The situation is running an eerie parallel to the Y2K and Anthropogenic Global Warming hoaxes. Advocates have adopted the unsubstantiated beliefs from ignorant folks and/or charlatans into a faith based religion. Any information that seems to bolster their beliefs is coveted while contrary data is rejected with anger. It is not possible to deal rationally with such people. They believe what they want to believe and nothing else. Period.
A few posters here do genuinely understand the situation, are proficient in mathematics and have tried valiantly to educate the rest of you, only to be ridiculed by the True Believers. See posts #37, #71, #75, #80, #101, #126, #132 & #136 for sound information on the subject. Freeper "Strategerist" has a particularly good understanding of the situation.
Relative to the Hollow Point versus FMJ bullet controversy, there is very little difference between the manufacturing cost and large scale contractual pricing of ammunition loaded with those types of bullets. The difference in "Premium" ammunition pricing versus FMJ promotional product pricing on the commercial market cannot be used to make assumptions about pricing for competitively bid government contracts. Unlike the commercial market, most of the hollow point bulleted ammunition purchased by the government does not incorporate nickel-plated shellcases, to save money. Yes, they have budgets, just like you.
A few posters did point out that many of the government agencies are required to practice with the same ammunition that they use for duty. And for good reason. Legal liability is one, coupled with the need to verify proper gun functioning with street ammo, the same recoil, the same sight settings, the same muzzle flash, the same muzzle blast, the same trajectory, the same point of impact, the same accuracy, etceteras.
The truth shall set you free. Most of you at least. Some here just don't seem to be able to handle the truth.
Ok, I tried twice with Stratergist and he/she would not answer so now I will ask you. Where is the ammo? Forget whether or not a billion plus rounds may or may not have been bought by DHS. I’m sure you would conclude that it is due to panic buying(?) The fact that people believe there to be a problem and act on that belief makes it a “real” issue. We are now into the 4th month of the largest ammo shortage I have seen in over 40 years. I am baffled by people who aren’t at somewhat concerned about this. Should we feel better about the lack of ammo because you have assured us it is not due to DHS purchases?
I've explained in the past that CBP alone burns through approximately 40 to 50 million rounds of hollow point each year but they are just too smart to understand the truth.