Ammunition Manufacturer

[DoNotReply]

First off, I know this is going to be a loaded question so have at it you vultures.
Second, I am not currently a reloader. I have a couple of books I have read and studied in preparation to begin reloading, and of course various threads on the hide. By no means will I even attempt to claim to even be a novice at reloading.

Now to the point. If any would like to admit they have a FFL Class 6, do you do it as a side business or full on your only business?
Basically general questions about business plan setup, the range amount of ammo being produced to maintain or profit (ex. 12,000-16,000 per week/biweekly/monthly). What equipment you started with vs current setup or wish list items that you believe would enhance the efficiency of the business. Things along those lines.
If, after doing research, I wanna give it a shot then I do plan to talk to an attorney for more in-depth legal hurdles. Just collecting information now and weighing pro vs con.

If you would rather PM me to talk that’s fine. Like I started with, I fully expect to be horribly roasted about this. But didn’t find any search results that answered questions. If I happened to have missed one and you share it that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Rlandry]

JMHO. To produce enough sales to sustain an ammo remanufacturing business would require high dollar commercial reloading equipment. The liability insurance required would also be a major factor. There would likely also be zoning requirements for a business such as this, as you may not be able to operate it out of your home.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Do some research, all I can say. Ammo market is tight right now, but very well may explode being an election yr. Will you be poised to capitalize on it in 6 mos time?
You ever price ammo online or in big box stores? 9mm blasting ammo is dirt cheap at the moment. If going in the reman business, you need to do all the labor yourself for quite some time. And you mentioned no experience ???
Say you want to use new brass, be prepared to buy quantities. Bigger buyers get bigger OEM discounts based off volume. If it costs you .15 per rd to make and PMC, S&B, Aguilla are selling for .16, well, not good.
You will need to learn, and learn fast or hire someone who does know. Pistol ammo on paper and to make work is somewhat simple. But there are tricks, need clean burns. You can't have someone fire 200rds of your ammo and his 2K 1911 looks like it was freshly pulled from rosie o'donnels ass from unburned powder.
A friend fired up about 4 yrs ago, I am not at liberty to discuss his trials and tribulations, but he has spent money and works his ass off.
Finding a avenue to sell your ammo a big hurdle to over come. Your name may be Joe High Class Schmuck, does not mean Cabela's or Sportsman's Warehouse is going to sign some lucrative contract in your first 2 yrs, if ever.
3 squibs or failure to fire out of 25 boxes can sink you when getting started, especially in the reman business. And you will answer for a rd someone limp wristed shooting a semi pistol, because they will not rechamber and repeat. If you have no customer service experience, go get some, learn to suck some ass, because you will meet people and answer questions that make your blood boil.
Give this some thought is all I can say, and good luck if you do!

 

[Rlandry]

I worked at a gun range several years ago and we bought reman ammo from a local guy. Local LEOs were buying it like gangbusters until he got careless with a batch and a couple of cop's guns blew up. That was the end of the road for him.

 

[Downtown]

Got a buddy who does pretty well processing brass. Has a couple of 1050s and tumbles in a cement mixer. Don't think he has the liability problem of ammo.

 

[DoNotReply]

Do some research, all I can say. Ammo market is tight right now, but very well may explode being an election yr. Will you be poised to capitalize on it in 6 mos time?
You ever price ammo online or in big box stores? 9mm blasting ammo is dirt cheap at the moment. If going in the reman business, you need to do all the labor yourself for quite some time. And you mentioned no experience ???
Say you want to use new brass, be prepared to buy quantities. Bigger buyers get bigger OEM discounts based off volume. If it costs you .15 per rd to make and PMC, S&B, Aguilla are selling for .16, well, not good.
You will need to learn, and learn fast or hire someone who does know. Pistol ammo on paper and to make work is somewhat simple. But there are tricks, need clean burns. You can't have someone fire 200rds of your ammo and his 2K 1911 looks like it was freshly pulled from rosie o'donnels ass from unburned powder.
A friend fired up about 4 yrs ago, I am not at liberty to discuss his trials and tribulations, but he has spent money and works his ass off.
Finding a avenue to sell your ammo a big hurdle to over come. Your name may be Joe High Class Schmuck, does not mean Cabela's or Sportsman's Warehouse is going to sign some lucrative contract in your first 2 yrs, if ever.
3 squibs or failure to fire out of 25 boxes can sink you when getting started, especially in the reman business. And you will answer for a rd someone limp wristed shooting a semi pistol, because they will not rechamber and repeat. If you have no customer service experience, go get some, learn to suck some ass, because you will meet people and answer questions that make your blood boil.
Give this some thought is all I can say, and good luck if you do!

Oh I do not plan on ever being handed a contract with in the first 2 years, if ever. I get that if I do this it will be an uphill battle for the duration of b.s. I can deal with. I do feel there may be 2-3 small avenues that may or may not get my foot through the marketing door. But other than that it will be drowning in red tape and paperwork. I’m in no rush and I usually pick things up pretty quick, have done scientific data collection, and working on a B.S. in Accounting, along with years of different trade work jobs.
Like you said, this is my beginning and information gathering, then after that can I get capital to fund this? If in those first 2 things I can’t make it work then it’s just an expensive hobby. It just seems there is a shortage of certain ammo types that fly off shelves and it’s just a crazy thought to explore.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Oh I do not plan on ever being handed a contract with in the first 2 years, if ever. I get that if I do this it will be an uphill battle for the duration of b.s. I can deal with. I do feel there may be 2-3 small avenues that may or may not get my foot through the marketing door. But other than that it will be drowning in red tape and paperwork. I’m in no rush and I usually pick things up pretty quick, have done scientific data collection, and working on a B.S. in Accounting, along with years of different trade work jobs.
Like you said, this is my beginning and information gathering, then after that can I get capital to fund this? If in those first 2 things I can’t make it work then it’s just an expensive hobby. It just seems there is a shortage of certain ammo types that fly off shelves and it’s just a crazy thought to explore.

I hope I was not negative. I really can't talk through a friend, but he has gotten an education through his growing pains.

 

[FCS]

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...eal-this-time-seriously.6981543/#post-8365938

Read original thread and his follow up thread.

 

[DoNotReply]

I hope I was not negative. I really can't talk through a friend, but he has gotten an education through his growing pains.

You were not, you were just being real and only expressing what you felt watching your friend. I know it will be hard regardless if I open for business or not. But thanks for your experience even if it is second hand.

 

[1moaoff]

No offense... wish there were more options...

If you dont already have contacts within the industry or a background in it.... good luck.
Not trying to be negative but I see people trying to start businesses and I have backed a few. That being said just jumping into this one is hard. Any of the big kids could turn out anything they want whenever they want.

Do your research here. There have been a few come and go. Prime just went through a ahit storm, they came through thankfully. Alot of guys have that idea. It CAN work... you willing to literally gamble 250k minimum?