A 500-round container of ammunition with ten 50-round boxes placed in a 25 configuration is known as a “brick” of 22LR ammunition. A brick of 22 LR may have the same size and shape as a real brick, but it is terrible for building with!
Is it difficult for you to locate a brick of 22 LR ammunition? Raw material scarcity and customer demand are the two main causes.
22 LR Shortages Are Caused by Raw Material Shortages.
Copper and zinc are needed to manufacture the brass used to make the shell casings for 22 LR ammunition, lead is needed to make the rounds, and chemicals are needed to make the propellant and primer compounds. Ammunition producers’ ability to produce suffers when they have trouble obtaining these ingredients.
There have historically been shortages of raw materials during times of war. For instance, the 70,000 tons of copper produced in America in 1939 were completely insufficient to support the war effort. As a result, the American government imposed rations, forced mining companies to concentrate on copper production by temporarily stopping gold mining, and eventually imported copper from other nations.
An equivalent shortage of raw supplies was brought on by the pandemic. Industry executives revealed that government-imposed lockdowns decreased global copper production by over 500,000 metric tons during the 2021 World Copper Conference. This resulted in a 15% decrease in copper production for the worst-affected nations.
Obviously, different factors contribute to the scarcity of raw materials during conflict and lockdowns: Lockdowns prevent us from manufacturing raw materials, but war pushes us to use more of them. However, the impact on the manufacture of ammunition is the same regardless of the cause of the raw material scarcity.
Increased Demand Causes 22 LR Shortages
In response to significant upheavals, demand for 22 LR ammunition—as well as all other kinds of ammunition—usually increases. Increased demand from American consumers who (justifiably) anticipate the next administration to take a negative attitude towards gun ownership can be expected when a democrat saunters into the Oval Office.
As soon as Barack Obama became president, Americans purchased a ton of ammunition. Then, during the Covid pandemic that followed Biden’s election, Americans made the largest number of firearm purchases in human history.
Of course, there were other factors contributing to the rise in demand for 22 LR ammunition as well. Many Americans made sure they have the necessary defense tools after the recent surge of public unrest and calls to “defund the cops.” themselves. Even though 22 LR isn’t the most widely used self-defense alternative, those who had no prior firearms knowledge frequently choose it because of its affordable pricing and mild recoil. As a result, we observed a large number of people purchasing additional 22 LR guns and ammunition in response to the nonviolent protests that corresponded with totally unconnected instances of looting, vandalism, and burning.
22LR for Preparedness
However, while 22 LR is debatably effective for self-defense, it is without a doubt fantastic for varmint hunting. The prepper and survivalist movement enters the picture at this point.
If you believe that civilization is about to collapse, you should have lots of weapons on hand to combat the Mad Max hordes that will soon begin roaming the countryside. But you still need to eat, so you shouldn’t spend your larger, more expensive cartridges going for “single-serving” animals like raccoons, squirrels, and crows.
In other words, not only were more people concerned about their own safety, but there was also a significant increase in the demand for 22 LR ammo recently they could always put dinner on the table.
Relax, 22 LR is here to stay.
To be honest, there has always been a big market for 22 LR ammunition. The 22 LR is excellent for target shooting and varmint hunting because of its inexpensive cost, light recoil, and soft report. Even more restrictive national governments often have no issues with their citizens having it because it serves no useful military purpose. The 22 LR cartridge is the most widely used in the world because of this!
That’s ultimately excellent news because the persistent and high demand for 22 LR will guarantee that it will always be produced, at least in part. Take courage, even if you might not be able to locate the 22 LR bricks you require right now. More 22 LR ammunition is constantly available.
