Bullet Manufacturing

Have you thought bigger than bullets?

As a new bullet maker, what trait, exactly, can you beat or match companies like RMR or MBC or Roze?

As a new ammunition maker, you can beat Remington, Winchester, Federal, etc on quality and customer support probably right out of the gate. Start with one caliber and build a following. I’d suggest 9mm.

Do it without debt. Debt kills everything.

Kudos for venturing in to a new business especially one that accommodates our favorite pastime!!!!!!
I’m always looking for 9mm heavy, .40 and .45. I use .223 and .243 at a much reduced rate.
I don’t know if you’re a competition shooter, but that crowd does have some volume associated with it. Your marketing plan should include a significant social media presence. Since I’m in the PROC my contribution would be remote testing only. Best of luck!!!!

Orcon said:

I've grown weary of the absurdities of corporate life managed top down by hand-wringing HR departments. Sick of being responsible but not having the ability to make the necessary changes to correct operational deficiencies... I want to opt out.

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I hear you. I'm totally fed up with it, as well. Do damn good work, improve processes, eliminate errors, then receive no recognition for it and only to be told "we want more/better paperwork." Meanwhile, the slack asses get the same pay and barely meet minimum requirements to be employed.

I know you've already commented on 'pearl clutching,' but another "assault weapon ban" would kill the impetus for .223 and a ban on high capacity magazines would probably shift interest away from 9mm, to .45acp, .45gap, 10mm, .357sig, etc. At least, when selecting equipment, make sure you have the flexibility to change up to different cartridges if demand changes.

AJC1 said:

I dont know if you have done the market research to know if this a viable option or not. If Biden kills internet sales is your goose cooked. Economic and political things in play right now. All the best

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That’s a real big “IF”. But many of us are old enough to remember, and I suspect many still use, a publication called a catalog and an ordering system callEd writing and mailing. Most major players still publish mail order catalogs. Slow and time consuming but still viable. Not that I’d want to return to that myself.

Ru4real said:

Have you thought bigger than bullets?

As a new bullet maker, what trait, exactly, can you beat or match companies like RMR or MBC or Roze?

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How about availability? Have you tried to order any bullets lately? I'm going on 12 weeks waiting on orders from RMR.

Since you asked, what I like to see in a bullet is consistency and availability. I'm admittedly a short range shooter - even my rifle shooting stays within 100 yards - but consistency issues can lead to problems at the loading bench.

The particular bullet I would be most interested in would be a spire point(or at least pointy) 220-230gr .308 for subsonic Blackout. Berry's is the most widely available and affordable bullet in this category but they aren't consistently available.

PM'd you. We should talk...

mstreddy said:

As I'm reading the thread/posts, I keep thinking, LongDayJake has been through this. Many of us were here back when he started out.
And Jake - RMR joins the discussion and offers advice and help.
This is THR, indeed.
Well done Jake.
And, I keep thinking of MBC as well. Brad and Joanne started their bullet casting business and grew it to the respected company it is today. RIP Brad, MBC earned a well-deserved solid reputation around here.

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RIP Brad??

Wow, I was not aware of this! That is terrible, just looked up the obit.

Is there a thread on this??

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sedaliademocrat/obituary.aspx?pid=197036668

Rule3 said:

RIP Brad??

Wow, I was not aware of this! That is terrible, just looked up the obit.

Is there a thread on this??

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sedaliademocrat/obituary.aspx?pid=197036668

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There is.

Call your lawyer first. This guy says you’ll need an FFL.
https://johnpierceesq.com/do-i-need...g-to-do-is-manufacture-and-sell-cast-bullets/

Also, there have been several acquisitions and straight GOBs recently in the bullet space. Maybe you can get some equipment from one of the latter. Falcon abruptly shut down a couple months ago.

Good luck. Make some maple flavored and you’ll sell a ton.

Ru4real said:

Have you thought bigger than bullets?

As a new bullet maker, what trait, exactly, can you beat or match companies like RMR or MBC or Roze?

As a new ammunition maker, you can beat Remington, Winchester, Federal, etc on quality and customer support probably right out of the gate. Start with one caliber and build a following. I’d suggest 9mm.

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Beat the big three? Ya sure, what a joke

Have you priced liability insurance?

Rule3 said:

Beat the big three? Ya sure, what a joke

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The good news is it’s not really three, only two. Federal and Remington are both Vista.

I’ve bought handgun and .45/70 bullets from a lot of smaller makers, some are gone and some still kicking; Antelope Valley, Silver State, Rainer, RMR, Shooters Cast, Ibejiheads, ACME, Montana, Laser Cast, Missouri, Brazos, Bayou, Eggleston, Extreme, Berrys... and from biggies like Sierra, Hornady, Nosler.

My tastes have changed over the years, from simple cast/lubricated lead bullets to plated... now to coated ones. (Shooting a lot indoors, I found the coated bullets cut out the smoke but cost almost what plain lead ones do.)

I go back and order from the same makers over again because the makers sell what I want, their product performs as expected and they don’t require me to sell a kidney every time I go back to purchase more. That’s all I could ever ask.

Good luck with your quest, once you get up and running let us know and if you’re making bullets I use (.313, .358, .411, .430, .453 and .459) I will be happy to be one of the first to place an order.

Stay safe.

CQB45ACP said:

The good news is it’s not really three, only two. Federal and Remington are both Vista.

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What about Winchester (Olin) and all the many,many other brands out there (foreign)??
Multi million dollar diverse Companies that manufacturing billions of rounds of ammo for Govt and consumers with a very. very high rate of efficiency and quality (yes quality) kinda hard to beat them at their game.

Rule3 said:

What about Winchester (Olin) and all the many,many other brands out there (foreign)??
Multi million dollar diverse Companies that manufacturing billions of rounds of ammo for Govt and consumers with a very. very high rate of efficiency and quality (yes quality) kinda hard to beat them at their game.

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I was just focusing on the domestic ones.

The things I look at when buying bullets is:
1) reliability. I need every bullet to be in spec. I don't measure or check consistency of bullets so if they aren't all good straight out of the package it's a pass from. me.
2) price. I only buy bulk bullets for range fodder, so cheapest wins.
3) Customer service. Any issues need to be addressed (or at least acknowledged) within 24 hours. ArmorAlly lost my business after they sent me the wrong amount of 9mm once fired cases and then said they couldn't do anything without the shipping label.

I'd pay a few cents more per if the customer service was amazing (as I do for some RMR projectiles), but you need to make them consistent and cheap to survive.

40 are hard to find as of now I reload and bullets are hard to find 40 45 and even the 380 are out they have sold a lot of 380 in the last 3 years a 88 gr is now where to be found

I'll tell you that according to my blog hits, anything 223 is noticeably more popular. I would have figured standard 9mm bullets but I guess .224 bullets would get you more business. I would focus on 55 and 62 gr fmj.