There is high demand for ammunition because the average recreational shooter got left at the altar during the first Obamascare. They didn't get too hurt by it as traditional cartridges weren't impacted much. But, they learned to be afraid, and the drumbeat from gun ownership groups had time to filter down to their casual level of attention. They paid more attention this time.
Once the casual shooter gets something in their mind, they stick with it. We continue to see high demand now because they changed their habits and there is no incentive to not keep buying ammo. It's part and parcel of being a gun owner to them. They aren't plugged in to the industry and don't get to hear the good news that would placate their feelings of concern. Since they are all buying ammo and they pretty much only communicate to each other, it's now a situation where they feed off of each other's fear.
When that happens, it's called a panic.
Like soccer fans leaving a burning stadium, they have a "me first" attitude about it. While there isn't any lethal stomping at the exits, the infighting with deadly credit cards and lining up at the most restrictive sources - like Walmart - continues to feed their concerns.
There is no "shortage" of ammunition, the .Gov isn't buying it up. What is really happening is the mass of casual shooters have exponentially increased demand beyond capacity. They are placing orders thru multiple vendors and scouring the retail landscape buying up every box they can so that they have "currency" to barter and trade in case there is a national shortage - or worse.
They perceive the problem to be that bad, and it's going to take a few seasons to calm them down. This administration isn't likely to offer much in the way of dropping the anti gun agenda, and will likely blunder from one hyped "crisis" into another to play the media. That's going to keep the hysteria fueled and the ammo buyers hungry.
Unintended consequences, for the most part, I doubt the gun grabbers saw it coming.
The next Presidential election is two years out, and considering the range of candidates, I see no letup. That's the gamble the ammo makers are weighing - expand now to sell more in 6-12 months, just to see the market collapse, or does it keep on? Past trends have all tapered off and the shift schedules went back to normal. Does this series of influences mean something different?
You could stare into a bowl of Chinese noodles and make as good a guess as any.
