Heritage & History

Bomgaars is a family-owned farm, ranch, and home supply retailer operating 180+ locations across 15 states in the central United States. Founded in 1944 in Iowa, the company serves rural and suburban communities with agricultural supplies, tools, hardware, and sporting goods — including firearms and ammunition.

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Bomgaars fills a critical niche: in small Midwestern towns where dedicated gun stores may not exist, the farm supply chain's sporting goods department is often the only local source for firearms, ammunition, and hunting accessories.
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Key milestones:

1944 — Founded in Iowa as a farm supply operation
1950s-60s — Expanded across Iowa and neighboring states
1980s-2000s — Grew to 100+ locations; added firearms departments
Present — 180+ stores across 15 Midwestern/Plains states; family-owned

Company slogan: "What You Need...When You Need It." Competes with Tractor Supply, Fleet Farm, and Rural King in the farm supply segment.

Shopping Guide

Bomgaars is a farm supply store with a sporting goods department — not a dedicated firearms retailer. Set expectations accordingly:

Aspect	What to Expect
Primary focus	Farm/ranch supplies, hardware, tools, pet supplies
Firearms approach	Appointment-based at many locations
Staff expertise	General retail; not firearms specialists
Pricing	Competitive on ammunition; standard on firearms
Selection depth	Basic hunting rifles/shotguns; limited handgun options
Convenience	Often the only game in town in small communities

Best reasons to shop Bomgaars for firearms:

Local convenience in rural areas without dedicated gun shops
Competitive ammunition pricing (similar to other farm supply chains)
Hunting licenses and basic accessories
One-stop shopping: pick up fencing supplies, feed, ammo, and a hunting license in one trip

What Bomgaars isn't:

Not a destination for serious firearms shopping
Limited handgun selection at most locations
Don't expect deep product knowledge at the counter
Modern sporting rifles and tactical gear are minimal

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Appointment-based firearms sales: Many Bomgaars locations require scheduling an appointment to purchase firearms. Call ahead before making a special trip for a gun purchase — walk-in availability varies by store.
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Firearms Department

Bomgaars' firearms offerings focus on the practical needs of rural customers: hunting rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and basic accessories.

Typical inventory:

Category	What's Stocked	Notes
Bolt-action rifles	Savage, Ruger, Remington	Standard hunting calibers (.30-06, .308, .243, .270)
Shotguns	Mossberg, Remington	12ga and 20ga pump and semi-auto
Rimfire	Ruger 10/22, bolt-action .22s	Youth and starter rifles
Handguns	Limited selection where available	Varies by location and state
Air guns	Pellet rifles and pistols	More consistent availability than firearms

Ammunition:

Common hunting calibers reliably stocked
Rimfire (.22 LR) usually available
Shotgun shells for hunting and clay sports
Pricing competitive with Tractor Supply and Fleet Farm
Selection more limited than big-box sporting goods stores

Accessories:

Basic cleaning kits and supplies
Soft cases and gun socks
Basic optics (low-end scopes)
Hunting licenses (where applicable)
Archery basics at some locations

Store Locations

Bomgaars operates 180+ stores across 15 states in the Midwest and Plains region:

State	Presence	Market Character
Iowa	Largest market (home state)	Agricultural heartland, strong hunting culture
Nebraska	Major presence	Farming communities, pheasant/deer hunting
South Dakota	Significant	Pheasant hunting capital, ranching communities
Minnesota	Growing	Deer and waterfowl hunting, farming
Kansas	Moderate	Wheat country, deer and upland hunting
Colorado	Select locations	Eastern plains agricultural communities
Wyoming	Select locations	Ranching communities, big game hunting
Other states	Various	ND, MT, WI, MO, IL, OK, TX — rural/agricultural focus

Store format:

Typically 15,000-30,000 sq ft
Warehouse-style layout similar to Tractor Supply
Firearms department usually a dedicated counter area
Located in small to mid-size towns, often along main highways

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Bomgaars vs. competitors: Bomgaars' firearms offerings are comparable to Tractor Supply and slightly behind Fleet Farm. For dedicated firearms shopping, Rural King or Scheels will have significantly better selection. Bomgaars' advantage is its deep presence in small Midwestern towns where it may be the only option within 30 minutes.
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References

Bomgaars official site: bomgaars.com
Store locator and department information
Consumer reviews from Midwestern rural communities
Farm supply retail industry analysis

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Have any of you shopped at Bomgaars for ammo or firearms gear, and how does their selection and pricing compare to what you're finding at the bigger box stores?

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