How to Lower Powder and Primer Prices?
- Thread starter Dgd6mm
- Start date
Competition shooting(going through high volumes of components) has quickly become a semi rich man’s sport in my opinion. Those that are well enough off will continue to buy. Those that aren’t, unfortunately, will have to make some tough choices between buying the necessities of life and the wants of life. I really don’t see things coming down in price much even under the new administration. But I hope to be proven wrong.
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Mark M.
Silver $$ Contributor
I have seen #41's for 69. /K, definitely a step in the right direction
We have the largest demand for reloading components of any country in my opinion. We live in the lap of luxury with our hobby here in the US. Even when prices were only a shadow of what they are today, I couldn't afford or didn't want to spend the dollars to compete. Supply and demand are the commanders of price and availability!
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
Prices are down (well, some things - primers and brass for instance) compared to later in the Covid lockdown. And some things are (primers) are becoming more widely available.
Powder remains high, largely, I suspect, as a result of the shakeup of the business model that Hodgdon initiated a couple of years ago (with most others following suit.)
Not really anything you as a consumer can do about it, except putting more effort into finding cheaper suppliers, and buying in larger quantities to try to maintain bulk pricing and maximize bang for your shipping buck. Group buys may help with that if you have friends who reload.
Be aware that may backfire, though, if prices do come down before you end up using it (as a lot of hoarders have found out - most recently with eggs, but also with TP and primers.)
Powder remains high, largely, I suspect, as a result of the shakeup of the business model that Hodgdon initiated a couple of years ago (with most others following suit.)
Not really anything you as a consumer can do about it, except putting more effort into finding cheaper suppliers, and buying in larger quantities to try to maintain bulk pricing and maximize bang for your shipping buck. Group buys may help with that if you have friends who reload.
Be aware that may backfire, though, if prices do come down before you end up using it (as a lot of hoarders have found out - most recently with eggs, but also with TP and primers.)
ridgeway
Silver $$ Contributor
Stop buying it....supply will go up and prices will come down. This last stunt with a heads up that certain powders will become available...they know how much to put out without being a surplus. Slap on a ridiculous price and people will buy it because of the demand. On top that...a limit what you can buy. Pure business, period. They can go pound sand on a purchase limit!
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
I have one jug of Hodgdon left. Just one. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
Vihtavuori is better, plain and simple, and they’re not gouging us to death.
The price of primers is a little crazy, but brass is definitely the cheapest piece of the puzzle and I don’t really care what good brass costs, I’ll buy it.
Let the $90 Hodgdon rot on the shelf.
Vihtavuori is better, plain and simple, and they’re not gouging us to death.
The price of primers is a little crazy, but brass is definitely the cheapest piece of the puzzle and I don’t really care what good brass costs, I’ll buy it.
Let the $90 Hodgdon rot on the shelf.
Adapt and overcome; here's what I did:
1. Went to caliper (223 Rem) that gives me a lot reload yield and trigger time for a pound of powder, i.e. 280 reloads per lbs.
2. For pistol, I went a fast powder (231) and moderate loads (38 +P) that gives me a high yield of about 1,200 rounds per lbs.
3. I wait for sales on bullets at my local shop or use Blue Collar Reloading. I try to buy in bulk (See comment 6)
4. I am not a blaster but a precision slow fire shooter, so I normally shoot 10 to 15 rounds per centerfire rifle range session, all cool / cold barrel shots because this is the "money" shot for me being a varmint / predator hunter. When not shooting, I enjoy the surroundings taking in nature and talking to fellow old fart shooters like me. I score every shot.
5 Two years ago I went back to 22 LR to increase trigger time. I purchase a Tikka T1X. Great move for me. My typical range session is 30 rounds so I get a lot of shooting out of a brick of CCI Standard Vel ammo. This ammo is good enough for me and my intended purposed, trigger time and practicing fundamentals. I score every shot.
6. I get good mileage out of my reloads for my purposes which is practical shooting at the range, which is fun for me and hunting, which I love. I don't do any extensive load testing / bench shooting / experimenting which I hate. I have fun which I love.
 This approach allows me to buy in bulk since I have all my loads established. In addition, I have a few alternative powders when supply chain issues arise although I must admit, this is getting more challenging.
7. I do not buy expensive cleaning products. I have learned through experience that I can achieve the results I need with simple, inexpensive solvents. I blame this approach on Elmer Keith, Page 306, "Six Guns" and Jack O' Connor.
Aside for that, there isn't much I can do. We have no control over the supply chain or pricing. If you are innovative, you can stay active, at least for now. You can't predict the future? Carpi Diem!
1. Went to caliper (223 Rem) that gives me a lot reload yield and trigger time for a pound of powder, i.e. 280 reloads per lbs.
2. For pistol, I went a fast powder (231) and moderate loads (38 +P) that gives me a high yield of about 1,200 rounds per lbs.
3. I wait for sales on bullets at my local shop or use Blue Collar Reloading. I try to buy in bulk (See comment 6)
4. I am not a blaster but a precision slow fire shooter, so I normally shoot 10 to 15 rounds per centerfire rifle range session, all cool / cold barrel shots because this is the "money" shot for me being a varmint / predator hunter. When not shooting, I enjoy the surroundings taking in nature and talking to fellow old fart shooters like me. I score every shot.
5 Two years ago I went back to 22 LR to increase trigger time. I purchase a Tikka T1X. Great move for me. My typical range session is 30 rounds so I get a lot of shooting out of a brick of CCI Standard Vel ammo. This ammo is good enough for me and my intended purposed, trigger time and practicing fundamentals. I score every shot.
6. I get good mileage out of my reloads for my purposes which is practical shooting at the range, which is fun for me and hunting, which I love. I don't do any extensive load testing / bench shooting / experimenting which I hate. I have fun which I love.
 This approach allows me to buy in bulk since I have all my loads established. In addition, I have a few alternative powders when supply chain issues arise although I must admit, this is getting more challenging.7. I do not buy expensive cleaning products. I have learned through experience that I can achieve the results I need with simple, inexpensive solvents. I blame this approach on Elmer Keith, Page 306, "Six Guns" and Jack O' Connor.
Aside for that, there isn't much I can do. We have no control over the supply chain or pricing. If you are innovative, you can stay active, at least for now. You can't predict the future? Carpi Diem!
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
I agree here, the price of 1K primers is what has slowed down my shooting more than anything
I remember $30-$40 a box
Triple the price now is insane
rockhound78
Silver $$ Contributor
Local farm and ranch had 8 lbs of Varget for $368. Thought, hmm, sale going on in two days, 15% off, I'll wait. As you can guess, it was gone this morning!! If someone beat me to it this morning, they got it for around $320
I was just going through my inventory of primers. I've got a box of Federal 210M that has a $39 sticker on the end flap. I'm not sure when I bought those primers but it sure wasn't 20 years ago.
Downhill
Gold $$ Contributor
As a pipeline welder in the early 90's, a box of 8010g welding rods-50lbs cost about $30 a box. Today that same box is $385. Not once in the last 30 or so years has the price went down. Pipelining is a Feast or Famine endeavor. When work was slow, prices never dropped. I hope this analogy does not apply to reloading but I'm afraid the prices are here to stay.
Plan ahead, shoot less, stock up when you can also explore other component brands.
paperpuncher
Gold $$ Contributor
Play Golf
JayHHI6818
Silver $$ Contributor
ToddKS
Gold $$ Contributor
If I had seen 8# Varget for $368 there would have immediately been zero left on the shelf.
buck broyles
Gold $$ Contributor
I’m about ready to go to air rifles. They pay out more money at their competitions anyway
Ranger188
Silver $$ Contributor
It's pretty simple, price and demand.
Everyone has noticed that you see more primers and lately some
hard to get brass, stay in-stock now and some prices coming down.
A year or two ago you could hardly get bullets. Now back to close to normal.
Once they manufactures catchup and the market (us) buy enough
to be satisfied, then the market will start to get saturated, then they will
start to lower prices to meet the demand.
Everyone has noticed that you see more primers and lately some
hard to get brass, stay in-stock now and some prices coming down.
A year or two ago you could hardly get bullets. Now back to close to normal.
Once they manufactures catchup and the market (us) buy enough
to be satisfied, then the market will start to get saturated, then they will
start to lower prices to meet the demand.
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