I've heard of primer shortages, but never knew how severe is was- when my Dad died of cancer back in 1998, I inherited all his reloading stuff- including several case packs of small rifle, large rifle, small pistol, large pistol, and shotgun primers. I think there's 1000 primers in each box, and there was perhaps 6 or 8 boxes, but I'd been shooting them up at a fast rate. I am still shooting the powder he left, and have not got through all of it in 11 years- the stuff was going to go bad in the damp basement, and one pack of 100 primers gave hang fires. But after hearing this, I may curb my shooting a bit and safe some.
the OP asked what's going on- here's the answer-hopefully I won't get slapped for this, but the big ammo-powder-primer-shot companies are playing it safe and not over-stocking/producing too much, for fear the current politicians may pass "serialized" ammo laws, or outlaw some ammo altogether, they don't want to get stuck with millions $$$ in primers/ammo/powder/shells that Congress may deem "illegal for sale"
we're in a tough spot politically as shooters, and the average gun owner/shooter doesn't realize how close a shave it is, to losing our gun rights. If the liberals get a 60 vote majority in Congress, look out- and I know hunters who are not even NRA members, who think there's no reason for alarm
well there is !!
and I want to tell you fellas something else- I know a lot of guys not shooting their ammo now, and saving it, because they're afraid if they use it up carelessly at the range, they may regret it- each bullet may be a meal or self-protection shot someday