Forgive me father, for I have sinned…

[Tired Retired]

I am guilty of buying the last two boxes of Remington .30 carb from the Walmart’s shelf a few hours ago. I know it was $25.97, but I could not help myself. Even though I have several cans of powder and a couple hundred FMJ bullets, I have been unable to find any more small rifle primers (two stores in the area sold out within 2 hours of receiving shipments) and my source for .30 carbine brass has sold out. I also can not seem to find any places on line that have supplies in stock. I realize that it is sinful to buying overpriced commercial ammo and to take the last two boxes leaving nothing for my fellow shooters …. I could not help myself. I promise to clean my all weapons two times this weekend as penitence (after I fire them of course). :bow:

Seriously, I did buy two boxes of .30 Carbine at one local walmart, BUT what was interesting was that they had placed a sign up on the cabinet that customers are limited to purchasing TWO boxes of ammo due to ammunition shortage. They had plenty of 9mm WWB and several boxes of 7.63X39, 223, .40 cal and a few .45. They also had a stock of yellow box .308 and several other rifle cals…. I don’t know if they had stock because of the sales limits or if I just hit them at the right time.

Are other places starting to recover yet????

[frankderrico]

Ed, at .63 cents a round take yor time shooting. We have an ammo dealer at some of our shows that has good carbine ammo at $17.00 per box of 50. Try hitting some gun shows. Hey have fun this weekend....Frank

[Tired Retired]

Frank,

My "confession" was a sarcastic comment on the state of ammo supply and demand. I was also noting a method employed by one store (though be it a Wallyworld) to buffer the shooting sports from all the hoarding which is going on. No, I do not support rationing (even though it worked in WWII), but maybe a few more people in my area my get to go to the range this weekend because this store was forcing the supply to be spread around. I actually "missed out" on some small rifle primers by 5 minutes this morning because some guy (I was told) came in and bought an entire shelf full of primers and walked out with them. Ok, 1,000 primers is a normal amount to buy.... I can see, maybe 5,000 if he is stocking for a year's worth of reloading (talk about progressive reloading!!) but not 10,000 primers. Come on, even I didn't reload that much when I was single! I am guessing those will be sold this weekend at the local gunshow for a small profit. (Wait, aren't we suppose to be turning into socialists instead of capitolists???)

Yea, I bought 2 boxes, not something I would even normaly consider. I had a little extra change the wife didnt know about. ok, I spend $10 more than I would have on this weekend's range trip. I will just not stop at MickeyD's on the way home.

I am actually a big supporter of everyone learning reloading. Even with today's high prices on some components, I can still make .30 carb for about $10 per box of 50 (using old brass) to $20 per box if I use virgin brass. The beauty of learning to reload is you can "tune" your loads to the uniqueness of each weapon plus work up very accurate loads. Its wet and cold here this week and I didn't feel like trying to reload a couple hundred rounds in the cold garage.

So maybe that should be my direct question to the group as whole - are any of the stores in your areas starting to limit purchases of ammo or reloading supplies to "spread the wealth"????

[jimb16]

Hey Tired! I gothrough more than 5000 primers per year. I do a lot of shooting, normally 3-400 rounds per week. 10,000 for me is NOT hoarding.

[phil441]

Ed, have you found an indoor range that accepts "our kind" shooting FMJ or are you gonna tough it out at Quail Creek? I imagine that range gets a bit messy after this much rain....
Just curious...
Phil

[frankderrico]

Ed' I live in central Wisconsin. I have not seen anybody limeting any ammo sales hear....http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq335/frankderrico/DSC05402.jpg

[Tired Retired]

Jimb,

I remember those lucky days... having money for rent, gas, food, and BULLETS!!!! now it goes to braces, book fees, school clothes and prom dresses - hell, sometimes I can't afford the shotgun shells to chase the teenage boys away! Yea, I believe you that 10,000 for a SHOOTER is not alot and is not hoarding, but I have talked to several gun shop people here that have pointed out a few people (in the right place at the right time) are grabbing large volumes and stating that its out of fear or for "getting it now". Shooters buying their "normal" amounts is, well, normal... its what you normally use and have always bought. Hence, that "usage" was always there.... now the guy that bought 25 cans of pounds (yep, 25 cans) at Cabelas in December and then bragged that he was going to resell it at the weekend gunshow... hmmmm.... Hmmm, 10,000 rounds 30 carbine costs about $2,000. Loading 9mm thats only $1,600. Jimb, you live a good life. I was only drooling over your carbine collection. now you got me drooling over you ammo collection!

Phil,

I haven't had the chance to find any more close ranges. I met one old retired USAF colonel who told me about the Parker County Sportsmans Club. Its a private club near Weatherford that has some great ranges. I understand that they also have service rifle matches on a regular basis. I found their web site - membership is $70 per year and shoot all you want. I think that they are right up your alley, but it will be a bit of a drive for you. If anyone reading this knows of anything about that shooting club, I would appreciate your feedback and recommendation.

I just started a new job (wife made me, she caught me buying two guns in one month and is forcing me to work to pay for my "addiction"). I now only have my weekends free to devote to getting a "fix".

Frank,

I have got to get me some of the magazine covers.... Those really add to the quality of that pic.

Ed

[JimF4M1s]

Phil,
You start chasing women and see how costly that will be. Guns are cheap compared to that.

[phil441]

Jim,
I would but the wife says NO WAY!
She had no problem with my buying my sg Underwood, but she did look at me with "that look" when I told her what I paid for my last two boxes of Remington FMJ.

[cafdfw]

Hey Phil,

There's an indoor range in Dallas, on Inwood I believe, just off I-35 that will let you shoot anything. I think it's only about 30 yards though.

~ Harlan

[phil441]

Harlan, thanks for the tip. I did find one indoor range that would allow (non-metallic) FMJ over here. Only problem? It's only 15 yards. That's a little short for rifle...
Maybe the rains will let up and allow the outdoor ranges to dry out some.
Even better would be for the ammo market to loosen up enough for me to score some SP. I have a little, but that's reserved for home defense until I can find more.
Phil

[TDH]

Frank,

My "confession" was a sarcastic comment on the state of ammo supply and demand. I was also noting a method employed by one store (though be it a Wallyworld) to buffer the shooting sports from all the hoarding which is going on. No, I do not support rationing (even though it worked in WWII), but maybe a few more people in my area my get to go to the range this weekend because this store was forcing the supply to be spread around. I actually "missed out" on some small rifle primers by 5 minutes this morning because some guy (I was told) came in and bought an entire shelf full of primers and walked out with them. Ok, 1,000 primers is a normal amount to buy.... I can see, maybe 5,000 if he is stocking for a year's worth of reloading (talk about progressive reloading!!) but not 10,000 primers. Come on, even I didn't reload that much when I was single! I am guessing those will be sold this weekend at the local gunshow for a small profit. (Wait, aren't we suppose to be turning into socialists instead of capitolists???)

Yea, I bought 2 boxes, not something I would even normaly consider. I had a little extra change the wife didnt know about. ok, I spend $10 more than I would have on this weekend's range trip. I will just not stop at MickeyD's on the way home.

I am actually a big supporter of everyone learning reloading. Even with today's high prices on some components, I can still make .30 carb for about $10 per box of 50 (using old brass) to $20 per box if I use virgin brass. The beauty of learning to reload is you can "tune" your loads to the uniqueness of each weapon plus work up very accurate loads. Its wet and cold here this week and I didn't feel like trying to reload a couple hundred rounds in the cold garage.

So maybe that should be my direct question to the group as whole - are any of the stores in your areas starting to limit purchases of ammo or reloading supplies to "spread the wealth"????

No rationing here in No. Ohio----so far---30 carbine don't last long at the north store {about 35 miles away} when they get it. Still waiting for the 500 rounds I ordered 2nd week of Dec. there was a fella from our gun club that had 1080 rounds in strippers at the last club show. He wanted $325 for it. I thank the local shooters that let their brass lay at the range. That helps keep the cost down. Now we are looking for a mold for the carbine even though the gas checks around here are $35/1000. Powder is hard to find and jacketed bullets are getting scarce. Gun show tomorow we'll see what we can find:banghead:

[Ed Johnson]

Some of the guys on here say they use small pistol primers in their Carbine loads. I don't think it is a good idea but if you get desperate, might be worth a try. Be sure and wear safety glasses as always.

[Tired Retired]

Love to shoot, respect my weapons, and I don't have to prove my testosterone level. I doubt I will ever be in a situation were I will risk my health or my weapons to "trying something different" with proven reloading formulas. I am dreading being at a public range next to the guy that is "trying something different". Of course, I may have withdrawal symptoms from the lack of gun fire and smell of powder....

[jimb16]

I just got a tool called freechex from a guy in Ca. He sells on ePay. It is used to make gas checks out of your scrap aluminum cans, likie pop and beer cans. I made a couple of dozen just to see how it works and with a little tweaking, I started getting good checks. I haven't sized and lubed the bullets yet, but the seem to fit the base of the .30 cast bullets nice and snug. They should work fine. I'll give them a try as soon as I get the opportunity. The tool costs around $40 including shipping. That is less than two packs of checks. I picked up a second set for .357/.38/.9mm. It works a little differently, but produces useable gas check too. Since I shoot a lot of cast, these will save me a bunch of money in the long run. Email me if you want the contact info. jimb16@hotmail.com

[phil441]

The main problem around here is that what ammo is available is FMJ.
In an earlier post my reference to "our kind" shooting FMJ " was interpreted by a few members in a way I did not intend. My bad......
What I meant to say is that somehow we need to get the Manufacturers to start shipping SP, HP, JHP and such. Around here, most indoor and outdoor ranges don't want any FMJ on the range.
We've got plenty of FMJ but my wife and I are sorely limited on where we can shoot right now.

Any ideas as to when we might start seeing "acceptable" ammo? I track the stock market but not the ammo market.

phil

[FTD1167]

Went to my local Wal-Mart and the Dept. Mgr informed me they had deleted
his order # for .30 cal ammo. They won't carry it anymore. Is this happening
any where else?

[cafdfw]

Went to my local Wal-Mart and the Dept. Mgr informed me they had deleted
his order # for .30 cal ammo. They won't carry it anymore. Is this happening
any where else?

Yes. Both local Walmarts have stopped stocking carbine ammo here.
It must have been a directive, but why? It sells as fast as it hits the shelves.

[Tired Retired]

I am surrounded by 5 walmarts within 5 miles of me. Three of them have stocked .30 carb within the last 3 to 4 weeks. I intend on checking with each of the store managers and complaining that they dropped it from stock even though it was obviously selling. Then calling inthe district manager (by their policy, the have to give you the number to the district manager). As far as the guys in the DFW area, we can "remind" them all that Cabela's, Bass Pro and CTD will gladly trade our green cash for yellow box ammo. Maybe they will tell me why.... It may not do any good... and I don't want to buy any more at $25.97 a box anyway... but it will feel good to b%#ch for the cause to a retailer!!!! "oh, I feel good.... and I knew that I would, now.... I feel nice.... like sugar and spice, now... so good... " sorry, I was typing tone deaf....

[Ed Buie]

Tired: Have you heard of the Arlington Sportsman's Club. We have a range southwest of Mansfield. At present the rifle range is limited to 100 yards. Also good pistol and shotgun ranges. Check it out, it may be closer than Weatherford.

[Tired Retired]

Ed,
Thanks, I think several of us are looking for a good range. I am out of town on business, but I will look them up when I get back to Ft Worth. Thanks!

Ed

[phil441]

Hi Ed & Ed
The Arlington Sportsman's Club, http://www.arlingtonsportsman.com/ , looks to be a great organization, but reading the application requirements is a reminder that if you're not "in" with a few members of a private club, you're not gonna be a member..
Most of us are just casual shooters who just want a place to go when the mood strikes us. But thanks for the suggestion. I hope it helps a few folks around here. In the meantime.......
Still lookin'
Phil

[1961MJS]

Hey Tired! I gothrough more than 5000 primers per year. I do a lot of shooting, normally 3-400 rounds per week. 10,000 for me is NOT hoarding.

Hi, and welcome to the club. I'm mainly a Bullseye shooter, Monthly 3 gun matches are 90 rounds of .22LR, 90 rounds of Centerfire (in my case .45ACP), and 90 rounds of .45 ACP. 100 rounds of .22LR practice, and 50 rounds of .45 ACP practice a week. Winter Smallbore Pistol league is 90 rounds of .22LR a week on top of that.

Now I've got the M1 to try out, and I'll probably start shooting the CMP Sporter .22LR matches this year too. I have probably 3K rounds of .45 Brass to reload.

Later