Ammunition and the looming tariffs

cessna172

cessna172

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Here is a list of ammunition manufacturers that well sourced Canadian retailers carry. I have included for each the place of manufacture:

1) Aguila - Mexico. 2) American Eagle - USA, Minnesota. 3) Barnaul - Russia. 4) Barnes - USA, Utah. 5) Browning - Serbia, Turkey, Portugal, USA. 6) Federal - USA, Minnesota. 7) FN - Belgium. 8) Frontier Cartridge - USA , Nebraska & Missouri. 9) Geco - Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Hungary, Luxembourg. 10) Hornady - USA, Nebraska. 11) HSM - USA, Montana. 12) Lapua - Finland, Germany. 13) Magtech - Brazil & Europe. 14) MFS - Hungary. 15) Norinco - China. 16) Norma - Sweden, Hungary, USA. 17) Nosler - USA, Oregon. 18) Noveske - USA, Oregon. 19) PMC - South Korea. 20) PRVI Partizan PPU - Serbia. 21) Remington - USA, Arkansas. 22) Ruag - Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Austria, USA. 23) RWS - Germany. 24) Sako - Finland. 25) Sellier& Bellot - Czech Republic. 26) Sierra - USA, Missouri. 27) Sig.Sauer - USA, Arkansas. 28) Speer - USA, Idaho. 29) Velo - USA, South Carolina. 30) Weatherby - USA, Wyoming. 31) Winchester - USA, Illinois, Mississippi.

I researched this list when I was wondering about what a 25% tariff might do to our ammunition prices. First, I was stunned to realize that Canada has no ammo manufacturers at all. (The General Dynamics facility devoted to military munitions doesn't count). Of the 31 companies supplying ammo to our recreational shooters, fully half of them are based in the USA. Canada now has a population of over 40 million people, i would have thought this population base could support at least one ammunition manufacturer. Comments?
 
That is indeed weird that we don’t even have one!
I reload 90% of my ammo, and I’m happy to use euro ammo if available!
But components are also made in USA for lots of it!
 
Someone needs to start an ammunition business in Canada.... make some decent ammo and undercut everyone else's prices since they wouldn't have to deal with import fees.

Does Canada have any powder/primer/brass manufacturers to source from? I wonder.
 
Wish we had all supported C-I-L back when they were making quality ammunition in Canada ,instead of buying U.S. made .:)
 
fred0000 said:
Score and Challenger shotgun shells are canadian
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Yup. I think Score is in Manitoba whereas Challenger is in Quebec.

Score slugs and buckshot are my go-to rounds. The quality really matches and in some cases far exceeds some of US ammunition brands. I may be wrong, but it SEEMS like to me that Score may actually be supplying the ammo to the US company Mili (I could be wrong) and the rounds are rebranded - I swear it's the same stuff... Regardless, if ever there is a sale on Score, I always buy it - it's Canadian, but the quality and value are great.

I would love to see more prominent Canadian manufacturers of centerfire ammo (CIL is long gone), but just like firearms, it's a much smaller audience and user base and with a massive neighbour to the south for which they essentially have the market cornered for firearms and ammo, it would be a steep barrier to enter. Plus, at present, it's not like the socio-political climate is conducive to new firearms and ammunition related companies.

Personally, tarriff or no tarriff, I will continue to buy what my guns like, and the only impact of pricing is the quantity I end up buying. The secondary market always has bargoons to be had, and the great thing is, if taken care of even remotely well, ammo can and will last for decades.
 
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I've had good success with tge European brands , S & B, PRIVI to be exact.
The Privi blue box rifle line is really nice.
The European ammo is always $6-$50 less per box as a bonus.
I watched a video about S&B manufacturing. Tight quality control at every step.
 
I'd suggest that ammo that comes from my reloading press is Made-in-Canada, but there is the question of powder, primers, brass, and bullet sourcing. Brass is usually making another trip through but as far as I know all of the components originate outside Canada.

That does raise the point that the factory that makes ammo probably trucks in the powder from somewhere else, maybe primers and other bits too.

Buy enough ammo that your grandkids will eventually be wondering what to do with all of it!
 
fred0000 said:
Score and Challenger shotgun shells are canadian
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True but I suspect their components all come from outside Canada, over the past couple years I have bought Clever, Estate, Federal Top Gun and Winchester Super Target 12ga target loads cheaper that you could buy Challenger or Score, we buy in volume through the gun club and go through about 250 flats a year.
 
struff55 said:
powder is made in canada then shipped to the usa then packaged in the usa then sold on retail shelves in canada
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Exactly and we pay for it, challenger and score should be able to buy direct from the manufacturer in Canada and for all intensive purposes get powder much cheaper, that doesn't reflect in their pricing though
 
Trump's 25% tariff has nothing to do with ammo we buy from USA. It's more how Trudeau would respond back. Whether it will be 25% or whether ammo will be affected at all - it's up to Canada. I guess all ammo for CAF and LE comes from US, not sure if Canada will tax it.

But if Canadian tariff on ammo will take effect - in a long run it might have a positive effect, as we eventually might buy Canadian-made ammo, since tariff is a common economic tool to develop and protect domestic industries, create jobs, encourage domestic investment etc. Though, to be fare, it must apply on all imported ammo to have any such effect.

I don't think anti-gun Canada is interested in developing and protecting it's own ammo industry, like it happens for dairy. Therefore, if tariffs will ever apply, it will be just a cheap political stunt hurting Canadian consumers and will do nothing good for economy. No one in a right mind will invest in Canadian ammo production plant when those tariffs were just a short term "F U" answer in negotiations with US.
 
thegazelle said:
Score slugs and buckshot are my go-to rounds. The quality really matches and in some cases far exceeds some of US ammunition brands. I may be wrong, but it SEEMS like to me that Score may actually be supplying the ammo to the US company Mili (I could be wrong) and the rounds are rebranded - I swear it's the same stuff... Regardless, if ever there is a sale on Score, I always buy it - it's Canadian, but the quality and value are grat.
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I have Mili and Score side by side and cannot tell the difference by looking and shooting, and have read the same. Slug was accurate for me and was very pleased with the 00 Buck pattern at the distances tested!
 
FatCatsDad said:
I've had good success with tge European brands , S & B, PRIVI to be exact.
The Privi blue box rifle line is really nice.
The European ammo is always $6-$50 less per box as a bonus.
I watched a video about S&B manufacturing. Tight quality control at every step.
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Shhhh don't tell everyone lol it's still affordable and easy to find
 
28 gauge said:
Wish we had all supported C-I-L back when they were making quality ammunition in Canada ,instead of buying U.S. made .:)
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I agree. The old Dominion ammo was as good as any made anywhere. When CIL turned into IVI quality went downhill imo. Dumb to not have domestic supplier of ammunition for our military. One could supply military needs and sell a line of sporting ammunition.
 
Mike, from what I understand, General Dynamics took over the old CIL/IVI plant.They make ammunition for the Canadian Armed Forces,but none for private sale.
 
Rankuwa said:
FH Munitions in Calgary makes .223 and 9mm. Good ammo for the price, bulk quality.
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Yep, good prices on FH ammo and also on some 'regular' brands. Free shipping over $400, just get with some other shooters to get a good price on a case.
 
28 gauge said:
Mike, from what I understand, General Dynamics took over the old CIL/IVI plant.They make ammunition for the Canadian Armed Forces,but none for private sale.
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Didn't know that. Maybe the market is too small with all the outside manufacturers importing sporting ammunition. I've notice European stuff is quite a bargain compared to some American. Like almost half price for Privi.
 
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