Has anyone else seemed to have noticed that foreign made shotshells cost less than domestically produced ones?

Question

I mean I know some companies like Fiocchi based in Italy I think are made in the states but whenever I see shotshells online the European based stuff is cheaper than the American stuff. And not just wolf, you know like Sellor & Belot, fiocchi, Rio Royal and Aguilla. Better quality producers. And this seems to be the case with other sorts of ammo as well like .223 and 30-06. And I'm talking American calibers.

I've seen European IMPORTED 5.56x45 XM193 for $4-6 less per box of 100 than American federal XM193, and especially in comparison with Remington. Not a whole lot but still...

How is that? Our exchange rate sucks.

Answer 1

remember...you get what you pay for..also the labor rate overseas is less than american rates...i have been buying remington for years and federal as well...i dont trust the other brands

Answer 2

yeah but some of that ammos not as good as american ammo...i brought wolf .223 and its not as good as federal or american ammo

Answer 3

the shotgun shells made in China don't have as much lead in them because they put the lead in American children's toys!!

Answer 4

It has nothing to do with exchange rates. Weaker dollar will actually make prices of imported goods to go up.

Why American ammo cost more? American workers are better paid. American ammo companies must deal with various insurances for their workers and products. Since most ammo contained lead, American companies must go through extra trouble to provide a safe working environment for the workers and not pollute the environment. All those meant extra cost.

Sellor & Belot - Czechoslovakia

Wolf - Russia

Aguilla - Mexico

PRVI Partizan - Serbia

Rio Royal - They are actually American but I think some of their shells were produced in Spain.

Answer 5

A few different factors

1. Cost of Labor is cheaper in the 2nd world countries, I don't know of any 3rd world countries that make ammo

2. Cost of raw materials is cheaper in other countries

3. Most foreign ammo, like wolf, have a high sulfur content, that's what makes them dirity

4. They have a lower overall overhead

5. US ammo makers have a high overhead, such as insurance, bennies to employees and such.

6. Foreign ammo makes their money selling mass amounts of ammo where US companies make their money on smaller lots

7. other reasons but will not go there at this time.

Answer 6

Yes, my 7.62x39 is the same way

Wolf - $4.99 for a box of 20

Remington - $17.99 for a box of 20

Winchester - $16.99 for a box of 20

Answer 7

A weak dollar, foreign production costs and NAFTA has removed most or all duties on goods imported into the US.

Answer 8

I used to buy Spanish made paper hull12 gauge dove and quail loads for 2.50 a box and they consistantly outperformed US made trap and skeet loads in my 1100.

I wish they were still around. I've bought thousands of rounds of .38 DEWC rounds from Brazil as well. My S&W loves 'em.

Wages aren't as high overseas, resulting in lower manufacturing costs with the savings passed down to us.

I buy foreign ammo frequently with very few disappointments.

I've saved thousands over the years doing this, and have no regrets!

Answer 9

Two Words...Product Quality.

Most foreign made ammunition uses lower (usually poverty) waged workers. The exception is China where their labor is mostly free, using prisoners.

The components are not as good a quality as US and the BETTER Euro nations.

I feel confident when I use American made product, no so much with cheap foreign stuff.