Ammo prices never really bounced back from the pandemic spike but it was more available and the prices were creeping down. More so with like 9mm than 5.56 which really got stuck at just under $.50/round. Still, it was progress.
So much for that.
Prices are definitely coming back up. Availability is definitely slipping again. I just checked around at a few of my normal places and either stuff is completely out or it is significantly more expensive than it had been recently.
Raw material prices might impact other categories. Aluminum prices are up quite a bit as are steel prices year over year and those are the pricey parts of new firearms. Couple that with the receiver ruling as well as the pistol brace rules probably dropping very soon, we are going to see more pressure on the firearms market in the next couple of months.
If you need to fill some holes, especially in more uncommon calibers, might be time to do just that. I got a few boxes of 6.5 Grendel ordered last week for a “stupid but still lower than it has been” price, so I was mildly pleased about that.
Plan accordingly.
Our prices are still at stupid levels and availability sucks as well. Pre-covid I could get 20 rnds of 308 for $25 federal or $18 for wolf brand steel cased. Last week checked a couple stores and the cheapest I found was a lone box of wolf for $45 and a bunch of brands starting at $65 a box.
Exile1981
For a while it seemed like ammo was cheaper up there, but apparently that isn't the case now.
6.5 Grendel is a great round. I managed to stock up on Wolf and Hornady ammo in the summer of 2020. If I recall correctly, I paid $0.28/round for the Wolf stuff and about $1/round for the Hornady. Ah, the good old days, when ammo was affordable and there was an alpha male in the White House.
this last couple years I got a little 9mm and 5.56 plus even less .40 but the prices were just stupid. 7mm Rem mag is a glaring deficiency but its as rare as hens teeth. Last few months bulk 1k rounds of all standard rounds could be had if you wanted and had the $$$ have to make those shots count in the coming troubles
The Hornady I just bought was $.175/round. I have a bunch of the Wolf but it sounds like that is not going to be coming back to the U.S. anytime soon.
When prices start to rise, availability is soon going to suffer.