Shell Shortage

Eric Patterson

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Staff member
Seems to me there is a very obvious absence of waterfowling shot shells as we head into the fall. Anyone know if shelves will get restocked or are we going to be throwing rocks at some point this season.

Eric
 
That has been my observation as well, with 2 3/4 in.shotshells being particularly hard to find. Fortunately, I picked up a case of the waterfowl loads I use for both ducks and geese from Rogers late last season and should be fine.
Also had them send me 1000 rounds of .22 lr ammo when I saw it available recently at a decent price on there website.
 
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Josh Schwenger said:
I bought my first case of boss shot shells mostly because they had a good reputation but also they came in stock .

I guess you got lucky before they flew off the shelves because they are all out now.

Eric
 
When you see it advertised, act quick. Like Bob, I stocked up last year before the shortage on Duck loads. Was able to get a case of Kent 3 inch BB. Also bought 800 rounds of 22.

I live about 50 miles from Boss and would surely buy from them if necessary. I give them credit for jumping into the ammo business against the big boys.

RVZ
 
Eric Patterson said:
Carl said:
Even the online stores like Rogers & Able Ammo?
Crazy.

Rogers is out or nearly out. I didn't look at Able but suspect their shelves are nearly depleted too.

Eric

From 1998-2010, Able was where I ordered all my shells from.
Then I discovered Rogers.
I guess now is not a time to be picky, over the years I've shot Estate, Rio, Federal and Fiochhi, all in 3" 1.25oz #3s, with good results.
Back when they had Rio for $79/case delivered, I should have bought 10 cases.
 
When I drove cross country this summer, I kept an eye out for stuff and I was surprised to see increased rifle availability from what it had been, but reduced shotgun ammo. I was able to get some stuff I needed, like a box of goose loads and a couple boxes of small steel for the 20 gauge, but I didn't see any flats of what I'd consider bread and butter waterfowl stuff, most all was high end or niche stuff and not in flats.

I worry about younger guys that buy by the box. Thinking about what I have I am probably good for a several years, especially if I dig into the supply and start shooting stuff I have that I don't like.

It seems like shotgun primers are in short supply from what I picked up on.
 
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Good luck my friends. I stocked up when I could lucky to have a decent stash for the time being. Shots are taken with even more care now and thinking about my leads.
I have a bunch of friends that are dying to find ammo for this season. Snow goose guys are screwed.
I began to transition over to Boss from 12 down to .410 have a few cases of each gauge as well my puddle duck hunts are going to be with sub gauge this year and the 12 will be for divers and such. Making the best of everything while we can.
 
Unless the shell manufacturers start pumping them out there is going to be a lot of folks using self control like never before, running out, or loading anything they can get their hands on, including lead.

Eric
 
I'm glad I bought a batch a few years ago. Eric, what you commented about shells made me think of the year that I would limit myself to 12 shells, then I whittled that down to 10 shells on a hunt. Yes,it makes you think twice about that next shot. One thing that I remember was how much fun that was. There were also lots of ducks.
Al
 
I have been keeping an eye on rogers sporting goods most every day. I was able to get a case of 20ga 2 3/4 #6 steel. More than I want to pay, but the shelves around here are empty. Nice thing is that since I do a lot more upland hunting lately, the 6 shot will be good for quail, wood ducks and woodcock. I have a good supply of 3" shells when I want to go out duck hunting on the gulf or chase ringnecks on the lakes around here.

I guess there is a plus to upland hunting in FL. Not a whole lot of birds to actually shoot at, so you don't shoot a lot ...
 

Friends of mine have been shooting skeet and reloading since the 1960's. One guy was on the 5 man world champion team.

When I last spoke to one of my friends he said that gun shops were calling the guys and asking them if they had, shotgun primers, powder and shot to sell to the shops.

When the gun shops are calling customers for reloading supplies, "things no looka so good".

As they have done for many years. They go to the club every week, but no longer shoot shotguns, just BS. Dove season, instead of taking em as they come, they pick their shots. Thinking about ammo changes how a hunter hunts.


For shotgun, since I live in NY where shotguns are used more to shoot deer than any other game. I'm in good shape for waterfowl and small game.

Recently I wanted to replenish my muzzleloader rifle supplies. Had to go to 6 different shops to find all that is needed to put food on the table. The crossbow and muzzleloader will get lots of use this season, hopefully. The deer rifle will see limited use.


As for what folks will use for ammo to hunt? What they have. Especially in places where there is much more game than in the East.


my 2 cents
 
Good luck. I have been telling people for months to buy any box of shot shells they come across. I was ignored and a couple buddies have no shells or limited quantities.

I have been looking for months stopping at every store I drive by. Usually this is 5-10 stores/week. I finally scored last week as my bro in law in South Dakota was also keeping an eye out for me. He found 6 boxes of the shells I like. $24/box for shells I could find on sale last year for $13.

I have a feeling we will be finding lead bulls in the field this year
 
Eric Patterson said:
Unless the shell manufacturers start pumping them out there is going to be a lot of folks using self control like never before, running out, or loading anything they can get their hands on, including lead.
Eric Patterson said:



Raw materials in short supply, makes components in short supply, equals finished goods in short supply. Too much $ chasing too few goods. It is in every industry for manufactured goods. I don't see supply chain issues clearing up until 2023 now at the earliest. If current economic policies persist, it will be longer than that. Don't be surprised if the price is 30-40% more by next year. Manufacturers cannot meet demand, and ammo is largely an onshore based industry, so we're not waiting for the boat to dock, at least for finished goods. They simply can't get the materials to assemble. PPG and Sherwin Williams just released earnings, their CEO's discussed their inability to get enough raw materials to make enough paint to meet demand. I'm 62, I've seen this playbook once before, and it isn't pretty. Keep your hard assets. And buy shells when you can find them as mentioned above.

 
greg setter said:
Eric Patterson said:
Unless the shell manufacturers start pumping them out there is going to be a lot of folks using self control like never before, running out, or loading anything they can get their hands on, including lead.
Eric Patterson said:



Raw materials in short supply, makes components in short supply, equals finished goods in short supply. Too much $ chasing too few goods. It is in every industry for manufactured goods. I don't see supply chain issues clearing up until 2023 now at the earliest. If current economic policies persist, it will be longer than that. Don't be surprised if the price is 30-40% more by next year. Manufacturers cannot meet demand, and ammo is largely an onshore based industry, so we're not waiting for the boat to dock, at least for finished goods. They simply can't get the materials to assemble. PPG and Sherwin Williams just released earnings, their CEO's discussed their inability to get enough raw materials to make enough paint to meet demand. I'm 62, I've seen this playbook once before, and it isn't pretty. Keep your hard assets. And buy shells when you can find them as mentioned above.



Greg,

I agree.

Had four new Toyo tires put on the Honda Pilot yesterday. The shop owner where I have it serviced told me that the prices increase almost daily. Plus each day tires, and other items get tougher and tougher to get. Very uncertain times.

Even though the old tires had some life in them. He warned me that when I did need them, the price would be higher. IF he could get them.

Good new tires on yer "outdoor spaceship" makes a person happy. Like having a good supply of shotgun shells.


My cousins husband worked for PPG for many years. PPG purchased the old Keystone Ordinance in western PA. A wildlife haven that was always off limits.


VP
 
It has been a challenge here in the NW to find shells and when you do find them it is a max of 2 boxes. I have been able to get lucky with boxes hear and there and may have enough for me for the season, but now with my son hunting I need to find more than I typically would need. To try an put a positive spin on this hopefully it will keep the skybusters at bay if they have to conserve shells or they will just run out and not be able to hunt.
 
Tough times to buy ammo for certain. I'm fortunate to have a couple cases of BOSS, as well as some steel that I found on various auction sites and Uncle Henry's (which is a Maine site) where internet advertising and sale of guns and ammo is still allowed. I was in Cabela's here in Maine this week, they some duck loads on the shelf, 25-35/box. Best of luck to those that get out this season.
 
I have found some of the waterfowl sites to have reasonable rates when they come in stock. MacksPW and Rogers occasionally have cases in, you can set them to notify you when they do. The non-toxic shells don't seem any more expensive than they used to be (TSS and the heavy metal or bismuth). I know those are hard pills to swallow, almost $3/shell for the TSS. I snagged 3 cases before Covid with a super rebate and they were $1/shell. I love the shells, but not the price. Seems like the lowest I've seen are about $0.90/shell now, even with case prices. Don't recall what the black cloud steel used to cost, but I vaguely remember it being around that price, so I snagged a case to split with friends who needed some ammo. Not as cheap as the fiocchi I bought in 2019, but I only wanted 3 boxes to make myself feel good for this season. Maybe one day it'll go back to the el cheapo herters prices
 
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