I don't know about mail order availability, but as of lately, I cannot find any cheap surplus blasting ammo locally. Especially .223. What's causing the shortage? Is it just this area? Or, perhaps ammo vendors following the lead of the major oil companies!?! Surry County seems to have gone "dry". If I'm going to do any shooting in the near future, I've gotta start stockpiling! I hate to pay a hazmat fee, and my local funshop appreciates my patronage.