[MWAG]

Keep in mind, anyone can write anything on the internet. But Federal's CEO has been conspicuously silent on Remington's lack of ammo production, like the dog that didn't bark.

I am sure you heard about the breakup of Remington and the ammunition division being sold separately. There was a lot of blood spilled during the bidding process with manufacturers accusing others of intentionally bidding up the price to stick it to the competition, which admittedly is likely true. As they say, what goes around comes around, and payback is a stripper named Karma.

Vista Outdoors (formerly under the Federal ATK umbrella) won the bid, and smaller manufacturers are claiming it is hoarding primers as payback for the bidding war. Let’s acknowledge that Federal ATK does have large military and law enforcement contracts that take priority. As much as I love to shoot, I do not want to do it at the expense of our warfighters’ or law enforcement’s safety. However, industry insiders whom I have talked to allege that there are warehouses of primers being held back by Federal and Winchester, simply to drive up prices and starve the competition.

That’s not to say some primers are not being doled out to other manufacturers. However, while the costs to produce primers have not gone up over the last year, wholesale prices have reportedly been raised nine times. Even with the increased prices, manufacturers are reporting that fewer primers are being shipped to them than previous years. Are you still wondering why ammo prices are through the roof?

Is the Ammunition Shortage Real or Manufactured? - Cocked and Locked!

Are ammunition manufacturers intentionally slowing supply while driving up prices for their financial and strategic gains?

blog.thebestshootingsite.com

 

[Abby'sDad]

Loanoke is up and running full bore; they've been busying cranking out ammo as fast as they can.

If they were jacking up proces dramatically, we would be seeing that at the distributor and wholesale and retail levels; we really aren't. We ARE seeing those folks who scarf everything up with the intent to flip for high profits doing that however. Vista raised prices 15%.

 

[mrerick]

This may well be true, but also understand that restraint of trade and monopoly power get into an entire section of law in the USA. Knowing the political climate, I can't think of anything more useful to a Federal district attorney than a nice monopoly action lawsuit against companies involved with firearms and ammunition manufacture.

The manufacture of primers is something that is well known, based on relatively accessible knowledge and technology. If a manufacturer wants to open their own primer manufacturing operation their biggest barrier is probably involved in the licensing and Federal EPA / OSHA requirements.

SIG and Hornady have recently launched new ammunition manufacture businesses in the USA. The SIG products I've recently bought are very high quality. Same with Hornady components (I don't have any of their assembled ammo).

Primer manufacture isn't some deep dark secret.

 

[msharley]

Hey M,

I have been lampooned repeatedly, for stating this very thing for the last year.

This "shortage" (a fake thing, used to artificially drive up the price) could not occur without the collusion of the manufacturers and distributors.

When it first started, about two dozen "well known" vendors (with really high sales numbers) had ALL the primers on Gun Broker, selling them for $200/M. (may have been the distributor? Agents for the Manufacturer?)

Granted (all of us who shoot competitively know this) that the PROFIT MARGIN on primers in loaded ammo is 3 to 5 times greater, than the PROFIT MARGIN on primers we purchase to reload.

Primers are the "choke point" of competitive shooters (10K to 50K+rds/yr), as well as for the "niche" ammo maker (Buffalo Bore...etc) and commercial re-loader.. Federal/Win/Rem can "starve" a small business out...

It takes specialized equipment and SKILLED LABOR to make primers & priming compound SAFELY in industrial quantities...


When the GREEDY GOUGERS are selling 9mm & .223 ammo for $1.50/rd....what is the PROFIT MARGIN on those primers?

I had hoped.......that when Federal/CCI took over R-P, that they would be making primers out the wazoo, and the "shortage" would be over.

Seems that they are....and filling up warehouses with them, just as I stated last year. 😠

"They", all the big time MANUFACTURERS, have informed us that "They" are intending to implement a 15% price increase on April 1st. How appropriate.

My only question .......... is 15% tacked on to what number? The $35/M price? Or the $200/M price?

Later, Mark

 

[Mister Dave]

Prices are up a little. That's just normal. Factories running 3 shifts is not normal and nether is the current ammo demand.

 

[msharley]

This may well be true, but also understand that restraint of trade and monopoly power get into an entire section of law in the USA. Knowing the political climate, I can't think of anything more useful to a Federal district attorney than a nice monopoly action lawsuit against companies involved with firearms and ammunition manufacture.

The manufacture of primers is something that is well known, based on relatively accessible knowledge and technology. If a manufacturer wants to open their own primer manufacturing operation their biggest barrier is probably involved in the licensing and Federal EPA / OSHA requirements.

SIG and Hornady have recently launched new ammunition manufacture businesses in the USA. The SIG products I've recently bought are very high quality. Same with Hornady components (I don't have any of their assembled ammo).

Primer manufacture isn't some deep dark secret.

Hey M,

In a non corrupt world, that may be.

Here in Pa, we have a PUC & an Ins. Comm. (Public Utilities Commission & Insurance Commission) which were instituted to PROTECT the PUBLIC from GOUGING by the UTILITY and the INSURANCE SCAM FIRMS.

For the last twenty years, the Commissioner of either only needs to know two questions..

"How much of a RAISE do you (the Utility or Ins. SCAM firm) want?" And, "How much are you going to give me?"

Even during WWII, "Special Provisions" were made to ENFORCE MONOPOLIES! (a little palm greasing to congress critter/rats goes a long way)

With the current denizens in DC? As long as the MONOPOLY is willing to pay the bribe, all is good to go!

You say I'm full of "it"?

Look at JP Morgan/Chase/Fleet Mtg/Mellon/Citizens etc, etc Bank. (these were broken up 100yrs ago, and in the last ten years have all gotten "back together" under one "Family Umbrella"...)

Still skeptical?

Look at Alcoa Aluminum & Reynolds Wrap. These were broken up...all back together again. (compare board members of the banking KRIMINALS & the ALUMINUM KRIME SPREE...OH! How convenient!)

Those are just two examples.... (amazing what a little BRIBERY!! campaign contribution can do)

Right now? Personally? I'll take 50,000 primers at $50/M! (hope to see primers at $50/M....as opposed to $250/M!!)

Flame away...

Later, Mark

 

[Rule3]

Not everything involving shortages is a conspiracy! What about brass, bullets, powder or other items involved in reloading?? It's a "perfect storm" of events

Was TP a result of manufactures?? No it was Hoarders!

 

[msharley]

Hey Rule,

TP?

Here in Pa....anytime the supermarket (and I won't mention their name) has too many rolls of toilet paper in the storeroom? They call CHANNEL 11 and have them announce a snow storm.

The well trained (TP training?) viewing public RACES to the super market and empties the shelves of toilet paper. (similar to Mssr. Pavlov's canine friends)..

Never mind it was the 12th of July!

Works every time!

Say the magic word, "SHORTAGE", and Americans race to empty their wallets...

Worked with shingles, here. Rained in New Orleans. Shingles were $25/sq one day... $100/sq the next.

Later, Mark

 

[mrerick]

I worked for insurance companies (in computer operations) when I was going through school. That's when I realized that all Insurance is a state managed financial racket... with guaranteed profits, economy of scale (you only survive if you're big) and a bi-direction favor/money flow...

Now, add healthcare and stir until congealed...

Working with the banking industry, I also remember how, back in the early 1970's, the state of Illinois suppressed the proliferation of ATMs by claiming each installation constituted a new "Branch" of the bank... That one stuck until Continental Illinois National Bank actually did the paperwork, and installed one at NorthWestern station in Chicago. I always wondered what that one cost the bank.

 

[Charlie686]

Just finished putting 1000 rounds of 556 in stripper clips. The last of my fairly priced ammo. Don't know when things will loosen up but I'm thinking that the "inexpensive ammo" is gone for good as well as the makin's for roll yer own. Doin the best I can but I'm short on both.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Only a thousand???? Hell, I sold a thousand a couple weeks ago. Just got an inquire for an 8 pound jug of Varget (have at least 3 on the shelf). I told the person it would be at current market price for an sealed jug which is presently $330.00 locally, if you can even get it (which you cannot).

I'm a good capitalist and what the market will bear, applies. I have more than I'll ever use anyway.

Just because I paid 135 bucks a jug has no bearing on what it's worth today and I don't much care if he buy one or not. The longer I have it, the more it's worth. Interesting how a free market society works.

223's are presently at $1.05 a pop here, if you can find them at all.

I still maintain the 'ammo shortage' is an artificially instituted shortage entirely in lock step with the current socialist administration's desire to remove firearms from the citizens.

If you don't have anything to load, that 'assault' rifle won't go bang will, it? No bang equals basically worthless. I don't have any, just making a point.

Interestingly, I'm having little trouble obtaining reloading components with the exception of propellant and primers, but then I really have not looked hard as I don't require any, anyway.

Just received a couple hundred Berger 30 caliber pills (for stock) and 2000 Hornady 55 grain .224 pills for stock as well. Always good to have, just in case......

 

[Charlie686]

Those of us that live on a fixed "poverty" level are not as fortunate as others. Not complaining...Use what I got till it runs out.

 

[jonesy814]

Remington was out of ammo production most of last year because of the sale of its parent company. Read where they were calling workers back to work back in January

 

[dennis40xnc]

The same topic starter crying about the ammunition situation over and over again. The subject gets really old and rather nettlesome. This subject is the equivalent of pissing into the wind.

 

[Abby'sDad]

This may well be true, but also understand that restraint of trade and monopoly power get into an entire section of law in the USA. Knowing the political climate, I can't think of anything more useful to a Federal district attorney than a nice monopoly action lawsuit against companies involved with firearms and ammunition manufacture.

The manufacture of primers is something that is well known, based on relatively accessible knowledge and technology. If a manufacturer wants to open their own primer manufacturing operation their biggest barrier is probably involved in the licensing and Federal EPA / OSHA requirements.

SIG and Hornady have recently launched new ammunition manufacture businesses in the USA. The SIG products I've recently bought are very high quality. Same with Hornady components (I don't have any of their assembled ammo).

Primer manufacture isn't some deep dark secret.

WHAT monopoly? There isn't one. There IS a Covid-induced panic and shortage of materials and labor

 

[SidecarFlip]

Exactly.

 

[SidecarFlip]

The same topic starter crying about the ammunition situation over and over again. The subject gets really old and rather nettlesome. This subject is the equivalent of pissing into the wind.

It's the American way.. Pizzing into the wind is a national pastime... Problem with that is, after the initial warmth, it gets cold and smelly real fast.

 

[TTSH]

The same topic starter crying about the ammunition situation over and over again. The subject gets really old and rather nettlesome. This subject is the equivalent of pissing into the wind.

Well, this is the ammo sub-forum, isn't it? What do you expect members to be posting about here? Daffodils?

The COVID/Biden ammo crisis is THE hot topic of conversation everywhere I go. I think it would be strange if members were not concerned and were not posting about it.

 

[Mister Dave]

I think it would be strange if members were not concerned and were not posting about it.

Call me annoyed, rather than concerned.

 

[TTSH]

Call me annoyed, rather than concerned.

Actually, I'd say I was frustrated more than anything else.