BlackSheepBrass
Regular
- Location
- Cobourg, Ontario
**** Updated 1 April 2020**********
Just to update everyone, I was talking to some of my contacts today. It seems like the only ammunition that "may" be imported into Canada in the next 6 - 9 months may be PMC from Korea. Everyone I am talking to in my industry in the USA is saying that they are back ordered until at least 4th quarter 2020 on all components, and that may push into 2021 based on how this situation continues to evolve.
The order in which things are dealt with will allow you to extrapolate a bit of a timeline on when you may see reasonably priced components come back into Canada.
US Military
US LEO / Government Agencies
US Tier one OEM Commercial (Federal, Winchester, Etc.)
US Tier two OEM (Grind Hard ammo as an example)
US Remanufactuers
US Consumer Reloaders
We will see ammunition coming back into Canada consistently between tier two manufactures and US remanufacturers. Once US consumer reloaders have a steady supply of components, they will look back to export markets.
************************************ Original Post**************************************
I will warn you all in advance that this is a bit of a rant. But hopefully it will give you some perspective from the Canadian Manufacturing Industry side of things. This is me not asking for a pity party, this me just trying to shed some light on a rather opaque industry.
Over the past few years the influx of extremely inexpensive ammunition from the United States and other locations has created a bit of a false economy in regards to ammunition prices. The beneficiaries of this situation where obviously consumers with lots of availability at prices that even commercial re-manufactures in Canada have a hard time assembling the ammunition for. We are now seeing the consequences of this (or will shortly).
The causative factors that lead the these extremely low prices included:
These factors contributed to this near perfect storm for ammunition manufacturers within Canada. Unfortunately it caused some shops to close. All the manufacturers in Canada that I have spoken to, all have heard the same line from consumers and retailers, the statement is roughly as follows. "Lower your prices and we will buy more from you." If it was only as simple as that it would have been done.
I will use my business as an illustrative model. I personally have about $500,000 in equipment sitting in my shop. I have to make payments on equipment, cover overhead expenses, and actually buy brass. If I don't sell $10,000 a month in brass minimum to commercial loaders and consumers, I lose money. It is that simple.
Over the next few weeks ammunition from the USA will begin to dry up due and prices will begin climb significantly due to these factors and others:
I deal with a few American reloading companies, and they are running 24/7 and they cannot get more components, the supplies are depleted. These guys are not small shops either, I am talking 10 - 15 million rounds a month. They have buying power, and it is just not available.
I am lucky as I don't count on the business for income, as I would have lost my house long ago. I got into this because I had a passion, I saw an opportunity and I had the ability to make a move. I will not recommend any specific ammunition manufacturer in Canada, do your research, talk to them, but please do not waste their time. But maybe instead consider buying remanufactured or new Canadian ammunition. It may cost you a few dollars more, but you aren't giving your money to faceless corporation. You are circulating your money in the Canadian economy, and at this time that is probably the best thing you can do for everyone.
Just some food for thought.
Brian
Black Sheep Brass
******** Updated Information ***********
I do not sell assembled ammunition - I only sell brass shell casings. To find an exhaustive list of who is legally allowed to manufacture ammunition for sale within Canada follow these instructions below.
To access the Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) Registry of all who is permitted to manufacturer ammunition within Canada. Go to this website and select classification "C.1 - Small arms cartridges" from the first drop down menu
CLICK HERE
Ammunition Manufacturers by Province (That I am aware of). Some may be now defunct, I try and keep apprised of who is who in the zoo. If you don't see someone you know is operational, or you see someone who is now defunct please let me know.
British Columbia
Custom Reloading Service - Maple Ridge
Sterling Cross - Abbotsford
Alberta
Canadian BDX - Black Diamond
Wasp Munitions - Sylvan Lake
Western Metal - Calgary
Saskatchewan
Nil
Manitoba
Score - Carberry - Shotgun Only
Ontario
Custom Bullets & Ammunition - Cambridge
Wolf Bullets - Kingston
Quebec
Centaure Industries Ltd. - Laval
Challenger - Saint Justine de Newton - Shotgun Only
Maritimes
NIL
NON OPERATIONAL / LIMITED CONSUMER SALES / AWAITING UPDATES
IVI /GD (General Dynamics) does not do consumer sales, if there is a break in military production then they may operate on contract for a commercial entity.
X-Metal has no plans to load ammunition as of right now,they will not be added to the list.
Just to update everyone, I was talking to some of my contacts today. It seems like the only ammunition that "may" be imported into Canada in the next 6 - 9 months may be PMC from Korea. Everyone I am talking to in my industry in the USA is saying that they are back ordered until at least 4th quarter 2020 on all components, and that may push into 2021 based on how this situation continues to evolve.
The order in which things are dealt with will allow you to extrapolate a bit of a timeline on when you may see reasonably priced components come back into Canada.
US Military
US LEO / Government Agencies
US Tier one OEM Commercial (Federal, Winchester, Etc.)
US Tier two OEM (Grind Hard ammo as an example)
US Remanufactuers
US Consumer Reloaders
We will see ammunition coming back into Canada consistently between tier two manufactures and US remanufacturers. Once US consumer reloaders have a steady supply of components, they will look back to export markets.
************************************ Original Post**************************************
I will warn you all in advance that this is a bit of a rant. But hopefully it will give you some perspective from the Canadian Manufacturing Industry side of things. This is me not asking for a pity party, this me just trying to shed some light on a rather opaque industry.
Over the past few years the influx of extremely inexpensive ammunition from the United States and other locations has created a bit of a false economy in regards to ammunition prices. The beneficiaries of this situation where obviously consumers with lots of availability at prices that even commercial re-manufactures in Canada have a hard time assembling the ammunition for. We are now seeing the consequences of this (or will shortly).
The causative factors that lead the these extremely low prices included:
- Reasonable exchange rates
- Huge inventory surplus that was as a result of the Clinton / Trump election
- Reduced American military usage
- A race to the bottom with some retailers using 9mm and .223 Remington as a "loss leader" (They sell a product below their actual cost including overhead, wages and shipping) to get you in the door on the hopes that you will buy a gun to go with it.
- A consumer demand for the absolute "cheapest" ammunition that values nothing but the cost.
These factors contributed to this near perfect storm for ammunition manufacturers within Canada. Unfortunately it caused some shops to close. All the manufacturers in Canada that I have spoken to, all have heard the same line from consumers and retailers, the statement is roughly as follows. "Lower your prices and we will buy more from you." If it was only as simple as that it would have been done.
I will use my business as an illustrative model. I personally have about $500,000 in equipment sitting in my shop. I have to make payments on equipment, cover overhead expenses, and actually buy brass. If I don't sell $10,000 a month in brass minimum to commercial loaders and consumers, I lose money. It is that simple.
Over the next few weeks ammunition from the USA will begin to dry up due and prices will begin climb significantly due to these factors and others:
- Extremely high demand within the American market (We are a secondary market and are only serviced after American demand is met)
- CAD vs USD losing 15% over the past week (and it will get worse)
- Restrictions at border
- Component factory closures internationally for the foreseeable future
I deal with a few American reloading companies, and they are running 24/7 and they cannot get more components, the supplies are depleted. These guys are not small shops either, I am talking 10 - 15 million rounds a month. They have buying power, and it is just not available.
I am lucky as I don't count on the business for income, as I would have lost my house long ago. I got into this because I had a passion, I saw an opportunity and I had the ability to make a move. I will not recommend any specific ammunition manufacturer in Canada, do your research, talk to them, but please do not waste their time. But maybe instead consider buying remanufactured or new Canadian ammunition. It may cost you a few dollars more, but you aren't giving your money to faceless corporation. You are circulating your money in the Canadian economy, and at this time that is probably the best thing you can do for everyone.
Just some food for thought.
Brian
Black Sheep Brass
******** Updated Information ***********
I do not sell assembled ammunition - I only sell brass shell casings. To find an exhaustive list of who is legally allowed to manufacture ammunition for sale within Canada follow these instructions below.
To access the Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) Registry of all who is permitted to manufacturer ammunition within Canada. Go to this website and select classification "C.1 - Small arms cartridges" from the first drop down menu
CLICK HERE
Ammunition Manufacturers by Province (That I am aware of). Some may be now defunct, I try and keep apprised of who is who in the zoo. If you don't see someone you know is operational, or you see someone who is now defunct please let me know.
British Columbia
Custom Reloading Service - Maple Ridge
Sterling Cross - Abbotsford
Alberta
Canadian BDX - Black Diamond
Wasp Munitions - Sylvan Lake
Western Metal - Calgary
Saskatchewan
Nil
Manitoba
Score - Carberry - Shotgun Only
Ontario
Custom Bullets & Ammunition - Cambridge
Wolf Bullets - Kingston
Quebec
Centaure Industries Ltd. - Laval
Challenger - Saint Justine de Newton - Shotgun Only
Maritimes
NIL
NON OPERATIONAL / LIMITED CONSUMER SALES / AWAITING UPDATES
IVI /GD (General Dynamics) does not do consumer sales, if there is a break in military production then they may operate on contract for a commercial entity.
X-Metal has no plans to load ammunition as of right now,they will not be added to the list.
Last edited:
). First cold snap of the season would thankfully lead to more than a few battery sales and with any luck a new set of wipers to go with it. Then one day I remember my dad telling me that the new Price Club store (now Costco ) was selling cases of oil for cheaper than he could buy it for. So his customers drove an hour to save $5 on a case of oil. My dad never blamed them, how could you? Things change. But if all consumers ever consider is finding the cheapest price then don’t be surprised if you end up gutting your own local economy...the garage owner buying his oil at Price Club saves $5 on a case of oil but a few months later wonders why the parts guy that worked for my dad no longer takes his car in to him to get serviced..turns out that guy moved because my dad couldn’t afford to keep him on. So many consumers haven’t got a clue how hard it is for a small business to keep the lights on day to day - I applaud Black Sheep Brass for giving an honest glimpse into the realities they face. 
