Like the rest of you, I am seeing ammo that sold a year ago for $8.50-$9.50 pr 50 selling for $25-$35 per box and even up to almost a $1 per round. Local shops that I never bought from due to their high prices are now competitive with the online sellers. It seems even worse than it was last time we had an ammo crisis.
I understand shortages will happen in such circumstances and there are always those who will want to profit from the shortages, but lead, copper, brass, propellants haven't suddenly gotten rare; the military hasn't suddenly started buying up vast supplies. It is all happening at the retail level (I think). If that is right, and if there is nothing that makes the manufacture or shipping of the stuff suddenly more expensive, I find myself wondering is where the primary price gouging is coming from? Leaving the inevitable gun broker re-sellers and places like cheaper than dirt out of it, Is it the manufacturer, the distributor or the retailer, or are all of them trying to make some extra money out of the situation?
I suppose it doesn't matter, but I am curious.