l don't know where the bullet makers are getting their lead from other than recyclers. Last lead mine in North America closed maybe 10yrs back...I did a lot !! or reading today and bottom line is, guess, since covid supply and demand, they said they just can't get the supplies they need to load what they need to load.
The annual output of every custom maker combined wouldn't make a dent in a military contract. Lapua's parent company is a military contractor, and Finland has what you might say is a HEFTY incentive to make sure the eastern Europeans are well armed. The threat (and reality) of Russian invasion is going to trump F class shooters all day long.
Read it on the NET a few yrs back about the last lead mine closing because of new EPA standards. Great news they reopened the mine.l don't know where the bullet makers are getting their lead from other than recyclers. Last lead mine in North America closed maybe 10yrs back...
Don't know where you heard this but I live literally on top of a lead mine and I assure you that most of the mines along the Viburnum trend in Missouri are running 24-7. the biggest problem with lead mining is compliance with the EPA. We also have a large battery/lead recycling plant just a few miles down the road that is operating 3 shifts.
I agree. Who was it that said if we can't take the guns away we will take the ammunition away. With no ammunition the guns are useless?What you're seeing is these companies that were built on supplying niche markets are now doing government contracts and the government contracts are always going to take precedence. I do find it quite interesting.
The only company that I can see that's not taking government contracts is Hornady. Interestingly enough they're the only privately held company. All of the others are corporate entities that are owned by these investment companies. The investment companies are also firmly invested into the companies that they're supplying.
People better wake up. These companies are being vacuumed up into the Borg. Supplying only the Borg. It will simply be a matter of time before they just stop supplying anyone if those investment companies decide that that's what they want to do. And no decisions are not always made on simply what makes money. If that were true most of the government contractors would have been out of business after world war II. It's not capitalism. It's fascism really. It's the merging of the government and private corporations into a single entity and they are controlling the flow of products in every industry. Especially in the firearms industry. You don't have a second amendment if you don't have a way to get a firearm or ammunition.
The annual output of every custom maker combined wouldn't make a dent in a military contract. Lapua's parent company is a military contractor, and Finland has what you might say is a HEFTY incentive to make sure the eastern Europeans are well armed. The threat (and reality) of Russian invasion is going to trump F class shooters all day long.
Thankfully, some of these companies do sell jackets to custom makers. I wish more did, because they're a something of a pain to get. I'm only aware of three sources - J4, Hines, and Sierra, and all of them are good. But if they decided to stop selling jackets, I doubt their businesses would be materially impacted. They're doing it for the good will and marketing more than the money (and it's not that hard, so why not?). So rest assured there are no inferior components. Customs are good because the dies are made with excruciating care, and the hand pulling means you can feel every single one form and cull any weirdness.
Nobody is making custom bullets to get rich. It's a labor of love, and that's why you get so many good options. Financial corners are cut (meaning, we give up money for quality), and most of us could make a good deal more money doing something else. The unsung heroes are the guys making the dies. Now *that* is dedication.
Jackets require expensive machinery to make. Bullets just require a press and a set of dies. The manual assembly and quality of the dies are what make customs so reliable. The jackets are the same as any other match grade jackets.Ive always heard that jackets are the holdup when supplies get short. What is involved in making jackets that stops custom guys making their own jacket? Obviously they are a precision part of the bullet but you guys are overcoming all sorts of issues that contribute to the quality of the finished product already
Then the next thing is steel pin tumbling before reloadingThe next thing ios micro stamping bullets
It was the last smelter that was closed.l don't know where the bullet makers are getting their lead from other than recyclers. Last lead mine in North America closed maybe 10yrs back...
Don't know where you heard this but I live literally on top of a lead mine and I assure you that most of the mines along the Viburnum trend in Missouri are running 24-7. the biggest problem with lead mining is compliance with the EPA. We also have a large battery/lead recycling plant just a few miles down the road that is operating 3 shifts.