[Gh0stRAT]

>The part I don't understand is why the prices still go up at the same time for my ammo despite it not running low.

Because many gun owners own multiple guns. (especially the ones who consume the most ammo) If they're short on ammo to shoot their AR-15 at the range this weekend, they're not going to just sit at home. They'll go to the range and shoot 30-06, .357, 9mm, etc.

Retailers know the score and can preemptively raise prices on their non-NATO rounds before they run out because they know their customers are going to be less price sensitive due to the shortage in NATO alternatives.

(in economic parlance, the different rounds are still "substitute goods" despite not working in the same firearms, so it would actually be pretty surprising if their prices WEREN'T correlated)