Federal Premium: Doing More For The American Shooter

by
posted on October 27, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

As American shooters experience supply shortages and inflated prices on ammunition, many are questioning exactly what manufacturers are doing to alleviate the problem. Jason Vanderbrink, president of Federal Premium Ammunition, took a few minutes to share some updates on the company's increased manufacturing capacity. Vanderbrink is also president of the Remington ammunition factory in Lonoke, Ark., and he provides an updated outlook in the video above on the facility's renewed capabilities since the acquisition by Vista Outdoor.

"It's important to point out that, since the surge started, we have made about 40 percent more in ammunition at Federal, CCI and Speer," Vanderbrink said. "That's a lot of ammunition that's come new into this market. When you add Remington into that, it's substantially more ammunition."

Additionally, Vanderbrink highlighted the growth in staffing at Vista's ammunition plants. Since the surge in demand began, the company has added about 1,500 new employees inside of 18 months. Some of the production highlights from Federal Premium include a 40-percent increase in handgun ammunition production, a 15-percent increase in shotshell production and "hundreds of millions" more primers for sale on the commercial market. All this increase happened in the midst of material shortages, a point Vanderbrink dovetailed into his answer to people asking whether or not Federal Premium can build new factories.

"As every other business in America and around the world is facing, we're facing supply chain shortages," Vanderbrink said. "We're no different. Brass, powder, resin. All of this affects our factories and all of this affects output. It wouldn't be financially feasible to built a new factory if you don't have enough raw materials to keep the four factories we have going today."

Vanderbrink also touched on government ammunition sales, as well as support for law enforcement and the Second Amendment. To listen to his full statement, watch the video above.

Latest

Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web
Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

2025 Optic Of The Year: Burris Eliminator 6

Even as new generation after new generation of Burris Eliminator continued to add more advanced technology and functionality, it remained odd-looking—until the launch of this year’s sixth-generation product, which is the first in the line that can mount atop a rifle using standard 34 mm scope rings.

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.