Many of the ammunition buyers in the recent past were like the locust plagues of the farm years of the 30s and 40s. I call them hoarders and lemmings. They're people that react to the scare comments from radio talk show fear mongers and are the major reason for the ammo shortages. Fear and ignorance have always driven panic buying. And it always will.

It's just me, but I'd rather be a "paranoid" with 100,000 rounds in my basement than a Pollyanna who gladly fills out a government form to buy a brick of .22s.

But, that's just me...

Years ago, there was a perceived shortage of something (forget what) that caused panic buying, and as a joke Johnny Carson said on his show that it was just announced that they expected a shortage of toilet paper next.

The panic buying was so bad the next day that he had to explain it was a joke and apologize

"Nothing to see here folks... move along."

Everything will be available soon.

*tongue firmly planted in cheek*

Soon? According to two senior managers at the Kittery Trading Post, a store I know you enjoying shopping at from time to time, inventory of ammo and components is not expected to return to normal until late fall of 2014. That is not soon enough for me.

Pete, I modified my post.

The shop I picked up the last of the W209s at said their replenishment shipment has been on back order for four months already.

We're lobsters in a pot of tepid water.....

at our club we were unable to get any 20 ga. rem. gun clubs or primers in our last order. I have not seen a brick of 22s in a year. but we have a good supply of powder for shotguns and rifle . our club has about 900 members so a good supply of ammo and reloading supplies is needed. last month we even ran out of 20 ga wads. when you find what you use, buy it. my son and I shoot about 10,000 shot shells a year, that may sound like a lot but it is really not. its the price of lead shot that's killing me at 20 bags a year, 46.00 a bag my hobby keeps me working full time. I just like shooting too much to quit. they want us to be happy that we can still buy the stuff no matter what they charge us. I can't wait for the next election

I lucked out