Question : Would you buy locally made Ammo?

[DraxTheDad]

I'm considering, already started the paperwork with the government, to get my FFL and authorized to manufacture and sell ammo.   The question is, do you think people are willing to buy locally made Ammo?   I know price will always be an issue, but my goal is to build quality ammo and make a little profit.

I have read that a lot of the big name ammo companies have been purchased by the Chinese and thus looking to start another American only Ammo company.

Any thoughts?  

[RED333]

1 hour ago, CylonGlitch said:

I know price will always be an issue, but my goal is to build quality ammo and make a little profit.

I am guessing you have a line on compensates in bulk, and I mean in the 100,000 s amounts.

You will have to offer price per round more than a few cents lower than what in on line now.

[i1afli]

I’ve bought plenty of bagged ammo at gun shows and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again if the price is right. 

Edited September 16 by i1afli

[Alleycat72]

The big thing is getting the forklift in and out of Ft Campbell after loading all of that brass by the ton auctions. 

[Darrell]

Bear in mind that you'll need a good supply of projectiles, powder and primers. Seeing how difficult it is to obtain primers, in particular, you should be sure that you have a committed supplier. A second thing to consider is liability insurance. It might make sense to talk to an insurer before committing too much time and money.

Good luck with your project!

Edited September 16 by Darrell

[leroy]

I think there is always a ready market for quality products.  Look at Georgia Arms and Precision Delta as examples.  They have a loyal and dedicated following...

Best of luck..!

leroy...

[Grayfox54]

Its going to depend on the quality and that's likely going to be word of mouth advertising. Make good stuff and word gets around, you'll do well. Otherwise, its a crap shoot. 

Looks will be important. If its nicely packaged and looks professional, it has a chance. Loose rounds in zip-lock bags? I wouldn't buy it. 

I inherited a bunch of local gun show ammo when a dear friend passed. While some of it looked decent enough, it turned out to be garbage.  Very inconsistent and some were seriously overcharged/undercharged to the point of being dangerous. I ended up breaking most of it down for components. 

Frankly, I won't spend money or take a risk on unknown ammo. 

Good luck. You're gonna need it. 

 

[chances R]

Personally, I don’t buy from gun shows.  Blowing yourself up or a gun is not the way to save money.  Some long standing reman companies are different.  A smaller one here in Knoxville, Parabellum ammo makes quality ammo but now no longer sells to individuals.  

[DraxTheDad]

On 9/16/2024 at 8:28 PM, chances R said:

Parabellum ammo makes quality ammo but now no longer sells to individuals.  

This is the kind of thing that I have seen a lot of going on.   They get a government contract or sold off to another government and the general population doesn't get decent ammo.  Thus another part of why I think I would like to deliver something to the community to make sure that it is good, quality, and try to be as competitive to the price as possible.   

From what I'm seeing, it sounds like there is some trepidation because of price.  I can't promise to beat all prices, often that is outside of my control, especially before getting everything established..  But I can focus on quality. 

Not super expensive to break into the industry, I need to get the FFL first, and that isn't too hard, just a lot of paperwork, but even that is manageable.  

Thanks for the feedback, from everyone, not making any promises yet, there is a lot of work to be done first, but I'm working on it.

 

[LangdoniousRex]

Now is a terrible time to just get into any new consumer product business. All of the small ammo outfits have been aggressively slashing prices and running sales longer the past few months. Unless you have signed contracts to produce and get paid consistently, relying on retail consumption is a huge risk. There is a reason that places like Parabellum do what they do: it's called survival.

[Defunct Ammo]

2 hours ago, LangdoniousRex said:

Now is a terrible time to just get into any new consumer product business. All of the small ammo outfits have been aggressively slashing prices and running sales longer the past few months. Unless you have signed contracts to produce and get paid consistently, relying on retail consumption is a huge risk. There is a reason that places like Parabellum do what they do: it's called survival.

I agree wholeheartedly. This is a very bad time indeed. But that wouldn't stop me and probably some others on here from buying a box or two when CylonGlitch starts production. Especially for many folk such as myself who like to support local businesses.

Edited September 18 by Defunct Ammo

[chances R]

What type equipment do you have in mind?

[DraxTheDad]

Looking at the Mark 7, or the newer Genesys (not yet available but by the time I get everything setup, it should be).

[Gemoose23]

I suggest doing a visit to Mark 7 Reloading at their Florida facility.  As a commercial loader you will want to know who you are dealing with and when stoppages occurs how the process is to get you back up and running, they also provide training on site as well.

I have been a Mark 7 press and autodrive user from the early stages of their development, but I am just a hobbyist reloader.

Locally, I know zeroed ammunition runs Mark 7 Presses as well in their operation, might be worth a chat for your knowledge gathering. 

[Grayfox54]

Being unfamiliar with Mark 7 products, I googled them. This doesn't look too good. 

https://publicjuris.com/mark-7-reloading-lawsuit/

The article also points out the complexity of the laws regarding reloading. 

[Gemoose23]

On 9/19/2024 at 2:21 PM, CylonGlitch said:

Looking at the Mark 7, or the newer Genesys (not yet available but by the time I get everything setup, it should be).

This is my Mark 7 Evolution press running my match ammo for this weekend.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAYs2-luRPT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

 

 

[deerslayer]

On 9/25/2024 at 9:14 AM, Gemoose23 said:

I suggest doing a visit to Mark 7 Reloading at their Florida facility.  As a commercial loader you will want to know who you are dealing with and when stoppages occurs how the process is to get you back up and running, they also provide training on site as well.

I have been a Mark 7 press and autodrive user from the early stages of their development, but I am just a hobbyist reloader.

Locally, I know zeroed ammunition runs Mark 7 Presses as well in their operation, might be worth a chat for your knowledge gathering. 

I had Zeroed Ammunition in mind after reading the first post.  A friend shoots a lot of their ammo in USPSA matches.  They make good stuff.  If I got sick of reloading, I would use their ammo.  

Edited September 26 by deerslayer

[pop pop]

I would for practice. I have purchased Alabama Brand reloads for practice and they have been quality. Not sure they are still in business. Would not purchase it for S D purposes. Would stay with name brands for S D purposes. 

[Jpoc700]

Tuff business I have supported some but others not a chance in hell.

[et45]

It’s not an easy business to break into unless you have the money and connections with primer and powder wholesalers.Case in point in the Chattanooga area I had a friend who tried it with under $10K invested,he failed in no small part to the run on components in 2020 but North Ga Reloading is still going strong with 2 or 3 stores in the area.

[chances R]

Parabellum ammo in Knoxville makes good ammo…. But has gone to commercial accounts only now.

 

[JustEd]

Before you invest your retirement savings. Start off  with a more modest investment in equipment. See if your product sells  at gun shows and by word of mouth. Go from there

personally , I would not be attracted to what you describe. Doesn’t mean others will have the same opinion

Good Luck

[DraxTheDad]

17 hours ago, JustEd said:

Before you invest your retirement savings. Start off  with a more modest investment in equipment. See if your product sells  at gun shows and by word of mouth. Go from there

Thanks for the feedback, and not really much of a life's savings but more of a hobby savings.   So not really too worried there.     

 

Good thought on getting it into gun shows; not a bad idea.

 

Thanks.

[Grayfox54]

52 minutes ago, CylonGlitch said:

Good thought on getting it into gun shows; not a bad idea.

Absolutely. A good friend of mine had a bullet casting business for years. He set up at every gun show within reasonable distance. People bought them, liked them and started coming to him for all their bullets. 

[gregintenn]

There is a guy on another forum I frequent who makes and sells what I'd consider high end, custom handgun ammunition. It appears to me that he stays busy. He casts his own projectiles. The reports from customers have been positive.

Something like this seems promising, but I don't see how a one man show could beat Walmart/Academy etc. on cheap range ammo.