Who else is bothered?

[houligan]

I don't mean to beat this horse to death, but How does anyone know there's NOT enough profit when it's not been tried? What are the costs and the needed tooling up when there again, it hasn't been tried! I DO believe we are all trying to outguess this dilemma. Just what is the difference between the match ammo of the 60's, 70's, and 80's and the ammo these American companies are making today? NO guesswork please, NO "the book say's", but real differences. I must say that I am excited about all the different views on this subject and have enjoyed reading them. Let me interject a little thought for all of us to consider. Hornady makes some fine center-fire ammo and apparently makes a profit on small production amounts. Again, if they can do it, I feel like the others can too.

 

[John1945]

I don't mean to beat this horse to death, but How does anyone know there's NOT enough profit when it's not been tried? What are the costs and the needed tooling up when there again, it hasn't been tried! I DO believe we are all trying to outguess this dilemma. Just what is the difference between the match ammo of the 60's, 70's, and 80's and the ammo these American companies are making today? NO guesswork please, NO "the book say's", but real differences. I must say that I am excited about all the different views on this subject and have enjoyed reading them. Let me interject a little thought for all of us to consider. Hornady makes some fine center-fire ammo and apparently makes a profit on small production amounts. Again, if they can do it, I feel like the others can too.

And just how do you know what these manufacturers looked at? You seem to be saying that if "it hasn't been done" they need to spend all the money and then see if it pays off. Sorry, no businesses work that way. Ever think of "trying it" yourself with your money? These bean counters aren't stupid. If there was a decent ROI (Return On Investment) they would have done it

 

[justinp61]

I've never made rimfire ammo, but have messed with hot rods pretty much all of my life. Going fast to a point is pretty easy, it cost money but not really hard to do. Now when you start wanting to go FAST it gets very expensive, the cost of components goes up drastically, the attention to detail is high, and the quality of machine work matters more. The cost difference between 500hp and 700hp is huge in naturally aspirated engines.

I would imagine making high quality rimfire ammo would require similar steps in components, machinery and manpower to run it. I seriously doubt the equipment being used by US manufactures is capable of maintaining the tolerances required to produce top tier ammo.

This and $5 will buy you a cup of coffee in some places.

 

[TRSR8]

Maybe I missed something, but I have the impression that Eley and Lapua are NOT using different tooling to make different grades of 22 ammo. I understand that they are lot testing and the Tenex, Match, Midas, CenterX and so on are by lot quality. Same machines, same lead, same brass, etc. etc.! Is that impossible for American manufacturers? As someone said above, "if you build a better mouse trap, they will be at your door down to buy it"! It doesn't take long with the internet now for the word to get around. If you grade to higher standards, the word will travel fast. If you grade a lot # to plinking standard, and label it MATCH, that word will get around quick also. If American 22 ammo makers started giving some top ranked shooters free quality graded ammo, like they DO for trap and skeet shooters, people will buy and shoot what they shoot. The ammo makers proved that themselves. I personally know some trap and skeet shooters that are getting target loads FREE, by the skid! If better lot testing will get the job done, DO IT! You DON"T see American clay target shooters shooting foreign shot shells! American made only!

You missed something.
The higher end match ammo is made on dedicated lines with their own tooling.
Last I checked, entire global match ammo revenue is small relative to global business comparisons.
Few would be interested in the cost/benefit equation, the entire domestic equation is driven by mass production/ revenue.