How's the ammo situation?

[bassboogieman]

Just curious, I mentioned this on my previous thread about my new toy but I guess it's too old to attract any attention.

How's the ammo situation in your neck of the woods? I recently purchased a .380 pistol and not really thinking too much about it, tried to purchase ammo for it after I did all the paperwork and picked it up. Cabela's did not have any .380 ammo in stock. Nor did a couple of my area shops, it took me three stops to find some. Most of the internet sites I checked didn't have much in the way of 50 round boxes, several had bulk 1000 round but I don't need that much .380 caliber.

The other thing is price it's up about 25% from about a year ago. I paid $60 for two (50 rnd) boxes of .380. What with the last lead smelter in the USA going extinct, what the heck does the future hold? I'm a little concerned. I'm beginning to believe that if the Government fails in attempts to take away our guns, they will make the ammunition too expensive to purchase.

Anyway, I know part of it is due to the massive buy of guns AND ammo last year with the threats of banning some firearms. I also think part of it may be demand - ammo makers did not anticipate the run on the small "pocket" guns in the last few years and got caught with their pants down, maybe?

Last summer and fall it was .22 ammo that was hard to find and when found was at a premium. I had some issues with finding .223 last year - that was understandable. Have not had the same issue with 9mm or .45ACP, that seems to be readily available. My nephew is helping me out with doing reloads - I actually prefer factory ammo in my carry (self defense) loads - for practice.

So, how are you finding your ammo? I hate to think about stock piling, but maybe I will do that - about 250 - 500 rounds for each of my pistols will be expensive. 1000 rounds of .223, wow I better start saving...