You need to become religious about checking Cabelas - several times a day. They'll have ammo available online several times a week, but you've got to hit it quick when it shows up. Another forum I frequent has a tread dedicated explicitly to announcing whenever you see it in stock online. In the last month, I've gotten in on a 325 round box of Federal Auto Match, and a 525 round brick of Remington. My supply is good enough now, now anything I order goes to friends of mine that have absolutely zero stock (new shooters, the only ammo they have is stuff I have given them)Definitely an ammo shortage. Checked 2 walmarts, a local hardware store, and an academy sports. Only 1 box of 9mm between the group, and zero 22lr.
I did discover that midway will let you put in a backorder for a 1400 round bucket of 22lr, limit 1. Expected ship date is June. My wife & I both ordered 1. Hopefully my current supply will outlast the squirrels.
All ammo is available if you buy it online. I just bought 440 rounds for my type 53 even though I only found one place locally who was selling it for about twice what it should have. I just go on www.gun-deals.com click on ammo deals. Select caliber then type in your zip code. Sort by total cpr and bam in a week you have what you wanted at your front door
Especially if you do any volume shooting.
Edit: From an economics standpoint, some people (that tend to be argue that reloading is not an economical pursuit) will insist that you must factor your time into the cost. In other words, if it takes me two hours to load 100 rounds start to finish, then I should factor in $50-100 for "my time". Personally, I consider that argument bull -- I enjoy reloading almost as much as I enjoy shooting, so my 'economic cost' of the time spent loading is cancelled out by the enjoyment I get from it.
You buy a die set for each caliber you want to load -- the set will have all of the dies you need.So... Let's say I need to reload. How many dies do I need? I've thought about pulling the trigger on some reloading dies but I'm lost on all I'd need. Obviously a good manual is in order but what else? I understand the need for a trimmer, powder measure etc. but the die part has me confused. Crimping, sizing...
Expanding on my above post, at the bare minimum you will need:
- Reloading Press - dies mount in this, holds the casing during each step
- Powder Scale - You're going to be working in grains of powder (1 lb = 7,000 grains). You need a good scale for repeatable results.
- Powder Measure - Once calibrated, measures out a precise amount of powder for each casing
- Die set (1 for each caliber)
- Hand Primer - the more advanced presses will automatically do this, but for a starting setup, you'll want a separate tool to press new primers into your cases.
- GOOD Precision Calipers - You're going to be working with VERY tight tolerances. For insance, my pistol (.40 S&W), the reloading manual calls for a Case Overall Length (COAL) OF 1.120"; but *MY* gun, using the bullets I load, feeds more reliably with a COAL of 1.123". (Yes. Three TEN THOUSANDTHS of an inch makes a difference)
- Case cleaning (media tumbler, sonic cleaner) - used to buff carbon deposits and other debris off the cases before reloading.
- At least one good reloading manual (I've got the Speer Reloading Manual #14)
A case trimmer might also be a good addition (maybe more necessary for rifle calibers, I don't know for sure -- the guy that taught me to load only loads handgun, and he doesn't use one) If you can find a friend to show you the ropes, things will go a lot smoother getting started.
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?
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