Stock Up Now On Ammunition Before Prices Climb

Been watching the markets lately?   Sure, we’re all keenly aware of how the gas prices are dramatically higher this year as compared to a year ago…but what about other essential items us sportsmen need?   How about items such as ammunition, in particular?   Word on the street is you better be stocking up on your ammunition needs now because waiting until this fall could prove to be a very costly mistake.

Here’s the main problem.   Many non-precious metals we often take for granted are seeing unprecedented worldwide demand these days due mostly to increased consumption by developing countries.   Take, for instance, copper used in jacketing rifle and pistol ammunition.   The Latin American and Asian markets for this and other metals is driving the price up in a never before seen fashion.   Seriously, some reports are even hinting at limited availability of copper supplies in the short term.   Hmmm…we all know what happens when market analysts start talking short supplies now, don’t we?

Same holds true for other metals such as brass used in bullet casings.   Whether you’re a reloader who buys in bulk or just a recreational shooter who purchases ammo at the stores for an upcoming hunt…the likelihood is that over the next several months you can expect some significant retail price hikes on that ammunition or components you’ll be needing come the fall hunting season.

My inside source who works in the gun department of a major sporting goods retailer anticipates we can see cross-the-board price increases on all types of ammunition come fall.   Even lead shot that has been a relatively inexpensive component is keeping pace with the rising cost of other non-precious metals.  Certainly with the market zig-zagging all over the place it’s really hard to tell if this will be a long-term trend or not.   Even so, what we do believe is that the short-term stability of most metals used in the production of ammunition will likely create some higher prices on the retail shelf come fall.

So, whether you reload your own ammo or purchase all your ammo stock factory-loaded…it appears the metal markets may soon be hitting all of our pocketbooks a bit harder.   If nothing else…here’s the excuse you needed to head to the store now to begin stocking up for some likely savings.   At least with ammunition, you can stockpile it away for the future much easier than you can hoard other price-rising essentials, such as gasoline.

© 2006 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.