Opinion
A message from: Dan Wolgin, CEO, Ammunition Depot
There’s been a surge of speculation about rising ammunition prices, driven by new U.S. tariffs and concerns about international supply chains. Let’s put those fears to rest. At Ammunition Depot, we don’t foresee any meaningful effects in the near future from the tariffs, and here’s why.
The U.S. Ammo Supply Chain Is Largely Domestic
Most of our ammunition inventory comes from American manufacturers. That means we’re largely insulated from international trade disruptions. While tariffs may impact some imported goods, they have little to no bearing on the bulk of the U.S. ammunition market.
Key reasons:
- Ammunition components materials like brass, lead, and powder are largely sourced and processed domestically.
- Ammunition is loaded and manufactured here in the U.S.
- Foreign ammunition is only a small percentage of our sales.
So, while some headlines are causing anxiety, tariffs don’t move the needle for the core of this industry.
Two Current Factors, Neither Driving Prices
Antimony: A Marginal Component
Antimony, a hardening agent used in bullet cores, is no longer being exported by China as of December 2024.
But:
- On average, it makes up less than 2% of bullet composition.
- The U.S. can import it from Australia, Bolivia, and Turkey.
- It constitutes a tiny fraction of the total production cost of a bullet.
This shift happened before the current tariff situation and is not driving pricing pressure today.
Smokeless Powder: A Domestic Supply Concern
There has been a domesticshortage of smokeless powder for over two years. It’s not an import issue, as most powder is produced in the U.S., but it could impact prices if the supply tightens further.
So far:
- Prices for powder have recently risen by about 15% this year.
- Ammo prices haven’t moved, thanks to careful inventory management and domestic sourcing.
The bottom line is that it’s a known factor, but it hasn’t driven price increases yet.
Manufacturers Have Tried to Raise Prices, and It Hasn’t Stuck
Ammo producers have made several attempts over the past two years to raise prices. But in every instance, the market rejected those increases. Unless there’s a real, sustained shift in cost structures (which hasn’t happened yet), price hikes are unlikely to take hold. For the last year, ammo prices have gone lower, not higher.
The Real Threat? Panic Buying
The only real risk to price stability is consumer-driven: panic buying. If fear over tariffs or other rumors triggers a run on ammo, it could lead to short-term shortages and price spikes. That’s not supply-chain driven, it’s behavioral economics at play. Stay calm. Stay informed. And buy smart.
No Reason to be Tariff-ied
Despite international tension and economic noise, the American ammo market remains strong, stable, and domestic. At Ammunition Depot, we’re monitoring the landscape closely, and we see no legitimate reason to expect a rise in prices driven by tariffs or supply chain issues.
So no, you don’t need to be “tariff-ied.”
We’ll continue doing what we’ve done since 2011: delivering great ammo at fair prices, with fast shipping and the industry’s best service.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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US Cartridge 9mm 115 Gr +P Nosler JHP (200 Rounds) | Ammunition Depot | $ 99.99 $ 64.99 |
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US Cartridge 9mm 124 Gr FMJ (200 Round) | Ammunition Depot | $ 79.99 $ 48.99 |
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US Cartridge 9mm 147 Grain +P Nosler JHP (200 Rounds) | Ammunition Depot | $ 82.99 $ 64.99 |
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US Cartridge 5.56 77 Gr Sierra MatchKing OTM (200 Round Bulk) | Ammunition Depot | $ 204.99 $ 163.69 |
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Buy it cheap stack it deep
Powder may be manufactured domestically but what about the raw material nitrocellulose? I hear there is a new U.S. source that will come online in about 2 years from now. But in the mean time … ?
powder prices are way down from what they were through the scamdimic
Was never about the tariffs for ammo, I’m concerned about the same precious metals used in ammo are used to manufacture chips, EV’s and AI. That can run the costs up in no time. I’ve noticed the ammo sales look like regular prices in many areas. Thankfully, in West Virginia we have no sale tax on guns and ammo and that is helping us save some money.
Defensive shooters should consider ammo discipline. Crack marksmanship is wonderful but not required for close quarter activity.
I have gotten a couple of “scare mails ” from a couple of on line dealers
This country should not have to worry about overseas markets for things required for defense. A nation should be as self sufficient as possible. This country is blessed with an abundance of raw materials and barring that scrap material that ends up in a landfill. The country used to have a law that no industrial product needed for defense should be made overseas. Greed became a priority and the Congress let our country become de-industrialized.
So… Trump’s strategy is to level the playing field… and make it feasible to manufacture ‘stuff’ in the US. What’s not to like about THAT? Jobs, better wages, less dependance on the ‘good “D’s” buddy China for everything from pharmaceuicals to pocket knives and aircraft parts. Whining about tariff’s is for meatheads who have their heads in a dark, smelly place.
I dunno, I buy a lot of S&B, Norma, PPU, PMC, Igman, and others because they’re generally cheaper than Winchester or Remington or Blazer to feed my .308, my Enfield, my M57 (Tokarev) & CZ52, my Makarov & CZ82, my M70 (.32 ACP), my 8mm Mauser, my SKSs, and all my .380s. Hell, you can’t even find American-made 7.62x25mm Tokarev or 9mm Makarov anymore and I’m sure not looking forward to paying $40+ for a box of Prvi Tok ammo!
Magtech, imported.
Sellior/Bellot, imported.
Fiocchi, some imported, some made here.
PMC, imported.
Wolf, imported.
IWI, imported.
Aquila, imported
That’s a lot of imported ammo, and isn’t a fraction of the imported brands.
In my experience, Fiocchi’s the only good imported ammo.