Adam Scepaniak 04.25.25

Ammunition Depot is trying to curb panic consumers with their message as to why costs shouldn’t be going up, however will stay secure. With Trump tariffs all around the board – and so many concurrently occurring – it has lots of shooters and hunters questioning if we’re in retailer for an additional value hike on ammo (both on account of tariffs or panic shopping for). Ammunition Depot has their very own concepts and ideas, and so they share all of these under in a really pointed style.
A message from: Dan Wolgin, CEO, Ammunition Depot
There’s been a surge of hypothesis about rising ammunition costs, pushed by new U.S. tariffs and considerations about worldwide provide chains. Let’s put these fears to relaxation. At Ammunition Depot, we don’t foresee any significant results within the close to future from the tariffs, and right here’s why.
1. The U.S. Ammo Provide Chain Is Largely Home
Most of our ammunition stock comes from American producers. Which means we’re largely insulated from worldwide commerce disruptions. Whereas tariffs might affect some imported items, they’ve little to no bearing on the majority of the U.S. ammunition market.
Key causes:
- Ammunition elements supplies like brass, lead, and powder are largely sourced and processed domestically.
- Ammunition is loaded and manufactured right here within the U.S.
- Overseas ammunition is simply a small share of our gross sales.
So, whereas some headlines are inflicting nervousness, tariffs don’t transfer the needle for the core of this business.
2. Two Present Elements, Neither Driving Costs
Antimony: A Marginal Element
Antimony, a hardening agent utilized in bullet cores, is not being exported by China as of December 2024. However:
- On common, it makes up lower than 2% of bullet composition.
- The U.S. can import it from Australia, Bolivia, and Turkey.
- It constitutes a tiny fraction of the full manufacturing price of a bullet.
This shift occurred earlier than the present tariff scenario and isn’t driving pricing stress in the present day.
Smokeless Powder: A Home Provide Concern
There was a home scarcity of smokeless powder for over two years. It’s not an import subject, as most powder is produced within the U.S., however it might affect costs if the provision tightens additional.
To this point:
- Costs for powder have lately risen by about 15% this yr.
- Ammo costs haven’t moved, due to cautious stock administration and home sourcing.
Backside line: it’s a recognized issue, however it hasn’t pushed value will increase but.
3. Producers Have Tried to Elevate Costs, and It Hasn’t Caught
Ammo producers have made a number of makes an attempt over the previous two years to boost costs. However in each occasion, the market rejected these will increase. Until there’s an actual, sustained shift in price constructions (which hasn’t occurred but), value hikes are unlikely to take maintain. For the final yr ammo costs have gone decrease, not increased.
4. The Actual Menace? Panic Shopping for
The one actual danger to cost stability is consumer-driven: panic shopping for. If worry over tariffs or different rumors triggers a run on ammo, it might result in short-term shortages and value spikes. That’s not supply-chain pushed, it’s behavioral economics at play.
Keep calm. Keep knowledgeable. And purchase good.
Conclusion: No Purpose to be Tariff-ied
Regardless of worldwide rigidity and financial noise, the American ammo market stays sturdy, secure, and home. At Ammunition Depot, we’re monitoring the panorama intently, and we see no authentic purpose to count on an increase in costs pushed by tariffs or provide chain points.
So no, you don’t have to be “tariff-ied.”
We’ll proceed doing what we’ve finished since 2011: delivering nice ammo at truthful costs, with quick transport and the business’s finest service.