Illinois Reloading Supplies

[WildeKurt]

I went to the local gun shop today to buy some supplies only to find they had a very poor selection of bullets and no small pistol primers. I was told they only order 4 times a year and wouldn't have anything for a while. Does anyone know if it's legal to buy supplies off the internet in illinois, particularly primers? I don't believe you can with loaded ammunition.

 

[Oldnamvet]

If you look at the dealer catalogs, such as Midway, they have little icons indicating states that the particular item cannot be shipped into. In some cases, the laws are different for some cities and they also reflect that. Not a sure thing but they are usually right. If you do order something like primers or powders, there is a special hazardous item shipment charge. That can really make it expensive if you are ordering a small amount.

 

[WildeKurt]

I'd rather buy powder and primers local since I won't be buying huge quantities. Wish I could find a shop that has a good selection of stuff. Any help here? I'm west of Chicago about 30 miles. (No not GAT)

 

[georgetwalkerjr]

Help

Try BassPro....they have a store in Bolingbrook:

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.SearchResults?cmid=TOP_SEARCH_GO

IL required an FOID: Firearms Owners Identificaction Card to buy or possess firearms or ammunition in the state. If you're reloading for .40@&W, I assume you have an FOID. If you don't, you should check into getting one. Here's a link to the IL State Police site:

http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/firearmsfaq.cfm

Good luck, George

 

[Canuck-IL]

Sounds like GunDoctor...if you're not in a club that does group buys you'll either pay exorbitant prices locally for small quantities (Midwest in Lyons, for instance) or choose to order several powders and a load of primers at once to spread the hazmat fee ($20) out a little...PowderValley is a good vendor with usually very competitive prices.

An alternative for primers is to stock up at GATs fall truckload sale...weekend after Labor Day, Winchester brand only, but reasonably priced....powders not included in the sale.

Last option is to hit the Kane, DuPage or Lakemoor gun shows and see what's available...there's usually at least one or 2 tables with primers and powder. Calendar of shows is here ...
http://www.isra.org/calendar/

/Bryan

 

[cherryriver]

Gander Mountain Geneva has a fair selection of pistol powder and sometimes has primers. If you have one of those light-striking Smith 625s and just have to have Federal primers, that's where I wound up. I just got rid of the 625 and buy Winchesters at GAT. GAT's cheaper, too.
If you're up north, Schrank's in Waukegan is coming back to life, in terms of stocking reloading supplies. They even have a full selection of VhitaVuori powders, if that's your preference. (My .38s love the 320.)
For bullets, I usually get my .45s from Cabelas.com- Rainier 230s for about 7.5cents these days. My .38s and 9s are Berry's, which I just get straight from Berry's, as they no longer charge for shipping. berrysmfg.com
The 158gr RNs are going about seven cents now, and the 9mm 147s are a little less.
Cabelas is about to open a giant store in Hoffman Estates in the Sears Center or whatever that place is called. That may be a good option, but their store in Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin, which we get to every so often, is no great shakes for reloading supplies.
Reloading's been on a downswing for a long time, I guess, so not too many stores care to tie up space on supplies. But, that's why I try to buy as much as I can locally, so that they are more likely to stock up.
Bill

 

[scout26]

WildeKurt,

I'm in Wheaton myself, so you must be pretty close to me.

I go to Gander Mountain in Geneva, they have a pretty good selection of powders and primers altough they've been real lean on all 209 shotgun primers the last couple of months. They have a fairly good selection of bullets (heck, I've even found 170 grain JFP .321 bullets for my .32 Win Spec there.)

The gunshows at the Dupage (first Sunday of Month Sep-Apr) and Kane (2nd Sunday of the Month) County Fairgorunds also are a good source of reloading supplies. In fact there's one guy there who's normally $3-5 cheaper then GM on powders and a buck or two cheaper on primers. Jim from http://www.gardnerscache.com/ has a great selection of bullets. He's always at the Kane County show. Nice guy to do business with. Let me know if you want to go to either, as I always hit both. (Each show only charges a $5.00 per adult entry fee.)

If your willing to head south on I-55 then Mega Sports in Plainfield has an "okay" selection.

You can also order on-line from Midway, Cabella's, Precision Reloading, etcetera. I don't do much of that as the ~$20 Haz Mat fee just about kills any savings over buying local. Plus, I want to support the local guys.

 

[dmftoy1]

You can buy off the internet in Illinois. I've bought powder and primers from Midway, Natchezss, etc. If you live in cook county then you're pretty much SOL but most of the rest of the state is fine. Some places require a photocopy of your FOID, etc.

Most places will ship ammo to Illinois with the appropriate copy of your FOID, etc. Again you're screwed if you live in cook county. The one place that won't is Midway which is very annoying as I tend to order quite a bit from them.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[WildeKurt]

Sout,

Thank for the info. I'm in Kane County so I'll try the shows in the future. I'll keep you in mind if I get a chance to go. Today I think I'll mosey down to Bass (just remembered I got a gift certificate) or Gander Mountain.

 

[mballai]

Ordering on the web is still very viable if you order in quantity. No one supplier has the stock you can get by the combined resources of the Internet. I can't imagine reloading without it.

 

[lee n. field]

I'd rather buy powder and primers local since I won't be buying huge quantities. Wish I could find a shop that has a good selection of stuff. Any help here? I'm west of Chicago about 30 miles. (No not GAT)

If you make it west a bit, Gander Mountain in east Rockford has reloading supplies. They're not the cheapest.

 

[WildeKurt]

I ended up at Gander Mtn in Geneva. They have supplies but were short on many items, especially bullets. I did manage to get enough to at least load my first batch. Future supplies will no doubt be via the internet.