Remember the Biblical story of Joseph clad in his coat of many colours and advising Pharaoh in Egypt? Typically in history, there will be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. These days things move more quickly than that and thanks to the situation in the US and the fact that we rely on them for almost all of our ammo, buy it like crazy when it's available and you won't be sorry. I'm talking about people who shoot regularly, if you fire 15 shots a year at ducks or 2 at deer, adjust accordingly. But never forget, the supply can vanish completely, even for reloaders, and never come back. Never.
How many bullets/shots to you keep on hands?
- Thread starter huntingfish
- Start date
" ... I just don't know where you guys are buying your ammo on special at...I haven't seen anything on special in a looooong time! "
Well, it depends on where you buy - I cleaned out my LGS of anything I found decent quality. He was selling ammo at about 30-40% off during the "Covid Season" of the past year, just recently went back to regular pricing.
And I keep most of the sponsors 'ammo pages' as bookmarks to check every week or so - Like Tenda, SFRC, Bullseye, Flaherty - they often have 'Sale prices' on diff cals or brands with free shipping over $###. BassPro/Cabelas right now has target shells on sale and they carry Herters brand rifle ammo that is OK for target practice - I use their .223 ($77/150) and .308($21/20) for example. And spam cans of Chinese x39 runs about $500 with tax.
"You gotta shop around" (think Smokey Robinson and the Miracles)
Well, it depends on where you buy - I cleaned out my LGS of anything I found decent quality. He was selling ammo at about 30-40% off during the "Covid Season" of the past year, just recently went back to regular pricing.
And I keep most of the sponsors 'ammo pages' as bookmarks to check every week or so - Like Tenda, SFRC, Bullseye, Flaherty - they often have 'Sale prices' on diff cals or brands with free shipping over $###. BassPro/Cabelas right now has target shells on sale and they carry Herters brand rifle ammo that is OK for target practice - I use their .223 ($77/150) and .308($21/20) for example. And spam cans of Chinese x39 runs about $500 with tax.
"You gotta shop around" (think Smokey Robinson and the Miracles)
Can always make more money. Cant always buy cheap ammo. For some its easier to throw it on a credit card and make payments for big orders
huntingfish
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec City
Interesting about the herters. Never tried their ammo. Are they any good?
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Since when?
Herters has been around for ages, well before Cabelas
And interesting read about George Leonard Herter
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
I once made a new years resolution to shoot more ammo than I actually buy.
The first time my ammo pile actually got smaller over a six month period I went out and panic bought 2000 rds.
90% of my firearms are chambered in one of the big four (.22lr, 9mm, 12 ga, 223). I keep a minimum of 1,000 rds of each on hand. Usually much more. For other calibres, which are predominantly for hunting, I try to keep a minimum of 5 years supply.
The first time my ammo pile actually got smaller over a six month period I went out and panic bought 2000 rds.
90% of my firearms are chambered in one of the big four (.22lr, 9mm, 12 ga, 223). I keep a minimum of 1,000 rds of each on hand. Usually much more. For other calibres, which are predominantly for hunting, I try to keep a minimum of 5 years supply.
shoot_to_kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Luskville quebec
Herters ammo grouped so poorly in my 308 it looked like i shot it with 12 gauge buckshot.
For me the goal is a lifetime supply of 22 lr, and same for other calibers. I moatly shoot bolt action 22lr.
But its a hell of alot easier to store 5000 rounds of 22 lr than 12 gauge
For me the goal is a lifetime supply of 22 lr, and same for other calibers. I moatly shoot bolt action 22lr.
But its a hell of alot easier to store 5000 rounds of 22 lr than 12 gauge
For shotgun I usually have a flat of target loads. 5+ boxes of waterfowl loads. Then I try to keep a few boxes of slugs and buck shot on hand. I pack my short 12g in the truck and take it with me hiking and fishing. I Handel the slugs and buck shot the most but shoot it the least.
I did notice the other day I need some more 410 shells for grouse.
2 boxes last me a season.
I did notice the other day I need some more 410 shells for grouse.
2 boxes last me a season.
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
They bought the trademark to the name a few years back. I too remember the old, original Herter's gear & ammo.
Sort of like Challenger buying and using the old Imperial name and even using the same stupid 20 round boxes for shotgun ammo....
I've got a small stash of 'never touch' ammunition. It is a packed away, inventoried amount of each caliber that I shoot with any regularity. Not for hunting or shooting in ordinary times. With any luck it will sit untouched for my lifetime.
Then I try to keep about a years worth of 12 ga #7.5, which is a flat or two, and maybe a few thousand of 9mm and 223. I reload for my hunting and long range, but keep a 20 rd box of each caliber.
I usually get caught off guard and run out of reloading components, I just don't use them enough. So the 20 rd box gets me through whichever hunting season I'm in.
Edit: just realized I'm in the shotgun forum, and mainly wrote about rifle and pistol. Whoops.
Then I try to keep about a years worth of 12 ga #7.5, which is a flat or two, and maybe a few thousand of 9mm and 223. I reload for my hunting and long range, but keep a 20 rd box of each caliber.
I usually get caught off guard and run out of reloading components, I just don't use them enough. So the 20 rd box gets me through whichever hunting season I'm in.
Edit: just realized I'm in the shotgun forum, and mainly wrote about rifle and pistol. Whoops.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Enough I don't need to go out and buy any for this year.
Or next. I never want to be stuck not being able to go on a hunt because I don't have ammo on hand to take with me.
The exception is shotgun target loads, for which I buy a case when Im going to need it (informal clays).
Or next. I never want to be stuck not being able to go on a hunt because I don't have ammo on hand to take with me.
The exception is shotgun target loads, for which I buy a case when Im going to need it (informal clays).
huntingfish
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec City
I spotted 2 boxes of Nosler custom 300 WM Accubonds at my local Canadiantire...I thought long and hard about buying them. At 100$ a box (dang I need to reload), it's steep. But I figured it'll only get more expensive. And that's IF I can find some next year.
I've been monitoring the hunting groups and forums, seems like everyone has terrible problems getting their favorite factory ammo this year. 2 shops have told me to expect it to be worst next year.
I think this is the biggest delta (feeling guilty of purchase before vs after) I've ever had hehe.
Also grabbed a couple of extra boxes of 20 and 410 shells. Just to have more on hands.
David
I've been monitoring the hunting groups and forums, seems like everyone has terrible problems getting their favorite factory ammo this year. 2 shops have told me to expect it to be worst next year.
I think this is the biggest delta (feeling guilty of purchase before vs after) I've ever had hehe.
Also grabbed a couple of extra boxes of 20 and 410 shells. Just to have more on hands.
David
I can certainly "afford" $100 box 300 wm but I can't justify it. Helps to reload but for moose and smaller I have used winchester 180gr power point factory ammo with excellent results. Premium bullets are useful but much of the collective chatter is hype.
