Cabela’s Primer Pricing Just Went Berserk

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markr6754

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I stopped in to my local Cabela’s to buy an extremely overpriced J Dewey cleaning rod for my .300 Blackout AR pistol. As usual, I passed through the reloading section, first, just to see if the cleaning rods were there (they weren’t). Just over a month ago I bought some CCI 400 Small Rifle Primers, paying $32.99 for a brick. Expensive, but I was finally ready to load .300 BLK, and needed powder and primers.

Yesterday, that same brick of CCI 400 was $40.99, a buck higher than the Federal SRPs at $39.99.
CCI 550s, Small Pistol Magnums we’re also $40.99. The only small pistol CCI 500 Primers were individual sleeves at $3.99 each. If they actually stocked 10 sleeves you could buy a brick worth for less than buying the brick.

Sad...and another indication of what lies ahead I suppose. I’ve tried to buy local...but no more.
 
I've always enjoyed shopping at Cabelas; mostly for the sheer size and variety of their products ...and firearms and supplies. They were not always the lowest price, but not unreasonable. They also gave military veterans a discount on everything. But, things have changed since Bass Pro Shops bought Cabelas. Prices seem higher, policies regarding customer inspection of firearms is more limited, etc. Cabelas seems to be heading in the wrong direction.
 
I stopped in to my local Cabela’s to buy an extremely overpriced J Dewey cleaning rod for my .300 Blackout AR pistol. As usual, I passed through the reloading section, first, just to see if the cleaning rods were there (they weren’t). Just over a month ago I bought some CCI 400 Small Rifle Primers, paying $32.99 for a brick. Expensive, but I was finally ready to load .300 BLK, and needed powder and primers.

Yesterday, that same brick of CCI 400 was $40.99, a buck higher than the Federal SRPs at $39.99.
CCI 550s, Small Pistol Magnums we’re also $40.99. The only small pistol CCI 500 Primers were individual sleeves at $3.99 each. If they actually stocked 10 sleeves you could buy a brick worth for less than buying the brick.

Sad...and another indication of what lies ahead I suppose. I’ve tried to buy local...but no more.
You didn't expect this when Cabela's was bought by Bass Pro Shop? Sorry to say, IMO it was only when, not if the prices would jump!
 
I buy primers in a couple different small shops here in NY for 33-35 per 1k. I'm in binghamton and go to endicott or Norwich for either ccw or federal. I also travel to Galatea andonyrose PA. and find them for similar prices. The thing about crossing the border is that their sales tax rate is lower than here in Broome county.
Damn spell check
That is halstead and Montrose PA.
 
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Prices have definitely gone up at Cabelas for reloading components. But for me it's hard to tell if it's because of the buyout. Inflation has to play some role in the increases. Every year Powder Valley announces price increases because the manufacturers/packagers raise their prices. If PVI is getting hit by increases Cabelas and Bass Pro surely are too.

I've never been a big fan of Bass Pro but since the buyout at least my local Cabelas has had more primers and powder in stock. And bricks of primers are now on the shelf. I used to have to take a number at the gun counter (if they were busy) to get primers.
 
Varget is $40-pound at Cabelas. I used to swing in there several times a month to see what was on sale, but not anymore. I am lucky as a mom and pop store opened up 6 more stores all within an hours drive for me and they stock reloading stuff. 6-7 shelves in the smaller stores and a complete basement in the larger store. $32 is all i have ever paid for primes and powders seem very well priced. Once i get some bills under control I will be buying in bulk before everyone else decides to jack them up to $40.
 
Prices have gone up and sales have been nonexistent on components.

Powder is about all I'll buy there now. I buy primers from Scheels (slightly cheaper) and my local Runnings Fleet Farm.
 
There is a Cabela's twenty five minutes from me and I never considered shopping there as 'buying local". The only good deals on reloading components I ever got there were on S&B primers.
My primary gun/reloading component supplier is the definition local. Ten miles by gravel in a converted dairy barn. I can get guns, primers, powder and hay for the pony all in one place.
 
At the first of the new year, prices may change or be corrected do to inflation. More then just primers.

I remember when there was double digit inflation. The dealer had to keep adjusting the inventory selling prices.

The S&W model, when reordered, would be 10% + higher at whole sale, then the one that just sold.
 
One local pawn shop stocks some powders and primers, and the local Academy has most of the basics, from powder and primers, to dies and presses.

Lol MidwayUSA is only a few hours from me, that's local enough
 
There is a Cabela's twenty five minutes from me and I never considered shopping there as 'buying local". The only good deals on reloading components I ever got there were on S&B primers.
My primary gun/reloading component supplier is the definition local. Ten miles by gravel in a converted dairy barn. I can get guns, primers, powder and hay for the pony all in one place.
Maybe there hope for all the mom and pop that have been put out of business by the big chains!
The last three trips to my best lgs have revealed no primers, and a very very limited powder selection! Not happy with them!!!!
 
Yeah, a couple years ago, about the time the Bass Pro buyout was happening, I wrote off my local Cabelas. I still occasionally stop in to look at the used guns (still sometimes miss a value there and put a good deal on the rack) or sometimes to get some oddball fishing thing that nobody else carries locally. Their prices have gone up, selection on things useful in MN have gone down favoring items more appropriate for the South, especially in clothing. There's a new Mills Fleet Farm up the road, and the inventory guy in sporting goods is open to suggestions and has some latitude to stock non-standard items or place an order directly for a reasonable quantity. Their shooting/reloading is increasingly well stocked, and their prices fair. Don't really miss Cabelas except for the SB primers they used to have.
 
People actually shop and buy gun stuff stuff at Cabellas and Bass Pro Shops?
Nice places to browse but can't say I ever bough much there. Did get some boat shoes and shirts on sale.
 
People actually shop and buy gun stuff stuff at Cabellas and Bass Pro Shops?
Nice places to browse but can't say I ever bough much there. Did get some boat shoes and shirts on sale.

My last 3 guns have come from cabelas. Rem 700, Century Cetme, and 1892 colt revolver. Now that we have an Academy Sports in topeka, the only reason for me to go to cabelas is the gun library (KCKs is quite large) or like someone said, some oddball fishing item. Sadly our Walmart has a better outdoor section than the only other sporting goods store in town, Dick's. Used to have High Plains GS, Topeka Shooters Supply, Rusty's, and others, but no more...
 
I poke my head into Cabelas fairly often, I was in Monday to look around and I've noticed the trend of prices going up irregularly. A pound of IMR4198 was $40, which is stupid, but setting right next to other IMR powders in the mid- to high $20's. There are other examples, but you get the idea. Just weirdness. I'll buy stuff at Cabelas, but I really watch the prices.
 
There is a Cabela's twenty five minutes from me and I never considered shopping there as 'buying local". The only good deals on reloading components I ever got there were on S&B primers.
My primary gun/reloading component supplier is the definition local. Ten miles by gravel in a converted dairy barn. I can get guns, primers, powder and hay for the pony all in one place.
Cabela’s opened a store 4 minutes from me on April 7, 2016. They became the 2nd store in the area that carried reloading supplies. The other was Field and Stream, which had opened about a year earlier. None of it mattered much, as I started reloading last January. When I think of a local gun shop, I want to think of Bob or Jim’s store down the street...instead, I have Cabela’s, and used to be quite thankful for that. I know that prices adjust...I thought they already had. I bought my first brick of primers from Cabela’s just one year ago for $28.99. Eleven months later the price was $32.99, and now, 4 weeks or so later the price is $40.99. That’s the type of inflation one sees in developing countries, not usually in Ohio.
Thankfully, I wasn’t shopping for primers. I have plenty for now.

I’m hoping that the Dayton Gun & Knife Show, which was just purchased by a new company, continues bringing out-of-area vendors in every month or so. The admission charge is much lower than Hazmat & Freight, and one can often find great deals for cash transactions.
 
At the first of the new year, prices may change or be corrected do to inflation. More then just primers.

I remember when there was double digit inflation. The dealer had to keep adjusting the inventory selling prices.

The S&W model, when reordered, would be 10% + higher at whole sale, then the one that just sold.
This is also the time of the year when manufacturers raise their wholesale prices for the coming year; that is probably another factor (besides BASS making Cabela prices equal their own)
 
I got a bass pro and cabela's in my area. They are one exit apart on i75. I ride by just about every day and the parking lot is empty except for the employees vehicles. When bass pro took over cabela's the reloading prices went to the bass pro prices at my local store. Also the amount of reloading stuff went from a large area to a very small area. But cabela's got a boat load of bass pro shirts and hats. When you need reloading suppiles shop the net, buy large amounts look for free hazard mat and free shipping deals. It is sad that bass pro killed cabela's for me.
 
If you are going to buy primers around here $3.99 per hundred is the price you are going to pay. I was in Academy Sports yesterday with my son and he picked up a pound of H335 for $25.99 and primers were $3.99 like everywhere else I've seen them. Later we went in to Cabela's where I haven't been for a least two years. I made it to the powder and it was $35.99 for a pound of H335. I didn't go any farther and don't know what they had primerpriced at. That extra 10 bucks for powder was enough to make me head back to the door.
 
That $32.99 price was not terrible. But, $39+ is worth ordering and paying shipping. I get a group buy up with friends and order the max amount (50#) that Powder Valley will ship in one box. That spreads out the shipping and hazmat charges to about .50 cents per carton or jug.

I was thinking about getting a Cabalas card, but not anymore.
 
Well of course I just had to co online to Cabela's after all this talk and guess what, every brand and size of primers on their website for Illinois is still OUT OF STOCK. Though I did see the price increases. Sorry to say but I think I'll be paying the Hazmat fees and buy online rather than wait for BPS/Cabela's.
 
People actually shop and buy gun stuff stuff at Cabellas and Bass Pro Shops?
Nice places to browse but can't say I ever bough much there. Did get some boat shoes and shirts on sale.
S&W shield on sale for over $400 last sale they had when several local and online places had them for $350 on sale. I have never bought a gun or gun stuff from them, but if i want something online I will stop by and make sure its not complete junk and then run home and order online for 20-40% cheaper.
 
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