The State of Reloading

[bmdbmd]

Being new, again, to the world of shooting, I have been hearing that it is more and more difficult to acquire the necessary materials for reloading, mainly match bullets and primers.

A quick look at MidwayUSA and I noticed that all primers, save for small pistol, were sold out or coming soon.

Is this new, not new? It's not going to keep me out of the hobby, but I am wondering about it. I thought it would be relatively easy to acquire what I need, now I see I may be rushing for online deals and/or praying that local shops have the things I need.

Anyone have any info, opinion?

-b

 

[mikecr]

It is a bad time for all things ammo...

 

[wyoming .260]

Gathering reloading supplies has become a sport in its self. Powder varies in availability, Primers are scarce and some bullets are hard to get. Brass is available in dribs and drabs for some calibers and down right difficult in other calibers. Post your needs in forums and shop everywhere you can think of and if your patient you can gather what you need,...........

 

[nwflycaster]

Some supplies are harder to come by than others, but keep your eyes open and check often. I have had the best luck with powders form Third Generation Shooting Supply, Primers and bullets I have been able to keep pretty good stock on just from local stores. For brass I don't know I had the brass I needed before this mess started.

Anyway, good luck and welcome

 

[Raythemanroe]

Next thing you know people will building there guns around the supplies they can acquire!

 

[Jeremy(WI)]

A lot easier to find powder and primers than just 6 months ago

 

[searcher]

Don't fret over the current supply situation. It is yet another "shortage cycle" that we seem to go through about every five to fifteen years. There have been more of them in the past 15 years for sure - and the frequency will likely increase as there are more folks out there hell-bent on getting our guns and ammo. Just a minor irritation - but in no way offsets the pleasures of reloading for most folks.

 

[K22]

This too shall pass hopefully after the next election.

I'm in the twilight of my shooting career but in 40+ years in the sport / hobby I've never seen it so bad. I never thought I'd see the day that you couldn't go to the local gun shop and buy a box of 22 long rifle cartridges - very sad indeed. But I believe the law of supply and demand will eventually yield to more ammo / components being produced since these manufacturers want to sell as much as they can so just hang in there - it will get better eventually.

 

[bmdbmd]

Encouraging.

 

[bmdbmd]

Next thing you know people will building there guns around the supplies they can acquire!

Which supplies would you build around?

 

[Raythemanroe]

Next thing you know people will building there guns around the supplies they can acquire!

Which supplies would you build around?

At this point, hmm probably a shotgun!

 

[dkhunt14]

Supplies of powder and primers around here have been showing up. Even Varget which has been the hardest to get. 22 rimfire is still hard to get. The bigger gun shops have been getting in things.

 

[Raythemanroe]

.22 and some competition bullets are still hard to get, I could use some 200g Hybrids.

 

[George Az]

First, I am beyond a pessemist. I look at a glass water that is half full and have the waiter bring me a pitcher. Politics aside.

There are retirees and people that hang out at Wallyworld waiting for the next batch of .22's to come in. They buy it and put it up for resale - so there is .22 out there at $20.00 a box of 100! People said it would change, it has not. I have not seen .22's in quantity now a year - even a 500 brick at regular pricing of say $35.00. Primers were the next tough one. Held to orders of 1000, it is tough to build up a significant amount when you are shooting 100 rounds or more on Sat/Sun. That is 5 weekends of shooting. Powder - is available at local gunshows for $45.00 - $50.00 a lbs. The rest being sold out. I haven't seen any Varget in six months.

I travel the state of Az all over. Cabelas, Brunos is right in Phoenix, Bass Pro - local Gunshops across the state - not too much in quantity or limits of primers. When there is quantity, one guy with a credit card can clean the case. And often does.

I was told it wasn't going to improve by a few people in the business and I believed them. So, last year, I figured which could cross caliber in powders (Varget, RL 15 & 17 et). Sold some extra sealed stuff at a Gunshow and bought what I could from a local dealer when it came in. Primers regardless of brand whenever available - buy em. You can always trade them. I shrunk my calibers.

I think this drought is partially to blame on ourselves - guys buying everything in site when they get a chance. Profiteers - have significantly impacted our sport - it is what it is, they have the time to hang out in Walmart all day long and then hit every Gunshow from Az to Tx and Colorado too. I also think hoarders have hurt - they got it and you don't. And dingbats going in and buying stuff they don't even use. I was in one Walmart and watched a lady buy every box of .270 because they had it - all 5 boxes were now hers and she thought her husband had a .270!!

I do not see it ending. Buy it when you can and be wise. I think the horizon politically is worse. Things are improving a little powder wise, so get a few pounds of your favorite and treat it well. Enjoy it when you can.

 

[markm87]

Now would be the worst time EVER to start reloading. There's been tard hoarding/panic histeria in the past. But this one takes the cake.

The odds of accumulateing EVERYTHING needed in any popular caliber to assemble a live round are steep. I think it will slowly improve though.

I had components stacked stupid deep and haven't bothered stepping into a gun store in months. I've been lucky in that this mess hasn't impacted my weekly shooting at all. But another year of this and I'd have to start cutting back.

 

[johnu]

Maybe it's getting better. Stopped in the Cabela's in Buda, Texas (south of Austin) today and they had the best assortment of powder and primers I have seen in almost a year. Even found some .40/10mm jacketed bullets. And this was late in the afternoon, too!

John