I’ve been wondering about this for a while now. Is this speculation, or have you seen stories about this? I’ve seen nothing to account for the .22LR shortage except ammo buyers buying it by the pallet load.....
Where’d they park it?
This is nothing new. Ammo has been in short supply for some time in ALL CALIBERS and sizes as is reloading components. Next time you’re in a Wally World store check out the sporting goods ammo shelves. EMPTY!!!!!
In the extremely small chance some ammo arrives (albeit in very small amounts) it will be “gone” in a matter of a few minutes.
There have been other articles about Congress doing some questioning as to “WHY” such large orders of .40 S&W cartridges needed for DHS. Good question. WHO justified the need for these millions of rounds that WE, you and I are supposed to pay for? IMO, stop payment for this stuff and the ammo suppliers will restock the shelves for the rest of us. Then again there is the talk of “rebellion” by the people again’st the gubmint who needs them ammo to protect themselves from “We, the People”...............
My guess is that its due to multiple reasons. Increased demand for any ammunition means depleted stock and the fact it sells out faster then its being replaced.
I doubt the manuf. maintained a lot of extra capacity since sales were fairly flat. Now people are buying everything on the shelf. Ramping up production takes time and money. Can they justify investing millions for new production capability knowing this is a temporary problem.
Either things will go back to normal and the increased production will lay idle, the govt will ban firearms, or people will eventually max out their personal inventory and stop buying. Its unlikely the current sales will continue long term.
The govt demand is probably also affecting some producers and possibly the supply of brass.