Washington DC – -(Ammoland.com)- While many individuals have looked at precious metals for moderate gains and even some losses over the last year, the combination of base metals like lead and brass have seen an incredible return–particularly when those base metals are combined to form .22 ammunition.
Think about it–from one year ago until now, .22 ammunition is up over 400%. It was approximately $21 to $23 per 500 rounds in May 2012, and it’s now $100 to $135 for 500 rounds.
.22 ammunition has been easy to find and cheap to buy for decades. For this reason, .22 rifles and pistols have long been among some of most popular firearms in America. In fact, the first gun I ever shot was my dad’s High Standard Double Nine .22 revolver and the first firearm I owned was a Marlin model 60 .22 rifle.
But following Obama’s re-election,there arose a sense of uncertainty among gun owners. And this lead to moderate runs on ammo. Then President Obama and other gun control advocates came out in force following the heinous crime at Sandy Hook Elementary, and .22 ammunition was literally sucked off the shelves.
Not only is it now 400% higher than it was a year ago, but it’s so scarce that when stores get a shipment of it they typically limit sales to one or two 50 round boxes per customer. And buying a full brick of 500 rounds anywhere but online is almost unheard of.
Historically precious metals have been a great hedge in uncertain economic times. But lead and brass may be making a comeback.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins
About:
AWR Hawkins writes for all the BIG sites, for Pajamas Media, for RedCounty.com, for Townhall.com and now AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
His southern drawl is frequently heard discussing his take on current events on radio shows like America’s Morning News, the G. Gordon Liddy Show, the Ken Pittman Show, and the NRA’s Cam & Company, among others. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal (summer 2010), and he holds a PhD in military history from Texas Tech University.
If you have questions or comments, email him at awr@awrhawkins.com. You can find him on facebook at www.facebook.com/awr.hawkins.