It’s not just hoarding. Consumption is up, too. And by consumption, I mean actual rounds fired. There are Millions of new shooters, the last few years, and a lot of them are shooting 500 rounds of 22LR a week.
Everybody wants to gain proficiency, and the best way to do that is with a rimfire pistol and rifle. Even at twelve cents a round, it is a lot cheaper than training with centerfire ammo.
And if you’re firing 500 rounds a week, 5,000 rounds at home is not hoarding. It is not half enough.
Hey I live in the sticks. People five years ago were shooting all the time. Ammo was everywhere and cheap. No gun range needed just walk outside in the yard. Today? Nothing. My neighbor about once a week puts out about six rounds practice that’s it. One guy five years ago was firing multi caliber rounds all day long almost non stop. I know because I was trying to deer hunt and he owned land about a quarter mile away. He too even though he reloads cut back substantially.