Why there is a .22 ammunition shortage (official statement from ATK)
I have been getting emails on a regular basis from people concerned about the shortage of .22 LR ammunition. Rather than speculate, and risk fueling the conspiracy theories swirling around internet forums, I decided to ask ATK directly. ATK is a major ammunition producer that owns the CCI, Federal Premium, Fusion, Speer, Estate Cartridge and Blazer ammunition brands. They said to me …
The current market and environment is causing stronger than usual demand for products in our industry. The current increase in demand is attributed to the civilian market. Our facilities operate 24-hours a day. We are continually making process improvements to increase our efficiency and investing in capital and personnel where we have sustained demand. We are bringing additional capacity online again this year.
So there you have it. They are producing it as fast as they can but they are at maximum capacity. Strong demand means they are flying off the shelves faster than they can be supplied. The shortage will continue until either than can expand their facilities or, and more likely in the shortterm, demand cools.
People tend to buy ammunition in the winter and shoot it in summer. I don’t know why they do this (I tend to buy more in summer than in winter). I suspect by the beginning of summer there will be enough .22 ammunition on the shelves.
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There isn't a shortage. They are producing just as much as they always have.
It's the morons who THINK there is a shortage and keep hoarding it and selling it for profit. If you have a couple thousand rounds... DON'T BUY ANYMORE.
And don't go to your local gun shop and get an attitude and be a pissy prick because he tells you they are out. He has to listen to you morons who act like their lives are going to end if they don't get any 22 caliber ammo every day. We get asked probably 30 times daily "You got any .22?" "You don't? Why not? Wheres it going? Is Obama banning it? It's the governments fault isn't it? When are you going to have some? What kind? How much?"
Just stfu and go home. You don't NEED .22 LR ammo. If you want it that bad then pay out the ass for it at some price gouging store and then be satisfied.
If everyone in the country would stop buying .22LR for ONE month then everything would be back to normal.
Looks like the shortage is over in New York. I bought 1000 round of 22LR at the local gun shop with no problem.