Primer unavailability and competition shooting

[swadiver]

the primer situation, as we all are way too aware, is dire. i have a very modest stockpile of SR primers (which is all i use), but i am drastically cutting back on my shooting, both fun and competition to stretch my supply. there is some speculation that 3 or more years may pass before a relatively normal supply of primers is available at reasonable prices..

just wondering if this situation may signal a death spiral in competitive rifle shooting of all types. i know there are many of you that have been through numerous "crises" of shortages before, and things eventually returned to normal. however, this time may be different, as it appears that we have a perfect storm of events including a pandemic, civil unrest, and the elections and their aftermaths. maybe it is just too much for many shooting sports to survive.

hope i am wrong

 

[hpshooter]

the primer situation, as we all are way too aware, is dire. i have a very modest stockpile of SR primers (which is all i use), but i am drastically cutting back on my shooting, both fun and competition to stretch my supply. there is some speculation that 3 or more years may pass before a relatively normal supply of primers is available at reasonable prices..

just wondering, if this situation may signal a death spiral in competitive rifle shooting of all types. i know there are many of you that have been through numerous "crises" of shortages before, and things eventually returned to normal. however, this time may be different, as it appears that we have a perfect storm of events including a pandemic, civil unrest, and the elections and their aftermaths. maybe it is just too much for many shooting sports to survive.

hope i am wrong

The fellow who runs the action pistol matches at our club says the participation level has dropped about 50% due to cost and availability of ammunition and reloading components. The club matches at our club are a blend of USPSA and IDPA style stages.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Three years seems far-fetched to me, but I’m not saying it’s impossible. It would help if people don’t buy 10,000-20,000 when they get the chance. When they start showing back up on the shelves, just buy a few thousand and leave some for the next shooter. I don’t think we’ve all started shooting more and I don’t think they slowed down the factories. I don’t think all these new first time gun owners that we’ve been hearing about are reloaders yet. It’s just some folks are buying a lot more, but it doesn’t seem reasonable that the hoarding will completely consume the supply for three years.

 

[oldtimer6.5x39]

I'm seeing AR-15 flying off the shelves right now. Two of the gun stores that I went to are offering 50 rounds with the purchase. That may be the last 50 rounds these new buyers ever see.

 

[john 800]

Three years seems far-fetched to me, but I’m not saying it’s impossible. It would help if people don’t buy 10,000-20,000 when they get the chance. When they start showing back up on the shelves, just buy a few thousand and leave some for the next shooter. I don’t think we’ve all started shooting more and I don’t think they slowed down the factories. I don’t think all these new first time gun owners that we’ve been hearing about are reloaders yet. It’s just some folks are buying a lot more, but it doesn’t seem reasonable that the hoarding will completely consume the supply for three years.

In addition to people stocking up Remington has cut or stopped production due to an ownership change and bankruptcy situation.
I would say after the mid term elections things might loosen up if we can still buy them without a permit and tax stamp, that will be the time to buy before the hoarding starts for the next presidential election. This absolutely can and may last bidens complete term if they keep talking about gun control.

 

[john 800]

One thing that could lighten the burden of the ammo shortage is to adjust the format and reduce the number of rounds fired.

 

[Dub]

I believe the supply chain will catch up sooner than later. The key is to keep looking for them.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Today I managed to get Winchester WLP and CCI 250 LR Mag. for a couple guys I work with who are out offshore. - Small Rifle & Small pistol I can't seem to find, but I keep looking. And I try to help others out like I did today.

 

[boltman13]

I think internet and retail outlets may and should limit sales to 1,000 or at most 2,000 primers to any one customer over a certain time period, say 1 month. I know it would require record keeping and time for them to do it but otherwise we face a very uncertain future. Remington will reenter the market and our situation may attract foreign makers to enter our market big time if they can get a distribution network set up.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-...loading-ammo-explode-amid-nationwide-shortage
Reloading makes National News today.

 

[whatsupdoc]

What ever happened to the wolf or what ever the Russian primers that were imported?
What about other overseas manufactures like RWS?

 

[oldtimer6.5x39]

https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-...loading-ammo-explode-amid-nationwide-shortage
Reloading makes National News today.

Thanks for sharing this... I'm thinking about selling my 5.56 stuff only because I have primer, brass and bullets, but can't find powder.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What ever happened to the wolf or what ever the Russian primers that were imported?
What about other overseas manufactures like RWS?

Cant import russian items anymore

 

[shortgrass]

Cant import russian items anymore

Sanctions

 

[DirtySteve]

During the last one of these hoarding episodes I just shot matches and no practice..
Today I bought two boxes of 224 cal Berger 80.5's. I left two on the shelf for someone else. If you find something try to leave some for the next guy or two.. That will help things get back to normal..I hope..

 

[Walt Krafft]

All depends on the Georgia senate elections. If dems win, furgetaboutit.

 

[Rustytigwire]

Thanks for sharing this... I'm thinking about selling my 5.56 stuff only because I have primer, brass and bullets, but can't find powder.

3rd generation has a lot of Reloder 10x. I read this was used in the past in AR's.
Thought about picking some up.

 

[pdhntr]

Why wouldn't a distributor who normally would ship out primers to Mom and Pop stores, not look at the profit they could make by moving them on Gunbroker. 120 thousand from one (?) in the last couple of months. These were not primers that were squirreled away for the last few years, they had recent dates.

I really don't want to think about the precedent this is setting, that Gunbroker is the new source for primers.

Jim

 

[JFrank]

Primer scalpers!

 

[Canuckenstein]

The primers are being distributed. I was just at one of or distributors and saw 3 full pallets of Winchester primers. All flavours. I’m in Canada so if we’re getting them here you guys should be seeing them down there. Seeing as how that’s where they’re made. No?