Can't find ammo deals? heres why-
War puts heavy demand on ammunition makers
Ammunition shipments to local gun shops and police departments are being delayed for months because the Army has more than tripled its demand for small-caliber ammunition.
Ammunition plants have dramatically ratcheted up production, but company officials acknowledge delays to police and retailers of up to a year.
"There are millions of rounds back-ordered because the war has put such a demand on the manufacturers," said Lana Ulner, manager of Rapid City, S.D.-based Ultramax Ammunition, a distributor for several manufacturers. "In some cases, it can take eight to 12 months."
The Army's demand for small-caliber ammunition has soared from 426 million rounds in 2001 to 1.5 billion rounds in 2006, according to the Joint Munitions Command at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois.
The government spent $688 million on ammunition last year, up from $242 million in 2001, said Gail Smith, a Joint Munitions Command spokeswoman. The most common bullets ordered are 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50 caliber, she said.
Because of the increased demand, police in Des Moines said it's taking twice as long to get ammunition orders as a few years ago - up to eight months. Still, the department has not decreased its use of ammunition.
"We're not experiencing any shortages, but they are planning ahead to accommodate for the delay caused by the war," said police spokesman Sgt. Todd Dykstra.
Larry Maynes, owner of JLM Gun Shoppe in Urbandale, said military ammunition and weapons are popular with his customers because the mass production makes them less expensive.
"I have some in stock, but it won't be easy to replace," he said.
In most cases, customers buy the military-style weapons for target practice, but some people use them to shoot small animals, Maynes said.
"Guys like those for prairie dogs and coyotes, primarily," he said.
Much of the ammunition used by the Defense Department comes from a plant in Lake City, Mo., owned by Alliant Techsystems. The plant's production has increased nearly fourfold, said company spokesman Bryce Hallowell.
"We have ... hired hundreds of people and turned our plants into 24/7 operations where they weren't just a couple of years ago to meet that demand," said Hallowell, whose company also has plants in Anoka, Minn., and Lewiston, Idaho. "We're running full-out."
He said that the war, the depleted ammunition reserves and the lack of foreign competition have all contributed to the surging demand.
The strong sales helped Minnesota-based Alliant's ammunition systems group see a 10 percent increase in sales for the fourth quarter.
Ann Pipkin, a spokeswoman for East Alton, Ill.-based Winchester Ammunition, said her company also is seeing a backlog on orders for certain types of ammunition.
At Darr's Shooting Supply in Chattanooga, Tenn., the wait for some types of ammunition was four months at the end of 2006, said salesman Jeff Brewton.
If you ask me, Its not going to let up anytime soon. So save up a few bucks come herehttp://forums.gunbroker.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9 and learn to roll your own-[:)]
Ammunition shipments to local gun shops and police departments are being delayed for months because the Army has more than tripled its demand for small-caliber ammunition.
Ammunition plants have dramatically ratcheted up production, but company officials acknowledge delays to police and retailers of up to a year.
"There are millions of rounds back-ordered because the war has put such a demand on the manufacturers," said Lana Ulner, manager of Rapid City, S.D.-based Ultramax Ammunition, a distributor for several manufacturers. "In some cases, it can take eight to 12 months."
The Army's demand for small-caliber ammunition has soared from 426 million rounds in 2001 to 1.5 billion rounds in 2006, according to the Joint Munitions Command at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois.
The government spent $688 million on ammunition last year, up from $242 million in 2001, said Gail Smith, a Joint Munitions Command spokeswoman. The most common bullets ordered are 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50 caliber, she said.
Because of the increased demand, police in Des Moines said it's taking twice as long to get ammunition orders as a few years ago - up to eight months. Still, the department has not decreased its use of ammunition.
"We're not experiencing any shortages, but they are planning ahead to accommodate for the delay caused by the war," said police spokesman Sgt. Todd Dykstra.
Larry Maynes, owner of JLM Gun Shoppe in Urbandale, said military ammunition and weapons are popular with his customers because the mass production makes them less expensive.
"I have some in stock, but it won't be easy to replace," he said.
In most cases, customers buy the military-style weapons for target practice, but some people use them to shoot small animals, Maynes said.
"Guys like those for prairie dogs and coyotes, primarily," he said.
Much of the ammunition used by the Defense Department comes from a plant in Lake City, Mo., owned by Alliant Techsystems. The plant's production has increased nearly fourfold, said company spokesman Bryce Hallowell.
"We have ... hired hundreds of people and turned our plants into 24/7 operations where they weren't just a couple of years ago to meet that demand," said Hallowell, whose company also has plants in Anoka, Minn., and Lewiston, Idaho. "We're running full-out."
He said that the war, the depleted ammunition reserves and the lack of foreign competition have all contributed to the surging demand.
The strong sales helped Minnesota-based Alliant's ammunition systems group see a 10 percent increase in sales for the fourth quarter.
Ann Pipkin, a spokeswoman for East Alton, Ill.-based Winchester Ammunition, said her company also is seeing a backlog on orders for certain types of ammunition.
At Darr's Shooting Supply in Chattanooga, Tenn., the wait for some types of ammunition was four months at the end of 2006, said salesman Jeff Brewton.
If you ask me, Its not going to let up anytime soon. So save up a few bucks come herehttp://forums.gunbroker.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9 and learn to roll your own-[:)]
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Forgot to add the bright side (if there is one after the war) .223, .308, and .50 BMG ammo will be cheap by the truck loads. 0 -
I would also guess the 7.62X39 will be cheaper then we have seen in a long time.
This war could go on quite awhile though.0 -
[:p] Posted the same story a couple of days ago. Still interesting though. [:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by iluvguns
[:p] Posted the same story a couple of days ago. Still interesting though. [:D]
Sorry about that- Been working to many hours and haven't been keeping up on the forums. I have been a bad influence at work and gave a bunch of the guys the "Gun Bug" and they have been looking online for ammo.[:I]
I keep telling them I don't buy ammo! I make it![:D]0
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