New Reloaders and Lack of Supplies

[Wyo82]

Hey all, I, like many of you jumped into reloading about a year too late. About a week or so before Christmas, I found a press, dies, and a little (emphasis on LITTLE) bit of supplies starting out. I have to travel about 60 miles to the closest place that carries reloading supplies, and online is a wash unless you want to spend a small fortune. In the last month, I’ve been able to accumulate 5 lbs of powder and a bunch of primers just from trading buddies. Point is, if you’re new like me, branch out and talk to friends and acquaintances and see if they are willing to trade for supplies/components. It doesn’t even have to be components for components. If you have a certain skill set, maybe you can trade work for supplies. It’s not a totally hopeless situation, and I realize that my situation may be a bit different here in Wyoming, where almost everyone you come across reloads or knows someone that does. My advice to you is don’t give up, and be patient! Think outside the box! You never know when you may have something land in your lap when it all seems hopeless that you’ll never find primers or powder (or bullets). While working this week, I did a service call at an older gentleman’s house, and I saw he had a ton of reloading stuff set up on a bench. Turns out he isn’t in the “shooting shape” as he put it, and his focus is now on stone jewelry. Traded him some raw agate and a few other stones I had in my garage in a box for a bunch of primers and powder. When I left, it was hard to tell who was happier with the deal. Dont give up!!!!

 

[hanno]

Nice to hear some positive news.

Good for you and thanks.

 

[Wyo82]

Also, traveling the area for work, I make a quick pit stop at the closest gun shop. Stopped last Thursday, no powder that I could use. Stopped back by on my way on Saturday to same store, 5 lbs of stuff I could use. Bought 2 and left some for someone else that might be in my situation. You never know when stuff is going to “magically” appear. Thank goodness my boss is a reloader too, whenever we are working out of town, we have each other’s lists on hand to keep an eye out!

 

[Skeptic13]

Right now you have to be patient and diligent. And to your point creative. If you are you will find what you need to get you through until the demand slows down and supply increases.

 

[Wyo82]

Right now you have to be patient and diligent. And to your point creative. If you are you will find what you need to get you through until the demand slows down and supply increases.

Exactly! And I should point out that at this time I’m only reloading for 2 rifle calibers and my 500 S&W. It’s not like I’m churning out ammo by the hundreds, but enough to work up some loads and make a few boxes here and there. No way would it be possible for me to start racking out hundreds at a time, but when all this blows over, then I might . Just biding my time and slowly accumulating, picking up what I can as I find it. I know a few people who are ready to just throw in the towel because it’s been 3 months and they can’t find anything.

 

[Bartojc]

I started out during the Obama/Sandy Hook panic. Supplies were scarce, I think I went over a year before I bought primers from a store. I did the same as you, traded with friends, etc. This time around I have two friends getting started. I've helped them out with primers and brass to get them going. Trading makes way more sense vs paying today prices on the black market. I'd not load before I pay 5x-10x normal price for primers.

-Jeff

 

[Wyo82]

Yeah I refuse to pay these prices people are asking. The primers I first bought worked out to 4 cents a piece, and the powder I got this weekend was $35/lb. I get the whole supply and demand theory, but I’m also not gonna pay $200+ for 1000 primers. Paying just encourages these snakes.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I'm lucky to enjoy the load workup process and that has allowed me to buy a few pounds of different powders that were available. No, I don't have an 8 pounder of my favorites, but I was able to get individual pounds of a number of other people's favorite powders to try out. A few of them might even make the 8 pounder list when this shortage abates.
I also have a few friends looking out for me and get a heads-up sometimes on supplies. It does help to build a network of friends and relationships with the Mom & Pop shops.

 

[Walkalong]

Yeah I refuse to pay these prices people are asking

Me too, I’ll stop shooting first. Fortunately I have a decent supply from stocking up a little here and there since 1984. Not huge quantities, but enough to keep shooting at my pace for a long time.

The biggest thing I need right now is match bullets for PRS. I might have to switch primers in Dasher if I can’t find any reasonable by next year (have just over 1K), but that won’t stop me, I do need bullets soon, I have less than 300 Berger Hybrids, less than 200 Hornady ELDs, and less than 100 SMKs suitable for Dasher. I do have 200 plus 115 Gr DTACs, but I haven’t tried them in Dasher and would have to use some working up a load.

But playing around ammo/components? I can get through this. Same for hunting ammo.

 

[Wyo82]

Yep this is a hobby for me, I don’t do any competitions unless it’s with coworkers on a slow work day. 99% of it is hunting ammo I am making, big game loads and coyote loads. When it comes to hunting ammo, a half box should get me through the season if I draw all the tags I put in for. Coyote rounds are a little more numerous, have to have a box in the truck, the Jeep, and the work truck just in case

 

[kcofohio]

I started reloading a year or so before Sandy Hook. Between '13 & '14, I spent a lot of time on websites and travelled much distance for components. Between finding trickles and catching a rare "in stock" moment, and being given components for whatever reason. One can weather this storm, and try not to panic.
@Wyo82 , your advice is good, barter, work for, sometimes being gifted components. They're out there, not all are being shot up. Some people thought they would use them, only to have them stashed in a forgotten box.

 

[Highland Lofts]

Trading makes way more sense vs paying today prices on the black market. I'd not load before I pay 5x-10x normal price for primers.

-Jeff

A friend lives by one of the gun stores that seams to be able to get small quantities of primers in.
He called me and asked if I needed anything.
Of coarse we all need primers.
When he got there fifteen minutes after they opened there was a guy at the check out with the last box of small rifle pirmers, $89.99 for a 1,000 primers.
Them ad just under 10% for sales tax puts you at over $99 for them from a ligit brick & mortor retail shop.

So guys asking $100 for a brick of primers isn't that far fetched for my area.
But the guys at the gun show and gun forums who want from $200 to $275 for a box of primers can choke on thier items when all this is done.
I have a list of who not to deal with and stick yo it.

 

[FROGO207]

I was always taught that where there is a will you'll find a way. I am thankful that I have been through these times before and had the funds to stock up some ahead of this mess. Hopefully this too shall pass. In the mean time I have helped several reloaders with supplies they needed. We will get through this together.

 

[bullseye308]

Some of us have been at this for a while and have been through shortages and droughts in the past and come to expect them at certain intervals. Those of us have learned to stock up and share that knowledge with others and tried to encourage people to set back enough to get through these cycles. Unfortunately this is unprecedented in scope and with over 8 million new gun owners last year everything got turned on its head. Those new gun owners need ammo, previous gun owners need ammo, uncertainty of new laws and possibly more violence has wiped out the available ammo. In desperation lots of folks found out they could make their own ammo and now components and hardware have been snatched up in unheard of numbers and depleted the inventories. Manufacturing cannot keep up and demand has brought out the scalpers and desperate.

Very few have sufficient stock to get through this expectedly extended drought and it is terrible to witness. Components are trickling out and you have to be prepared to jump on any when the opportunity comes up or you will be paying ridiculous prices or not shooting. Like mentioned above trading goods or services, estate sales, yard sales, Craigslist, evilbay, and persistence with local shows and shops can all put you in components and hardware. Set some money aside, and network with others, share want lists, it all can pay off.

 

[kcofohio]

Last time I had a couple bricks and a few pounds going into the panic. Checking religiously daily, I was able to enough components to be comfortable.

And to think I bulked at paying anything near 4 cent per primer a year or so ago. But I stocked plenty before that.

 

[WeekendReloader]

And to think I bulked at paying anything near 4 cent per primer a year or so ago. But I stocked plenty before that.

^^This!

I would buy CCI primers in-person at Cabela's for 3 cents each, no hazmat. I'd grab one brick whenever I happened to go there. No big deal at the time. I saw the S&B there for cheaper, but didn't pick any up.
It's funny, the primers on the shelf at my local Cabela's dried up in summer 2019, well before the election and pandemic. They were still available online, but not in the store. Looking back, it was the canary in the coal mine.

 

[kerreckt]

I have been reloading since about 1983 or so. I have seen a number of times of scarcity. I learned to buy as much as I can afford during times of plenty. This not only keeps me supplied but allows me to share with friends that have run out. I just give them what I can spare with the understanding that they will pay me in kind when things are available. So far it has worked out well. It is also very satisfying to see the look on their face when you hand them 1k box of primers, in times as these. Best wishes

 

[WeekendReloader]

I have been reloading since about 1983 or so. I have seen a number of times of scarcity. I learned to buy as much as I can afford during times of plenty. This not only keeps me supplied but allows me to share with friends that have run out. I just give them what I can spare with the understanding that they will pay me in kind when things are available. So far it has worked out well. It is also very satisfying to see the look on their face when you hand them 1k box of primers, in times as these. Best wishes

Right. Helping friends through is what it's all about. I have a good friend that doesn't always have money to stock up, but is always willing to help cast or reload, offer to drive to the range, saves his brass for me, whatever. That works for me.

 

[WestKentucky]

I got a call a bit ago and was told to check my desk drawer at work. 300 large pistol primers and 200 large rifle primers sitting there smiling up at me. Guy had them and couldn’t use them. Asked if I know where to get small rifle and I told him I would just bring him some. The large pistol primers will go to another coworker, I don’t use large pistol right now and don’t see a need for it anytime soon so they can go where they will be used. If I add what I had to the pile it will be around 800 going to a guy who has been looking pretty hard.

 

[Wyo82]

A friend lives by one of the gun stores that seams to be able to get small quantities of primers in.
He called me and asked if I needed anything.
Of coarse we all need primers.
When he got there fifteen minutes after they opened there was a guy at the check out with the last box of small rifle pirmers, $89.99 for a 1,000 primers.
Them ad just under 10% for sales tax puts you at over $99 for them from a ligit brick & mortor retail shop.

So guys asking $100 for a brick of primers isn't that far fetched for my area.
But the guys at the gun show and gun forums who want from $200 to $275 for a box of primers can choke on thier items when all this is done.
I have a list of who not to deal with and stick yo it.

What area of the country are you in? I stopped in to the Scheels in Rapid City, SD this morning on my way to a job and they had 4 boxes of 1000 Large Pistol Magnum primers on the shelf. 1 box per customer limit, picked one up for the future for $34.99 + tax. Could’ve bought another through a coworker that was with me, but didn’t want to be greedy!

 

[Average Joe]

I just dusted off my hi power air rifles again, did the same last shortage. As long as I have something to shoot, I'm happy.

 

[Highland Lofts]

What area of the country are you in? I stopped in to the Scheels in Rapid City, SD this morning on my way to a job and they had 4 boxes of 1000 Large Pistol Magnum primers on the shelf. 1 box per customer limit, picked one up for the future for $34.99 + tax. Could’ve bought another through a coworker that was with me, but didn’t want to be greedy!

I am 40 miles north of Seattle, there is a Cabelas semi-close by that has not had anything in the reloading section, rifle/pistol ammo section, and shotgun shell section for months on end.
Where the shotgun shells go on the shelves they have hundreds of boxes of clay pigeons and clay pigeons in the wide isle between sections.

What good is a clay pigeon with out shotgun shells to shoot them.

 

[Poper]

Me too, I’ll stop shooting first. Fortunately I have a decent supply from stocking up a little here and there since 1984. Not huge quantities, but enough to keep shooting at my pace for a long time.

The biggest thing I need right now is match bullets for PRS. I might have to switch primers in Dasher if I can’t find any reasonable by next year (have just over 1K), but that won’t stop me, I do need bullets soon, I have less than 300 Berger Hybrids, less than 200 Hornady ELDs, and less than 100 SMKs suitable for Dasher. I do have 200 plus 115 Gr DTACs, but I haven’t tried them in Dasher and would have to use some working up a load.

But playing around ammo/components? I can get through this. Same for hunting ammo.

Am I correct in assuming that is 6mm Dasher? If so, what Bergers are you looking for? I may be able to help you out.

 

[Mark_Mark]

A friend lives by one of the gun stores that seams to be able to get small quantities of primers in.
He called me and asked if I needed anything.
Of coarse we all need primers.
When he got there fifteen minutes after they opened there was a guy at the check out with the last box of small rifle pirmers, $89.99 for a 1,000 primers.
Them ad just under 10% for sales tax puts you at over $99 for them from a ligit brick & mortor retail shop.

So guys asking $100 for a brick of primers isn't that far fetched for my area.
But the guys at the gun show and gun forums who want from $200 to $275 for a box of primers can choke on thier items when all this is done.
I have a list of who not to deal with and stick yo it.

Don’t pay these prices! even if the gunshop is getting it at super high prices from their distributors. Just Don’t buy $200, $100,$75.... primers, let them sit on it. this is ridiculous. Everyone find another hobby... learn to bake a cake or something.

 

[kcofohio]

Don’t pay these prices! even if the gunshop is getting it at super high prices from their distributors. Just Don’t buy $200, $100,$75.... primers, let them sit on it. this is ridiculous. Everyone find another hobby... learn to bake a cake or something.

I don't do cakes, but I can do some mean cookies!