So where is all the ammo at?

If any of you are into the shooting sports, you know there has been a shortage on several gun related items.  From AR-15 parts (the Evil Black Rifle or EBR or the Assault Weapon, that is typically the target of bans), most magazines (especially any that hold a capacity of more than 10 rds), and popular ammo calibers.

For example, in Feb of 2012, one could buy 5.56 NATO ammo, used by the EBR mentioned above, for about $0.37 a round, or $369 per case of a thousand. .22lr, was selling for about $16 per box of 500 (otherwise known as a brick).  In June of 2012, the 5.56 NATO was going for about $425 a case and .22lr was going for about $20 a brick.  After the November election and the re-election of Dear Leader Obama, the 5.56 NATO was going for about $500 a case and .22lr was going for about $25 a brick.

Then Sandy Hook happened, with the predictable call for an Assault Weapons Ban, ownership restriction, magazine restrictions, etc, etc.  And the panic buying started.  Again.

Two weeks later, the 5.56 NATO was going for about $1000 a case and .22lr was going for about $100 a brick, if you could find any.

Magpul PMags, the high quality polymer magazine used in the AR-15 went from $15 a piece to over $60.  Brownells, one of the largest gun parts suppliers in the country sold a 3 1/2 year supply of AR-15 mags in 72 hours.

7 months later, the PMags are starting to drop toward near pre-panic prices and the supplies in store are starting to get back to normal. 5.56 NATO ammo is still going for about $650 a case and .22lr is going for about $50 a brick.

But finding .22lr ammo in a store is a challenge.  Most people are buying it in the secondary market from hoarders or entrepenuers (some would call them opportunists, but if one has been shooting as long as I have and have seen these panics before, it provides a semi-regular chance to reduce one's shooting habit costs).

In the past, most shooter would pick-up some ammo on the way to the range or their event and pick up what they need, possibly an extra box or two.  Now, if they can get a hold of any supplies, they buy more than they typically need, or all that's available, which adds more pressure to the demand.

So when will this panic be over? Well, after the 2008 elections, the ammo supply did not return to normal until late 2010, about 2 years.  We're now into about month 8 of a current shortage with no end in sight.  Add to that, all the new shooters, who got into the sport because of the fear of a ban and those who are re-discovering the sport.  This shortage may last for another 2, possibly 3 years.