By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
You'll note that since the Big Show in Las Vegas on October 1st, 2017, .223/5.56mm ammunition has almost returned to its original pre-shooting level. On September 30th, 2017, .223/5.56mm ammunition stood at $.19 per round. Directly after the shooting, prices jumped to a $.21 per round high. Now, eight weeks or so later, prices fell to $.20 per round, where they have been for the last five weeks.
Now for the fun stuff: Aesop in his (assuming gender here) blog report points out a few additional facts since I last commented on the pure statistics of the massacre:
Aesop said Paddock's hit ratio was a little over 21 percent. My original guesstimate was 17.5 percent, but that was based on old data that was less accurate.
Said Aesop:
So, to recap, that leaves us with a .196 average, with gunfire hits on 216 or so out of 1100 attempts (and notably, only 1 out of 200 on Campos in the hallway at a range measured in inches), while firing at a crowded outdoor concert with 22,000 attendees at a venue the size of a WWII aircraft carrier. If you look at the concert goer average, it was about .010, or about what, in baseball, selects you to be a designated peanut vendor.
This wasn't just the worst shooting in U.S. history, it was the worst shooter in US history. The last time America saw someone shoot this badly, it was the roommate in Frank Whaley's apartment in Pulp Fiction, right before Vincent and Jules blow him away.
The really fun stuff is at Western Rifle Shooter's Association, where a conversation was displayed including some of the most best and most useful information on how to fire a rifle in combat, especially focusing on round placement at 300+ meters for the 5.56mm.
I would like to add that concerning the AK-74, Russian armorers typically bore sight at 300 to 400 meters. At that range, firing at Russian center mass which is the crotch area, you are certain to hit a man sized target directly at the chest.
In a report I read some time back, former KGB special forces operators told a hiker who had taken an interest in Afghanistan, that new Soviet Army recruits deployed for the first time were told to aim at the feet for targets closer than 100 meters, and then "walk" their hits up until they hit a target. The bullet drop for the 5.45mm round is about nine inches for the 53 grain steel core ball. That is from the bore to 400 meters. It is way more pronounced for the much heavier 60 grain bullet that is commonly available in the US.
And that means practice, about which it was said that once in country the average Soviet Army rifleman did not have. On the job training for them.
But American armorers bore sight their rifles at 25 yards, and when you go to read the thread, you'll understand why.
Both militaries' doctrines deal with their own unique set of problems and have come to solutions to be used in the field in different ways.
You can read a similar thread here, discussing carbines.
Can't say enough about the Western Rifle Shooters Association threads, so I'll just quit while I'm ahead.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were steady. Rifle ammunition prices were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were lower. Prices for used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
Virginia: .223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic): Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport: $300
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Foundry35, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round (From Last Week: +.03 )
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bangit Ammo,Owm Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own Brand, TPMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .18 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Fedarm, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .13 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bang It Ammo, Precision One, JSP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: American Reloading, Own brand, TMJ, Aluminum Casing, Reloads, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: AmmoMen, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .53 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: -.04 Each
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Unchanged (3 Weeks), Brass Casing, SP, .81 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .85 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: +.14 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.50 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Wholesale Hunter, Hornady, Brass Casing, JSP, 3.14 per round (From Last Week: +.78 After Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $400 Last Week Avg: $420(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (14 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(122, 127): Bushmaster: $475 ($625 (15 Weeks), $300 (14 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(370, 382): American Tactical Imports Omni Hybrid: $550 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(164, 154): American Tactical Imports: $450 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(194, 192): Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport: $300 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (CA:$350 (3 Weeks)))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(432, 434): Smith & Wesson: $500 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $869 Last Week Avg: $865(+) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (25 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(38, 39): Palmetto State Armory: $850 ($2,300 (25 Weeks), $500 (8 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(91, 90): DPMS: $700 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $675 (13 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(51, 48): Palmetto State Armory: $900 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(66, 65): Palmetto State Armory: $995 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (4 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(58, 95): DPMS: $900 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $571 Last Week Avg: $529(+) ($668 (3Q, 2016), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(21, 17): Romak: $900 ($925 (25 Weeks), $400 (30 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(72, 65): RAS-47: $450 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(58, 54): WASR 10: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(57, 55): Romak: $600 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (4 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(110, 121): IO: $500 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $400 Last Week Avg: $360(+) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(7, 6): Marlin: $500 ($500 (45 Weeks), $200 (30 Weeks))
Texas (33, 3Q, 2017)(30, 31): Marlin: $475 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (29 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(15, 13): Winchester 94: $300 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(12, 14): Mossberg 464 SPX: $400 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(26, 28): Marlin Glenfield: $340 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $405 Last Week Avg: $460(-) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+5))(101, 99): Mixed Build (Colt Slide): $450 ($700 (29 Weeks), $325 (15 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(229, 229): Rock Island Armory: $350 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (51 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(167, 160): Remington R1: $400 ($600 (17 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(186, 199): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($775 (17 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(353, 370): Llama: $375 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $276 Last Week Avg: $270(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (30 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(223, 218): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $250 ($400 (36 Weeks), $180 (4 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(496, 528): Springfield XD9: $300 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (16 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (368, 3Q, 2017)(327, 321): Star M43: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (42 Weeks))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(352, 343): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(713, 713): Star Firestar: $280 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (30 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $330 Last Week Avg: $350(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(44, 44): Ruger SR40: $350 ($500 (46 Weeks), $195 (26 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(110, 111): Ruger SR40: $350 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (9 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(100, 101): Smith and Wesson SW40VE: $250 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(91, 95): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $400 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(168, 171): Sig-Sauer P250: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Arizona) (She's a beaut!)
Dragunov NDM-86 chambered in 308/7.62 NATO