Got ammo? For some calibers retailer shelves collect dust

It's the sort of situation an economist must dream about studying. Two years ago sportsmen were lamenting how the market price for copper, brass and other non-precious metals was soaring based on the strong demand in Latin American and the Asian markets. Of course, these two metals also happen to be important elements used in the manufacture of most rifle and handgun ammunition. The result: significantly higher ammunition prices — in some cases, almost doubling the end-consumer cost.

Today, however, many gun owners are receiving a completely different lesson in economic theory. In fact, the current situation pertaining to some forms of ammunition can simply be titled "supply vs. demand." When consumer demand greatly exceeds the available supply, the result is empty shelves being stared at by frustrated consumers.

Indeed, the past several months have been quite interesting for both ammunition manufacturers and for those stores trying to shelve their product. The fact is our current political climate has spurred a buying run on certain facets of available ammunition supplies. Oh sure, there are likely other factors involved, too, but I will delve into those rumors and speculations on my other blog site, www.SportsmansBlog.com. For now, in this blog post, I'm just going to stick with the facts as I've recently been witnessing them.

It began late last year as bulk supplies (practice ammo.) for many popular handgun and certain rifle calibers became difficult to find. Calibers such as 9mm, .380Auto, .40S&W, .38 Special, .357, .45ACP, .223 Remington and 7.62 x 39 were among the first to disappear from store shelves. Eventually, the hoarding has even affected most of these calibers in the high-end personal defense offerings — where a box of 20 rounds can cost as much as $30 to $40.

Yet, the madness doesn't stop here. Five years ago you could routinely purchase .22LR ammo for about $11 to $13/brick(500 rounds). Today, you would be challenged to even find bulk .22LR in stock on most retailer's shelves. Furthermore, remaining inventories are usually packaged in commemorative boxes that routinely now command selling prices between $30 to $50/brick. Will you need some rimfire ammunition to hunt bushytails this fall? I might be inclined to start looking for that ammunition sooner rather than waiting until later.

The point that needs to be made is it behooves sportsmen to spend some time now in checking over your personal ammunition supply. As I just pointed out with the .22LR, the lack of ammunition availability is not limited to calibers people typically associate with personal defense. In fact, my sources tell me that supplies even on calibers such as the .308 Winchester — a widely popular big game caliber — have grown low in recent weeks.

Ironically, those individuals who reload their own ammunition seem to be no better off. Finding a dealer with rifle primers in stock is nearly impossible. Locating brass casings and bullets can also be hit or miss, pardon the pun. As for gunpowder, expect to find available about half the usual offering on most retailer shelves.