Stock up on ammo or wait?

Question

As many know prices are at an all time high for reloading ammo components and factory ammo. 15 years ago I spent $800 on discount reloading components, all of that is now worth about $2,200. In fact just the salvaged lead I accumulated is now worth over $800, and that was free.

So with the high market prices now should we wait?

Will it go higher?

Or have we seen the last of low prices? You see I am not sure to reload what I got for use now. Or sit on it and buy factory current priced ammo and just shoot less? And have high dollar brass to reload later?

Some insight here would help!

Thanks!

Answer 1

i suggest buying in bulk immediatley from cabelas or some othe rlarge well known company that can be trusted. as you know russia  is heate dup right now and ammo will rise due to military use. also i went to walmart 4 days ago and payed 9 more dollars for 1 box of ammo that is usually dont pay that much for it is all going up and will continue to rise

Answer 2

stock up

Answer 3

Split it 50-50.**

Answer 4

Hmmmm..... A couple of folks here mentioned that commodity's prices have pulled back... They have as well as oil and the US dollar has gained a little strength..... I personally feel this is just a bright spot in a bumpy economic road..... Our candidates and the media are pretty much ignoring the fact there are some very serious economic problems our country is going to face in the next few years...... There is a projected deficit in the US federal budget next year of over 500 billion dollars and that will be on top of the 9 1/2 trillion dollars the USA is in debt now......

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that inflationary pressures will continue...

You didnt mention what type or use you have for your ammo... In my case I target shoot a lot so inflation will surely bite me in the wallet if I dont plan ahead... I stocked up on 9MM, .223, 7.62X39MM, 308 and 12 gauge shot-shells.... I didn't go crazy or break my budget but surely bought enough to keep me in ammo for the next few years.... I started buying when the prices were rising faster than what a couple of investments were paying.....

If uncertainty in ammo prices is bothering you then by all means stock up... Be sensible. Dont strain your personal budget and surely buy on line in bulk to save a few dollars.....

Answer 5

always buy a box here and there!!!!! anytime I am at walmart or anywhere that sells it. one or two boxes here or there ends up being alot!!!

Answer 6

tough call

I have heard the theory that ammo will come back down  when the war is over

I see the point but don't buy into it

I can't see ammo going down but do wonder if it will continue the meteoric rise or if the increase will slow to a rational rate

I have about 300 lbs of free lead and maybe 1000 rounds of assorted brass

I'll be buying primer and powder at the next show

For now my plan is continue buying factory while supplementing with reloading and slowly hoarding components

Answer 7

If you have the money now, stock up.  You'll always use the ammo and since everything seems to be tied in to the price of gasoline ammo prices most likely will just go up again.

H

Answer 8

The war has put a burden on military ammo supplies and powder in general but one of the main reasons for the increase in price is the cost of materials like lead, brass, and copper.  The growing industrialization in India, China and other developing countries is causing the price of materials to skyrocket.  Buy it when you see it on sale and stock up, it will only go higher.  Also keep in mind legislation changes after the election if the wrong people get in.

Answer 9

I have switched to more .22 practice than center fire.  I also made some nice bulk purchases while the prices went up.  The price of ammo is also based on what the market will bear.  If the ammo companies can still sell their products at these inflated prices the price will not come down.  So long as Obama is in the race and has any chance of winning, people will buy all they can afford to get.  He is the most anti-gun person that has run with any kind of chance in a long time.  This produces fear for the people that want to continue shooting for any purpose.

Buy what you can afford.  Look for the best possible prices to make your money go as far as possible.  

If Obama loses the race the price of ammo might drop by 10 to 15% but I don't think you can expect any more than that.

Answer 10

Depends on your own personal use and your inventory. If you shoot a lot you'll need to balance. Buy factory for stock, surplus or discount (brass cased only) for practice, then buy components at a bargain when you can. I hand load my hunting ammo using once fired brass. Recycling I guess. For an emergency a sealed tin of the cheap steel cased stuff doesn't exactly break the bank, definitely helps inventory and (my experience) is fairly reliable.

I've also tailored my gun selection to the more common calibers like .308,.223, 12 gauge.  

Answer 11

I buy a little here and there. My mass stockpiling is done. Not a whole lot at 20,000 rounds but it's much more than any of my freinds. And I am sure to stock up on calibers which my freinds can't use. I am that kind of paranoid. Next friday I plan on spending $300+ on ammo. Mostly foreign calibers and a little domestic.

It doesn't matter. If (when) obama is elected guns will be totally illegal, like police state UK and Aulstralia. Ammo will be banned or taxed so even millionaires can't afford it, or that serializaion c**p, every civilian range in the country will be shut down, imports will be banned, gun shows will be banned, every semi-auto and pump shogun in existance will be banned. Basically the 2nd ammendment will be removed and then BAFTE can really **** us over. So we have until Febuary until we can't get anymore of anything and can't even shoot as recreational shooting will be illegal.

And expect after the November election for guns to skyrocket in value.

Answer 12

I'm not currently reloading, just because I live in an area were it's hard for me to buy supplies. But I am stocking up. Ammunition prices aren't that bad in Canada yet (accept for certain rounds like .308, 30-06 and .300 Win. Mag), so I'm buying a little each week.

The main ammunition I am stocking up on is 12 gauge shells (a variety of shot sizes #4, #2/BB, 00 buckshot, rifled slugs, and sabot slugs) .303 British, and 22lr ammo. I just hope I'm preparing for nothing

Answer 13

I think the price of ammo was due to go up.  The price of oil to deliver as well as raw materials to make pushed it up.  And up and up and up some more.

The first price to go down should be lead shot, pure lead, little work to make, and lead price falling.  I don't see loaded ammo going down anytime soon.  People are still buying it at the inflated price.  Cheap bulk .22LR Federal ammo went up $2.00 this past week at Walmart.

Personally I buy a little here and there always ready to jump on a bargain or close out.  I shoot a lot more .22LR and lastly reload to of set cost of centerfire ammunition.

Answer 14

Jesus dont wait! we might have a democrat in office next year!