Hey all, today True Shot Academy is going to examine where ammunition is made. This information is always useful to know, especially in the context of things like sanctions and tariffs. Today we are going to examine when and where the national origin of ammo matters in addition to highlighting where some ammo is produced. Without further ado, let’s answer the question: “where in the world is ammo made?”
Does It Really Matter Where Ammo Is Made?
When you’re actually shooting, something like the national origin of one’s ammunition is not of the utmost importance to most shooters. The average shooter is more concerned about the quality of their ammo than where it was made in most cases. While most only care if their ammunition functions safely, there are times where national origin can matter.
A notable example comes in the form of sanctions. Put plainly, sanctions and other import restrictions often target the products from a given country. For example, there are sanctions regarding the import of Chinese and Russian ammunition. Due to these sanctions, ammunition produced in either country cannot currently be imported into the United States.
The national origin of ammunition also matters when tariffs are on the table. As of now, the United States is in the process of implementing a wide range of tariffs on nearly 90 countries. Naturally, these tariffs will impact the cost of ammunition imported from any of the countries with these tariffs. In this case, the national origin of ammo matters as tariffs apply to munitions as much as any imported good.
American Ammunition Companies
Naturally, there are many producers of ammunition within the borders of the United States. These companies range from established, long-standing companies to recent additions to the realm of ammo production. Notably, some of these companies serve as the American branch of a foreign company. This allows for easier distribution and provides job opportunities to American citizens. American ammunition companies produce loadings optimal for range use, training, hunting, match shooting, and self-defense.
- Armscor USA – Montana
- Atlanta Arms – Georgia
- Atomic Ammunition – Arizona
- Barnes – Utah
- Black Hills – South Dakota
- Browning – Missouri & Utah
- CCI – Idaho
- Corbon – Ohio
- Federal – Minnesota
- Fiocchi – Missouri/Arkansas
- FNH USA – Missouri/Arkansas
- Fort Scott Munitions – Kansas
- Hornady – Nebraska
- HSM – Montana
- Hyperion Munitions – Florida
- Lake City – Missouri
- Mili – South Carolina
- Norma – Georgia
- Nosler – Oregon
- Phoenix Rising Exotic Ammunition – Georgia
- Precision One – South Carolina
- Remington – Arkansas
- RIO – Texas
- Sierra – Missouri
- Sig Sauer – Arkansas
- Speer – Idaho
- Troy – Florida
- Underwood – Illinois
- Vairog – Tennessee
- Velo – South Carolina
- Veteran Ammo – Florida
- Winchester – Illinois/Mississippi
- Wyoming Cartridge Co. – Wyoming
Foreign Ammunition Companies
Of course, the market for firearms and ammunition is global and encompasses a wide range of countries beyond the United States. As with American companies in this space, some foreign ammo manufacturers have produced munitions for centuries while others recently debuted. Like American companies, foreign ammo companies produce a wide range of ammunition optimal for range use, training, hunting, match shooting, and self-defense.
- Aguila – Mexico
- Armscor – Philippines
- ATS – Macedonia
- Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) – Italy
- Belom – Serbia
- Challenger – Canada
- Clever – Italy
- FAMAE – Chile
- Fiocchi – Italy
- GGG – Lithuania
- Igman – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Lahab – United Arab Emirates
- Lambro – Greece
- Magtech – Brazil
- Maxxtech – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Nobel Sport – Italy
- Norma – Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary
- Old Army – Macedonia
- OMPC – Oman
- PMC – South Korea
- PPU – Serbia
- Red Army Standard – Russia, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine
- RIO – Spain
- Saltech – Switzerland
- Sellier & Bellot – Czech Republic
- Sterling – Turkey
- STV – Czech Republic
- TelaAmmo – Azerbaijan
- Turan – Turkey
- Vairog – Latvia
- Wolf – Russia, Turkey, Taiwan
Do Manufacturing Locations Change?
Of course, ammunition manufacturing locations have the potential to change. A variety of factors can contribute to a change of venue for ammo producers. Manufacturing location changes can range from small-scale moves to large-scale moves. Companies can move from state to state or from one country to another.
As with firearms, many foreign ammunition brands seek to establish or have established manufacturing presences in desirable markets. This is particularly evident with companies like Fiocchi and Norma. Some companies will also strategically expand their manufacturing capabilities to other countries or regions. Norma is again a salient example in this case as they currently produce ammunition in many European countries in addition to America.
Due to the nature of firearms and ammunition, some companies shift their manufacturing locations for legal reasons. It is not uncommon for companies to move from a restrictive state to another which is more friendly to the industry. This is especially evident with companies like Magpul and LMT as they left restrictive states for greener pastures.
Some companies have diversified their manufacturing locations in order to avoid sanctions and import restrictions. This is most common with companies who primarily import ammunition, particularly those who bring ammo in from Eastern Europe. Red Army Standard and Wolf are notable examples of companies who shifted manufacturing centers in light of sanctions.
Of course, some companies move their manufacturing facilities as the company grows and becomes more successful. Companies may move from their smaller facility into a newer one. Other companies may simply establish additional manufacturing presences to supplement their existing facility. Put plainly, success in the market can also contribute to ammo manufacturers moving.
Is Foreign Ammunition Good?
Foreign ammunition certainly has the capacity to be good. Contrary to the beliefs of some shooters, good products do come in from beyond America’s borders. Many foreign ammo companies who export ammunition to the United States also produce loadings for martial use. This is to say that many companies produce loadings for military and law enforcement use in their countries and others across the globe. As such, these loadings often meet or exceed military standards and are produced in accredited facilities. Specifically, there are many foreign ammo producers with products which satisfy NATO, CIP, and SAAMI specifications. In short, there is a wide range of quality foreign ammo which is much better than “good.”
What is Better – American or Foreign Ammo?
To truly answer this question, one should ultimately consider their use case. Put plainly, shooters should be asking what type of ammo is best for their purposes. If one is looking to simply do some plinking, they can utilize some standard ball ammo. In this case, shooters can save money and buy cheap bulk ammo rather than specialized ammunition. Of course, in specific circumstances like hunting or precision shooting, it pays to use the proper, specialized ammunition. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, the national origin of ammo matters less than the traits of the specific loading and one’s intended use. In some cases, foreign ammo may be best for your use case. Other times, one is best served by American-made ammo for their selected purpose.
Conclusion
All in all, the world of firearms and ammunition is global and features a diverse cast of companies from across the globe. Being aware of where in the world ammunition is made makes you a more informed shooter. The wide range of ammunition available from various producers across the globe ensures that shooters have plenty of quality options to consider. We hope that this serves as a good reference as to where in the world ammunition is made.
Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive list of each and every ammo manufacturer in the world. These producers happen to manufacture some of the most popular and regularly stocked ammo we have here at True Shot Ammo. Our inventory of ammo for sale encompasses popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy bulk ammo or purchase ammunition of either the foreign or domestic variety, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
