Holy mackeral, when did THIS happen?

SaxonPig · September 12, 2014, 08:51 PM

I have a couple of 45/70 rifles but loading my own ammo I have never bought any factory fodder. A friend mentioned he was looking for some factory stuff so I was just looking to see what the cost was on this and nearly had a heart attack. Everything was $60-$80 per box of 20. From $3 to $4 for each cartridge.

A brick of 22s is $60...30-06 ammo is $40...45/70s are $70+...is this the new norm? Given the recent cost of primers and powder not sure if reloading saves a whole lot. Who can afford to shoot? Someday the shooting sports will be limited to the very wealthy.

lamarw · September 12, 2014, 09:12 PM

Or those who steal the ammo along with the firearm. In other words the bad guys.

Reload ahead and be prepared for the expensive times.

ThomasT · September 12, 2014, 09:27 PM

Just curious Saxonpig, what planet are you from? Ammo prices have been crazy here on planet earth for some few years now.

**JohnKSa** · September 12, 2014, 09:49 PM

You can find good quality .45/70 ammo for around $30 a box if you poke around. SGAMMO has a couple of brands for around that price, so does Graf & Sons although only one of the brands in that price range is in stock at the moment.

EchoM70 · September 13, 2014, 02:48 AM

Ammo prices have gone back down around here. There is even a good steady flow of .22lr at a local Academy Sports and Outdoors. No bulk packs yet only 50 count and there is a 2 box limit.

psalm7 · September 13, 2014, 07:04 AM

I was considered a extreamist when I started "prepping" over 20 years ago .

Double Naught Spy · September 13, 2014, 07:50 AM

I shoot a Marlin 1895. Hornady Leverevolution is all I shoot out of it. It runs right at $30 a box of 20 as John noted above. It is very accurate out of the 1895 and turns out to be a superb hunting round for hog.

I can't see any reason to buy anything else.

psalm7 · September 13, 2014, 08:31 AM

Thought I saw Levereloution ammo on The Sportsman Guide .

SaxonPig · September 13, 2014, 08:49 AM

ratshooter- Sometimes I wonder if I am not indeed from another planet. I sure don't recognize what I see now as being anything like the country where I was born.

But as for ammo prices, like I said, I load my own for 95% of center fire shooting so I never really notice prices on factory ammo. I was shocked at current pricing.

Yeah, I get the stocking up thing. After Sandy Hook and things went to hell I checked and found that I had about 30,000 rounds on hand. Only caliber I got caught short on was 380 because I shoot it very little and never had a large supply on hand.

Double Naught Spy · September 13, 2014, 09:14 AM

Well SP, prices really went to hell back when Obama first got elected. You would just about have to be on another planet not to notice the impact on prices for both ammo and reloading supplies. You would also have to not be online very much because complaining about pricing and shortages are very common topics over the years. Folks like you come back from Neptune and then post how surprised they are that things have changed since 2008.

There have been a bunch more changes in the gun world since then, but you have probably had enough shock to your system for now.

**44 AMP** · September 13, 2014, 09:35 AM

While the panic buying caused by fears of what Obama might do has played a large part in the most recent prices and shortages, don't overlook the effect of our weak dollar, and the "emerging" economies of China, India, and some others buying lead, copper and brass, driving up the price on world markets.

Also, don't overlook the fact that when ammo was "cheap" 30 years ago, fuel costs were too. When a gallon of diesel costs about a dollar, transportation costs are one thing. When that same gallon is $4 transportation costs are much higher, and ammo is heavy.

Skans · September 13, 2014, 09:56 AM

If you shoot the exotic stuff, it will cost you. You can still shoot 9mm, .223, 12ga and 7.62x39 cheap enough. Own guns that shoot these cartridges, or reload. It's not like I want to put hundreds of rounds through my 30-06 anyway!

buck460XVR · September 13, 2014, 10:27 AM

A few years back I was really itchin' for a Marlin Guide 45/70. Like most everything else I consider buying, I did some reseachin' for it. At that time(decade or so ago) I still did not reload and even then, good quality factory ammo was almost $2 a pop. While that was not the defining moment for me not getting one, it held me off till I was able to shoot a friends. Now that I reload, I still have no real interest. That said, reloading has also made me ignorant to factory ammo prices.

jmr40 · September 13, 2014, 12:05 PM

Quote:

.30-06 ammo is $40...45/70s are $70+...

You can still find standard 30-06 ammo for $20-$25 a box just about anywhere. You can also buy premium 30-06 ammo for $40-$50 box. Handloads cost me $15-$20/ 20 rounds, but I'm getting ammo comparable to the premium stuff for less than store bought budget ammo.

Quote:

Someday the shooting sports will be limited to the very wealthy.

I don't think so. Everyone wants to make 2014 wages and still buy stuff at 1974 prices. If you look at the costs of guns/ammo today in comparison to earnings we are spending a smaller percentage of our earnings today than in the past for the same stuff.

The problem is that we are spending a lot more of our money for items that didn't exist in 1974. TV was free, of course we only got 3 channels on the antennae. No internet fees or cell phones bills either. I could buy a gun a month with the money I spend on TV, internet and cell phones.

ThomasT · September 13, 2014, 01:19 PM

Hey Saxon I was just pullin' yer chain and having fun with you. I do most of the grocery shopping and can't beleive how much food has gone up. I just went to WM and thought about getting some Owens sausage. Its nearly $4 a pound now. Just a little over a year ago you could buy two pounds for $5.

Ammo prices have stopped me from buying several guns lately. Thankfuly I stocked up really hard before 2008 and for sure after 2008 when ammo and componants became available again. I really feel for new shooters getting into guns these days. If they can find ammo they can't afford enough to just go out and blast the afternoon away.

Maybe thats the plan. Make it so expensive people stop doing it.

Carne Frio · September 13, 2014, 02:23 PM

The are over 140 listings for 45-70 ammo, sorted by price, here:
http://ammoseek.com/ammo/45-70

bikerbill · September 14, 2014, 08:48 AM

Ammo does seem to be making a rebound, cost-wise ... you can get 9mm range ammo for $15-$18 for FMJ. Got 100 rds of .22LR at Cabela's a week or so ago, cost about $6 for 100, which was all they'd sell to an individual. Tons of pistol ammo on the shelves, but prices are still high. Have not been able to find .22WMR anywhere, including Cabela's and Academy.

Crankgrinder · September 14, 2014, 10:44 AM

I think the weakness of the dollar and the cost of fuel and metals has the biggest effect, then on top of that we have panic demand which we seem to just now be recovering from. I was only able to get into centerfire shooting around 09 before that there was just not money for it. It seems I wasn't able to get into it all at the best of times because when I did so did everyone else and then things got real expensive. I still enjoy it when I can and I still buy the guns/ ammo I can afford nonetheless, just as everyone always has.

SC4006 · September 14, 2014, 01:31 PM

wow, wouldn't want to be wherever you live! In NH you can easily find pretty much everything you listed for less than half the price.

kilimanjaro · September 14, 2014, 02:49 PM

Seems to be about half the prices you quoted, around here.

When did this happen?

The day 50,000 people went into the local gun shops and bought up every box of ammo they could find, because they thought it was a good idea.

Onward Allusion · September 14, 2014, 07:13 PM

Eh, been that way for the last two years. Been so bad that I started reloading and pretty much shooing 38/357 reloads, some 22LR, and the crappy steel cased 9mm that goes for about $12/box when you can find it.

Unlicensed Dremel · September 14, 2014, 09:14 PM

Not the new norm, no. But like land, always generally trending upward in the long term, so long term view, yes it is. Short term view, no it's not.

Japan and Italy are in a recession. Germany had one quarter of negative growth. China's growth is slowing significantly. The entire Eurozone is sluggish. The USA isn't doing much better either.

Metal prices will come down a bit in the short run as a result. Gas prices have already dropped recently and will continue doing so, I think.

Look for a buyer's market in the next year or two or three on both guns and ammo - particularly guns, and particularly AR15s. About time - guns have been very high for many years straight.

If the Rs take over both houses in Nov as I predict, prices on everything gun-related will fall a lot, as the hoarders will unload some.

Beagle45ACP · September 15, 2014, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Metal prices will come down a bit in the short run as a result. Gas prices have already dropped recently and will continue doing so, I think.

Look for a buyer's market in the next year or two or three on both guns and ammo - particularly guns, and particularly AR15s. About time - guns have been very high for many years straight.

If the Rs take over both houses in Nov as I predict, prices on everything gun-related will fall a lot, as the hoarders will unload some.

Unlicensed Dremel: I don't know where you got your degree in crystal-ballology, but I certainly hope you're right about all that.

**Mike Irwin** · September 15, 2014, 09:46 AM

When did it happen?

It really started in 2007, and got truly bad in 2008.

condor bravo · September 17, 2014, 08:55 PM

The secret is to buy things when they are cheap. Go out tomorrow and buy ten boxes of 45/70s at $60 a box and looking back 10 years from now that cost will be considered cheap. Today I was loading some .458 win mags and one
Winchester yellow box of brass still had the price tag attached: $3.63 from Santa Ana Gunroom at Santa Ana Calif. It pays to buy early and to buy in bulk.

September 12, 2014, 08:51 PM	#1
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Holy mackeral, when did THIS happen? I have a couple of 45/70 rifles but loading my own ammo I have never bought any factory fodder. A friend mentioned he was looking for some factory stuff so I was just looking to see what the cost was on this and nearly had a heart attack. Everything was $60-$80 per box of 20. From $3 to $4 for each cartridge. A brick of 22s is $60...30-06 ammo is $40...45/70s are $70+...is this the new norm? Given the recent cost of primers and powder not sure if reloading saves a whole lot. Who can afford to shoot? Someday the shooting sports will be limited to the very wealthy.

September 12, 2014, 09:49 PM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,994	You can find good quality .45/70 ammo for around $30 a box if you poke around. SGAMMO has a couple of brands for around that price, so does Graf & Sons although only one of the brands in that price range is in stock at the moment. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

September 13, 2014, 07:50 AM	#7
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	I shoot a Marlin 1895. Hornady Leverevolution is all I shoot out of it. It runs right at $30 a box of 20 as John noted above. It is very accurate out of the 1895 and turns out to be a superb hunting round for hog. I can't see any reason to buy anything else. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

September 13, 2014, 09:14 AM	#10
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Well SP, prices really went to hell back when Obama first got elected. You would just about have to be on another planet not to notice the impact on prices for both ammo and reloading supplies. You would also have to not be online very much because complaining about pricing and shortages are very common topics over the years. Folks like you come back from Neptune and then post how surprised they are that things have changed since 2008. There have been a bunch more changes in the gun world since then, but you have probably had enough shock to your system for now. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

September 13, 2014, 09:35 AM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,850	While the panic buying caused by fears of what Obama might do has played a large part in the most recent prices and shortages, don't overlook the effect of our weak dollar, and the "emerging" economies of China, India, and some others buying lead, copper and brass, driving up the price on world markets. Also, don't overlook the fact that when ammo was "cheap" 30 years ago, fuel costs were too. When a gallon of diesel costs about a dollar, transportation costs are one thing. When that same gallon is $4 transportation costs are much higher, and ammo is heavy. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 12, 2014, 09:12 PM	#2
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Or those who steal the ammo along with the firearm. In other words the bad guys. Reload ahead and be prepared for the expensive times.

September 12, 2014, 09:27 PM	#3
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	Just curious Saxonpig, what planet are you from? Ammo prices have been crazy here on planet earth for some few years now.

September 13, 2014, 02:48 AM	#5
EchoM70 Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Posts: 65	Ammo prices have gone back down around here. There is even a good steady flow of .22lr at a local Academy Sports and Outdoors. No bulk packs yet only 50 count and there is a 2 box limit.

September 13, 2014, 07:04 AM	#6
psalm7 Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2014 Location: Middle TN Posts: 543	I was considered a extreamist when I started "prepping" over 20 years ago .

September 13, 2014, 08:31 AM	#8
psalm7 Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2014 Location: Middle TN Posts: 543	Thought I saw Levereloution ammo on The Sportsman Guide .

September 13, 2014, 08:49 AM	#9
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	ratshooter- Sometimes I wonder if I am not indeed from another planet. I sure don't recognize what I see now as being anything like the country where I was born. But as for ammo prices, like I said, I load my own for 95% of center fire shooting so I never really notice prices on factory ammo. I was shocked at current pricing. Yeah, I get the stocking up thing. After Sandy Hook and things went to hell I checked and found that I had about 30,000 rounds on hand. Only caliber I got caught short on was 380 because I shoot it very little and never had a large supply on hand.

September 13, 2014, 09:56 AM	#12
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	If you shoot the exotic stuff, it will cost you. You can still shoot 9mm, .223, 12ga and 7.62x39 cheap enough. Own guns that shoot these cartridges, or reload. It's not like I want to put hundreds of rounds through my 30-06 anyway!

September 13, 2014, 10:27 AM	#13
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	A few years back I was really itchin' for a Marlin Guide 45/70. Like most everything else I consider buying, I did some reseachin' for it. At that time(decade or so ago) I still did not reload and even then, good quality factory ammo was almost $2 a pop. While that was not the defining moment for me not getting one, it held me off till I was able to shoot a friends. Now that I reload, I still have no real interest. That said, reloading has also made me ignorant to factory ammo prices.

September 13, 2014, 01:19 PM	#15
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	Hey Saxon I was just pullin' yer chain and having fun with you. I do most of the grocery shopping and can't beleive how much food has gone up. I just went to WM and thought about getting some Owens sausage. Its nearly $4 a pound now. Just a little over a year ago you could buy two pounds for $5. Ammo prices have stopped me from buying several guns lately. Thankfuly I stocked up really hard before 2008 and for sure after 2008 when ammo and componants became available again. I really feel for new shooters getting into guns these days. If they can find ammo they can't afford enough to just go out and blast the afternoon away. Maybe thats the plan. Make it so expensive people stop doing it.

September 13, 2014, 02:23 PM	#16
Carne Frio Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Location: Near Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 829	The are over 140 listings for 45-70 ammo, sorted by price, here: http://ammoseek.com/ammo/45-70

September 14, 2014, 08:48 AM	#17
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	Ammo does seem to be making a rebound, cost-wise ... you can get 9mm range ammo for $15-$18 for FMJ. Got 100 rds of .22LR at Cabela's a week or so ago, cost about $6 for 100, which was all they'd sell to an individual. Tons of pistol ammo on the shelves, but prices are still high. Have not been able to find .22WMR anywhere, including Cabela's and Academy. __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus

September 14, 2014, 10:44 AM	#18
Crankgrinder Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 917	I think the weakness of the dollar and the cost of fuel and metals has the biggest effect, then on top of that we have panic demand which we seem to just now be recovering from. I was only able to get into centerfire shooting around 09 before that there was just not money for it. It seems I wasn't able to get into it all at the best of times because when I did so did everyone else and then things got real expensive. I still enjoy it when I can and I still buy the guns/ ammo I can afford nonetheless, just as everyone always has.

September 14, 2014, 01:31 PM	#19
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	wow, wouldn't want to be wherever you live! In NH you can easily find pretty much everything you listed for less than half the price. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math.

September 14, 2014, 02:49 PM	#20
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Seems to be about half the prices you quoted, around here. When did this happen? The day 50,000 people went into the local gun shops and bought up every box of ammo they could find, because they thought it was a good idea.

September 14, 2014, 07:13 PM	#21
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Eh, been that way for the last two years. Been so bad that I started reloading and pretty much shooing 38/357 reloads, some 22LR, and the crappy steel cased 9mm that goes for about $12/box when you can find it. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

September 14, 2014, 09:14 PM	#22
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Not the new norm, no. But like land, always generally trending upward in the long term, so long term view, yes it is. Short term view, no it's not. Japan and Italy are in a recession. Germany had one quarter of negative growth. China's growth is slowing significantly. The entire Eurozone is sluggish. The USA isn't doing much better either. Metal prices will come down a bit in the short run as a result. Gas prices have already dropped recently and will continue doing so, I think. Look for a buyer's market in the next year or two or three on both guns and ammo - particularly guns, and particularly AR15s. About time - guns have been very high for many years straight. If the Rs take over both houses in Nov as I predict, prices on everything gun-related will fall a lot, as the hoarders will unload some.

September 15, 2014, 09:46 AM	#24
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	When did it happen? It really started in 2007, and got truly bad in 2008. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 17, 2014, 08:55 PM	#25
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	The secret is to buy things when they are cheap. Go out tomorrow and buy ten boxes of 45/70s at $60 a box and looking back 10 years from now that cost will be considered cheap. Today I was loading some .458 win mags and one Winchester yellow box of brass still had the price tag attached: $3.63 from Santa Ana Gunroom at Santa Ana Calif. It pays to buy early and to buy in bulk.