• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Ridiculous Primer Pricing

I gave a friend of mine 1000 WW SP primers and told him to just give me 1000 back when he found them reasonable
That is what we should do, I let Hope have 8lbs of H1000 and I took 8208 in trade (4lbs) plus the powder valley price difference, fair to both I think.
 
I'm not judging or 'deriding' members here, but these primer threads have been illuminating.

I guess I just assumed a lot of folks were shooting more than they are; some of the reported primer consumption is lower than I would have expected.

I understand the whole 'placing limits' things to stop the guys trying to flip them at gun-shows, but just buying 1k of primers doesn't do a competitive shooter a lot of good. Same with the guys happy about a single 8lb keg.

I suppose if the alternative was not shooting I'd be happy, but generally unless I can get enough of a supply to burn a barrel out...I probably just wouldn't buy anything. What happens if you find a load that works lol? That's gotta be an emotional rollercoaster when you're about to run out and know you can't find it again.

That or just chamber up a barrel burner that's done in 1,000 rounds anyway.

If I can make a dozen days of LR BR matches in a year I am happy. That equates to about 900 competition rounds plus 300-400 to tune and find a load. 1200-1300 is about all one can expect out of a 6 BRA or a 300 WSM, neither of which is a barrel burner.

So for a year of competition I need 6 lbs of powder and 1300 primers if I shot only the BRA. If I shot only the 300 WSM I would need 12 lbs of powder and 1300 primers. Since I mix and match I am somewhere in between.

So 1000 small rifle primers, 1000 large rifle primers, and two 8 lb jugs of powder (one for each rifle) allows me to shoot more matches than I have time for. If I double that because there are two main powders and primers for either gun, then I need four 8 lb jugs of powder and four 1000 count boxes of primers to be competitive all year with either gun. Maybe even two years.

For a hunting rifle, it gets shot 100 - 200 rounds initially to find a load and then maybe 20 rounds a year after that. I really only work on a couple different hunting rifles per year.
 
If I can make a dozen days of LR BR matches in a year I am happy. That equates to about 900 competition rounds plus 300-400 to tune and find a load. 1200-1300 is about all one can expect out of a 6 BRA or a 300 WSM, neither of which is a barrel burner.

So for a year of competition I need 6 lbs of powder and 1300 primers if I shot only the BRA. If I shot only the 300 WSM I would need 12 lbs of powder and 1300 primers. Since I mix and match I am somewhere in between.

So 1000 small rifle primers, 1000 large rifle primers, and two 8 lb jugs of powder (one for each rifle) allows me to shoot more matches than I have time for. If I double that because there are two main powders and primers for either gun, then I need four 8 lb jugs of powder and four 1000 count boxes of primers to be competitive all year with either gun. Maybe even two years.

For a hunting rifle, it gets shot 100 - 200 rounds initially to find a load and then maybe 20 rounds a year after that. I really only work on a couple different hunting rifles per year.
Similar breakdown: I shoot about 100 rounds per weekend, 30 weekends a year. That's 3000 primers a year. That's a combination of 20 Vartarg (18gns), 22BR (30gns), and 6.5x47 (38gns). That's 8lbs of powder on the light side and 16lbs on the high side. Looking at it like that is calming for me. I'm not in dire need anytime soon, even if I continue to burn at full speed ahead. If components stay scarce, I'll just trim my practice down but it won't change my competition plans for 2021 which are only perhaps 1000 of that 3000rnd estimate.
 
I went to the local shops were I bought several guns from each of them the one shop wanted to sell me 9MM for a box of 50 for $50.00 I said is this how you treat your regular customers he said that is what I have to pay for it The other shop sold me 9MM and 40 S&W for $30.00 each for a box of $50 he said I had to limit everyone too 1 box of each caliber I know where I will deal from now on
 
I'm not up on the legalities of powder or primers being shipped from Canada, I know it is a nono shipping this direction to Canada. But seems to be a reasonable amount up here in Alberta. Just bought 2 bricks of Fed GM205M for $35 a brick. Private sale, but prices are at $80.00 Brick for the same from Cabelas here. Can a person order from Cabelas and have them shipped to the US? Just wondering. https://www.cabelas.ca/category/reloading-primers/2554
 
Last edited:
Like i said it's not being a pirate. These sellers are not putting a gun to anyone's head and forcing them to buy their primers for 150 a brick or paying 900 bucks for an 8lb container of Varget. If a buyer is dumb enough to pay those prices kudo's for the seller.
I agree. While I don't want to sell anything - there is a point where almost anything I own can be bought. If someone is wiling to grossly overpay for what will probably be a temporary situation, that is their choice. CCI 450's, Federal Match primers, Russian primers, Varget, etc.? If willing to pay those prices - come and get it! At the pinnacle of every financial cycle - some guy is paying twice as much as he should for a house or a stock. Like those (my own opinion) buying Tesla stock. Just how much will someone pay for a company that makes no real money and which just keeps diluting their stock to keep the circus going? And at a time when every auto manufacturer in the world is beginning to make your product. Enron brings back memories, but the new crop of investors are just that - new. Such as the newer re-loaders who haven't experienced these cycles before. This is just another "fear" cycle and isn't any different. If a well-stocked guy can sell his primers and buy a new car with the proceeds - who can blame him?
 
This stuff went on when Obama got in twice before. Some people just don't learn. All there doing now is whining because they haven't learned a damn thing about things that have gone on in the past.
That’s what peoples do the best, don’t learn a damn thing from the past! Those who do not learn from history or past mistakes are doomed to repeat it.
 
I was lucky to an extent.One of the local stores here in WV had an overstock sale on small and large pistol primers.I don't shoot pistols very much but I bought a thousand of each just because the price wasn't bad and it's a family owned business that does business with me,and I thought I'd help them out because they're having a tough time making it like a lot of small retail stores are nowadays.The owner told me a couple of years ago that Amazon would be the death of their business.My wife just shakes her head when she sees me go to the small local stores instead of ordering online.The washer went bad a while back,and instead of going to Lowes,I went to a local store and paid more.But,they're good people and if it gives trouble,they'll be there to fix it in minutes.But,long story short,I'm kinda overstocked on pistol primers if somebody's overstocked on large rifle primers,I'd be willing to swap.
 
On Nov 26th I ordered 2000 BR-2s from Cabelas. I picked them up today.

For those who need primers or powder, find a place that will take back orders and order them. It may take 3 weeks or 6 months, but 3 weeks and 6 months are going to come anyway.......
 
The "smart" would have bought LONG before now...
The REALLY smart went out and voted Trump. Not enough really smart shooters this time. The "not so smart" like ZUMBO, that only have shotguns, well, they will soon find out the errors of their ways. Those here that voted "based on their wallet", and cast a vote for "Creepy Joe" (yes, we have some so inclined here), I suppose that they can never be helped.

Danny
 
After the steel shoot at Manatee today my interest in what might be available was peaked. Many talked. I found out.

Our shooting hobby may soon be ending. There are literally NO powder and primer supplies available on my over two hours of internet checking today. I mean nothing a long range comp. shooter can use.
I have quit shooting competition and have perhaps 800 or so Rem. SR benchrest primers 7/1'2 in the original box, but no way to ship them. -Also, 400 Win. SR primers. I'm in WI. Just needing to get rid of them.
 
Last edited:
I agree. While I don't want to sell anything - there is a point where almost anything I own can be bought. If someone is wiling to grossly overpay for what will probably be a temporary situation, that is their choice. CCI 450's, Federal Match primers, Russian primers, Varget, etc.? If willing to pay those prices - come and get it! At the pinnacle of every financial cycle - some guy is paying twice as much as he should for a house or a stock. Like those (my own opinion) buying Tesla stock. Just how much will someone pay for a company that makes no real money and which just keeps diluting their stock to keep the circus going? And at a time when every auto manufacturer in the world is beginning to make your product. Enron brings back memories, but the new crop of investors are just that - new. Such as the newer re-loaders who haven't experienced these cycles before. This is just another "fear" cycle and isn't any different. If a well-stocked guy can sell his primers and buy a new car with the proceeds - who can blame him?
I got a lot richer this past year from tesla. Its not the same company as these other boutique car companies- being more valuable than toyota should tell you something. With their diversification you cant compare them to a company that only makes cars. When i say i made a lot i mean i made more than most put back in a complete retirement. I started buying it at $275 and it went to over $2000 before splitting 5 ways. Now its back up to over $600. You must be listening to the fake analysts that think it should sell for $40. I can remember sitting on job sites and seeing millions of dollars worth of tesla batteries roll in, and i also watched them carry the first astronauts into space as a private company. Its all about the diversification. As the stock passed $1000 i told a guy if i made a specific amount (not saying how much) that id buy a new tesla. In a year and a half ill take delivery of that order and laugh and laugh.
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
167,383
Messages
2,231,725
Members
80,380
Latest member
Jeonha
Back
Top