I don't believe I have ever been accused of being a conspiracy theorist. However as the old saying goes, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not actually out to get you.

I think the enormous quantities of small arms ammunition along with the governments priority status has in large part helped fuel this shortage.

http://www.infowars.com/dhs-to-buy-3...nt-ammunition/

http://offgridsurvival.com/ammoshort...fthingstocome/

I don't understand the purpose behind the conspiracy and that makes me more nervous.

Just to see what was going on I put the prices for what is currently available in my area for available reloading components and regardless of shot size it comes to $6.40 a box for 1 1/8 once loads, plus tax. The same store, KTP, has Federal brand target loads priced at $64.99 plus tax per flat (10 boxes).

Currently there are auctions on Gunbroker.com where dealers are selling 16 pounds of IMR-700x for $475 plus $48.00 shipping. That is near $33 a pound. This is nuts.

The dealer I visited today said it would probably be a year before things return to "normal."

"It's like it was four years ago - only five times worse," he said.

For me, things won't be "normal" again until 2016. I hope.

BTW, I bought 8 lbs of Extra Lite from him for $99.

I have just set up and started reloading again after several years of using many flats of $49 Federal 12- and 20-gauges and working down my stock of reloads. I've found plenty of the powders I use -- Clays, International, American Select, Lil' Gun, and Universal. WSF seems a bit hard to find. Likewise I've found the wads I use. My club has lead at $101 for three bags. They are rationing it out at three bags per week per member. There seems to be plenty of Federal, Fiochi and CCI primers around. I prefer Remington primers, as they seem to agree with many of my old doubles, and they are up to $49.90 a brick when you can find them!! Winchester 209s seem non-existant.

We have Chedites and Win209's primers at our club, but the piles of cases (5000) are shrinking every week. My father and I both bought enough to get us through till the end of the year. We shoot skeet every weekend, and when its warm here in Michigan even more.

I just purchased 5000 WW 209 primers (can't find Remington )and have 16lbs of 7625------ but I can't get lead shot.
I am calling Beikirch's my local dealer they are expecting lead soon. I was told they have $700,000. of ammo backordered and expect the market to return to normal the summer of 2014!!! Crazy!!

Conspiracy? No conspiracy here, it's obvious unless you are naieve, blind, or possibility part of it. What happens in 22 to 26 months? Mid term elections come to mind. It's no secret that the current administration is working toward attaining a super majority. If they are successful, well the ammo shortage will just make the next step easier. If Boehner manages to hold onto the House, the left still wins, just not as big. As the former White House Chief of Staff let slip four years ago, "Never let a good crisis go to waste".

I'm usually stocked up but this thread motivated me to become a hoarder! :bigbye:

Went to the Fin today to get some PB and Unique for some soft shooting, especially for my new light weight 16 SW. I expected shortages, but most folks aren't real interested in what I am. Ther was no Unique and I got the last two ahort pints (14oz) of PB. There were a couple of others shopping and I mention that the shelves were pretty bare; they responded "there's nothing left in Columbus". Would have liked go have gotten another K of 209s, but none to be had.