Current prices

Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray

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I know things have been messed up for years. The pandemic and associated supply chain issues, American election, War in Eastern Europe etc.. but sweet Jesus some things have really skyrocketed. Today, I paid 70$/box for 180gr Federal Blue Box 303 British. After looking around in person and online, it turns out that that wasn't even that bad of a deal compared to what some places are charging.

Anyone else been stuck between a rock and a hard place paying these exorbitant prices we are seeing these days? And if so, what'd you get, how much did it run ya, and how much did that ammo cost just 5 years ago?
 
Not sure where you bought that Federal, but Tenda has the Federal 180gr 303 British Blue Box in stock for $44.99 + tax (a little over $50 taxes included).

https://www.gotenda.com/product/federal-power-shok-303-british-180-gr-jsp-box-of-20/

G4C has it a hair under $50 a box pre tax.

https://g4cgunstore.com/product/federal-power-shok-303-british-180gr-sp-20rds/

For me, I know never say never but I may have bought my last retail ammo (maybe in my life) a couple of months back when I picked up some Federal Syntech 147gr 9mm. It was on sale for $25.00 a box which was still pretty high given 3 years ago it was $18.95.

I just have very little to no desire to buy ammo retail at these current prices (which seem to be falling somewhat, but they will never be what they once were).

I have loaded up over the years so some calibers I am ok, but I have found in the last two years, there are a LOT of people who are, sadly, getting out of shooting sports, whether it is leisurely target shooting or competitive shooting and they just want to get rid of their ammo. Some just want to break even with what they paid so they were able to sell it at decent prices and I am happy to purchase from them. The only calibers I have really bought retail are 6.5 Creedmoor, as not a lot of people are selling that seemingly.

A few years ago I sold off most of my 12ga Winchester AA target loads as I didn't have a 12ga at the time. I ended up buying a 12ga two years ago and wanted to re-buy the ammo thinking it shouldn't be that much more than what I for it in 2007....oh was I wrong. More than doubled in price. Made it very difficult to justify buying it (I didn't)...

I feel bad for the newer shooters, who for them, these prices are their foundational basis of comparison going forward. History tells that ammo invariably goes up in price over time, but that still doesn't make these prices more palatable given what we paid not too long ago.
 
thegazelle said:
Not sure where you bought that Federal, but Tenda has the Federal 180gr 303 British Blue Box in stock for $44.99 + tax (a little over $50 taxes included).

https://www.gotenda.com/product/federal-power-shok-303-british-180-gr-jsp-box-of-20/
Click to expand...

That's a great price and I wish I could order from them. The problem is that I live in north eastern Ontario and currently, no one seems to want to ship ammo to us up here. So we're at the mercy of local retailers. The absolute cheapest 303 I can find locally is 64.99$/box of Winchester 180gr soft points but my gun didn't like them when I tried them the other day.
 
Yeah, that's tough. I saw another thread in which someone in the P postal code said stores are no longer shipping to that entire code.

It's a real shame that some areas can't be serviced (I understand it's something about UPS or whatever subcontracting out and the subcontractor doesn't have the required license to handle "dangerous goods" or something like that).

I won't hotlink it since it's not a site sponsor but have you checked a site like Arsenal Force? It is MUCH, MUCH better than the Ammobin one which is beyond terrible and not reliable. AF does a check of many retailers and will give you the IN STOCK retailers and prices. Perhaps some other retailers may have some way of getting you the ammo through different couriers, maybe...I recall reading that to be the case for some online retailers that use different couriers that can service some areas which are considered remote, rural or whatever the case may be. Even if it is not the bottom line, dirt cheap prices, surely it has to beat the local retailer's pricing.
 
So far am lucky with the old stand by calibers as I had lots of old stock. I have 8 dollar 303s still as I had sold of my rifle and was 20 years before I needed another
 
Unfortunately , it is getting to the point that range practice with center fire is cost prohibitive , and leaves rimfire as the only option unless you have deep pockets . Even reloading components are sky high in price if you can even find them . I recently spoke to a large local gun dealer about the number of out of stock items on their website , and was told that they are having severe re-stocking issues on a lot of guns . A sign of the times I guess ; luckily I have enough rimfire stockpiled to last for several years .
 
Dorian, Have you tried to get 'like-minded' shooters nearby to get together with an acquaintance/friend who lives in a "Receivable town" ? "Creative Shopping" ? Or get a large shipment from TENDA? They have Free shipping over $300, maybe if you called them they can 'arrange' a shipment via a "good" courier ? Some friends have bought from T, combining orders to get Free Ship.
I was lucky back in 2020 a LGS was closing and sold ammo at or below cost and I got many years' supply of many cals. Local Wallys have dropped ALL firearms stuff and CTs only have 'pricey' ammo, and low stock of that.
 
Midnight Rider said:
Unfortunately , it is getting to the point that range practice with center fire is cost prohibitive , and leaves rimfire as the only option unless you have deep pockets . Even reloading components are sky high in price if you can even find them . I recently spoke to a large local gun dealer about the number of out of stock items on their website , and was told that they are having severe re-stocking issues on a lot of guns . A sign of the times I guess ; luckily I have enough rimfire stockpiled to last for several years .
Click to expand...

I shoot Rimfire competitively because I cannot afford Center fire to do the same.
 
Fortunately for me, I started reloading many years ago, and to feed my addiction, I loaded up on powder and primers, some factory bullets. I have a good pile of surplus ammo for various rifles, plus a good supply of factory target 12 and 20 gauge. Trouble is, half the time I can’t find anyone to shoot with. However, I am content to go shoot by myself, so all is good.

I feel for those who have to pay outrageous prices for ammo. I cast for most of my rifles, so bullets are not the problem.
 
Dorian Gray said:
I know things have been messed up for years. The pandemic and associated supply chain issues, American election, War in Eastern Europe etc.. but sweet Jesus some things have really skyrocketed. Today, I paid 70$/box for 180gr Federal Blue Box 303 British. After looking around in person and online, it turns out that that wasn't even that bad of a deal compared to what some places are charging.

Anyone else been stuck between a rock and a hard place paying these exorbitant prices we are seeing these days? And if so, what'd you get, how much did it run ya, and how much did that ammo cost just 5 years ago?
Click to expand...


As someone said get a few shooting buddies together and pool your money and order a bunch of stuff that includes the shipping. if they can't ship to your area then look up someone close by and get them to ship to you . or make sure they have what you want in stock and make a day of it and go buy several things . but make sure your buddies anti up the money first . no money no funny . at least if you think they may screw you around . I am amazed by how prices have gone up and it's everything that you have mentioned plus corporate greed .
 
Dorian Gray said:
I know things have been messed up for years. The pandemic and associated supply chain issues, American election, War in Eastern Europe etc.. but sweet Jesus some things have really skyrocketed. Today, I paid 70$/box for 180gr Federal Blue Box 303 British. After looking around in person and online, it turns out that that wasn't even that bad of a deal compared to what some places are charging.

Anyone else been stuck between a rock and a hard place paying these exorbitant prices we are seeing these days? And if so, what'd you get, how much did it run ya, and how much did that ammo cost just 5 years ago?
Click to expand...

Hand roll your own. Fire form the brass.
 
Yes. And some prices have jumped more than others. I find that 22LR is the worst. Shotgun was real bad, but seems to be getting better for 12 gauge. 20 ga and 410 prices seem to still pretty bad.

Prices on sale for basic ammo five years ago compared to today
22lr $20/500 now $50/500
Shotgun target $7/box now $12/box
Shotgun steel $12/box now $16/box 3" $14/box now $20/box
rifle (308,270 etc) $20/20 now $45/20
 
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