I don't think I have ever seen such a shortage of turkey ammo (ammo in general) in my life!
I typically buy my ammo around February, and I never saw Midway even stock turkey ammo!
We have some local shops that stock it, but it's one box per day, per caliber, per customer!
I have enough ammo to last several turkey seasons, and I'm also planning on taking (or attempting to) take one of my spring birds with a bow this season.
It's crazier than I have ever seen!
What's everyone's take on this?
Current political climate, shortage in general?
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Political climate is as much to blame as anything in my opinion. I have seen some turkey shells while out and about. I did notice prices have gone up a good bit. Saw a box of 7mag shells for 65 dollars the other day.
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Beside the political climate we had a year of people out and about shooting up that ammo, most outdoor gear was scarce and still is.
I wish I would have kept a large gun collection I sold off, could have made some cash right now! Never been an ammo collector but wish I had been, I worked at a shop for years, I should have invested all my life savings in guns and ammo, could have retired this year!
Fortunately, I have, over the years, accumulated enough turkey ammo to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 400 years old.
Ammunition in general has been both hard to find and expensive, leading to a lot of hoarding I think. Pandemic, a less than friendly political climate, I think it`s a confluence of factors personally. I know we`ve never seen anything like it, certainly not in my seven decades on the planet. As for turkey ammo, thank the Lord that it`s not high volume shooting. I don`t travel to hunt, my guns are sighted and I only take a max of two birds ( usually just one ) a season. Don`t burn through a lot of shells so I`m set for probably the rest of my turkey hunting career unless something strange happens.
7 million new gun owners in 2020 put a huge strain on the ammo industry. Add in the political climate and genuine fear of huge taxes being added to ammo and also the secondary market where people are buying available ammo just to resell at inflated prices and its a recipe for disaster.
Things will come around but almost certainly not this year. Powders and other reloading components are becoming more available online. I have actually seen enough turkey ammo this year to add a few boxes. Just got some hevi shot mag blends I hope to pattern before season.
Mike
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Quote from: mountaineer long beard on March 13, 2021, 08:45:27 AM
7 million new gun owners in 2020 put a huge strain on the ammo industry. Add in the political climate and genuine fear of huge taxes being added to ammo and also the secondary market where people are buying available ammo just to resell at inflated prices and its a recipe for disaster.
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Another thing is the fact that remington shut down and 20 percent of the ammo manufacturing went with it. These three thing caused the perfect storm.
I have enough to last me,my kids and grand kids the rest of their turkey hunting lives and I am no where near done hoarding it.
People buying them as fast as they hit the shelves with intention to resale. They keep the stock depleted thus causing panic buying. If people would quit buying so would the guys jacking up the prices and ammo manufacturers could catch up. This all started with the political climate and covid, now the guys buying it all up for profit are keeping it going.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2021, 08:34:54 AM
Fortunately, I have, over the years, accumulated enough turkey ammo to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 400 years old.
YEP!
Read an article yesterday in Task and Purpose that a factor in the ammunition shortage is the shortage of component materials worldwide. This materials shortage seems to be a problem in a number pf different industries. Hopefully with widespread distribution of the vaccine manufacturing will get back to normal in a few months
I'm hopeful stock will pick up once the Covid scare is over this summer. If the general public continues to panic buy this will still be an issue though.
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I have 15 rounds of TSS loaded, 5lbs of shot and enough components to load it so I am good on turkey loads for a bit. I think that 5lbs will load 49 rounds.
i have been averaging between 8 and 12 birds a year though.
Several years back when the first shortage of ammo hit, i told myself that I would not have that issue anymore if and when it ever got back to normal
Now, when I buy a new caliber or come across a really good sale, I buy it by the case. For the last few years, Midway and Dunns have ran huge sales right after turkey season, so I would stock up (hoard) what I needed.
IMO, if you didn't see this issue happening, it is your own fault. Inventories were slim last year too and flippers are destroying the inventory.
Prime example is a few years back, Palmetto State ran a clearance on Federal Fusion 300 WSM in 165 for 17.99 a box, normally anywhere from $33-39 a box, I ordered 20 boxes and told a buddy that he needed to stock up because it wont ever be cheaper.
He bought a box thinking it would last him. I then took him on a doe reduction hunt where he shot a few does, a coyote and hog and maybe missed a shot or two. This past season, he was whining about not being able to find any ammo and what he did find was above retail and I reminded him about the sale that he passed on.
I gave him a box but told him that I expected a new one back. (Just in principle).
I guess I am coming off as a jackass, but the writing has been on the wall about shortages for a few years.
Quote from: Sixes on March 13, 2021, 12:11:06 PM
Several years back when the first shortage of ammo hit, i told myself that I would not have that issue anymore if and when it ever got back to normal
Now, when I buy a new caliber or come across a really good sale, I buy it by the case. For the last few years, Midway and Dunns have ran huge sales right after turkey season, so I would stock up (hoard) what I needed.
IMO, if you didn't see this issue happening, it is your own fault. Inventories were slim last year too and flippers are destroying the inventory.
Prime example is a few years back, Palmetto State ran a clearance on Federal Fusion 300 WSM in 165 for 17.99 a box, normally anywhere from $33-39 a box, I ordered 20 boxes and told a buddy that he needed to stock up because it wont ever be cheaper.
He bought a box thinking it would last him. I then took him on a doe reduction hunt where he shot a few does, a coyote and hog and maybe missed a shot or two. This past season, he was whining about not being able to find any ammo and what he did find was above retail and I reminded him about the sale that he passed on.
I gave him a box but told him that I expected a new one back. (Just in principle).
I guess I am coming off as a jackass, but the writing has been on the wall about shortages for a few years.
X2.. I so agree with you, i do take offense to being called a hoarder of ammo. I shop year round for all my hunting needs including finding after season sales and taking advantage of these sells including ammo and other related items. These people who wait to shop a few weeks before season on turkey ammo or deer ammo, it's your fault in my opinion you have no ammo or have very little ammo. In the last couple of years you could see how all this politics was going to play out.. I CALL IT SMART BUYING NOT HOARDING. I don't call people who have stock up on TSS components to reloaded HOARDERS either, again these people are seeing the big picture of reloading and what benefits it's provides.
It's outta control ive got 1 box of Lb xrs and that's it I was lucky to get them
I STARTED STOCKING UP 2 YEARS AGO NOW I HAVE PLENTY. I JUST SET BACK AND LAUGH AT THE PRICES NOW . AND THINK ABOUT THE GOLD MINE IAM SETING ON ....
Yesterday while watching Jimmy Houston outdoors, he was talking about the shortage of Ranger boats and other type boats and he also said it was becoming a shortage in fishing tackle. He said lead weights, rods and other products were in such high demand. In our local Walmart fishing weights and hooks are in very low supply. SO who do you think is going to get this lead first, the manufactures who can out bid the smaller manufacture is the one who's going to get what they need to keep manufacturing which will cause us the consumer higher prices in the future.
It's a shortage of everything outdoor related.
I have a friend of mine that wanted to buy a side by side, he chose a Polaris Ranger Trail Boss with a price tag of 23K+. He could not find one anywhere in stock and had to order a 23K machine and it was a minimum 16 week lead time to get it.
I wouldn't think side by sides in that price range would be that hard to find, but I guess those stimulus checks allow folks to buy what they want.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2021, 08:34:54 AM
Fortunately, I have, over the years, accumulated enough turkey ammo to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 400 years old.
Me too!
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 13, 2021, 01:00:05 PM
Quote from: Sixes on March 13, 2021, 12:11:06 PM
Several years back when the first shortage of ammo hit, i told myself that I would not have that issue anymore if and when it ever got back to normal
Now, when I buy a new caliber or come across a really good sale, I buy it by the case. For the last few years, Midway and Dunns have ran huge sales right after turkey season, so I would stock up (hoard) what I needed.
IMO, if you didn't see this issue happening, it is your own fault. Inventories were slim last year too and flippers are destroying the inventory.
Prime example is a few years back, Palmetto State ran a clearance on Federal Fusion 300 WSM in 165 for 17.99 a box, normally anywhere from $33-39 a box, I ordered 20 boxes and told a buddy that he needed to stock up because it wont ever be cheaper.
He bought a box thinking it would last him. I then took him on a doe reduction hunt where he shot a few does, a coyote and hog and maybe missed a shot or two. This past season, he was whining about not being able to find any ammo and what he did find was above retail and I reminded him about the sale that he passed on.
I gave him a box but told him that I expected a new one back. (Just in principle).
I guess I am coming off as a jackass, but the writing has been on the wall about shortages for a few years.
X2.. I so agree with you, i do take offense to being called a hoarder of ammo. I shop year round for all my hunting needs including finding after season sales and taking advantage of these sells including ammo and other related items. These people who wait to shop a few weeks before season on turkey ammo or deer ammo, it's your fault in my opinion you have no ammo or have very little ammo. In the last couple of years you could see how all this politics was going to play out.. I CALL IT SMART BUYING NOT HOARDING. I don't call people who have stock up on TSS components to reloaded HOARDERS either, again these people are seeing the big picture of reloading and what benefits it's provides.
This!!^^^^^^^
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Looks like I have enough turkey shells to last me and the kids 63 years in 12 and 20 gauge. Might look for a.410 next year for the kids though, not sure if the oldest (4yo) can handle a 20 gauge yet lol.
I've actually had good luck here in Michigan finding Longbeard XR and Hevi-13. This was back in Jan/Feb. This will be my first year using actual turkey shells too lol. Always shot #5 pheasant loads in my 20 gauge. Might look for some TSS to start messing with after the season.
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Does ammo have a shelf life? I have plenty of what I need right now but some of the old white Hevi (still the best IMO) is from 2005. I store it inside, climate controlled, not bouncing around in a hot truck box. Never seen this discussed.
Quote from: joey46 on March 13, 2021, 06:51:48 PM
Does ammo have a shelf life? I have plenty of what I need right now but some of the old white Hevi (still the best IMO) is from 2005. I store it inside, climate controlled, not bouncing around in a hot truck box. Never seen this discussed.
You should be good to go. Climate controled and dry ammo should last 20 years at least. I recently shot some that was at least 30 years old and prior to that shot some old paper shells that were older with the print faded off. They shot fine but wish I had run them through the chrono.
I don't really understand all the crying about a shortage of Turkey ammo. I am seeing ammo in several different stores. It may not be your brand but will kill turkeys. Just pattern it and hunt.
I bet there is not a single turkey hunter that will miss opening day (provided they were planning on going anyway) due to not having ammo.
Quote from: joey46 on March 13, 2021, 06:51:48 PM
Does ammo have a shelf life? I have plenty of what I need right now but some of the old white Hevi (still the best IMO) is from 2005. I store it inside, climate controlled, not bouncing around in a hot truck box. Never seen this discussed.
I'm shooting 1964-65 30-06 ball and 1973 7.62x39mm ball through my rifles with no problems
Quote from: joey46 on March 13, 2021, 06:51:48 PM
Does ammo have a shelf life? I have plenty of what I need right now but some of the old white Hevi (still the best IMO) is from 2005. I store it inside, climate controlled, not bouncing around in a hot truck box. Never seen this discussed.
Not entirely sure about ammo, but gun powder will deteriorate over time.
I think ,I have plenty of Turkey Ammo- BUT if ,I run low, I am going to get 5 or 6 Hunts in with former President Jimmy Carter down in Georgia and see if,I can get 2 big Georgia Tom's before Jimmy Carter Tags out with his 3 Georgia Gobblers- :).
Don't discount that element of Covid toilet paper hoarders who have now switched to ammo.
Back around 1998 or 99, I heard that the ACTIV Ammo company was going out of business. I loved that Ammo-- Nickel " Penetrators ".
So, I went to Thruway Sporting Goods in Walden,NY when,I heard of a sale on these ACTIV PENETRATORS.
I BOUGHT A WHOLE CASE OF 25 BOXES OF 10 SHELLS IN 12 GAUGE - 3" SHELLS AT ( HALF PRICE)!! I gave some away,patterned slot of them and shot alot of Turkeys with them. I still have a bunch left
Quote from: quavers59 on March 14, 2021, 08:15:40 AM
Back around 1998 or 99, I heard that the ACTIV Ammo company was going out of business. I loved that Ammo-- Nickel " Penetrators ".
So, I went to Thruway Sporting Goods in Walden,NY when,I heard of a sale on these ACTIV PENETRATORS.
I BOUGHT A WHOLE CASE OF 25 BOXES OF 10 SHELLS IN 12 GAUGE - 3" SHELLS AT ( HALF PRICE)!! I gave some away,patterned slot of them and shot alot of Turkeys with them. I still have a bunch left
One of the best shells I ever shot. I only have 4 left. 3 inch nickel 5, 2 1/4 oz load. Unreal shell. I wish I followed your lead and bought cases of them. Kent bought them out I heard, thus you see the Kent Turkey Penetrator TSS loads. Haven't tried them yet, less than 2 ounces in the shells. All good things eventually get discontinued I guess.....
I've seen pics of some of y'all. If you run out of shells just pull down your mask and ugly 'em to death! :TooFunny:
Quote from: Tail Feathers on March 14, 2021, 12:38:20 PM
I've seen pics of some of y'all. If you run out of shells just pull down your mask and ugly 'em to death! :TooFunny:
Most of us would booger up the meat too bad if we was to do that.
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Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on March 14, 2021, 01:21:15 PM
Quote from: Tail Feathers on March 14, 2021, 12:38:20 PM
I've seen pics of some of y'all. If you run out of shells just pull down your mask and ugly 'em to death! :TooFunny:
Most of us would booger up the meat too bad if we was to do that.
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:TooFunny: :icon_thumright:
I'm glad I'm set for along time. I've shared ammo with A few close friends who weren't.
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Quote from: The Heartbreak Kid....... on March 13, 2021, 09:33:30 AM
I have enough to last me,my kids and grand kids the rest of their turkey hunting lives and I am no where near done hoarding it.
thumbs down
You should not shoot more than one round at a turkey. They are easy.Im going to use my bow this spring to take my 4 birds in Montana. I am highly skilled with shotgun,and bow.That being said, I have 6 boxes of 1 7/8 oz. BB'S.
I found six boxes of long beard 3.5'' #5's in walmart couple weeks ago.
Quote from: High plains drifter on March 17, 2021, 02:33:04 PM
You should not shoot more than one round at a turkey. They are easy.Im going to use my bow this spring to take my 4 birds in Montana. I am highly skilled with shotgun,and bow.That being said, I have 6 boxes of 1 7/8 oz. BB'S.
Picked up another 4 boxes before work this morning. Thumbs way up.
I was very fortunate to find some WLBs so I have enough for this season. However, if people would just take a breath and stop snatching up everything in sight, it might go a ways in helping. My local store is completely out of Turkey loads because they say people are hoarding them for home defense. Don't me wrong, I wouldn't want to take a load of #6s but home defense? Really?
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Quote from: husker on March 17, 2021, 07:34:25 PM
I was very fortunate to find some WLBs so I have enough for this season. However, if people would just take a breath and stop snatching up everything in sight, it might go a ways in helping. My local store is completely out of Turkey loads because they say people are hoarding them for home defense. Don't me wrong, I wouldn't want to take a load of #6s but home defense? Really?
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People were buying bb and bbb goose loads by the case for home defense when they couldnt get buckshot.
Yes indeed, people panic-bought turkey loads when they couldn't find buckshot. That certainly didn't help matters.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2021, 08:34:54 AM
Fortunately, I have, over the years, accumulated enough turkey ammo to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 400 years old.
I've only got enough to make it to my 200th birthday. Short-sighted on my part, I suppose.
OK, I'll say it. If you can supply your kids for their lifetime and leave some for grandkids too...you wasted money on too many turkey loads. :OGturkeyhead:
Quote from: Tail Feathers on March 18, 2021, 02:59:00 PM
OK, I'll say it. If you can supply your kids for their lifetime and leave some for grandkids too...you wasted money on too many turkey loads. :OGturkeyhead:
wasted? I never worried about others money, only my own.I have over 20 barrels to feed.Gonna be ordering more as well... :popcorn: like being stocked.
Good luck to all, beautiful weekend ahead to get out and spend it patterning! Enjoy the spring and the hunt!
Quote from: WildTigerTrout on March 13, 2021, 04:48:31 PM
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2021, 08:34:54 AM
Fortunately, I have, over the years, accumulated enough turkey ammo to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 400 years old.
Me too!
Not sure I would admit that you kill so few turkeys a few boxes last you a lifetime ;D
Quote from: TRG3 on March 18, 2021, 02:49:23 PM
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2021, 08:34:54 AM
Fortunately, I have, over the years, accumulated enough turkey ammo to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 400 years old.
I've only got enough to make it to my 200th birthday. Short-sighted on my part, I suppose.
y. A box should last 10 years.
Quote from: J.D. Shellnut on March 17, 2021, 04:39:21 PM
I found six boxes of long beard 3.5'' #5's in walmart couple weeks ago.
They selling out like fire. Mom and Pop shops price gouging the XR 3.5" for $50 a box of 10, they are doubling there money. LOL good thing I don't need them.
Winchester still not getting them to the stores.... Turkey season will be over then they'll have thousands of ammo made up.... LOL