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Becoming more difficult

Ranger188

Silver $$ Contributor
Just to start with, I do have enough supplies to last me for a while.
How many of you are becoming slightly put off by the lack of supplies
we used to be able to buy at anytime or the prices going up after a
mass buyout.
I know all the reasons or why there is a shortage from time to time.
Sometimes just not as fun anymore.
 
Finding stock for what I need has not been a problem,
and still at good prices. My problem is the long waits to
get it delivered, and the bastards are still charging priority
rates.
 
I've always purchased a good deal be it primers, powder, brass, or bullets. If you have been around the turnip patch once or twice you know these periods will happen.
It ain't hoarding, just smart moves.
Alsolutely. I want to have the components that I need when I need them
 
If you reload it might be a good idea to have alternative powders / primers / bullets that will work for you. While now isn't the best time to embark on extensive load development projects it might be necessary to do some limited load testing with alternates if available.

I have a few alternative load combs that fit my needs if my preferred powder / bullet / primer isn't available. While this approach isn't ideal or always possible due to massive shortage, it provides another way to keep from running short.

Also, having an alternative caliber that will work for the same applications helps. I do a lot of varmint hunting and some predator hunting. My primary go to caliber is the 223 Rem but I have back ups with my 243 Win's. My 243 also can serve as deer caliber with the proper bullet and shot placement.

Another approach is using a caliber that doesn't consume a lot of powder. The great thing about the 223 Rem is I get 280 reloads out of a one pound canister of powder. Since the vast majority of my varmint / predator shot opportunities are under 300 yards, the 223 Rem fits my needs perfectly. The long barrel life is also an advantage. The problem with this caliber in recent years however has been the very high demand by the AR guys for components and ammo. Again, my 243 Win's are waiting in the safe to come to the rescue.
 
I had no idea the reloading scarcity was going to happen this fast. It seems that less than one month ago I was asking about powders for my load development. All of the good ones (and even some questionable ones) are gone. Bullets are gone. Primers are gone. I somehow managed to get some Lapua brass, decent bullets, H4350, and CFE223 during the brief period they were available. Also had a brick of good primers before reloading became the new toilet paper. Lesson learned.
 
If you reload it might be a good idea to have alternative powders / primers / bullets that will work for you. While now isn't the best time to embark on extensive load development projects it might be necessary to do some limited load testing with alternates if available.

Pretty much sums it up here. With this wild cat I'm working
on, it's a good thing I had a large supply of WLR primers, and
found more at an Estate sale cheap. No sense wasting BR2's
for initial case forming and powder tests. Staball and Ramshot
powders are my new best friend as of late. Got in several 8 lb
jugs before that dry's up.....As a last minute note; Powder
Valley has no primers of any type in stock....."NADA" !! Mid
South, pretty much the same.

Heading to the range in the morning to do more testing.
 
take a little road trip... google gun stores within 75 miles of where your at... stop at all the little mom and pop gun stores you can find... chances are you will come home with everything you were wanting or needing.... as far as online and reading the forums retumbo has been non existence for several months now maybe closer to a year... last week i pull into a lgs and theirs 20 pound jugs of it.... same powder that was there six months earlier when i was in there.... components are out there... ya just got to go find them...
 
I’m sitting on lots of small pistol primers, and I very rarely shoot pistol anymore. I have a few years worth of large rifle primers also. It’s my two basic powders that I don’t have a lot of. I’m always willing to make a fare local trade with someone. We can always help each other out.
 
20200902_173334_HDR.jpg 20200902_173417.jpg 20200902_173359.jpg 20200902_173422.jpg
Found this today. Didn't buy anything. You can zoom in on primer prices.
 

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Well I would say in good shape ? Not shooting as much as once did.
I was looking last night and found H-4350 ! Only 1 pounders , got a case 10 lbs.

Most Places in my area have very little to offer ? Dust on the Shevles .

Don
 
Mr. and Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton taught me a most valuable lesson back in the 1990s never ever ever get caught with your pants down....... When it comes to enough reloading supplies that is:D I guess I need to add that Mrs. Clinton taught me that just for years ago....again.
 
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I’m sitting on lots of small pistol primers, and I very rarely shoot pistol anymore. I have a few years worth of large rifle primers also. It’s my two basic powders that I don’t have a lot of. I’m always willing to make a fare local trade with someone. We can always help each other out.
Not sure where you are located but would you be interested in selling any of your SPP?
 
If you reload it might be a good idea to have alternative powders / primers / bullets that will work for you. While now isn't the best time to embark on extensive load development projects it might be necessary to do some limited load testing with alternates if available.

I have a few alternative load combs that fit my needs if my preferred powder / bullet / primer isn't available. While this approach isn't ideal or always possible due to massive shortage, it provides another way to keep from running short.

Also, having an alternative caliber that will work for the same applications helps. I do a lot of varmint hunting and some predator hunting. My primary go to caliber is the 223 Rem but I have back ups with my 243 Win's. My 243 also can serve as deer caliber with the proper bullet and shot placement.

Another approach is using a caliber that doesn't consume a lot of powder. The great thing about the 223 Rem is I get 280 reloads out of a one pound canister of powder. Since the vast majority of my varmint / predator shot opportunities are under 300 yards, the 223 Rem fits my needs perfectly. The long barrel life is also an advantage. The problem with this caliber in recent years however has been the very high demand by the AR guys for components and ammo. Again, my 243 Win's are waiting in the safe to come to the rescue.
6BR!
 
It can be demoralizing. I understand it, I’m not run out of supplies and have kept plugging along. I am far better prepared than most, especially in loaded ammo like 5.56 and 7.62

However I’m relatively young and have to balance expanding my collection with increasing my reloading supplies. If I want to try a new shooting discipline I have to put money towards a firearm for it and then supplies for that firearm, instead of supplies for the others.... So, I don’t have as much backup as most here probably do. It is frustrating when your favorite hobby has stocking and pricing bound to political waves and disaster scares. When I was into fast cars and wakeboarding I never worried about that.
 

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