Sales have been 30% higher for over five months and demand, with back orders, has been much higher. What makes you think that they have to artificially create a shortage?
American capitalism, even what’s left of it, usually rushes to meet demand. If I were running an ammunition company and had these back-orders, I’d have a third shift, new rented facilities and additional staff to meet the demand before my competitors (who are also working really hard) get the business.
Not only have sales been 30% higher, but remember too that one of the largest sources of brass - the military - had a policy for approximately a month of destroying it rather than reselling.