I got into the surplus game a lot later than most guys here. I ordered a crate of M-67 during the '08 panic because I was curious.
$350, and I thought I was paying way too much, but I wanted it. I was skeptical until it arrived, then I was floored by the quality.
Several months later I was on a trip and walked into The Armory in Virginia Beach just to look around. They had what seemed like
thousands of crates of M-67. I'd never seen so much of any one caliber in my life. Really should have taken pictures with my phone
camera. I "reserved" a few crates on the spot and had them shipped back to WY. $239 per when ordering from out of state (no tax).
Great deal. I thought they'd NEVER sell all that ammo. Now it is gone and sells for double or more what I paid when buying privately.
Not to reminisce too much here, but I grew really fond of milsurp- price, quality, long term storage. No down side. Learn to clean after
shooting corrosive- hot water, a turkey baster from the Dollar store, some Q-tips, a bucket and compressed air, then clean as normal.
No windex, no ammonia. Simple.
I enjoyed the "chase" too- who has what, where is the best deal, how much can I afford, where will that put me, what's next, etc.
I'll miss that.
I shoot 54R for 15¢ per while my friends buy the Bears locally and pay 70¢ per. I get a good chuckle over that every time. Can't get them
to try milsurp. Fear of corrosive ammo is something they can't overcome, even when shot through a Mosin Nagant they bought in 2009 for
$100. No getting through to them. Their loss I guess.
7n6 seemed like the saving grace because it is a modern cartridge in a caliber in widespread use. Done. That leaves us 54R for now.
I'm betting there's still a good amount of it out there, but prices are cracking $200 per crate- still not a bad deal compared to commercial-
but I fear for its future too. If the supply gets shut off, well, do the math.
Is there another potential candidate for cheap surplus import? I scratch my head and come up empty.
I'm done for now.
Stack it deep fellas.