Rugrad02
Well-Known Member
Let me explain a few things first:
I own a few guns but haven't really shot them in a few years. I don't have the property, nor know anyone that will allow gun hunting or shooting on their property.
I grew up in a county where only shotguns were to be used during the whitetail gun season. When I was in my early 20's, I purchased my first rifle, a .243 for shooting ground hogs. I now live more south/coastal where ground hogs are unheard of.
I have been hunting a spot that is archery only and have recently decided to try my hand at hunting a local public game preserve next season. As rifles are permitted, where I live now, I've been thinking about getting something a bit larger for hunting whitetail deer. I know many will say that my .243 is plenty of gun but I'm looking into something a bit larger. A caliber that interests me is the 7mm-08. I have heard great things about it and in the 139-140 grain range is plenty effective for putting meat in the freezer.
I've started looking around for ammo and the shelves are looking mighty baron. I'm not just talking about the 7mm-08, but everything. Maybe stores are wiped out from the season? Is it bad timing on my part? I've checked BassPro, Cabelas, Sportsman's Guide, my local Dick's Sporting goods, Walmart and they all seem short on selection. Walmart did have one offering for each of the more popular .270, .30-06 and 7mm mag and Bass Pro and some other online dealers may be stocked with these popular calibers. A buddy recommended getting the similar .308 because of better selection but I'm finding these hard to find as well.
I've looked into possible reasons for a shortage and can't find a viable one. The belief that the government is buying mass quantities of ammo seems a bit far fetched and IMO wouldn't really pertain to hunting cartridges. Pistol shooters seem to be in a similar boat. Anyone heard of any reason or am I just looking for hunting ammo at the wrong time of year?
I own a few guns but haven't really shot them in a few years. I don't have the property, nor know anyone that will allow gun hunting or shooting on their property.
I grew up in a county where only shotguns were to be used during the whitetail gun season. When I was in my early 20's, I purchased my first rifle, a .243 for shooting ground hogs. I now live more south/coastal where ground hogs are unheard of.
I have been hunting a spot that is archery only and have recently decided to try my hand at hunting a local public game preserve next season. As rifles are permitted, where I live now, I've been thinking about getting something a bit larger for hunting whitetail deer. I know many will say that my .243 is plenty of gun but I'm looking into something a bit larger. A caliber that interests me is the 7mm-08. I have heard great things about it and in the 139-140 grain range is plenty effective for putting meat in the freezer.
I've started looking around for ammo and the shelves are looking mighty baron. I'm not just talking about the 7mm-08, but everything. Maybe stores are wiped out from the season? Is it bad timing on my part? I've checked BassPro, Cabelas, Sportsman's Guide, my local Dick's Sporting goods, Walmart and they all seem short on selection. Walmart did have one offering for each of the more popular .270, .30-06 and 7mm mag and Bass Pro and some other online dealers may be stocked with these popular calibers. A buddy recommended getting the similar .308 because of better selection but I'm finding these hard to find as well.
I've looked into possible reasons for a shortage and can't find a viable one. The belief that the government is buying mass quantities of ammo seems a bit far fetched and IMO wouldn't really pertain to hunting cartridges. Pistol shooters seem to be in a similar boat. Anyone heard of any reason or am I just looking for hunting ammo at the wrong time of year?