By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Rob Ski at AK Operators Union says that Rostec, the Russian holding company is the latest target of US sanctions. Rostec owns Tulammo, which exports to the US a wide variety of ammunition, including the AR, the AK-47, AJ 74 and 7.62 NATO. The action will wipe out a large number of ammunition offerings from sale, which --could-- drive ammunition prices for those and other calibers up.
Russian made ammunition is generally considered to be of lesser, though not necessarily poorer quality than US made ammunition. For my AK-74 I rely on Barnaul, which is a different firm that makes all the "Bear" ammunition: Silver Bear 5.45x39mm, 60 grain bullet.
Speaking of which, Friday was a day the Lord made. Temperature 25 degrees, calm wind, first light, 300 rounds down range, no jams and no misfires. Plus, I think I found the sweet spot for hitting a 10x10 inch target from 200 yards away.
I suffered the reverse Kuntzman effect thereafter.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were steady.
Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Red River Reloading, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: -.03 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: AmmoMart, Own Brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads .18 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own Brand, TPMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .17 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: AmmoMart, Own Brand, FP, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Fedarm, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 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 (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Highland Lakes Ammo, Own Brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Ammo Valley, Own brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads, .24 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Able's, 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 (4Q, 2017))
.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 (6 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 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 (8 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 (4Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Prvi Partizan, 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 (7 Weeks)
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: -.10 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.40 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Cabelas, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.80 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 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: $480 Last Week Avg: $493(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (18 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(112, 114): Ruger 556: $550 ($740 (2 Weeks), $300 (17 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(371, 363): Del-Ton Echo: $550 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(155, 148): Mixed Build: $400 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(217, 210): Palmetto State Armory: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (6 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(460, 454): Mixed Build: $450 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $855 Last Week Avg: $880(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (30 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(46, 45): Palmetto State Armory: $1,100 ($2,300 (30 Weeks), $500 (13 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(84, 83): DPMS Panther: $700 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $650 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(35, 36): Palmetto State Armory: $800 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(64, 58): Bushmaster: $875 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (9 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(82, 68): DPMS: $800 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $640 Last Week Avg: $600(+) ($668 (3Q, 2016), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(24, 23): CAI C39V2s: $850 ($925 (30 Weeks), $400 (35 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(67, 62): WASR: $650 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(46, 49): CAI: $600 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(54, 53): RAS-47: $575 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (9 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(132, 123): IO: $525 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $390 Last Week Avg: $365(+) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(4, 5): Winchester 94: $400 ($500 (50 Weeks), $200 (35 Weeks))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(31, 32): Marlin: $400 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (33 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(13, 12): Marlin: $325 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(8, 9): Winchester Ranger: $350 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(20, 24): Marlin: $475 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $491 Last Week Avg: $486(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+5))(99, 95): Tisas: $430 ($700 (34 Weeks), $325 (20 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(242, 250): Colt: $550 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (4Q, 2016))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(161, 164): Remington R1: $450 ($600 (22 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(163, 168): Kimber: $600 ($775 (22 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(330, 321): Remington R1: $425 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $290 Last Week Avg: $350(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (35 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(197, 193): Taurus G2: $250 ($400 (41 Weeks), $180 (9 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(482, 479): Ruger P95: $275 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (11 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (368, 3Q, 2017)(335, 325): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (47 Weeks))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(313, 316): Ruger SR9E: $275 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(640, 634): Canik TP9: $290 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (35 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $312 Last Week Avg: $297(+) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(47, 44): Glock 22: $300 ($500 (51 Weeks), $195 (31 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(106, 102): Smith & Wesson SD40: $260 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (14 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(94, 93): Sig Sauer 2340: $325 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(82, 84): Taurus PT740: $275 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $250 (5 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(158, 159): FN Herstal: $400 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Pennsylvania)
Ruger Super Redhawk revolver chambered in .44 Magnum