It’s 2025, and while the mainstream media obsesses over TikTok bans and recycled climate panic, something far more practical is about to hit hardworking American gun owners where it hurts—the ammo shelf. With President Trump back in office and tariffs flying like brass at a Saturday morning range session, the ammunition market—foreign and domestic—is bracing for impact. And if you think this only affects imported brands, think again. Even American-made rounds are going to feel the squeeze.
Let’s cut through the noise and get to the meat of the matter. Here’s how imported ammo from names like PPU, PMC, Armscor, Aguila, and GGG could soon cost you more. And why the “Made in the USA” labels from Federal and Winchester won’t save your wallet either.
Imported Ammo: Cheap No More
If you’re like most gun owners, you’ve probably picked up a few boxes of PPU 7.62x39mm, maybe some PMC Bronze 9mm, or Aguila rimfire for plinking. They’re the go-to for budget-conscious shooters who don’t want to burn through their paycheck just to stay sharp. But with new tariffs slapping double-digit percentages on imports from Mexico, Canada, China, and possibly more, that era of cheap foreign ammo might be over.
Take PPU—Prvi Partizan from Serbia. Serbia isn’t on the tariff list yet, but their logistics aren’t immune. If the packaging or materials come from tariffed countries, guess what? Those costs are passed right down the line. That “deal” you got on .308 or 7.62×39? Add 15-20% real quick.
PMC from South Korea? Not directly hit either—for now—but if you think a global supply chain isn’t vulnerable, you haven’t been paying attention. Disrupt the port, spike fuel costs, or throw a tariff on a single raw component, and suddenly that affordable 9mm is flirting with boutique price territory.
Aguila and Armscor are in even deeper. Mexico’s looking at a 25% tariff if border and security talks stall, and Armscor’s reliance on parts sourced through China could backfire fast. Even GGG—the Lithuanian NATO-spec darling—isn’t safe. All it takes is a retaliatory tax or a shipping delay and your 5.56 becomes premium-priced overnight.
American Ammo: Not Out of the Woods
Now, here’s the part the “Buy American” crowd might not want to hear: even Federal and Winchester, two red-blooded, star-spangled ammo titans, are about to feel the heat. Because whether it’s powder from Australia, primers from Italy, or raw metals from China and Canada—our ammo industry is tangled up in the same global supply web as everything else.
Let’s talk powder. Hodgdon-branded powders like Varget and H4350? Made by Australia’s ADI. The 10% tariff on Chinese goods? That affects raw material sourcing for powders. And no, you can’t just whip up a new batch of smokeless powder in your backyard. If those costs spike, American manufacturers have a choice: eat the loss or pass it on to you.
Then there’s primers—those tiny things that make all the difference. Germany’s RUAG and Italy’s Fiocchi still supply tons of them, either directly or indirectly. If the EU gets dragged into this tariff battle—or if shipments bottleneck at our northern border—primer prices go up 20%, minimum.
As for brass and lead? The last U.S. lead smelter closed in 2023. Let that sink in. So unless you’re collecting and recasting your own lead, you’re depending on imports. A 25% tariff on Canadian lead or Chinese zinc might only add a few cents per round, but multiply that by the millions these companies produce every month—and trust me, you’re paying for it.
So Now What? Pay Up or Stockpile
Don’t expect these problems to magically fix themselves. Sure, we might see new powder and primer plants open in the U.S. someday—but “someday” isn’t soon. Regulations, permits, environmental red tape—these aren’t overnight fixes. In the meantime, if you’ve got a favorite ammo brand or a weekly range habit, it might be time to stock up before shelves go dry or prices double.
That $12 box of PMC 9mm? It could be $15 in a month. Federal’s Gold Medal Match .308? Add five bucks. Winchester AA target loads? Up they go. Retailers are already prepping customers with phrases like “pre-tariff pricing”—which is marketing code for get it now, before it hurts.
Bottom Line: It’s Going to Cost More to Pull the Trigger
Whether it’s imported 9mm or American-made .30-06, your ammo budget is about to feel the crunch. Tariffs may help rebuild domestic capacity in the long run, and I’m all for American manufacturing, but in the short term? It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The gun community’s been through panics before—Obama-era runs, post-2020 shortages, and COVID chaos—but this one’s different. It’s not driven by fear, it’s driven by policy. And policy moves slower but hits harder.
Brace yourself. The age of cheap ammo is on life support. The cost of protecting your rights—and exercising them—is going up. Stock smart, stay sharp, and keep your powder dry.