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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: allaboutshooting on February 01, 2014, 07:20:18 PM

Title: Some insight into the ammo shortage
Post by: allaboutshooting on February 01, 2014, 07:20:18 PM
    
A hot topic at the SHOT show was the ammo shortage that has hit the country. Most of the producers are literally working 24/7.

The real problem, which has not been publicly discussed, is the lack of powder available to load shells.

Frankly, there are few producers of powder left in the world. One of them, in Australia, had an explosion at their plant that put them out of business.

The raw materials producers, nitrocellulose, one of the components of smokeless powder, are again very few.

They have been trying to keep everyone in business, from large to small companies but have been forced to limit shipments. It's kind of like the local Walmart only selling a box or so of ammo to any one customer on any one day. They are trying to keep everyone in business and maybe not happy but at least mollified.

So, even though their are really tremendous demands by the Federal Government for ammo for military use and unprecedented orders for many government agencies, a major factor is the lack or available powder for even .22 loads due to the reduction in available sources world wide.

Thanks,
Clark
Title: Re: Some insight into the ammo shortage
Post by: jblackburn on February 01, 2014, 07:28:40 PM
Interesting.  How about the availability of lead?  Didn't the last domestic lead smelting facility, in Missouri, recently close?
Title: Re: Some insight into the ammo shortage
Post by: spaightlabs on February 01, 2014, 07:56:07 PM
Thank you for that info Clark.
Title: Re: Some insight into the ammo shortage
Post by: kevin2 on February 01, 2014, 08:16:10 PM
I was thinking last week that it would be a good idea to start a ammo company, but maybe it is the raw materials company that is needed. Right??!!