There really is no ‘natural reason’ for the ammo shortage. I can understand most everyone being scared to death, but their fear should be directed toward semi-auto firearms and high cap magazines. Not ammo. There has been no real discussion about doing ANYTHING to regulate or make ammo more difficult to get.
The only think I can think of is more people than ever are buying guns, and those people are wanting to shoot them, and lots of people that have always had guns, but never stocked up on ammo are doing so now. I’ve BEEN well stocked on everything, EXCEPT .22, because I’ve always taken for granted that .22 would be there and inexpensive.....WRONG...
Multiple reasons for ammo shortages:
7) Increased regulation of lead - many producers found themselves buried in paperwork after many states tightened regulation of manufacturing products containing lead. A couple California producers I knew used to buy almost all of their lead from various roofing companies, buying the waste and then re-using them in bullets. Apparently, this was considered improper disposal of hazardous waste.
6) Increase in the price of lead. Lead shot up in price for a while there, doubling in less than a month, tripling over the course of three months. Many manufacturers assumed this was a temporary blip in the market, refrained from buying, and then found that their normally steady sources had found other places to sell, and their supply was impacted.
5) Insurance costs. Most ammo makers found their insurance tripling three years ago, as ammo manufacturing was re-categorized in the insurance industry. A number of manufacturers simply stopped when the costs became more than profits.
4) Four major distributors of ammo in the United States went out of business over a two year period, with all of their existing stock sold off at fire sale prices. This flood of ammo into the market made it hard for existing manufacturers to sell their products, and those who were able to weather out the bottom falling out the market found that demand far outstripped their ability to produce.
3) Production of brass fell through the floor as costs increased beyond what the brass was worth on the market, causing a number of brass manufacturers to cease production, slack that the market desperately needs right now.
2) Primer production fell dramatically after two explosions at factories, with several manufactures facing increased inspection and attention, including from OSHA. A couple were effectively fined out of existence for doing the same things they’ve done since they opened without a single accident, simply because the OSHA inspector felt it should be done a different way.
The list goes on and on, but of course, the number one reason: Obama is president, and everyone feared intensified regulation, a fear that was justified.
People are not calm and rational when it comes to this stuff. They're reacting to the way the political winds have been blowing, and every new gun purchased has triggered additional ammo purchases. People who got to the gun shop a bit too late saw either bare shelves or guns priced out of their reach - so they bought more ammo for the guns they already owned.
DHS just bought took a boatload of hollow points, for "training" purposes, off the market. Nothing to discuss. Nothing to see. Move along.