Ammo, like TP or food, is based on supply and demand. There are 4 basic components found in ammo which also impact ammo availability. If one , or more, of those components is in short supply or not available…then ammo supplies “dry” up. The 4 components are primers, projectiles, powder and casings. Of the 4 components…primers and powder are in short supply and coincidentally, are usually heavily regulated.
Last year, I was “toying” with the idea of getting into reloading my own rounds. I discovered at that time that primers were the Achilles Heel of ammo. Powder comes in a close second. I’m sure the anti-gun politicians realize this situation as well! Casings and projectiles usually aren’t a problem…only primers and powder! Because of the scarcity of primers and powder, I decided against getting into reloading. It is a nice idea but just not feasible with shortages and scarcity.
Although it might look like I’m hoarding ammo…I don’t look at it that way. I, officially, retired in June, 2016. Trying to live on a fixed income is rough, so I decided to work at a part-time job. With the extra income, we’ve been able to pay bills and buy some items that wouldn’t have been possible if I wasn’t working. One of those items is ammo. I figure that buying ammo NOW when I’m working…I’ll still be able to go shooting when I finally stop working. Rather than hoarding, I prefer to look at it as “stocking up”.