Price increase in Wal Mart Crosman 22 pellets

I am probably saying nothing here that most of you already know, but I would like to voice my opinion and would appreciate the members indulgence.

A while back I mentioned that it was possible to get a pretty good deal on Crosman Premiere 22 caliber hollow point pellets by using the on line Wal Mart store. In my local store, the same pellets that were listed for $9.47 were sold on line for around $6.50. I would bring up the advertisement on my phone to the cashier and he would match the on line price. Knowing this could not last long, I bought a couple cans twice a month when I wife and I went food shopping there.

Well today when in the store I saw the on line price is around $8.94. The store price is still $9.47. So if you have them match the online price you can still save a little over a half a buck towards tax but nowhere like saving a few dollars like before. This could be due to demand, or the last lead processing plant closing down in the USA. I remember in 2001 buying a 500 round brick of plinking 22 rim fire ammo at the store for $6 to $9 and change. Then 2008 came and after the “shortage” prices jumped to $15 to $22. Now for the same ammo, I am seeing prices of $40 to $60 when you can find it. And that was the “el-cheapo” plinking loose bulk box.

At the same time, in 2001, I could buy the 500 round tin of Crosman 22 pellets for $2.50 to $3.50. After 2008, $4 to $6.50. Now $9.47. The pattern is clear.

If you read the powder burner forums, especially the ones that have a lot of 22 rim fire members; you will see more talk on switching to Air guns due to ammo availably and cost. This is a good thing for our community as more members mean more support, but unless I am wrong, bad repercussion’s might also happen.

The obvious one is going to be the increase in costs both for ammo and equipment as more people start buying the supplies up. Manufacturers are seeing this now and will naturally increase costs to what they feel the market will bear. I feel this will initially happen, then level off as supply catches up with demand, but it will most likely set a new higher base price on anything air gun related for a long time.

Does anyone else see this happening or am I just being too paranoid?

Good shooting all

Joe