Remember a few years ago at the height of the war in Iraq when none of us could buy ammo in certain popular calibers because the military was buying it all up for use by the troops?
Interesting theory, until we note that it’s for little more than .40 HP and .300 Win Mag, and those of very precise descriptions.
If they’re trying to clear the shelves they’re not buying enough quantity of enough range of calibers. To clear the shelves to deny public access, they’d have to submit an order for “everything you’ve got - 9mm, .45, .38, .308, .223, HP, FMJ, boattail, ... EVERYTHING.” It’s also too late: we’ve already stocked up.