I'll say what I think I can. The rumor around Federal is talk of a General Dynamics purchase which isn't all too surprising being that they have already acquired ATK and have a strong presence in the area. Could be a slight blip in production but no big changes. Just a rumor worth what you paid for it.
That said the writing is on the wall that ammo sales are about to be radicalized. You're not going to drive to Walmart for your hunting load and make 5 other stops to get your handgun and sporting rifle ammo. Walmart will go from the #1 ammo retailer to zero.
This accidentally solves a long held business problem. People who shoot treat range ammo as a commodity. You'll be happy with Winchester white box 9mm and Federal XM193. Basically you go to Walmart and buy whatever's cheapest. Those days are gone.
But don't for a second think that Remington, Olin, and Vista don't want to sell direct to consumer and give you a case discount. If they could get a monthly subscription plan where you predict your monthly needs of 5.56 and 9mm because you shoot 3 gun and you know roughly how much you need. Presto the ammo companies know what the consumer wants and don't deal with Walmart (who I can attest will not share their sales and distribution data).
Go one step further and look at the catalogs of these ammo makers. Even at a Cabelas or Bass Pro you see maybe 5% of the options. As I write this my .308 scout gun is currently (safely locked) and loaded with Federal .308 150 grain Nosler ballistic tip meduim game ammo. You gonna find that off the shelf? Or did I need a Federal employee? This helps the boutique rounds you never found and helps makers that do custom stuff like a Hornady or Buffalo Bore.
This isn't far from reality. I'm sure any of the big ammo players would love to recommend for your rifle or pistol a cartridge for plinking, one for hunting, one for heavy wind, etc. And if direct to consumer comes around that's real easy.
Lots of change in store for this business.
