TSS remains extremely expensive at around $160/lb ($10 per ounce). I currently have about 400 lbs in inventory, and once it's gone, I'll likely stop loading for the season unless TSS drops closer to $100/lb.

Many people don't see the costs behind manufacturing shotshells. In addition to material costs, manufacturers pay an 11% Federal Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET), plus credit card processing, website, insurance, and other business expenses that add another 9%. Total taxes and fees are roughly 20%.

That means on a $100 box of shells, $20 goes to taxes and fees, leaving $80 to cover materials, labor, and overhead. To stay in business, products must be priced high enough to replace inventory at current market costs and pay all taxes and fees. At today's TSS price of $160/lb., I would need to charge approximately $15 per 1 oz shell to maintain inventory and continue production.