Interestingly it is the imported ammo that is dragging prices down, 7.62x39 out of Russia is down around $300 per 1000 online steal case .223 & 9mm are also imports and also much closer to (But not yet near) the pre 2020 prices.
I think the American manufacturers have to be looking at the imports taking market shares and . . . .doing the math, how much longer can we keep these high prices going and not loss TOO many shooters to the European brands for good.
I picked up another 100 rounds each of Remington 9mm and .38 Special this morning. The 9mm was $20/box, .38 Special was $33/box.
Just 4-6 weeks ago both those calibers were at least double that locally, and usually for an off brand. If you could find any…
They only had sierra 115 hp’s 26.99 for 20. Last few times they had some monarch (usually ppu or barnaul rebranded) steel case fmj but I didn’t catch the price as I don’t have a blackout (yet).
A dollar twenty a round?!? For 300 Blackout
So glad I reload, Even with the higher prices, my plinker Subsonic 300 reload is as follows
(and this is at todays prices)
You only have to reload maybe 400 round to pay for a basic reloading set
How much is all this stuff that it says isn’t included?
bench plate, reloading dies, case length gauges or shellholders for the Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press.
Bench plate = don’t need, I don’t have one just bolted it to my work bench.
Reloading dies = you will need the Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set $38.99 (in 300 AAC Blackout)
Case length gauges = 6" calipers is all you need and there are 3 on Midway under $25
Shellholder = comes free with the lee die set
Reloading Manual = the how to part free, Lee has a YouTube page Lee Precision, Inc. - Single Station Die Adjustment
Reloading Manual = the what powder and how much of it to make this round part, also free most major powder makers have both a “Basic load” book that can be found with their powder at the gun shop, or on line.
So the answer is $64.00 or about the savings of loading another 139 rounds. However if you looked at the add for the anniversary kit and did the math you would find that my original
actually works out to about $184 in savings & the kit is $149.99 I left you $35 for the die set. . (forgot about the Calipers though) so really I was off $25- $30 I’d say. Not bad for internet math.
last thing, it is a bit complicated to get started at, I think the best way is to find someone you know. (A friends dad or something) and ask if he will show you. In lieu of that, RCBS also has a YouTube channel and has a good solid Intro to Handloading series (Although they do try to sell you equipment throughout) Good luck, good question
I don’t have a workbench yet, not even sure where I would put one in my garage. I do have calipers though, 4, all Mitutoyo.
Obviously I know nothing about reloading. I may look into it though. I thought it was a LOT more money for the equipment.
Staff at the nearest Bass Pro told me once people found out when the ammo shipments came, they’d spend the night in the parking lot, and to top it off, the people were damned rude and demanding. Harassing the workers unloading the truck!
Yeah there were people camping out at Academy locations and many more showing up hours before they opened and waiting in line because the staff at every location I went to would straight up tell everybody their stocking habits, and sometimes if a truck was coming that afternoon/evening to be unloaded for the following day. I went an hour before opening on January 20 just for the hell of it and was almost the 60th person in line (and at least that many showed up after me). Figured I was already out, I’m not going to get anything anyways, and power walked a different route just to see what was out. Well over 100 people were waiting for about a dozen boxes of 200 round Winchester M193, about a dozen boxes of 20 in 6.5 CM, and a pitiful selection of 12 gauge bird shot.
I don’t know about all locations, but the handful nearest me started trickling inventory out usually early-mid afternoon a few months ago to slow down the scalpers. Seems to have worked because every time I’ve stopped at one since then there is at least one option for .223/5.56, 7.62x39, .308/7.62x51, .22LR, and various other stuff.
I think the BPS are doing something similar, waiting awhile after unloading the truck to actually put the ammo out.
Wish I could find some .22LR
It’s about all I can’t currently find locally
I wouldn’t call it total gouging, but recently they’ve always had Norma round nose for 20 cents a round (limit 4 boxes or spam or ammo cans). May not be bad though for 50 packs, I’ve never bought anything but bricks.
Their 22 and 5.56 are the only things it seems like they could have gone up on more than what inflation and the manufacturers are dictating. Back in the fall bulk M193/855 was 39.9 cents a round for either, now it’s 65 and 70 respectively. Everything else seems to be marked up no more than 25% of pre-panic prices but those two calibers are still up 50+%
It seems like stock on shelves and prices are recovering in western NC. Still seeing some crazy prices though.
We just need everybody to not swipe [[extra]] ammo every time they see it so the supply starts to exceed demand. That’s when the prices will begin to fall.
I’m done doing that.
I haven bought any ammo now in about a month.
I’m satisfied with my stock…
Same. I’ve decided to focus on guns and parts. But I can’t swear off ammo completely. I need a lot of practice.
