Upcoming Ammo shortage
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Coyote 65
20-Jun-24
Supposed to an upcoming shortage of powder for ammo. My wife read this online and suggested I purchase some. In Texas I have made what would be considered a good start.
Terry
From: TEmbry
20-Jun-24
Every election cycle is the same thing. Rumors of gun bans eminent leading to huge spikes in gun/ammo sales and shortages. Nothing happens and supply eventually corrects just in time for the next election. Since it’s predicted/happens every single election it may end up being correct one of these times. Cynically at this point I can’t help but wonder if gun/ammo manufacturers don’t love this trend if not almost help promote it.
From: fdp
20-Jun-24
"Every election cycle is the same thing."....yep....what is supposed to be causing the shortage?
From: DConcrete
20-Jun-24
It’s actually a fact. And what’s driving it is, the government is buying up small arms like crazy. Have been for about a year.
I have friend who manufactures parts for cruise missiles. He received his largest order ever about 2 months ago in 25 years of making them.
I believe they’re ratcheting up the war machine myself.
From: Matt
20-Jun-24
Wars in Ukraine and Israel are causing a global nitrocellulose shortage. Vista has suspended the supply of the Alliant brand of powders for this reason.
From: spike78
20-Jun-24
TEmbry there was a shortage for like 2 years straight not long ago. I assume you don’t shoot much?
From: spike78
20-Jun-24
DConcrete I agree 100%. Coincidental that they are passing drafting legislation as we speak.
From: Aspen Ghost
20-Jun-24
Aspen Ghost's Link
Interesting excerpt from this article:
"To make powder, you need a specific kind of cotton, which mostly comes from China," he said. Nitrocellulose, also known as guncotton, is a key ingredient in gunpowder manufacture. "Would you know it, deliveries of this cotton from China stopped as if by chance a few months ago," Breton added.
From: HDE
20-Jun-24
Powder and ammunition (components used to make it) are the leftovers we get after the military has their needs met.
From: Helgermite
20-Jun-24
As usual shortages whether perceived or real will drive prices up due to supply and demand. Somehow the prices never correct back once supply is exceeding demand.
From: bluedog
20-Jun-24
I may be incorrect.... my understanding is wood instead of cotton is the base for nitro cellulose used in modern round and extruded rifle powders.
Cotten may well still be used in artillery powders however.
I'm reasonably certain this is true, not 100% positive
From: No Mercy
20-Jun-24
The shortage is a component of powder-nitrocellulose. Alliant powder put out a memo awhile back about allocating their powders...like you can find any of their stuff anyway. LOL. Hodgdon and Vihtavuori aren't having a problem shipping. Take it for what it's worth....
From: TRnCO
20-Jun-24
Upcoming? LOL, it's been almost impossible to find large rifle primers for a couple of years now, and many powders have been non-existent on store shelfs also. It may get worse, but it's been bad for a while now. If you need it and see it, buy it. Not going to get better any time soon.
From: joehunter
20-Jun-24
YUP, Got my stock of Alliant Reloader 22 and 15 a year ago. Along with CCI mag rifle and regular primers. All the bullets I need too! Cost a small fortune but am set for several years.
From: spike78
20-Jun-24
TRnCO I found some large rifle primers at a store in Maine a few months ago so bought some along with a few pounds of powder. The 308 and 300 BLK should be fed for awhile now.
From: drycreek
20-Jun-24
I’m a hoarder. Started hoarding and topped shooting so much.
From: grizzly
20-Jun-24
I heard the rumor of no more Alliant and then shortly after it started showing up at inflated prices. Primers are there if you want them. Didn't say they were cheap though. Have seen a pretty good uptick in local stockage of powder.
From: TEmbry
20-Jun-24
“TEmbry there was a shortage for like 2 years straight not long ago. I assume you don’t shoot much?”
Fair point. I moved to Alaska with 100 rounds for my .30-06… I’d have to dig em out to check but I’m guessing I still have 75+ of those 100 rounds left. :)
From: DanaC
21-Jun-24
That's a lot of gun to not practice with ;-)
From: Thornton
21-Jun-24
The guy in charge of our Cabela's gun library explained to me what is about to happen. It involves one company purchasing several of our big ammo companies and sending most ammo/components to Ukraine. They were supposed to build 2 new factories in the US but some other US companies sued.
From: alspensinons1987
15-Aug-24
I mainly shoot with shotguns and finding 410 shotgun shells can be a real pain during these times. It's frustrating because it feels like a never-ending cycle. I mean, how many times have we heard these rumors, only for things to eventually settle down? I can't help but think the same about manufacturers. It does seem like they benefit from the panic buying, doesn't it?
From: Wymuley
15-Aug-24
There has been a serious ammo shortage for years.
From: WV Mountaineer
15-Aug-24
This. For years there’s been shortages wide spread while other places had plenty and reasonable prices. However, if shops in this area is telling the truth, they order it but. Rarely receive it.
I suspect they are being truthful because once they do get a bit of stuff, it’s unbelievably high.
The military has been the biggest competition. Switching calibers, wars and conflicts, and preparing for the head butt coming, has all kept country wide supply way below demand. Nothing is going to change that either.
From: APauls
15-Aug-24
I haven't seen CCI primers in stores for 4 years in Canada.
