Cabela's Bait and Switch .22 ammo

[TXyakr]

If a deal seems much to good to be true it probably is so I had what appeared to be 5 boxes of .22 WMR (magnum) for $4.99 per 50 rounds shipped to store for free shipping, but mostly because I assumed it was just .22LR. I told the salesman at the in-store pickup window that this is what I suspected it was and showed him a printout of the misleading ad because there are no returns of ammo once you accept it. He completely agreed with me. So sure enough it was CCI .22LR standard velocity which I can get cheaper elsewhere and don't want anyway, it does not cycle well in many semi-autos. Fairly well in a Ruger 10/22 but some F.T. Eject/stove pipes. Blah Blah Blah just don't want it.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/CCI-2...i+rimfire+ammo

This link may go away but it showed CCI maxi-mag TNT with is .22 WMR but then they shipped .22LR, then they went back and edited the ad on their website probably due to all the returns and complaints.

So he was kind enough to tell me that Cabela's had some .22WMR on the self that day but for about 3X the cost more than Walmart or Academy but HEY!!! it was on the shelf at least! So I got some Hornady, NOT the 1200 round limit or my wife would put me in the dog house but just a few boxes. I don't have THAT may coyotes and gators to kill, LOL.

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I don't have anything against Cabela's their sales people are very helpful, just warning that you should know what you are buying and not expect to get a super good deal there. Their closest store to me is about 15-20 minutes if no traffic so I don't go there very often. Also my wife freaks out every time I do, so must get a $20+ gift card when buying groceries every time and use that so she does not figure it out. I volunteer to buy groceries often, ha ha ha... Some of us never grow up.

[TXyakr]

Other .22LR ammo at Cabela's none of it for a good low price but they had a fair amount and limit was 1200 rounds or 1400 round bucket of Rem Golden Bullets for $90 (I have seen this for less and more at other stores in the area). It shoots OK in Ruger semi-auto pistols and rifles but some Failure to Fire and also eject but not a big deal IMO, it's feaking Rimfire what do you expect.

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Edit: Funny story this nice older customer with white hair was trying to find some .22LR for his Ruger Semi-Auto MarkIII and said the previous 64 grain that he had worked great but all that was there on the selves was less. He was about to by the Winchester subsonic because it was 40 grain and higher grain count than the high velocity Rem Golden Bullet. I asked him as politely as I could if that the grains were for the projectile (bullet) or the propellent (gun powder). He was convinced that it was the gun powder. I recommended that he not take my word for it but take a box/bucket of each to the gun counter and ask them. Then a helpful Cabela's salesperson showed up and explained the physics of velocity and grains of propellent etc. and the gentleman customer was grateful for the education. OMG crisis averted. Subsonic stovepipes be dammed. ha ha ha...

[Rick]

You should look closely at the ad again. In the section where you choose to add it to your cart it specifically says 22LR. Yes, they have the wrong picture posted. I'm sure the web team didn't even notice it was WMR if they even know what that means. Hardly a bait and switch.

[hunter63]

Thanks for the heads up.

The lesson is "Pay attention what you are buying....and Why.

Frankly, haven't seen that much .22 ANYTHING in one place for a long time.....was pretty much set before the shortage.
So only shoot up what I find to buy.....

[TXyakr]

You should look closely at the ad again. In the section where you choose to add it to your cart it specifically says 22LR. Yes, they have the wrong picture posted. I'm sure the web team didn't even notice it was WMR if they even know what that means. Hardly a bait and switch.

Like I wrote, they went back and edited the ad, probably due to complaints. It was not like that when I ordered it using a mobile phone app about 2 weeks ago. No problem. Occasionally I find 50 rnd boxes of CCI WMR at Walmart for $10.27 a guy there that I know very well will buy it for me if I leave him some cash but I have plenty of CCI. For longer range .223 is better but it really tears up small game. .17 HMR is blown off target by strong winds even more easily than .22WMR at a distance, at close range it can tear up a small cottontail rabbit if you hit the main body, leave you will 2 hams if you are lucky. My point is know what to expect. Cabela's quite often has a good selection of ammo but rarely the best prices.

BTW the last 200 round box of CCI maxi-mag .22WMR sold out just before I got to the shelves and a nice guy showed it to me, he was proud of himself evidently a big fan of Troy Landry...

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/produc...=1&loadNo=0958

Well if the History channel has footage of a single round of it killing a 10 foot alligator then it must be good stuff... whatever.

[Rick]

Like you wrote? Yeah, after you went back and edited it. Your first version didn't mention anything about changing the ad.

So, call 'em and tell 'em to change the picture. We've all done it. Buy something, open it and go, "what the?!" then go back and look at what we ordered and do a head slap.

[TXyakr]

From what I checked out in recent months Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, and many others do not sell WMR (magnum .22) online only in stores, limited to what is on the selves thus having a photo and then you look at the details and it is only .22LR is a "bait and switch" by my definition. Other major retailers like Walmart, Academy Sports, and Dick's do not sell ammo online at all as from what I have seen. WMR has been difficult to find for several months but at least in Texas buckets of .22LR are getting easier to find. But not for 1-3 cents a round, those days are over and will never return, I am fairly certain.

I got drawn in by a popup ad while online while reading an online article that showed the CCI WMR photo and $4.99 per 50 rounds. THAT was misleading in my opinion. Then I clicked it and at the time it still did not say specifically .22LR but common sense told me it was. 10 cents per round for standard velocity in Texas is NOT a good deal. 4 cents per round is more like it. Std Velocity is fine for bolt action, or leaver action and at your own risk with a good quality rifle like Ruger 10/22. Subsonic with lead not brass bullets can be the best (most accurate) for bolt action high end competition shooting, but not plinking with semi-autos or small game necessarily.

It will be great news when .22WMR (magnum) is easily available online at any price!

[natertot]

1-3 cents a round for .22 hasn't occurred since way before the ammo shortage. 3 cents a around was what I was paying when I first was able to start purchasing ammo 12 years ago! Right before the shortage 4-5 cents a round was the norm and since that was three years ago, I don't consider 5-6 cents a round to be a bad price today. Inflation, my friend. All things increase over time, just some more than others.

As far as pics not matching description, that is common. Most places aren't going to post a pic of every little box. When place I know that sells PPU shows 7mm Mauser for all PPU rifle ammo. Just gotta read the description.

[hunter63]

Hey, now don't be trash talkin' my boy Troy........I watch them shootin' 50 or 60 a day...with .22's.....anything on the planet....Right?

[TXyakr]

An online search tool to find sources for ammo including .22WMR (magnum) and .22LR and many others

http://ammoseek.com/ammo/22-magnum

I am not a big fan of Armscor but is works, if you live in the Las Vegas area you can pick up from a retailer like Ventura Munitions and avoid the shipping cost. Or if you are going there for a business convention. Then rent a jeep and go to the Lake Mead National Recreational Area but take a lot of water so you are not boiling skanky water in a tarp, ha ha ha... Sorry I got off topic a bit.

[TXyakr]

@ natertot I was not trying to trash Cabela's, it is a fun place to visit and the sales people are very helpful and fun to talk to. A camping friend worked there until a few years ago, but when their ownership changed and he had had enough. Also working retail messed with his ability to hang with us.

In the past few months I have purchased Rem Golden Bullets for under 5 cents per round in bulk. They are not my favorite but work just fine for plinking and hunting small game both. Also CCI Stingers tear up small game and not much is left to eat. I agree with you on the 1-3 cents/round and get tired of people moaning about those good old days, feel like saying "wasn't your take home pay much lower back then", but it may not have been, so I just bite my tongue.

Edit: Interestingly the muzzle velocity of CCI Maxi-Mag .22WMR (magnum) is 1875 while for CCI Stinger .22LR it is 1640 ft/sec not that much less, BUT the energy IS much less. Also most of the prices that I have seen in stores over the last 6 months for each are about the same (20-30 cent/round). BTW for some folks reading this, WMR and LR cannot necessarily be shot out of the same firearm. Some revolvers require the cylinder be swapped out, a bolt action rifle at least the barrel, but generally a totally different firearm.

Muzzle Energy (qualifier there are several variations of Maxi-mag)
Stinger 191 ft-lbs
Maxi-Mag (Troy-Landry) 312 has 39% more energy or Knock Down gator brain busting power!

Maxi-Mag has 14% more Muzzle Velocity (assuming same barrel length was used)

By contrast .223 will typically have over 800 or even 1000 ft-lbs of energy even with a relatively short rifle barrel

Hornday 22 WMR 30 gr V-MAX® velocity 2200 ft/sec, energy 322 ft-lbs, bullet weight 30 grains

BTW I still have one unopened 500 round brick of .22LR from 1993 from before I got married just to remind me of the good old days. Unfortunately I lost the sales receipt.

[pete lynch]

I saw this message right next to the picture in that link:

Photo may not depict available caliber and quantity. Refer to order chart for available calibers and quantities. Carefully review your final order to ensure you will be receiving your desired caliber and quantity.

[TXyakr]

I have never seen a 64 grain .22LR but this .223 is 64 gr and notice that even at 100 yards for a typical rifle barrel the energy is still at about 1000 ft-lbs about 3x muzzle energy of .22WMR and over 5X that of many .22LRs. Something tells me that older customer should talk to a sales person at Cabela's for a good long while... an never complain about Cabela's slightly higher prices.

https://www.federalpremium.com/produ...ifle.aspx?id=6

If I ever worked at a retail shop like that I could probably be polite and helpful for a few days but it would eventually wear on me and I would be told that I did not make it through probation period and be walked out. But I sure hope not because I sure like to help people.

[TXyakr]

I saw this message right next to the picture in that link:

Exactly! Then click on caliber, currently only one caliber is available .22LR (no longer a major shortage of these.)

And that note was not on the Cabela's website 2 weeks ago. Then me and probably hundreds of other people complained and they added the note about the photo not depicting the available caliber, but did they change the photo? HECK no because .22WMR happens to be one of the hardest to find calibers right now. Was that just by accident or not??? A while back it was .38 and before that .223 same old, same old. Next it might be .17 HMR

[hunter63]

I guess I am failing to see the point of continuing this report.....Gander Mountain here has NO .22lr, .22 mag at this time....
It is kinda sounding like ....Naa Naa Boo Boo we \have some and y'all don't.

[TXyakr]

Whatever hunter63 there is plenty of ammo of all calibers available in the USA but none of it is as cheap as it was 10 or 20+ years ago. The large popular retailers don't always have all the popular calibers on the shelves all the time but if you use internet search tools you can always find some, somewhere online or FFL dealers locally or shooting/hunting clubs etc. But if the price seems ridiculously low it is probably mislabeled or they left it vague on purpose and they have not gotten around to correcting due to a overwhelming surge of complaints. Cabela's like most will cut out excessive negative reviews for their products. If you want to write one best to be a little bit positive or don't bother.

[natertot]

I guess I fail to see what the issue is? You thought you were getting one item, but it was another. Was the site wrong? According to you, yes but then they fixed it. I am sure that a company with tens of thousands of items (if not hundreds of thousands) for sale online will have an occasional human error. No one, including Cabela's, is perfect. Get over it man! Nothing is as cheap as it was 10-20 years ago. Gas under a dollar a gallon, gone. 16oz canned food under 25 cents a piece, gone. The same thing occurs with ammo. It is called inflation. Move on with the times and quit trying to belittle a company whose prices are often on the high side of retail, but not unrealistic. If they were, no one would ever go there and they'd be out of business. People keep shopping there, including you, so it can't be all that bad.

[Wise Old Owl]

I agree with you folks... its getting tough to get bullets.... OK why? doesn't anyone want to see the bigger picture? Its not Cabellas fault. They are trying so hard - much like DICK'S SPORTING GOODS. Where I worked briefly. Loved it as a customer,and hated it as a manager.

Here is a little news... Stock up on making your own rounds.Why?

Read this>>>>>>http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews...ion-production
Read this >>>>>>>http://www.breitbart.com/big-governm...-lead-smelter/

OMG-Homeland Security... >>>>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013...-many-bullets/

So liberals (Socialists) Another word for Communist's got you all by the back door, by scarfing up ammunition and closing Manufacturing Plants.

[Rick]

Those articles are bogus. Yes, the smelter closed but it was because they were a superfund site and the company didn't want to fund the cost of cleaning up the waste. Besides, they did not produce lead for bullets. I posted on this company back in July. They closed in 2013 and we're still shooting.

http://www.doerun.com/minerals-metal...future-of-lead

http://bearingarms.com/its-the-end-o...d-i-feel-fine/

We've also posted ad infinitum on why Homeland Security buys so many bullets. Take a look at who is under their umbrella these day. Everyone and most of them carry weapons.

http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/fil...s-orgchart.pdf

[TXyakr]

Armscor an American ammo manuf. has spent millions increasing its production in recent years. Their ammo is fairly good in many different calibers including .22LR and WMR. (not the cleanest but not super dirty like some others I will not mention by name least I get accused of trashing them, grey boxes indicating lots of smoke reminding you of black powder muzzle loaders. lol)

Quite often you can buy their .22LR high velocity (cycles well in semi-autos) from Ventura Munitions in Las Vegas, if you are not out there for business or pleasure they will ground Fedex it to you for a reasonable cost around $15 lower 48 states. Last I saw the cost was 9 cents/round that is about the most common price I have seen for Rem Golden Bullets in retail shops near me north of DFW. Occasionally I see them for less than 7 or even under 5 cents but running around is a waste of gas and time.

http://www.venturamunitions.com

I said over and over again I have nothing against Cabela's I like the place and find the Sales people there very helpful, but don't buy much there. Just a warning to know what you are buying and be careful of misleading ads regardless of the retailer. Ventura Munitions for example has some misleading ads, if you give them your email for alerts to let you know whatever the ammo you want is in stock they will send you a bunch of them. There is some rare outdated ammo for old guns that is only manuf every few years if you have some of those firearms you may need to be put on an email alert, then buy it up quick or the price skyrockets on secondary markets. Common sense.


Edit: A friend who is not clueless about firearms once bought a 1000 round box of .223 at a gun show that seemed like a good deal to him. When he tested it found out it was junk, FTF, FTE, dirty not any fun even for plinking. Total waste of money. Moral of story if seems to good to be true watch out probably is. Also note that if you go plinking in the deserts SE of Las Vegas the NPS and BLM prohibit Steel Case and especially steel bullets due to the potential for starting fires, this is true in many area out west, many other regulations to know about as well.