Finally a response from a Manufacturer

[sauer1911]

Here is what I got from Alliant when I questioned, WHERE IS ALL THE POWDER? It is in 2 parts.


Right now the plants are running 24/7 and we are making propellant as fast as is possible. Once a product leaves our docks it goes to the distributor. From there we have no control on where it may go. Be patient, keep checking the shelves. We have seen shortages like this in the past and they lasted around a year in time. Hopefully the hoarding of powder and other shooting supplies (ie. Bullets, ammo, primers and other supplies) will be ending soon. Also you will find a letter explaining some of shortages.
Thanks for the question,

Shoot Straight
DuaneVB
CCI/SPEER/ALLIANT POWDER

Then the letter

SPORTING GROUP
Dear Valued Customer,
April 11, 2013
As you are aware, the unprecedented demand for commercial ammunition has exceeded the industry’s ability to service the marketplace in the near term and has resulted in an industry‐wide shortage at most retail outlets. With more than 2,000 dedicated employees working diligently around the clock, we continue to take appropriate action across our manufacturing enterprise to increase and align production capacity in response to this demand and, ultimately, service your needs – this is our first priority!
Despite our consistent and dedicated efforts, there remains much speculation and misinformation regarding the availability of commercial ammunition. In one example, there are a vocal few who believe that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is buying excessive quantities of ammunition thereby restricting availability to the commercial market. Simply stated, this is a false and baseless claim. In fact, we do supply the DHS with a small percentage of ammunition in select calibers consistent with our contractual requirements. However, the commercial market receives the vast majority of ammunition produced to serve the needs of civilian hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts.
As a committed partner to the shooting sports industry, we thank you for your support in dispelling unfounded rumors relating to the supply and demand of commercial ammunition. We continue to support the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) in representing the legislative interests of our industry.
It is our mission to provide top‐quality ammunition and accessories for hunters, sport shooters and to those who protect our country and neighborhoods. For current information regarding our brands and products, please visit the Q&A pages on our websites:
http://www.federalpremium.com/company/faq.aspx http://www.cci-ammunition.com/education/faqs.aspx http://www.speer-ammo.com/general/faq.aspx http://www.speer-bullets.com/

hmm, dunno seems like smoke to me. "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

be safe.

 

[Sam1911]

LOL. They probably should have told you that the old story about DHS buying up all the ammo (remember that one? Hey, 2012 is calling and wants its conspiracy theory back) was TRUE -- seeing as you were going to disbelieve whatever they did say.

There are several reasons why powder and primers have been a bit slow to restock after the last panic. One big one has to do with revisions to some of the shipping rules which mean that the materials that are made are slow to get distributed.

But, I'm on the payroll of the international ammo shortage cover-up conspiracy illuminati so you should take everything I say with a grain of salt.

 

[leefan]

What scale did you use to measure that grain of salt? I need one for my 32 ACP reloading.

 

[Beentown]

2 million NICS a month + new reloaders = extended short supply.

 

[StandingTall]

Maybe you should write them back and tell them what you want to hear from them so you'll be satisfied.

 

[wlkjr]

In this day and time, we'd lose a real war for lack of ammo. Or we could go back to black powder weapons.

 

[LiveLife]

Simply, "Supply and Demand" is at play.

We have finite supply even with manufacturers at full production rate but increased demand from military/commercial needs are tipping the scale waaaay over to the demand side.

More demand than supply = shortage and increasing prices.

Sounds like Economics/Business 101 to me.

In this day and time, we'd lose a real war for lack of ammo. Or we could go back to black powder weapons.

I still believe in this great country's industrial might's ability to produce necessary ammunition in time of war (you don't hear of soldiers running short on ammo do you?). Why go back to black powder weapons when we have the technology for higher energy smokeless powder weapons? Instead, we should continue to evolve and improve our weapons - Our military is doing that constantly and commercial manufacturers too (Just look at the development of AR/.300 BLK, semi-auto .308, Superformance/CFE .223/CFE Pistol powders and better bullet technology to make 9mm +P JHP viable defensive ammunition to mention a few evolution of firearms/components).

If the demand continues and supply side cannot handle, I am sure many entrepreneurs will step in to meet that demand for "handsome" profit. Look what happened to the solar industry. Demand increased for solar panels and production of solar panels increased with many solar company stocks soared into record territory.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have a myriad of friends that never considered reloading before because they either did not shoot that much and/or they just didn't want to bother with it. After several years of frustration with not being able to find factory ammo, they are now getting into reloading outta desperation.

 

[gahunter12]

I have a myriad of friends that never considered reloading before because they either did not shoot that much and/or they just didn't want to bother with it. After several years of frustration with not being able to find factory ammo, they are now getting into reloading outta desperation.

Bingo! I also frequent a local forum that has a reloading section. From that forum I have had 11 guys & gals come to my house to learn how to reload, and see it first hand. It also seems like everyday we have more, and more "Newb Help", "New to Reloading" post here.

 

[hartcreek]

Is there still a shortage going on? I had a hard time finding primers for about two weeks. I will not pay the Cabella's price for primers so I buy mine from Bimart two trays at a time but since I have five thousand small pistol primers in bricks I can now just stop by Bimart on the way back from my chiropractor and grab two trays of whatever just to keep my stock up.

Powder was a problem but 8 pounds of Unique for my personal loading lasts a little while.

I have had to use Red Dot and Green Dot for 9mm and .40 cal but that is no biggie as I have the load data.

Rifle Powder on the other hand.....I have had to shift from 3031 and 6064 and 4831 to Hogedon H 414 but still not a big deal. I have thousands of loaded rounds in three dozen calibres so I am not short....

I started casting years ago and now will never purchase many size bullets again.

I do need to start shooting 1000m again with my old 721 30-06 especially since I have a great looking 155 gr bullet that I cast for SKS and all I have to do is use a different sizer/gas checker to use it for .308

Next month I will be working up a low pressure load for my Marlin Model 19 as I might want to use it for turkey season instead of my damascus 16 gage BP shotgun or my Mossberg 500.

Always something to shoot when you reload for rifles, handguns, shotguns and do the same with back powder too.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

(you don't hear of soldiers running short on ammo do you?)

I actually did earlier in the war in Afghanistan. One of the shows about the snipers the GI said they were having to borrow 50 BMG from the Canadians. I assume the pentagon hadn't figured out they were using the ammo. But that was the only report I heard.

As to the letter, I will give them credit for stacking <deleted>, but they can't even make a good pile.

 

[CatManDo]

Simply, "Supply and Demand" is at play.

We have finite supply even with manufacturers at full production rate but increased demand from military/commercial needs are tipping the scale waaaay over to the demand side.

More demand than supply = shortage and increasing prices.

Sounds like Economics/Business 101 to me.



I still believe in this great country's industrial might's ability to produce necessary ammunition in time of war (you don't hear of soldiers running short on ammo do you?). Why go back to black powder weapons when we have the technology for higher energy smokeless powder weapons? Instead, we should continue to evolve and improve our weapons - Our military is doing that constantly and commercial manufacturers too (Just look at the development of AR/.300 BLK, semi-auto .308, Superformance/CFE .223/CFE Pistol powders and better bullet technology to make 9mm +P JHP viable defensive ammunition to mention a few evolution of firearms/components).

If the demand continues and supply side cannot handle, I am sure many entrepreneurs will step in to meet that demand for "handsome" profit. Look what happened to the solar industry. Demand increased for solar panels and production of solar panels increased with many solar company stocks soared into record territory.

The war would be over before ANY manufacturer would be able to help. The next war is going to be Atomic, I think POTUS will help in that regard.

cmd

 

[LiveLife]

I still believe in this great country's industrial might's ability to produce necessary ammunition in time of war

The war would be over before ANY manufacturer would be able to help.

Wait, aren't we "at war" in the middle east? I was referring to "time of war" as in current military engagements we are involved in. We have contracted companies manufacturing small arms ammunition that affects our ability to reload in terms of powder/primers/projectiles.

The next war is going to be Atomic

Again, I think OP and I were talking about our immediate shortage of reloading supplies not the "next BIG war" that has not happened yet.

 

[Potatohead]

2 million NICS a month + new reloaders = extended short supply.

Ding ! Ding ! Ding!

 

[Wildbillz]

Soldiers running out of ammo?


I can vouch for this. 2004 when I convoyed up to Bagdad they couldn't give us a complete load out of ammo. I got 6, 30rnd mags of 5.56mm, 2 HEDP rounds for the M203 and 7 rounds of 9mm for my M9. They told us that we could get cross loaded with ammo at Camp Victory. All of the 556 they gave us for the convoy was British ammo and the 4mm rounds were dated from 1975.

WB

 

[sauer1911]

Maybe you should write them back and tell them what you want to hear from them so you'll be satisfied.

Its not about hearing what I want to hear, this is just simply what they said. I have been diligent over the past few years of striking while the supply is up. I am in good supply of powder and primers for what I shoot. I am proactive in getting my supplies. I AM amused at what Mfgs are saying and all the conspiracy theorists I can shake from the trees!

be safe

 

[deadeye dick]

Get on the Hodgdon web site and see their excuse for the shortage.

 

[glockky]

Here was a response powder valley posted on facebook a few days ago
Just a couple facts regarding powder sales over the past few years. Keep in mind that less than 1% of our sales are to the government. Sales of powder were relatively flat in 2010 and 2011 so those are my basis years. Sales of powder increased 70% in 2012 and another 58% in 2013 which makes sales volume in 2013 a 268% increase over 2011. I know there are a lot of people who believe that the government is somehow buying up all the powder or restricting US supplies. But here are some simple facts that you can review and come up with your own conclusion. I'm willing to answer most questions and thank Chuck May for asking this question.

 

[kcofohio]

Ah, how much the internet has helped the spread of panic. And to think if it had been so widely in use during Clinton's era. Just thinking with the keyboard.

 

[TroyUT]

Well I was in Iraq (Fallujah) during 2006 and I never saw/heard of any shortage of ammo. I'm a Marine too and we always got the old and used equipment so if we had ammo you can rest assured everyone else did. I think the current shortage is simple economics like BDS said. Not to mention most people (myself included) who like guns and shooting tend to be the most likely people to want to get their hands on everything in a shortage so we all buy way more than we need to.

 

[Jaymo]

Yeah, and the government NEVER lies to us or has companies lie to us, right?

 

[conw]

Yeah, and the government NEVER lies to us or has companies lie to us, right?

How many people are involved in this conspiracy? Hundreds? Thousands?

Why are they all silent? Are they being threatened?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I AM SO TIRED OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND BS LINE! Everyone claims it's the huge demand that causing the shelves to remain empty but that's just not true. They claim the shelves are emptied as fast as they are stocked but there lies the problem, there is no stock coming to the stores! When a store gets TWO boxes of Winchester M-22 ammo in that's hardly stocking the shelves, is it? When one case of .380 Auto or 9mm ammo is delivered to Walmart that's hardly stocking the shelves, that's nothing! I'm really tired of all the lies, we are being played and there are those of us who are helping them out!!!

 

[Scimmia]

I AM SO TIRED OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND BS LINE! Everyone claims it's the huge demand that causing the shelves to remain empty but that's just not true. They claim the shelves are emptied as fast as they are stocked but there lies the problem, there is no stock coming to the stores! When a store gets TWO boxes of Winchester M-22 ammo in that's hardly stocking the shelves, is it? When one case of .380 Auto or 9mm ammo is delivered to Walmart that's hardly stocking the shelves, that's nothing! I'm really tired of all the lies, we are being played and there are those of us who are helping them out!!!

And I'm really tired of people who don't understand basic economics. Supply and demand applies at the distributor level, too.

What do you think happens when every store runs out of the same thing at the same time?

 

[blarby]

HAndsome profit

Maybe not at first....... but.....

As soon as I can get on the dang land and permits, BDS, I PROMISE.

Good thing is, we got final bids in from two of the structure contractors today- thats a big start at least from 2013 !