Posted on 11/05/2009 5:56:30 AM PST by Sasparilla
A record setting 12 billion rounds of ammunition have been bought by Americans in the last 12 month That's up two to five billion over a normal year.
With a U.S. population estimated at 305 million at the beginning of 2009, the ammo sales in the last year amount to almost two 20 round boxes for every man, woman, and child in America...
There are a lot of reasons why ammunition sales are high. Some are economic reasons, and some are government related. In addition to two wars going on, there's target shooting, hunting, and Law Enforcement use where department's orders have increased 40% this year. And, yes, even some people who are stock piling ammo.
The U.S. Government has a lock on priority as first in line for ammunition purchases. All ammunition government contractors must provide for the military first. With two wars going on, that calls for lots of government purchased .308, .223, and 9mm.
Ammo sales have been good for commercial manufacturer's bottom lines. In addition to sales to the public, commercial manufacturer have government ammo contracts that take ammo out of the commercial market. Winchester reported a 2009 3rd quarter profit of $23 million, up from $9.8 million in 2008.
Commercial manufacturers are running 24/7 to try to keep up. Many people have been added to the payroll. These are verifiable jobs "saved" or "created" by Obama. Americans should give him credit for job growth here. David Axelrod would be proud.
There are pure economic reasons to buy too. The supply is low, and the demand is high, and the prices are rising proportionally. The cost of metals used in ammunition and other components are going up.
Some approximate examples from the surplus market are: for 7.62X39... the old price was...
(Excerpt) Read more at secondamendmentfreedom.blogspot.com ...
Why buy gold? Can’t protect your assets as well as a 12 gauge.
Now that’s what I call a “good start.”
My thinking exactly. If it all gets ugly I want tools that can do something for me. Gold does not qualify.
Ammunition works better for currency than gold, anyway.
Sure, gold has “intrinsic value”. But ammo has even MORE “intrinsic value” in that you can defend yourself and kill food with it.
Not enough.
My only mistake was not seeing the .380 prices go out of sight and out of stock.
Crap! I missed out on that one!
I wish I had the space to set up some reloading equipment where I live now, but that’s not an option. Besides, last time I was looking over at Cabela’s, even the reloading supplies were pretty slim pickings...
Exactly.
Come bad times a gun & ammo would be worth their weight in gold - if you could find somebody who would sell them.
I’m over supplied.
No such thing.
That's hardly a start.
that’s just commercial ammo. doesn’t even begin to touch how much us reloaders go thru. i’ve loaded at least 5,000 rounds for myself this year- and this is a *really* light year for me.
Glad to have contributed.
The truth is that many, many of us have never been more ready to take to the field than today. My 72 hour combat kit is always at hand.
From zero .40 S&W at either store to more than 2 dozen on display at one, and about 4 to 6 at the other (one store - the one that sells long guns - always has better ammo stock than the other - which only sells ammunition, no guns).
Ah... So that’s where all my Winchester small rifle primers went.
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