– It could probably be too expensive for many, with the increase we are seeing. It doesn’t seem to be stopping either, says Thomas Krågtorp. The 24-year-old from Fredrikstad is both a hunter and competitive shooter. Now moose hunting is on the calendar. But getting enough ammunition is far from easy. And prices have skyrocketed. – It is difficult. In addition, prices have increased by up to 50 per cent. When you do competitive shooting, there are competitions all year round. This makes it expensive to maintain. He says that he fires between five and six thousand rounds annually. Then the price increase will be felt on the wallet. High military demand Ammunition was already in short supply during the pandemic. It then became difficult to obtain more raw materials, such as lead and fang caps. At the same time, there were global transport challenges. Then there was war in Europe. Demand has exploded as a result of the war in Ukraine, and it doesn’t help that other European countries are gearing up either. – The problem is that you deliver material at a faster rate than the industry can replenish. In the end, it will be a balancing act, CEO Morten Brandtzæg of the arms manufacturer Nammo told news in September. – Have to take what I have General manager of Jaktia in Sarpsborg, Lars-Erik Holstad-Lilleng, confirms that the warehouse is not as well stocked as before. They hardly had the most popular calibers in stock this year. The shooters can no longer pick and choose. General manager Lars-Erik Holstad-Lilleng at the store Jaktia says that the customer cannot pick and choose among ammunition. Photo: Sara Vilde SOlås/news – It is often the case that the customer just has to take what I actually have on the shelf, says Holstad-Lilleng. – When there is such a large military demand, there is less for the civilian market. The shortage affects competition shooters in particular, since they are the ones who shoot the most. No signs of improvement – I don’t want to crisis max just yet. But the importers say they don’t see any signs of improvement next year, and that’s something we have to take to heart, says Bjørn Harald Vik. Vik is president of the Norwegian Shooting Association. Bjørn Harald Vik, president of the Norwegian Shooting Association, says that there are no signs of improvement. Photo: Norges Skytterforbund He tells news that there is a shortage of both charging components and cartridges, but stresses that things are going tolerably well for now. In October, the WC in rifle and pistol takes place in Egypt. Norwegian rifle gold was won there on both Sunday and Monday. – Those who are at that level probably shoot between 50 and 60,000 shots a year. An average shooter I would assume is 3000-4000, says Vik. Can lead to poorly prepared hunters The head of Norway’s Hunters and Fishermen’s Association Østfold, Markus Nagele, fears the increased prices. He believes that more expensive ammunition can lead to less shooting practice before the hunters take their weapons into the forest to hunt. – If you have reasonable ammunition, it’s fun to go to the shooting range and take advantage of the opportunity. But when the shots cost NOK 30-40, it is no longer as relevant, says Nagele. I think next year will be worse The prices in the shop in Sarpsborg have increased by between 20 and 50 per cent in the past year. Lilleng says that there are calibers they barely had in stock this year. Photo: Sara Vilde SOlås/news The merchant does not think the industry has been through the worst yet. – I know there are many importers who do not accept orders. They have enough to deliver what has already been ordered, says Holstad-Lilleng. – And I think that next year will be worse, that it will be more difficult for the hunters as well.
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Global ammunition shortage affects competition shooters – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
