I see it this way... The president of Federal, CCI, Speer and Remington ammo comes out and says they are running just as hard as current production and the Covid crap allows. Steve Hornady has said basically said the same thing.
If you recall, they didn't quit making toilet paper and paper towels a year ago..people simply panicked, and went nuts, buying the stuff up!
Fast forward a few months... Once it was affirmed that the election was stolen, observing the sponsored riots in Seattle, portland etc.,..people panicked over their own protection...and went on a buying binge.
I spoke with the young man behind the Walmart gun counter just yesterday. He said they are getting the same amount of ammo in as ever. Some associates bring out the ammo as soon as it arrives, others wait until later, still others may wait until the following day.
What is to keep some associates from calling their brother, brother-in-law and cousins, telling them when to be at their ammo counter? ...And of course, with the present panic, there is financial opportunity for the unscrupulous.
Just human nature..