Ammo Costs

Will tariffs affect the availability of ammunition?  Do gun owners need to stock up?

According to a report in Ammoland, most ammunition is manufactured in the United States, so tariffs will not affect them.  There is some foreign manufactured ammunition but it is not a significant amount.

However…

Nitrocellulose is a propellant powder used in ammunition.  It is made by treating cellulose with nitric acid and sulfuric acid.  When ignited, it transforms into a large gas volume, propelling the bullet without much smoke or residue. Its ability to combust rapidly without producing visible smoke makes it ideal for military and industrial applications.

Nitrocellulose components are readily available in the U S A and it is relatively simple to produce.  But its hazardous nature means that only a few companies are qualified to handle its production.  There are very few manufacturers in the U S A.  Such plants are expensive and take time to construct since there are significant safety and environmental concerns.

AmmoLand contributor John Farnam noted that:  at present, the nitrocellulose made in the USA is just enough for our needs; if one of the current nitrocellulose plants were shut down, there would be significant gunpowder shortages in the United States of America.

Who is the largest producer and 2nd largest exporter of Nitrocellulose?  A five letter word that starts with C and ends with A.  It has seen a huge increase in exports to Russia since the Russia-Ukraine War began.

And then there is…

Antimony is a crucial material for hardening lead bullets and creating other munitions.

Antimony is not as critical as the nitrocellulose plants. Only small amounts of antimony are necessary for lead alloys used in bullets. Antimony is a small amount of the cost of ammunition, according to Dan Wolgin, CEO of Ammunition Depot.

But…

The closure of domestic antimony mines in the early 2000s has left the U.S. entirely dependent on foreign sources, with China being the most significant supplier.  As the world’s largest producer of antimony, China accounts for nearly half of global production and supplies 63% of U.S. antimony imports. Antimony plays a vital role in the defense industry, from armor-piercing ammunition to night vision goggles and precision optics. 

Tariffs do not seem to be an ammo supply problem.  But China’s dominance in the production of antimony and nitrocellulose cannot be overstated.  The U S A has the capacity to produce enough ammunition if two vital components are available.