I’m undecided.
I heard recently that some manufacturer (CCI?) was making 3 million rounds per day.
At that rate they make enough for everyone in the country to get one round ... every 100 days.
If only 10% of the population is looking for 22LR ammo, then they can each get one round every ten days, or a box of 50 every year-and-a-half. (from that manufacturer - add all the manufacturers, and 10% of the country can get a box every few months).
The supply really is just a trickle compared to the demand.
It doesn’t strike me as reasonable that a few years ago I could go to the store and get thousands of rounds just about anytime I wanted to, and that now I can’t get 22LR period. I just happened to go to WalMart today and the shelves were empty. Shotgun shells a few 45 rounds, and that was it.
I just find it hard to believe there are that many more 22 owners clamoring for rounds. I’ve got a decent stock so I haven’t bought in a long time. But probably every other time I enter a store that does sell rounds I’ll check and they’ll be empty.
If I go to a specialty gun shop they’ll be able to get rounds at double+ the price.
Consumer demand just doesn’t answer the mail for me.