I do not believe for one second we are being duped. That would require both US and foriegn competitors of ammo, powder, and components such as lead shot to conspire with each other. I can't believe the desire of each to make a profit by filling the void created intentionally by another could happen much less persist. To believe this means a coordinated effort between; Dupont, Alliant, Hodgdon, Fiochhi, Cheddite, Winchester, Federal, Estate, Rio, Hornady, Lawrence, Eagle, etc, etc. It would also deliberately open up the door to new competition as new companies are formed to meet the demand.
Similiar to the 1930's we have had and have a PANIC, just like the run on the banks. A gun buying panic created by fear. Not just existing gun owners buying more but new gun owners, all those tens of millions of new guns need ammunition.
Go out and do some research on the federal DPAS system, I deal with it at work. A government agency can place an order with a vendor and make that order a DPAS code DX. That is top priority, becomes the first order a vendor must fill under law. The government has been exposed of buying billions of additional rounds of ammo for HHS, plus what they were buying for the military. The HHS purchases are far greater in quantity and short timing then even the military orders when the two wars were active. That ammo takes all the same raw materials every other cartridge and shell uses.
Then add to the mix hoarders, buying out of fear and stockpiling. Then add to that carpet baggers, buying what they can to turn around and sell it for a quick profit, often double or more than what they paid. These two conditions put additional demand on the supply chain.
There is no OPEC or oil cartel here created to bring the biggest producers and competitors together and monopolize a market. This is a true mess created by politics and fear of the same, made worse by the deliberate giant priority orders of the government designed to dry up supply, and further made worse by scared people who hoard and opportunists looking to profit.
Finally, shortages drive up prices but added to this are the monetary policies of the last few years that have devalued the dollar, (of course the gov't doesn't want to call this inflation) and we arrive at $55 a bag for lead, and $3.75 a gallon to go pick it up in a $35,000 truck.
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