The shortage will last a long time

[GunnyGene]

As has been mentioned previously, it's the raw materials compounding the issue. Specifically copper and lead. And it's not just the ammo industry that is feeling the effects. It must be recognized that copper, lead, and other raw materials are necessary for many industries worldwide besides ammo. And, like it or not, ammo producers are not the top priority for the mines and processors and the others in the supply chain upstream of the ammo producers. Not even close.

Please don't bother bragging about how big your stash of reloading components or ammo is. Nobody needs to know.

https://bearingarms.com/cam-e/2020/07/2 ... d-monster/

“As far as the ammo is concerned, the number one thing you have to have in order to make ammunition is raw materials, being lead and copper,” Kastner said. “So all of the lead mines in the United States are in the state of Missouri; Missouri shut them down the first of March. All of the copper mines are in South America; South America shut them down in April. … The lead mines are now open in Missouri, but getting copper for the casings is one of the choking points.”

Just a couple of weeks ago news agency Reuters reported that Chile’s copper mining industry was at a tipping point, thanks to a surge in coronavirus cases among mine workers. At the moment, production is actually up over 2019 levels, but that could soon change.

Patricio Elgueta, president of Chile’s Federation of Copper Workers (FTC), an umbrella group for Codelco’s unions, said miners are exhausted and scared of falling ill but keep working to make ends meet.

Elgueta said unions were weighing a proposal from a regional roundtable of healthworkers, politicians and social groups to draw down production to a “minimum” at all of the mines around the hard-hit city of Calama in order to sanitize them.

[GFK]

No stock pile but considering reloading. Nice to know the choke points.

[Hatchdog]

This is really interesting and thanks for sharing it. I figured shortages are always caused by panic buying but this puts a different spin on things altogether. Mildly depressing.

[GunnyGene]

This is really interesting and thanks for sharing it. I figured shortages are always caused by panic buying but this puts a different spin on things altogether. Mildly depressing.

Consumer demand is also part of the equation. When that increases suddenly (beyond what the supply chain has projected future demand to be) it puts a strain on the entire supply pipeline. It takes awhile for them to catch up, sometimes years before the pipeline is refilled. This ripple effect- and the competition for essential materials - also results in cost increases for everyone in the chain from the mines to the ultimate consumers. High bidder gets the goodies.

[Travlin]

Those that are "considering reloading" should think about the fact that it takes brass cartridge cases to load ammunition. I am just glad that I started loading my own ammo back in the late sixties so I have plenty of lead to make bullets and lots of brass cases.

[GunnyGene]

Those that are "considering reloading" should think about the fact that it takes brass cartridge cases to load ammunition. I am just glad that I started loading my own ammo back in the late sixties so I have plenty of lead to make bullets and lots of brass cases.

And copper to make primers, and a variety of chemicals to make smokeless powder, etc. Ripples.

[RanchRoper]

Hunker down and get through it....

[GunnyGene]

New report out from NSSF. Story on Foxnews. Gun and ammo sales are thru the roof for 1st half of 2020. We all knew this in a general way, but it's nice to have it confirmed.

Excerpt:

https://www.foxnews.com/us/gun-ammo-sal ... vil-unrest

Gun sales have increased 95 percent while ammunition sales have increased 139 percent compared to the same period last year, according to a new survey by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Retailers nationwide reported a record 10.3 million firearm transactions in the first half of 2020, with approximately 92 percent reporting an increase in ammuniation sales and 87 percent reporting an increase in firearm sales, the NSSF survey reveals.

The survey noted that the demographics of customers who purchased guns and ammo consisted of 55.8 percent White males, 16.6 percent White females, 9.3 percent Black males, 5.4 percent Black females, 6.9 percent Hispanic males, 2.2 percent Hispanic females, 3.1 percent Asian males and 0.7 percent Asian females.

[Sir Henry]

Seems we have had a shortage off and on for the last 12 years.

[Team Roper]

Seems we have had a shortage off and on for the last 12 years.

This ! it sure is nothing new. I approve this message.