Global demand for copper?

War's consumption?

Any ideas?

I'd say mostly the war. A lot of ammo has been expended over the last few years. A lot of lead, copper, brass, primers, powder. Try getting some NATO 5.56mm ammo anywhere. And the primers are used in more than just that ammo.

DOD demand is only one reason.

New OSHA standards are the other. Seems to me we skimmed that topic not too long ago.

Puts a crunch on the ammo mfr's in much the same way Homeland Insecurity requirements put the crunch on the USPS and the airlines for compliance. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Edit: Here's NRA's link. Can't find DOL's action yet

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3164

Price of materials, and inflation. Plain and simple.

I swear I am going to build a mechanical sifter, and start shoveling dirt from my range through it. Melt the lead, and resell it. Its over a dollar a pound. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Thanks..

For that, ya might consider buying bullet molds. I don't think the grade of lead is the same as that of wheel weights for ammo casting; least that's what I understand.

Friend has a 5 gal bucket of wheel weights he made his halibut weights from; told his wife I'd pick up a pick sheet from the recyclers for her.

Check out Corbin swaging equipment <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I stopped by his outfit once. He's an extremely nice guy. Showed me everything he had including prototypes and original designs not seen outside his factory.

Also, try Nosler for factory seconds. I've been to their plant. All WWII presses, running at about a million miles an hour. Those things are massive and amazing-looking.

>>>*There are a lot of reasons, all tied together but in a way that might look unrelated.

The real underlying cost is fuel. This has caused inflation upticks with many goods and it comes right down the line to everything from manufacturing to transport to raw materials. We are looking at pallet costs from Argentina up 100%, out of Australia it is 130%.

Interesting right now is farm land values skyrocketing and home prices falling? Food prices are way up at the wholesale level of course. This means farmers pack on debt, debt costs money and that increases prices. Very low interest rates but an inflationary cycle at the same time? With 25% of capital investment in this Nation from foreign sources?

Hooo..boy!

It all adds up, at every level. Ammunition, too.

The good thing about ammo is this: It you really DO need to shoot something, you only need one bullet....*LOL**...

*Well, I thought so until the other day I missed a Coyote that was after one of my Cats, clean as a whistle. I was on him until he ran behind my truck, I didn't want a hole in my truck so I waited. I had maybe six feet to get on him again as he ran out into the brush, and he was in 6th gear by then.

Yep. Missed.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />..and I almost NEVER miss..Well...*getting older here......*EB

Increased demand for ammo due to war, but more importantly a significant increase in demand for metals in general, most often blamed on China and to some extent India. And yes, transportation costs due to fuel increases. It all adds up.

Fortunately I have something like 14K rounds of a few common calibers stashed, most I paid was 18 cents/round. That way I can buy an M14 (like I just did) without stressing about .308 ammo costs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No justice. My fave unobtainable long gun, and I can't get one. Got a gearshift on it?