Since President Donald Trump’s announcement on April 4 about new tariffs — a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, plus targeted reciprocal tariffs — I’ve seen ammunition retailers talking about how the U.S. ammunition industry could be affected, and downstream, how consumers like you and me would feel the pinch. Certainly we’ll feel it in the cost of firearms and finished products, but I’d guess ammunition manufacturers will get hit hardest because of their reliance on global supply chains for raw materials and components.
According to DetroitAmmoCo.com, an online-only store based in South Lyon, Michigan, “U.S. ammo makers depend heavily on imported metals like brass, copper, lead, and steel, especially for casings, bullet jackets, and projectiles. Tariffs on raw materials (some already as high as 25%) will increase the per-unit cost of production across the board. Brass and copper are essential for casing production — and the U.S. doesn’t mine or refine enough domestically to meet demand. Lead, used in most bullet cores, is often imported due to environmental regulations that have closed many U.S. smelters. Even primer chemicals may be affected if precursor compounds are sourced from overseas.”
The result? The website opined further, saying, “Higher costs to produce even the most basic FMJ rounds, which are the backbone of civilian, law enforcement, and military training.” And the bottom line to consumers will be, “Whether you’re a hunter, a competitive shooter, or someone who keeps a stash for home defense, the downstream effect is the same: Expect ammo prices to climb.”
Likewise, Sam Gabbert, the owner of SGAmmo.com based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, distributed a detailed statement about the effects of the U.S. tariffs on imported ammo. A much longer version is posted on Gun-Tests.com, but here are the highlights:
Gabbert wrote, “Late in the afternoon [on April 4], the U.S. government’s new sweeping tariffs on imports were announced. In my opinion, they were worse than expected regarding what effect this will have on price and supply for ammo in the USA. In short, it is going to drive up prices for the consumer in a dramatic way and totally cut off supply in certain brands over time.” He goes on to talk about PMC from South Korea being hit with a 25% tariff, which would increase the cost of 1000 rounds of 5.56 by about $100. He makes similar points about Prvi Partizan in Serbia (37% tariff), Igman in Bosnia (36% tariff), Sellier & Bellot in the Czech Republic (20% tariff), and Magtech in Brazil (10% tariff).
If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to stock up.
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I’m sure you feel the increased heft of this double issue of Gun Tests. Publishing twice as big but half as often allows us to save money on postage, which we can then put into guns and bullets. I hope these double issues meet with your approval.
— Todd Woodard
