
Click to expand...
Uh...what ammo shortage??? Not in my walk-in ammo vault. Built second ammo vault at lodge on our hunting property. Been buying each week since OBummer first election. All set for stolen election Biden apocalypse.
 
Not in any real way.


I have started using all the half empty boxes of odd bullets and cleaning shelves. Can be fun to try and find data for bullets that haven't been made in 20+ years, but I also have books going back to the 70's for that now.
 
I have had a Weatherby Vanguard RC in 300 Weatherby Magnum for a long time and have never shot it. Nice rifle, stainless. I've been finding ammo for it for the same price as 308 was. So... I've been buying some of that considering it's normally so expensive and all made by Norma.

It'll get better, y'all. The US is the only country with a vast mass of people who buy a TON of ammo just to have it. Our powder is mostly made in Europe. Those factories shut down for COVID right when Americans decided to prep again. They're going to need a minute to catch up.
 
I ordered a tikka in 270win, brass and ammo are always available and cheap. If there wasn’t a shortage I may have gone 6.5prc
 
223 handloads for the AR15!

I am giving my bolt guns a reprieve until components are available.
 
B3owulf said:
Has the latest ammo shortage changed your rifle of choice?
Click to expand...

No. As of yet, I am unaffected by current events as it applies to my supply of arms, munitions, and accessories.

Plan ahead and you too will be equally unaffected.
 
Nope no changes for me

Guess the one Change is I now reload for .223/5.56 can’t find it anywhere. I have plenty of .308 since that’s what most my guns shoot.

Reloading components are stacked deep as well.
I will be fine can’t say the same for others.
 
I’m pretty well stocked up in the calibers I shoot. But I have not been shooting as often as usual, in order to preserve what I have. It will be nice when things get back to normal as far as availability and price.
 
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