Why Ammo Prices Are Soaring Higher And Higher

A year into the pandemic and shooting has just been costing more as ammo prices have skyrocketed. For those who didn’t stock up before the outbreak of the, it has been a case of “pay more” and that is only when ammunition has been available.

Insane Ammo Prices, Explained

Even websites such as CheaperThanDirt.com, which is known as the place to go to find affordable ammunition, have steadily seen an increase in prices in recent months. As of this month, a box of 20 rounds of Wolf Military Classic 7.62x39mm, used in the AK-47, SKS, and other similar “Communist Bloc” small arms, was available for $9.98 or roughly 50 cents a shot.

That could seem like a downright bargain at this point. For those looking for the popular 9mm, a box of 50 rounds FMJ (full metal jacket) 124-grain top quality loads were available for $59.98, or about $1.20 for each round. A 150 round box of Winchester Lake City 5.56 NATO FMJ 55 grains – labeled “Value Pack” seemed anything but – as it was available for $224.89.

Why The Increases? 

The price increase was not about manufacturers attempting to artificially drive up prices. As Outdoor Life reported, it was the opposite, as 2020 represented the absolute manufacturing limit of the firearms industry. A number of factors played a role in driving up prices.