Civil Small Caliber Ammunition Market Report 2025

The civil small caliber ammunition market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.58 billion in 2024 to $6.86 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The growth during the historic period can be linked to the increasing popularity of recreational shooting, the rise in hunting tourism, heightened awareness of self-defense, the expansion of shooting range facilities, and the growth of law enforcement training programs.

The civil small caliber ammunition market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.02 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising civilian firearm ownership, greater demand for personal security, increased participation in shooting sports, expanding hunting activities, and growing government support for the lawful use of firearms. Key trends during this period include innovations in eco-friendly ammunition, the integration of smart technologies into firearms, technology-driven enhancements in bullet design, progress in lead-free ammunition, and advancements in manufacturing techniques.

The growing interest in shooting sports is anticipated to drive the expansion of the civil small caliber ammunition market. Shooting sports involve competitive or recreational activities focused on aiming and firing firearms or airguns with accuracy and precision. This increased interest is partly due to the growth of shooting ranges and training centers, which have made the sport more accessible to a broader audience. Civil small caliber ammunition supports these activities by providing affordable, low-recoil options that are well-suited for beginners and recreational shooters. It promotes effective training and competition by delivering consistent performance, encouraging greater participation in shooting sports. For example, in January 2024, a survey by the National Shooting Sports Foundation Inc., a US trade association, revealed that in 2022 the most popular shooting sports for adults were handgun target shooting (16.9%), rifle target shooting (15.6%), and outdoor range shooting (13.3%). Moreover, 17% of adults involved in shooting sports in 2022 were newcomers, representing a 42% increase since 2020. This rising enthusiasm for shooting sports is thus boosting the civil small caliber ammunition market.

Key players in the civil small caliber ammunition market are concentrating on integrating cutting-edge technologies such as one-way luminescent technology to improve visibility and accuracy under low-light conditions. One-way luminescent technology involves glow-in-the-dark materials that emit light in a single direction, enhancing visibility without compromising the shooter’s position. For instance, in July 2022, AMMO Inc., a US-based manufacturer, introduced Green Streak ammunition that utilizes one-way luminescent technology. This non-incendiary technology features a non-toxic composite that charges from the ignition flash of gunpowder, providing a visible trajectory from the shooter’s viewpoint while remaining invisible to the target. This innovation improves training, combat, and range applications where flammable tracers are not allowed. The design also reduces heat generation and mass loss during flight, enhancing projectile stability and consistent accuracy, making it valuable for civilian shooters as well as military and law enforcement professionals.

In November 2024, Czechoslovak Group, a machinery manufacturing company based in the Czech Republic, acquired The Kinetic Group for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, Czechoslovak Group aims to become a leading player in the small-caliber ammunition sector, broaden its presence in the US market, and strengthen its production and distribution capabilities in this field alongside its existing operations in defense, aerospace, automotive, and railway industries. The Kinetic Group is a US-based manufacturer specializing in civil small caliber ammunition production.

Major players in the civil small caliber ammunition market are Vista Outdoor Inc., Hornady Manufacturing Company, Nammo Lapua Oy, Nosler Inc., Sierra Bullets LLC, Aguila Ammunition, Black Hills Ammunition Inc., Choice Ammunition, Freedom Munitions LLC, DRT Ammo, Georgia Arms, Capstone Precision Group LLC, Geco Ammunition, Detroit Ammunition Company LLC, Grizzly Cartridge LLC, HSM Ammunition, Magtech Ammunition Inc., Precision Delta Corporation, Prvi Partizan A.D, Berry’s Manufacturing Inc., and Pobjeda Technology Goražde d.d.

North America was the largest region in the civil small caliber ammunition market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in civil small caliber ammunition report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the civil small caliber ammunition market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Civil small caliber ammunition consists of cartridges intended for civilian firearms with bore diameters typically under 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). These cartridges are widely used for activities like target practice, hunting, recreational shooting, and self-defense.

The main categories of civil small caliber ammunition include handgun ammunition, rifle ammunition, and other types. Handgun ammunition is specifically made for pistols and revolvers and is commonly employed for personal protection, law enforcement, and recreational shooting. This category includes various bullet types such as full metal jacket (FMJ), soft point (SP), ballistic tip, and frangible bullets. Users range from hunters and competitive shooters to self-defense practitioners. Distribution occurs through physical stores, online platforms, and direct sales, catering to recreational shooters, hunters, and law enforcement training programs.

The civil small caliber ammunition market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides civil small caliber ammunition market statistics, including the civil small caliber ammunition industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the civil small caliber ammunition market share, detailed civil small caliber ammunition market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the civil small caliber ammunition industry. These civil small caliber ammunition market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The civil small caliber ammunition market consists of sales of rimfire ammunition, centerfire ammunition, shotshells, non-lethal ammunition, match-grade ammunition, reloadable cartridges, and specialty ammunition. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.