Looks like OP is in California, and we can no longer order ammo over the internet without having it shipped to an FFL who will do the transfer for a fee, and a lot of FFLs just won't do the transfer. Ammo dealers know this and have raised retail prices accordingly. Some big online sellers like Mack's Prairie Wings will not ship to CA, period. They don't even care if you have an FFL. It will get worse after January 1 when we have get an ammo buyer's license for a fee, with a background check and fingerprints. That probably means that even fewer FFLs will be willing to do transfers unless they bump their fees to offset the paperwork and hassle. Shelf selection at most dealers is very limited, so you're not likely to find Clever or RST or B&P or Herter's or even Rio anywhere. I haven't even been able to find Fiocchi training loads. So bottom line is promo loads from WalMart may be the best deal for a lot of shooting, or step up to Fed, Rem or Win premium target loads at twice the price. Or go back to reloading. This is the last season we will be able to use lead on doves here, next year is non tox for all hunting statewide.
And the current situation is further complicated by the Real ID driver license issue. CA was late to the party and didn't start issuing the Real ID licenses until a few months ago, and some ammo dealers are now requiring a Real ID license for ammo purchases, even though the law does not require it. If you want a Real ID license, plan to make a DMV appointment two months in advance, and then spend the whole day at the DMV waiting in various lines, even with the appointment, then wait a couple of weeks for the new license to come in the mail, assuming that you successfully navigated the bureaucratic maze.
