Wasn't thinking ahead

[PigHunter]

Two boxes of 120gr 7mm Barnes TTSX coming from Midway, ordered last night and had delivery confirmation this morning.

We think alike! I also ordered two boxes of 120gr 6.5mm Barnes TTSX from Midway yesterday!

[FirstBubba]

"... I'm not a retail genius, or economically educated, but it seems to me that if ALL the retailers would put a 20 Rd/day center-fire, 100 Rd/day pistol and rimfire limit, people would stop hoarding. ..."

That isn't stopping them amflyer. They just get a bunch of ne'er-do-wells to go in and buy additional shares.
Ammo day at Academy looks like free pie day at a homeless shelter! LOL!

[PigHunter]

I'm not a retail genius, or economically educated, but it seems to me that if ALL the retailers would put a 20 Rd/day center-fire, 100 Rd/day pistol and rimfire limit, people would stop hoarding.

In other words, make a little available to everyone, and then people stop freaking about it.

Same with primers. I buy them by the case too, but I would rather be able to pick up a couple of 100's rather than just not have them exist. My reloading store cut them down to 2000/per customer, but that didn't last long.

I mean, they are still going to sell. Just more slowly. MidwayUSA isn't doing anyone any favors, selling IMI die-cut 9mm for 1.20 per round. And I think customers should remember that.

Midway USA had a 2 box limit on the bullets I ordered yesterday. I like the way they do things and count myself to be a loyal customer.

[fitch270]

Yep, two box limit for mine as well. Fortunately that's all I wanted and I'm glad they had them, I tried price shopping and looking for .277cal 130's as well. No dice anywhere but Midway's prices were in line with the places out of stock.

Midway has Etips and GMXs in 130's but I held off. I have a box and a half of Federal Trophy Copper loads leftover from our trip so could get by short term. There's also some Nosler factory Etip loads downstairs for the 7-08 but those are 140's, I'm thinking a bit more speed might work better on our smaller whitetails.

[PigHunter]

That 100 bullets was all I wanted too since I've never tried them and want to see how well they'll do before getting more. Originally I wasn't planning to handload for 6.5 CM but this shortage changed my path. The dies got here a couple of days ago and the trimming gauge will be here tomorrow. I've got plenty of primers and a couple lbs of Win 748. The only shortage is in brass.

Right now I have about 100 rounds of various factory loaded hunting cartridges. So far I've only used Hornady's 143gr ELD-X in the field but have less than 2 boxes remaining. In reserve is three boxes of Hornady 129gr Interlock.

[dewman]

If they outlawed lead bullets here I wouldn't sweat it much. There are enough tried and proven(as in accurate with predictable performance) all copper bullets out there that I'm sure I could find one to make me content.

[fitch270]

Yeah, I'm sure I'll manage just fine if needed but I'd have purchased differently a couple months ago if I'd been on the ball. On the plus side at least I'm not sitting on a bunch of handloaded ammo I can't hunt with. Meantime I'm reevaluating inventory.

[PigHunter]

Yeah, I'm sure I'll manage just fine if needed but I'd have purchased differently a couple months ago if I'd been on the ball. On the plus side at least I'm not sitting on a bunch of handloaded ammo I can't hunt with. Meantime I'm reevaluating inventory.

I've got hundreds of handloads using copper jacketed lead bullets. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be a push towards lead-free bullets in Alabama.

[FirstBubba]

I've got hundreds of handloads using copper jacketed lead bullets. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be a push towards lead-free bullets in Alabama.

Nor in Texas or Oklahoma. As long as those states stay "red", I don't see it as becoming a problem.
I still see Sierra "cup & core" bullets as just about the best for my few applications. Varmints, hogs and deer.

[PigHunter]

Just ordered 50 of Starline brass for the 6.5CM with the small rifle primer pocket. I've got almost 700 small rifle benchrest primers for inventory so I'm good there. Now I'll need to find the right powder but can afford to wait. Apparently H4350 is the go-to for the cartridge. I've got some IMR 4895 but max velocity will probably be 100 fps slower if I use it.

[fitch270]

Bullets should be here Friday PH, you’re closer to Midway so you’ll probably have yours tomorrow or Thursday?

Nice score on the Starline brass, guessing it’s hard to find right now.

[PigHunter]

Bullets should be here Friday PH, you’re closer to Midway so you’ll probably have yours tomorrow or Thursday?

Nice score on the Starline brass, guessing it’s hard to find right now.

Thanks. Yep, low cost brass is hard to find. The only 6.5CM Starline brass at Midway was the smaller primer pocket. Online discussions indicate the major difference is that the small version lasts through more times of reloading. So, I decided to order. Qty was limited to 50 per customer.

The tracking info says Thursday for the bullets, Wednesday next week for the brass.

In normal times, the factory loaded Barnes 120gr goes for about $2 per round and that's about what I'll be spending for the first batch. Online auctions have the ammo going for $2.50+ per round now for the 120's but the 143gr ELD-X is going for $4.

I've got 38 rounds of the 143gr factory loads and 60 rounds of the 129gr Interlock loads. So, I'm good for several years of hunting even without handloads. (All that factory brass uses large primer pockets.) ... But who knows what will happen to ammo in the future and I want to be prepared. Plus, it's just fun to say I dropped deer and pigs with my handloads.

[fitch270]

I want to say I paid about $42 per box for the factory Barnes TTSX loads in 7mm-08. Turns out we have exactly three rounds left. When we get the chance I'll have the Kid shoot a group with them over the chrono just for a little reference of speed, group size and poi. Not counting equipment I'm estimating I'll be loading them for about $1.50. Didn't have free shipping when I ordered and now they're collecting sales tax as well. Bumped up the price about $.15 per bullet. Is what it is and still cheaper than driving around wasting time trying to find stuff.

[PigHunter]

Let's see...

50 cases for $55, 100 bullets for $98, dies for $36, case length gauge for $6.

1st 100 rounds costs $195 (not counting primers and powder which I already have)... and that's loading the cases twice.

That's about the cost of pre-Covid factory loads. I'd have never loaded for the cartridge if it wasn't for the shortage.

[FirstBubba]

Walked into the Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Ammo non-existent!
Lo and behold!
Ammo at Customer Service.
I couldn't see the stock, but a clerk asked what caliber I was looking for.
6.8mm / No
.308 / No
"What do you have?"
.223 - 5.56 - .22 -7.62×51....
Did you say 7.62×51?
Two boxes of Fed 149 gr FMJ, $21.99/ea.

So it's NOT the stores doing the price gouging. Well, not Academy anyway.