It became clear to me last night that consumer demand for loaded ammunition and reloading components is THE reason for all the shortages we have seen for 22's, primers, powder etc. Last night I went down to the Kittery Trading Post and in discussion with one of the people I know there he told me the store sold as much ammunition and reloading supplies in the last 10 months as they did in the last 10 years.
A greater than ten fold increase in demand, no wonder manufacturers have not been able to keep up.
Obviously this has been fear generated demand with scarcity demand (hoarding and resale gouging demand) piling on top of it. I suspect the situation will not change much until the fear subsides. I think our first chance for that happens in November '16 so I don't look for things to return to normal anytime soon. Let's hope I am wrong.
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