I've been patient and grabbing 9mm whenever I see it for $11/50. snagged 300 rounds a few weeks ago for less than $80. Funny thing about the last grab. I'm in Rural King looking for other stuff. I'm joking around with a guy looking at 9mm pistols saying "good luck finding ammo. The guy behind the counter says "I got some".. I said "sold!"

The only thing I "need" is a bit of hollow-point pistol ammo. Not a lot. Just a bit for each caliber.

That's the really weird thing about this, around here I could find 9mm hollow points. Granted they were expensive but from what I've seen that tends to be the case on the hp's. It's the fmj's that are hard to come by.

One other round that has jumped in price and is a bit scarce is the 450 Bushmaster.

What is the backdrop with ammo availability and prices? Are there less companies making it, running less shifts? Is demand that much higher? Politics?

Probably not, probably not, Yes, well politic in the way that it affects peoples fear.

They're probably running 24 hour shifts. The fact you can no longer buy 556, and pistol at Walmart helps. But the mark up by other retailers suck. Online wholesale is where i go. There's stock of import akm, but the popular stuff goes first. Just like the toilet paper

Plus there are brands popping up that I've never heard of. There was one ad for reloads, 1000 rds of 9mm for .50$/ round. How the heck can you trust reloads from an unknow source?

Went into town yesterday. The shelves were bare except for a few obscure calibers. I don’t need 30-40 krag.

They did have .12 gauge. Picked up a couple boxes just because I wanted to buy something.

That would be great Jeff! I do want to shoot it and make sure it's pretty much dialed in. As dialed in as an entry gun can get.

Today would have been perfect! I bet the pit would have been a zoo.

Getting our family pictures taken was a close second though...

Jeff,

I was just adding up the cost of powder and bullets for handloading 30-06. I've selected A-MAX 168 gr bullets and IMR 4064. The cost comes in around $.65/round, not including the primers (which I already have).

Does this seem in-line or am I paying the "freak out" tax? Is there better and/or cheaper powder?

Yes, what a beautiful day. I was actually up that way, driving with a bunch of R Gruppe buddies. I avoid that gravel pit on weekends... Being retired, I have that luxury.

What did you pay per pound for the powder? Most IMR powders (when you can find them) are running $25-$30 per pound, depending on how much you buy. It seems availability is spotty, rather than being completely unavailable, like primers. I just got eight pound kegs of IMR 4350 and IMR 4895 within the last month or so, but I see they are now "unavailable, no backorder".

IMR 4064 is a decent powder for the .30-'06. It might be a bit on the fast side for your 168 grain bullet, but it will work well. I would be using IMR 4350 or Reloder 19, or something in that burning range if I could get it. You'll be fine, though, IMR 4064 always gives top accuracy, if not velocity.

You could save some money on bullets - that A Max is a bit speedier than, say, a Sierra Match King in the same weight. Even Hornady's non-tipped offerings are cheaper. So are Speer's. I'm not sure what the tipped bullets are supposed to be buying us anyway, outside of their use in varmint bullets, where they are used to initiate expansion.

What's the yea or nay on PMC ammo?

I have no issues with PMC. I'd say get what you can right now.

On Powder, Cabalas has the IMR 4064 for $34/lb. There are some Hodgdon Rifle Powders slightly cheaper ($30). They also have 3031 for about $240 for 8 lbs.

Mostly looking for .30, in about the 160-170 weight, since my hunting rifle is a Springfield 1903 Sporter, 1/10 twist. So some sort of soft point, hollow point, expanding bullets. That is what these will ultimately be for. I have plenty of target ammo (M2 Ball, Greek Surplus).

Which Hodgen powders do they have? I have had good results in my '06's with their H4350, H4831, and H414 (which is also sold as Winchester 760). H4895 (or IMR4895) can be made to work with lighter bullets, but it is very much on the fast side regarding burning rate, and velocities will be down compared to the others.

IMR3031 is way too fast for the '06 with any bullet weight other than the really light 110 grain bullets. It won't work very well at all with anything heavier. I don't think you will even find any loads listed with it in any of the manuals.

Your rifle's 1:10" twist is standard for the '06 and will stabilize hunting bullets from the very lightest 110 grain to the heavy 220 grain. It might have a hard time with the really long, heavy match bullets from 220 to 250 grains, but it will be fine with everything else.

That Hornady A-Max is absolutely not a hunting bullet, it's a match bullet. It will perform poorly on game. I would be looking at standard 150, 165, or 180 grain soft points, like the Sierra Pro Hunter or Game King, Hornady Spire Point, or similar. No need for any of the new "premium" bullets in the old '06 - it doesn't drive them fast enough to where the good old "cup and core" bullet won't work just fine.

I've had decent results on the range with 150's in my Springfirld.

H4350 - Available locally
H322
H4895
Hybrid 100V
H335
H380

I would grab the H4350. It's the best of the ones you list for use in the .30-'06. Most of us consider it and the IMR versions the "go-to" powder for the '06 for bullet weights from 150 to 200 grains.

Hornady 3045 InterLock 30 Caliber .308 165 GR Boat Tail Spire Point 100 Box $31.73

That would be a dandy hunting bullet, and the price seems in keeping with today's market.