why has the price of ammo doubled in price?

Question

Yeah I shoot 5.56 mm (223 cal.)

And I usually fire around 400-450 rounds each time I go to the range.

That includes 9 mm and 12ga. ammo; only about 250 rds are 5.56 mm.

Answer 1

Since the prices of raw materials has almost doubled in the last few years, especially that of copper, used in bullet jackets and gas checks, and in brass alloys for cartridge cases, it surprises me ammo prices aren't even higher than they are.
With the price of fuel for transport, it's bad enough paying the shipping on components, especially cast bullets & raw lead & alloys, much less for loaded ammunition.
Just another reason to get into reloading & save some of one's hard-earned bucks by stuffin' yer own! ! !

Answer 2

several reasons, the two main ones are, the war ( most ammo manufacturers are too busy supplying the military with ammo to keep up on commercial orders, and the cost of metals has skyrocketed. Brass, copper and even lead are reaching all time highs on the market. It's getting scary, I just checked J&G online and all the .223 and 5.56 ammo is back ordered. Sure hope they get more in before the democrats take over. Think prices are high now? just wait!!

Answer 3

Its a combination of many things.

1. The American dollar has lost a lot of value against the euro. This will definitely raise the price of european ammo; both new and surplus.
2. Metal values for new and scrap for lead, copper, tin, and brass are extremely high. It is costing more to produce these products.
3. Fuel prices are rising. It costs more to make and transport these goods to importers, distributors, dealers and then the end user.
4. The current war has some effect. A good number of ammunition makers are allocating a large amount of their production to military and police contracts, thus there is a decrease in what is available to us.
5. The nature of a capitalist market. As long as a seller can charge more for their product and sell it, they will.
6. Ammo Hoes. These are the people that have 100,000+ rounds of every caliber they own set aside for the supposed end of the world. I know a few people like this. They drive up the demand greatly.
7. The ammo investors. People who buy a massive quanitity of a cheap ammo with intent to sell later at a higher price. This is particularly bad in the surplus ammo market.

Answer 4

When ammo prices began to rise two years ago we were told by the industry that it was due to the rising energy costs. Since then China bought up the copper mines in South America causing copper prices to skyrocket. Copper is used in making brass which is the most expensive componet.
Lead has doubled in cost to produce and transport.
To simplify, energy costs and the reduced supply of copper combines with military activities have all contributed to the inflation.
Just so you know, the ammo industry has announced another 17% increase in December 2007.
Firearms have also been affected with increased of about 35% over the last two years. Add the falling dollar into the equation and you will find that foreign made firearms are leading the price increases now.

Answer 5

It is due to the fact that Raw material prices have shot up in price. Plus the ammo manufactures might be making ammo for the military. I am not sure where the military get there ammo anymore.

Answer 6

Supply and demand and economics. The cost of all raw material and extraction thereof is up, cost of all transportation is up, utilities are up, wages are up, due to wars and fighting consumption is up, and; here is something you probably won't enjoy hearing, you ain't seen nothing yet!!! Prices will continue to rise so buy whatever you use in quantity now. A year ago I bought a few cases of 7.62x39 plinking ammo in quantity for fifty bucks a case set on my doorstep; it is now over two hundred bucks (if I can find it) and going up as we speak. Welcome to the 21st century.

Answer 7

I was told because of ammo manufactures are having to send ammo to the middle east. for the soldiers..

Answer 8

Now I only shoot .45acp and 9mm at Wal-Mart and my gun shop have not gone up yet... I was told it would but I have not seen it gone up. Me and a friend have been buying extra to prepare for the hike...

Answer 9

Raw materials have gone up. Copper used for jacket bullets have skyrocketed.

Answer 10

There is a war going on, and also metal prices are up worldwide.