And you thought finding ammo was bad now.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnew...melting-plant-to-impact-ammunition-production

EPA Closure of Last Lead Smelting Plant to Impact Ammunition Production

Seriously where's the lead for ammo going to come from now?

 

The same place that batteries & electronics get their lead from.

 

Wonder if this is why the gubment was buying up ammo like crazy for the last few years...

 

Considering that most ammo manufacturers get their lead stock from lead recycling plants, this is just more fearmongering. The closed plant in question was an ore processor, not a recycling processor.

 

Proof that they bought any more then before? Our PD bought the same amount every year about 700# worth.

 

Google, they have bought more than they have in years past. I'm not putting on my tinfoil hat and saying they're reasonsible for the ammo shortage but the quantity purchased as risen in the last few years. Maybe not 'buying ammo like crazy' but increased ammo purchasing would be a better term

 

U still mad Bro?

The article explains that, but losing the ability to produce lead in this country leaves us dependent on other countries for the product. Which can and will impact supply.

Fear mongering? Maybe. Dismiss it if you want.

 

This.
The lead market doesn't seem to care....

 

It's a non-issue for ammo.

 

I'd like to understand why you guy's think this way. Can you explain?

 

Why would you think there's a problem?

When was the last time you saw a battery shortage? Never.....

 

If you're that paranoid, then start reloading

 

Common household batteries have gotten away from using lead. I'm sure some still do but it's not as common as you'd think. I'm pretty sure Duracell no longer uses lead in their batteries any longer for one. Besides, I can put a lot more lead down range in one trip to the gun club than would be in the number of AA or AAA batteries you'd consume in a year.

I think something like 99% of lead used on construction sites is recycled so it makes sense that ammo would be the same way.

 

Simple economics thinking says any pinch or shortage in the supply of commodities needed for producing a certain product, will impact the price and availability of that product.

So lead bullets are made from recycled lead batteries, when new lead for the batteries becomes more difficult or expensive to obtain, then there's more competition for the recycled lead. Even if 100% of existing lead is recycled 100% of the time, (which we know isn't true) you'll still end up with shortages as more people enter the marketplace for lead based products. I imagine all lead products could see an increase in price.

Why because the lead used in making reloading bullets falls outside of the marketplace for other lead products?

 

I heard this the other day from my brother ....

Sounds like lead will be exported to be smelted then reimported to make bullets

 

Because the lead smelting plants used for 99% of new lead items are located in Canada and Mexico. Lead recycling is largely done in the US. Projectiles/bullets are made from RECYCLED lead. Friends of mine in the ammo industry have confirmed that this will not affect their production of ammo what-so-ever. This will not impact our ammo supply in the least and stories like this are blatant fear mongering. Any ammo shortages that we experiences will be due in large part to artificial buyer panic just like it is every year.

 

Well if your brother said it then it must be accurate.

 

Well only time will tell. Having to import lead from other countries opens the industry to more Govt regulation via things like import tariffs and material bans.

I think it's being shortsighted and naive to declare now that this will have no effect on ammo production what so ever, and your friends in the ammo industry should welcome the fear mongering as it drives up demand for their product.

 

is the plant/smelter location toxic? i mean, the plant closes, they cant build a preschool on the plot can they?

it cant be cost effective operating under the scrutiny of environmental watch groups.

 

You clearly are going to think whatever you want despite fact so I'm not going to attempt to convince you otherwise. Perhaps I can interest you on a good deal on a lead foil hat before prices skyrocket?