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From SGAmmo – Another Ammo Shortage
News from Shotshow 2024: I just got home from 4 days in Las Vegas at the shotshow, where I met with the people from the factories we work with, factory sales people, factory directors and owners, importers, etc.
The big point of discussion seemed to be shortness in supply for nitrocellulose, which is the raw material used to make gunpowder and other propellants and explosives. Based on these conversations, the issue seems to be based on 2 factors, decreased availability in the supply chain and increased demand for the manufacturing of military ordnance.
Getting into the details and a little more, a huge percentage of the nitrocellulose used to make gunpowder historically came from China and Russia, however according to my conversations with industry partners, the Chinese manufacturers who historically were the biggest suppliers at over 30% of the market share are no longer willing to ship raw nitrocellulose to the USA or NATO member countries in attempt to reduce the USA & NATO’s ability to supply Ukrainian forces with artillery shells, and of course Russia who historically was the 2nd biggest supplier is out of the supply chain as well.
This decrease in supply in raw material has gunpowder manufacturers in the USA raising prices dramatically and cutting off many of the smaller ammo manufacturers.
The 2nd part of this issue is the demand for military ordnance, like 155mm artillery shells that use huge quantities gunpowder propellants, and the gunpowder manufacturers switching production to this type of gunpowder with what supply of nitrocellulose they do get.
The first reason is that they always put the US government’s needs before those of the commercial market, and the second reason is that it is simply much more profitable to manufacturer military ordnance than it is small caliber ammunition, so they get a much more profitable price manufacturing powder for artillery shells.
In conclusion, while most of the factories seem to have gunpowder stockpiled today, this issue is expected to catch up to them no later than the summer of 2024 and possibly within a few months, and when it does it will mean the factories will be capable of producing much less small caliber ammunition to sell to the US commercial market.
If demand for ammo is low to moderate, you may not see a big change, but if demand were to go way up as it does periodically, the factories will not be able to ramp up capacity to fill that demand. In my opinion, a lot could go wrong in the commercial ammo supply chain in 2024 and it would be wise to stock up sooner than later as 2024 price increases have just started to set in on just a handful of select items so far, and availability is still good which has held prices down temporarily.
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Its a Ithaca 22 lever action m49
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300 WSM vs 300 Winchester Magnum
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Peruvian Mausers: 1891 and 1909
Hunters are seeing an explosion of rifle models chambered in .350 Legend now that more states have lifted bans on centerfire deer hunting. Here’s a sampling of offerings from most to least expensive.
Several states that had previously not allowed centerfire rifles for deer now permit straight-wall cartridges. Thus, the .350 Legend, introduced in 2019, now has a serious foothold in market—and the rifle models to prove it. It’s tailor-made for light, handy and relatively inexpensive bolt actions, yet is comparatively kind recoil-wise—at least in contrast to the straight-wall rounds such as the .45-70, .444 Marlin, .450 Bushmaster and .458 SOCOM. A typical factory loading—featuring 160- to 180-grain bullets at 2,100 to 2,300 fps—provides plenty of steam for whitetail out to 250 yards.
It’s caught on quickly after three years on the market, and a burgeoning number of rifles chambered to it attest to the fact that several mainstream companies are convinced enough to believe the .350 Legend has the legs to justify chambering so many models for it in such a relatively short time. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there, presented from least expensive to most expensive.
1. Mossberg Super Bantam Scoped Combo
The .350 Legend is a great choice for young hunters because of its low recoil, and Mossberg’s entry-level package gun has a removable spacer in the black synthetic stock so you can change length of pull as the youngster grows. Plus it comes with a 3-9×40 variable scope mounted in Weaver bases, so you don’t have to go hunting for an optic. The Bantam model sports the same 22-inch fluted barrel and spiral-fluted bolt as the standard model, and it also incorporates the excellent Lightning Bolt Action trigger that’s user-adjustable from two to seven pounds. It feeds from a four-round detachable box magazine. $483, Mossberg.com
2. Savage Axis XP Camo
The Axis XP is a .350 Legend that won’t break the bank—a great deal since it comes with a factory-mounted and bore-sighted Weaver 3-9x40mm scope. The 22-inch button-rifled barrel is finished in matte blue, and the stock features a good-looking camo pattern. The rifle feeds from a four-round detachable box magazine. Weight is 6.9 pounds. $509, SavageArms.com
3. Henry H015
Available with a matte steel or highly polished brass frame, this simple yet elegant platform for the .350 Legend features a fully adjustable folding leaf rear sight and brass bead front and are drilled and tapped for scope mounts. The matte steel model features a pistol grip walnut stock and rubber recoil pad. The brass model features a straight wrist. The barrel length is 22 inches. The H015 features an external hammer spur, a non-ejecting case extractor, and a locking lever that can be pivoted right or left to break open the action. $552, HenryUSA.com
4. Mossberg Patriot Walnut
This full-size, classic-style sporter is now chambered in .350 Legend. It’s a good-looking rifle, with walnut stock and a fluted 22-inch barrel as well as a spiral fluted bolt. But it’s not just looks. The barrel is button-rifled and free-floated with a recessed crown, and the company’s Lightning Bolt Action trigger is fantastic, user adjustable from 2 to 7 pounds. The rifle feeds from a four-round detachable box magazine, and Weaver-style bases come with the gun. Weight is seven pounds. $559, Mossberg.com
5. Howa Mini Action
The Mini Action, which is imported from Japan by Legacy Sports, has an action that’s 12 percent shorter than the company’s standard short action. It has cold-hammer-forged 16.25-inch threaded barrel and a synthetic pillar-bedded stock in black, OD green or Kryptek Highlander camo. Overall length is 35.75 inches, and weight is 5.8 pounds. Available with or without a Nikko Stirling scope. starting at $559, HowaUSA.com
6. CVA Cascade
Long associated with single-shot rifles and muzzleloaders, CVA has introduced its first bolt-action centerfire—and in.350 Legend no less. It features a 22-inch barrel in matte blue or flat dark earth Cerakote, and it’s threaded 5/8×24. The bolt has a 70-degree throw, and the rifle has a two-position safety. The Veil Wideland synthetic stock has a Soft Touch finish and is adjustable for length of pull. Those who like shooting with bipods will appreciate the dual front swivel studs. The Cascade is compatible with Savage 110 scope bases, and two-piece Weaver bases ship with the rifle. The rifle feeds from a flush-fit detachable magazine. $658, CVA.com
7. Savage 110 Hog Hunter
Built on the famed 110 action, the Hog Hunter allows you to adjust length of pull to fit the shooter, and it comes standard with Savage’s excellent AccuTrigger. The short 18-inch medium-contour barrel is threaded for a suppressor and comes with a thread cap. Unlike other bolt actions in this list, the Hog Hunter comes with iron sights, and of course it’s drilled and tapped for a scope as well. The oversize bolt handle is built for fast follow-up shots, and the stock is a handsome OD green synthetic. The rifle feeds from a four-round detachable box magazine. Weight is right at 7 pounds. $669, SavageArms.com