Finding .303 ammo....

Caydel

Caydel

Regular
EE Expired
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Location
Eastern Ontario
Hi all.

I recently bought a new-to-me sporterized No 1 Mk III* in real nice condition for cheap (<$200).

My plan had been to just swing through Canadian Tire, buy a box of .303, then keep that brass going with a Lee Loader.

Unfortunately, no place I can find locally (Eastern ON - Kemptville area) has .303 in stock. Tried a few Canadian Tires, Peaveymart etc.

I went online, and found a few retailers that have it available, but they all want ~$45-$60 to ship a box. Found a place with a bulk bag and cheaper shipping, but I don't want to shell out for 100 rounds right now.

Is .303 in short supply all across Canada, or is this just a local issue? (yes, I know, living under a rock etc.)

Alternatively, does anyone know of any good brick-and-mortar retailers out this way that might have a better supply?
 
Did you try the Old Coop in North Gower? How about Higginsons in van kleeke hill. They would have everything you need to roll your own.
 
You missed it by about a week. This is the best price I had seen on .303 in a long time($160 for 100 rounds), but unfortunately they are sold out now
h ttps://www.gotenda.com/product/prvi-ppu-standard-rifle-303-british-174-gr-full-metal-jacket-case-of-100/
 
There is actually a shortage of ammo right now, I sometimes buy ammo at Kemptville and that's what they said. Also I see lot's of empty shelves at most stores.
 
Too bad you arent out west, I have a lot of .303 for sale, but no one seems interested in buying it... I have modern manufacture for $1.30 and Greek surplus for $2 a round, not one lick of interest from anyone...
 
MattE93 said:
Too bad you arent out west, I have a lot of .303 for sale, but no one seems interested in buying it... I have modern manufacture for $1.30 and Greek surplus for $2 a round, not one lick of interest from anyone...
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I didn't feel like driving 3 hours each way to pick it up :p
I was also looking at your 8mm ammo and brass
 
Caydel said:
Hi all.

I recently bought a new-to-me sporterized No 1 Mk III* in real nice condition for cheap (<$200).

My plan had been to just swing through Canadian Tire, buy a box of .303, then keep that brass going with a Lee Loader.

Unfortunately, no place I can find locally (Eastern ON - Kemptville area) has .303 in stock. Tried a few Canadian Tires, Peaveymart etc.

I went online, and found a few retailers that have it available, but they all want ~$45-$60 to ship a box. Found a place with a bulk bag and cheaper shipping, but I don't want to shell out for 100 rounds right now.

Is .303 in short supply all across Canada, or is this just a local issue? (yes, I know, living under a rock etc.)

Alternatively, does anyone know of any good brick-and-mortar retailers out this way that might have a better supply?
Click to expand...

I have some, you looking for 20 rounds?
 
Thanks all - I ended up buying a bulk bag of 100 PPU for $159, so $202 after tax and shipping. I figure that gives me good reloadable brass if and when I get to the end of those rounds.

My decision to pull the trigger was seeing .303 come back in stock at the local Peaveymart... for $60 per box. I don't know if that's the new list price, or if they just expect people to become a little more desperate as hunting season approaches but... the .308 was $36 per box.
 
Caydel said:
Thanks all - I ended up buying a bulk bag of 100 PPU for $159, so $202 after tax and shipping. I figure that gives me good reloadable brass if and when I get to the end of those rounds.

My decision to pull the trigger was seeing .303 come back in stock at the local Peaveymart... for $60 per box. I don't know if that's the new list price, or if they just expect people to become a little more desperate as hunting season approaches but... the .308 was $36 per box.
Click to expand...

To be fair to Peavey Mart they may have just recently purchased that ammo and were faced with the recent excessive increases from distributors and manufactures. We are now finding that many of our wholesale costs for ammo are more than we are currently sell that same ammo at our old retail price...yes it gone up by that much recently. Phil.
 
P of PDent said:
To be fair to Peavey Mart they may have just recently purchased that ammo and were faced with the recent excessive increases from distributors and manufactures. We are now finding that many of our wholesale costs for ammo are more than we are currently sell that same ammo at our old retail price...yes it gone up by that much recently. Phil.
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Yeah, when I talked to them last week they confirmed that they were waiting for a shipment from their supplier, so it's quite believable that this is just the new price level. Hence my sudden willingness to pull the trigger on a 100-round bag for $200 all in.

I also see this morning that Canadian Tire is getting small dribbles of stock in this week - if you search .303 ammunition on their website it's findable. $72/box for Federal 150gr & 180gr, $77/box for Remington 180gr, $48 for S&B 150gr, $50 for Hornady 150gr and $33 for Winchester 180gr (though that is an older ad and only 1 box available and it's in Lachute. I think that's an old price)

It looks like Federal is selling boxes directly in the US from their website for $58.99 USD per box so... looks like this will be the new price level for .303.
 
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People must be stocked. I’m listing high quality surplus for the price you paid for modern stuff, and modern stuff for about 60% and can’t get any interest.
 
MattE93 said:
People must be stocked. I’m listing high quality surplus for the price you paid for modern stuff, and modern stuff for about 60% and can’t get any interest.
Click to expand...

If I were in Calgary I'd be buying your commercial stuff, Greek surplus has been on my list but I've never payed more for milsurp than commercial before
 
I’ve found everything also lately, wonder if it’s a result of covid, or if it’s people waiting for the election but in past years I’ve had stuff sell fast but now I’m getting zero interest in a lot of my ads not even low offers
 
MattE93 said:
I’ve found everything also lately, wonder if it’s a result of covid, or if it’s people waiting for the election but in past years I’ve had stuff sell fast but now I’m getting zero interest in a lot of my ads not even low offers
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I definitely looked on the EE and the other main firearms classified site to see if any was available in my local area - there was lots out west, and lots in the Atlantic provinces, but very little in Ontario / Quebec, and non within reasonable F2F driving range.
 
303 British is a dying cartridge. Americans dont use it, so they dont produce it in high numbers. Specifically to Ontario, where it still is a popular cartridge, it would be hard to find. Ontario just isnt a large enough market for Remington, Federal, or Winchester to market to.

Its TERRIBLE advice to tell a new shooter to buy one. Yes, the gun costs $200. But the box of ammo cost $50. It wont take long to tip the balance on a $500 308WIN with ammo that costs $25/box.
 
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