Cabela's has become a joke

[Texas10mm]

I visit one about once a month. The one in Allen,TX has had a pretty good stock the last time I was there. I normally find a better price from a vendor in a gun show if I'm only need a small quantity. If I'm needing a lot I always order on line. You know you can order on line and do a Store pickup. Doing this you will not be charged HAZMAT or S&H.

I'm fortunate there is a Pawn shop 25min from my house that has a very good inventory of powders, reasonably priced. He's a little high on primers though. Some times he will even match advertised prices (internet). You can negotiate a lower cash price most of the time.

Care to share where this pawn shop is?

Cabela's won't ship powder or primers to a store for pickup.

I'm a big fan of the S&B primers when they are on sale. There's a shortage of them right now due to production problems.

I try and keep a minimum of 5,000 of each primer I use in stock. I shoot a lot of .45 ACP so I try and keep 10,000 of those on hand.

Powder....let's just say I have enough. When bullets.com went out of business I stocked up on some powders, they still have some stock. Great deals to be had if they have what you need.

 

[Texas10mm]

For 8lb powder jugs I order online from Sportsmans Warehouse and pickup in store. No shipping, no hazmat fees and I get OK bulk powder discounts. I have even ordered a couple guns from them that end up being cheaper than GunBroker + Shipping + CreditCard fees + FFL transfer fees... and it is a whole lot less hassle. Only downside is having to listen to the stupid sales people talk to the other customers like they are an expert, know everything fountain of gun knowledge... A XD is a MUCH superior gun to an M&P... B.S.... buy what feels best in your hand and what feels comfortable to you...

For 1 lb powders I usually try to go to the local BiMart first... same for primers.

I bought a KAHR CM9 from Cabellas last Thanksgiving black friday... ordered online drove 2 hours to pick it up a week later... had a great sale at a great price and couldn't find one local at any price. I haven't felt a need to go back to Cabellas since. Everything else seemed way over priced.

Since moving from the PNW I miss Bi-Mart. Used to buy a lot of powder there. Their sales on CCI Mini-Mags cost me a lot of money too.

OK Thanks, I didn''t realize Grafs was that low. How are prices compared to Powder Valley?

Is it really that hard to check?

They didn't make Cabela's more than BASS; they raised Cabela's prices up to BASS levels.

Not true. Bass Pro powder prices are much higher than Cabela's.

 

[MikeInOr]

Cabela's won't ship powder or primers to a store for pickup.

That is really bad business! The ONLY reason I will set foot in Sportsmans Warehouse is because I can order powder, primers and guns online and pick them up in the local store. I do know I can order guns onsale online and pick them up in the local Cabellas... no having to worry about the local stock.

 

[Dudedog]

Is it really that hard to check?

No, but it wasn't really hard to ask here either, and it wasn't hard for labnoti to answer my question.
(Thanks again labnoti)
One of main the reasons the forum is here is to ask questions and get answers.
(and since we had system problems at work and I had a 22 hour day I was tired when I posted)

All the times I was after stuff and I looked at Graf's web site they didn't have everything I was after so I didn't check the cost of shipping.
Cheap shipping does you no good if they don't have what you want.
Last time I needed powder and primers I actually ordered from Cabelas as primers were $20/k and I had free shipping code for Cabelas club members.
So I paid more for the powder but came out ahead because the primers were $12k a less than Grafs.
(nothing wrong with Grafs, but for example Powder Valley is cheaper on powder)
Hazmat from Cabelas was $20 but I saved the $10 hazmat difference between Graf's and Cabelas on the first K of primers.
Some places may be better on one thing powder/primers/shipping but when you are ordering multiple things the total price for your order delivered to your door is what matters.

On a different note
It's been about 12 years but I had a fire at my house. Back then I called Cabelas and they were able to pull up all my orders (going back at least 10 years) and send me the information to provide to the insurance company, who was asking what was it? How much did you pay for it? When did you buy it?
Having receipts in a file cabinet does you no good if the file cabinet burns up.
Having information on your computer does you no good if the computer burns up.
(as a side note it's a good idea to take pictures of all you stuff, put them on disk(s) then put the disks in a fireproof safe or off site with a friend/relative. Every couple months I make a computer back that goes to my sisters place as well. For example Insurance company-how many shirts/pants/etc did you have? All I remembered was enough not to have to do laundry for a while)
Also years ago they used to send me a Master Catalog (about 2-3" thick) every year. Kind of fun to just browse through it.

 

[Locochief]

I have a Bass Pro about 20 miles from my house but have never bought anything reloading related there. Only shorts and shirts on sale. I have a LGS about 15 miles from me that is higher than BP so that is a no go. I have used Cabela's for items on sale, but now like others that seems to be fading into the sunset since the BP takeover.

Most of my reloading purchased now are from Wholesale Hunter. They have a store front about 5 miles from my house and although the shelf price on powder is maybe a dollar or two higher than say Midsouth or PowderValley I don't have to pay a shipping fee or hazmat fee, only 4% sales tax.

 

[preacherJohn]

I've run into the primer problem at the Cabela's in Bowling Green, KY also. They used to have all I wanted, but no much anymore. BG is about 65 miles from me, but I don't mind the scenic drive occasionally because our daughter and grandkids live there, and I visit doctor's there on occasion too. But like you said, they are kind of pricey without a sale. Now, Kentucky Gun Co is about the same distance from me in Bardstown, KY and they have every type of powder and primers I've ever seen. I bought my PPQ there back a few months ago for $130 less than Cabela's, and picked up some powders and primers there the same time. It's about an hours drive, and I can save money by driving over the hazmat, and shipping prices.

 

[hdwhit]

Also at 64 yo. I really do not want to have 5 years worth of primers and powders sitting under the bench. I may not be here that long!

Have faith.

I have an incurable, progressive, disabling neurological condition, but I'm still planning on being able to be trusted with a gun well into my 70's.

 

[jhansman]

Midsouth, Brownell's, and Graf's all have small hazmat or no hazmat sales throughout the year.

This. Since it's a 60+ mi. drive to my nearest supply, I use the interwebs to get powder/primers/bullets. Graf's has been the most consistent for in-stock, and the $10 hazmat works for me.

 

[entropy]

The two stores I normally visit are the Hoffman Estates Illinois and the Richfield Wis. stores. Have found a store , Recob's Targets just north of Madison. Otherwise Midwestern Shooters in Lomira Wis. which also is a couple hours away.

Both excellent stores. (Recob's and MW Shooters)

 

[HankC]

Ask the store manager when you don't see on shelves, sometimes they have in the back room and will bring out if you ask. If they don't have in store and you keep asking them, they know there is an interest and will order in. I buy S&B primers when on sale, I see them on shelves all the time when not on sale but gone fast when on sale. Cabela's does not do ship to store on powders and primers but Bass Pro does, it would be a good change, not the Bass Pro price, now they merged.

 

[sage5907]

I had always liked Cabela's and I have found many good products and many good buys there. For many years I have dreaded to go into a Bass Pro store and I buy very few things there. Now that Bass Pro has taken over Cabela's I am getting the same bad feeling about Cabela's, and now when I buy something the first places I go are eBay, Graf & Sons, and GunBroker. I may go to a Cabela's catalog to find an item but then I buy it somewhere else. It's all about price.

 

[Patocazador]

They may? be phasing out Cabela's because I got a notice that my Cabela's Club card would be switching in October. Also they said my points would be carried over into a new system.

That might be the handwriting on the wall.

 

[bluetopper]

There's a pawn/gun shop not too far away that has a pretty good selection of powder and primers or at times I stock up when I go to a big gun show in Dallas.

 

[FROGO207]

It's a 2-1/2 hour ride one way to the only Cabellas in Maine for me. I have been in the store maybe 3 times since it opened 15 years ago. Dicks is the only other local option but you already know what we think of them, and no reloading supplies. I do better at several LGS or on line for my needs. I was never impressed that much as far as prices when going into the Cabellas anyway so no big loss locally in my way of thinking. On the bright side of things, at least they were not bought out by Dicks.

 

[Texas10mm]

They may? be phasing out Cabela's because I got a notice that my Cabela's Club card would be switching in October. Also they said my points would be carried over into a new system.

That might be the handwriting on the wall.

Part of the deal when BP bought Cabela's was that the card issuer would change.

 

[kmw1954]

Have faith.

I have an incurable, progressive, disabling neurological condition, but I'm still planning on being able to be trusted with a gun well into my 70's.

No doubt. 1st I've heard you mention this on the other forums we belong. So sorry to hear that! As you may have seen over at Taurus Armed with all the advanced heart and vascular trouble I have even with precautions it could happen at any time. I try not to think about it. Though it has been 1.5yrs since I quite smoking!

 

[kmw1954]

So nice to hear from all you folks in Texas how plentiful supplies are for you though that doesn't do me any good now does it?

Most online vendors I've check are all getting $28.00 per hazmat shipment. I have Midsouth Shooters that I get emails from daily and their hazmat is $28.00 and then shipping is based on order $ total which from the order I worked up adds another $15.00 so for $43.00 I can easily drive 1.5hrs and save money.

 

[markr6754]

Most online vendors I've check are all getting $28.00 per hazmat shipment. I have Midsouth Shooters that I get emails from daily and their hazmat is $28.00 and then shipping is based on order $ total which from the order I worked up adds another $15.00 so for $43.00 I can easily drive 1.5hrs and save money.

Kevin, I’m not sure what you’re looking to get right now, but Bullets.com is in the final close out process, they have VV N310 on closeout for $21.06/lb. Their HazMat is $20, and shipping $9.95. So 4 lbs of this powder will run you $114.19, or $28.55 per lb. That's not bad at all! Of course, not everyone can buy 4 lbs at a time, but that's still a pretty good deal...while it lasts. Even better if there are a few folks in your local area that want to share the order.

https://www.bullets.com/products/N310-OY-Smokeless-Powder-1-lb-/BL11815

They're all out of pistol primers now, aside from Federal Large Magnum Pistol at $19.32/1000. That's a fantastic price....but I shoot nothing that requires Large Magnum.

 

[irishlad]

Last time I went was about a year ago . The customer service was horrible. I was trying to look at some binoculars. I waited 45 minutes for help. Many customers left . Doubt if I ever go back.

 

[12Bravo20]

Graf’s is just across town for me, plus MidwayUSA is on about 40-45 minutes away. There is a Bass Pro and an Academy Sports not far from Midway. I get most of my reloading supplies from Graf’s. Plus the guys that work there are knowledgeable and friendly.

 

[WiTom]

My wife won't let me enter Recob's with my credit cards or debit card...cash only. Smart woman.

 

[George P]

Having receipts in a file cabinet does you no good if the file cabinet burns up.
Having information on your computer does you no good if the computer burns up.

Put it in a Word or Excel sheet and email it to yourself, pics included - that way it is not in your house to burn up

 

[kmw1954]

My wife won't let me enter Recob's with my credit cards or debit card...cash only. Smart woman.

Sister-in-law lives NW side of Madison and the wife was talking of visiting this weekend so I may just have to make a side trip to Recob's. I wish they also stocked Ramshot Silhouette as that would be a bonus!

 

[Dudedog]

My wife won't let me enter Recob's with my credit cards or debit card...cash only. Smart woman.

Ouch!

 

[TomJ]

I stopped in our local Cabelas a couple of weeks ago to pick up some primers. Where they had always been well stocked, they had next to nothing on the shelves. I spoke with someone at their gun counter and he said Bass Pro Shops was re-examing what they wanted to stock. He's been there a long time and was pretty blunt about the fact that he didn't like the changes Bass Pro Shops were implementing.