Time to stock up on components again - Part 2

[LiveLife]

The old thread is time locked so starting a new thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/time-to-stock-up-on-reloading-components-again.804337/

Remember the "Great Component Shortage"?

I posted this back in May of 2016:

"To me, we have entered the period of surplus again and popular reloading components are obtainable again with lower prices. I have a monthly budget set aside for reloading/shooting and tax refund is split between wife and I for our hobbies. The money set aside is used when I see good sales come up on reloading components and shooting items."

For me, whether another component shortage will occur is irrelevant as I am stocking up for my upcoming retirement. I wish I had bought more primers when Powder Valley was selling Wolf primers for $14/1000. I wish I had bought more Promo when they were $87/8 lbs.

Well, I could wish all I want but this is 2017.

Cabela's recently sold S&B primers for $19.99/1000 with $5 shipping and $20 HazMat.

8 lbs of Promo is $112-$113 from Recob's Target Shop and Powder Valley everyday.

PSA recently sold Federal 36 gr CPHP 22LR for 275/$12.99 ($23.61/500) with free shipping.

I stocked up on all of them in addition to buying a couple .223 Wylde upper/kit - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...onents-for-sale.707473/page-159#post-10616628

So consider setting aside some money each month to buy reloading components when they go on sale to stock up for future years.

I have a feeling 10-20 years from now, we'll be posting on THR, "Remember when primers were $19.99 and Promo was $112?"

 

[hdwhit]

bds wrote:
I am stocking up for my upcoming retirement.

You too? Congratulations.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Count me in as a upcoming retiree as well.

 

[Duvel]

I have a feeling 10-20 years from now, we'll be posting on THR, "Remember when primers were $19.99 and Promo was $112?"

Or, "remember when primers were $35 a thousand and powders was $30lb"

 

[Hardtarget]

I buy when I can but I don't seem to get the range time I want. You are right...best to buy and set it on the shelf than fret and search all over when its just not any where to be found. Going now to make my list.....

Mark

 

[PO2Hammer]

Still trying to use up powder, primers and bullets from Obama scare 1 (2008). Going to shop more selectively this time.

 

[LiveLife]

You too? Congratulations.

Thanks.

Actually, I can retire anytime but working full-time until mortgage is paid off. I even have the option of working part-time 2-3 days week, which I would consider essentially retired.

Going to shop more selectively this time.

That's the key.

During the shortage, we just bought whatever was available.

Now, it's buyer's market and we can pick and choose the components we want to stock up.

 

[otisrush]

Another new retiree here.

Based on recent discussions here (as well as thinking about it in general) I picked up some primers and a few lbs of powder last night. I, too, tend to measure my components inventory in terms of "years of supply". I haven't made a firm decision re how many years of component inventory I want to have. But whatever that ends up being, I know for sure we've got a good buying opportunity right now.

The thing about being retired is it leaves more time to load AND unload. So those annual shooting volume numbers are going up for sure given I'm going to the range more often.

 

[LiveLife]

Another new retiree here.

The thing about being retired is it leaves more time to load AND unload. So those annual shooting volume numbers are going up for sure given I'm going to the range more often.

Congratulations and you bring up a very good point.

After moving to our retirement location, I can almost shoot everyday on nearby BLM land. When co-workers found out how often I shot and that I drove a 4x4 Suburban that seats 8, now I am regularly carrying passengers on my range trips.

I am providing defensive shooting/point shooting training to co-workers and their families/friends. Before too long, I will be setting up USPSA style shooting stages using portable PVC target stands for point shooting drills to engage multiple targets (my co-workers are already point shooting copy paper targets at 7-15 yards). While I anticipated shooting more into retirement, I did not plan on training this many people.

We switched from 22LR to 9mm carbines during the last shortage and found that I am shooting carbines at similar rate of fire as Ruger 10/22 and round count is increasing. Thankfully, RMR offers quantity discount and I ordered 4000 115 gr FMJ alone on my last order. If round count stays high, I may need to order 12,000 quantity.

 

[bbqreloader]

Congratulations and you bring up a very good point.

After moving to our retirement location, I can almost shoot everyday on nearby BLM land. When co-workers found out how often I shot and that I drove a 4x4 Suburban that seats 8, now I am regularly carrying passengers on my range trips.

I am providing defensive shooting/point shooting training to co-workers and their families/friends. Before too long, I will be setting up USPSA type shooting stages using portable PVC target stands for point shooting drills (my co-workers are already point shooting copy paper targets at 7-15 yards). While I anticipated shooting more into retirement, I did not plan on training this many people.

We switched from 22LR to 9mm carbines during the last shortage and found that I am shooting carbines at similar rate of fire as Ruger 10/22 and round count is increasing. Thankfully, RMR offers quantity discount and I ordered 4000 115 gr FMJ alone on my last order. If round count stays high, I may need to order 12,000 quantity.

Man, if I only had your money and time Still raising two little ones at home, trying to shoot when I can and the big R is still about 8 years off. Guess I'll just have to live vicariously thru the retired crew until I get there

 

[papaairbear]

My component usage increased when I retired and it sounds like the rest of you will find the same thing. I thought I had several years supply stocked up but shooting more, and more often, is changing all my careful planning. Timely post bds. And to to all you fellas about to retire.....jump in! The water's great! And during that first week or two after just taking the plunge, remind yourself you are not on vacation and are not playing hookie. It's all legal and all real.

 

[Legionnaire]

I'm a few years away from retirement ... and this is good advice!

 

[Walkalong]

The old "buy it cheap and stack it deep" saying came about for a reason. Always have some spare change saved up for a sale, then buy what you can when you see a true deal on things you will use. The trick is to always be ready (Have cash saved), to have the patience and self control to wait for a deal, then buy.

 

[brewer12345]

I am realizing that I mostly shoot 38 and shotshells, with some .22LR and 44 mag thrown in. I have plenty of .22 stockpiled, but components I need to stack up now that things are loose and easy. I think I need to get my hands on a bunch of unique since it is my preferred trap powder and can be used for about any handgun round. Projectiles for 38/357, and a bunch of HP38. Some SP primers and perhaps some Trail Boss would round out my stash.

Wonder of it is worth stockpiling shot? It was readily available throughout the last debacle.

 

[LiveLife]

When in doubt, stock pile popular components as you can always trade for less popular components if necessary.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Good discussion. Thank you for the reminder.

Brewer12345 - I think it is worth stock piling shot. Pricing is $37 to $40 per 25lb bag here. I guess that feels a little high to me. I was hoping for lower.

Swanee

 

[kcofohio]

Bullets and maybe more brass.

I had gotten some good deals and some so-so deals in the 2012-15 time span. Mostly primers and some powders. Now I'm sated in those two. Definitely bullets and some brass is what I need to focus on now.

bds, looking forward to your range reports from the retirement side.

Me, 10 years out from there. But it seems to be closing in quickly.

 

[Rule3]

I have stock piled "firearms" (until the Hurricanes swept them away) and reloading supplies for a long time. Be careful not to over do it. You just may not end up being able to shoot as much as you plan. There are always other things in life that seem to come up.

Then trying to reduce inventory is not as easy as obtaining it.

Chose wisely.

 

[Walkalong]

Fortunately, I have kids who would want any leftover supplies I might have. But yes, we see it all the time where someone passes and no one wants or even knows what the stuff is.

I have picked up range brass over the years and have enough 9MM and .45 ACP brass to keep me shooting till I go. Perhaps .223 as well. I could use a little more .38 Spl and .357 Mag brass.

Powder and primers are something I'll just have to buy until the end, as I can't keep enough of that around.

 

[brewer12345]

Good discussion. Thank you for the reminder.

Brewer12345 - I think it is worth stock piling shot. Pricing is $37 to $40 per 25lb bag here. I guess that feels a little high to me. I was hoping for lower.

Swanee

I feel like it is high, too. I suppose a few more bags won't break me.

 

[hdwhit]

Walkalong wrote:
The trick is to always be ready (Have cash saved), to have the patience and self control to wait for a deal, then buy.

Excellent advice.

What I am finding is that since this panic ended unexpectedly, the "deals" are all over the place.

Seller "X" puts 9mm bullets on sale for 20% off. Two weeks later they are on sale for 30% off. And if you sat on the sidelines waiting a few more weeks for 40% off, it turns out that two weeks later, Seller "X" is no longer discounting at all.​

I think sellers that go caught with too much inventory, or too little cash, or both are adjusting their plans weekly (daily?) to try to keep product moving out the door so they can keep their doors open. Of course that means the sellers are now the ones in a panic and that means they don't always behave rationally. I've concluded the best course of action has been to wait and buy when something goes on a sale that is "good enough" for me and not try to wait for the ultimate bargain.

 

[hdwhit]

papaairbear wrote:
My component usage increased when I retired and it sounds like the rest of you will find the same thing.

I'm planning on it. When I worked out my planned utilization, usage rates were boosted between 50% and 185% to try and compensate for it. But, even at those higher figures, I will still be a very modest shooter.

Rule3 wrote"
Be careful not to over do it. You just may not end up being able to shoot as much as you plan.

My utilization plan assumes I will be shooting for the rest of my life expectancy. That builds in a cushion since people with my handicap usually spend their last few years with Parkinson-like tremors that would make it irresponsible for me to even pick up a loaded firearm.

 

[Rule3]

With two Obummer scares I bought "enough" stuff for a long time.

I may have to do a spread sheet or inventory based use analysis to see if my actuarial guesstimates are within accepted parameters.

 

[rocirish]

With two Obummer scares I bought "enough" stuff for a long time.

I may have to do a spread sheet or inventory based use analysis to see if my actuarial guesstimates are within accepted parameters.

I did one of those speadsheets last winter. It slowed my purchases a bit
It can be surprising just what a guy has stashed.

 

[LiveLife]

bds, looking forward to your range reports from the retirement side.

Me, 10 years out from there. But it seems to be closing in quickly.

Yes, time does pass quickly.

Actually, I had planned to retire by this year, but a screaming house deal came on the market and wife and I decided to buy the house outright for our son. I will work til our house mortgage is paid off which is about 2 years.

Thankfully BLM shooting area is about 40 minutes away overlooking the ocean so I can enjoy various retirement activities before my actual retirement, like ocean fishing whenever 21' Starcraft with jetdrive is finished and more BBQ after completion of outdoor kitchen.

Shooting area supports 100 yard pistol/carbine and 200/300 yard rifle shooting. I spent recent months mostly teaching defensive/point shooting to coworkers and their families/friends and plan on resuming load testing for various threads with jacketed, plated and coated bullets.

As to component purchase, there's no doubt I am stocking up for retirement years as I don't anticipate being able to buy primers for $20/1000 10-20 years from now.