Where have all the reloading supplies gone?

[kentcroy]

I know I'm in danger of being an alarmist here, but after searching the internet for brass, powder, and primers, and finding that almost everything is listed as "out of stock", where is it?
Any ideas?
I started this same thread earlier today on another forum, all I got was a smart ass answer.
I haven't been able to shoot for over four years due to health related problems, and I think I will be able to return to shooting XTC in the fall, trying to find components is becoming a real challenge, what are your thoughts on the subject?

 

[stool]

while YOUR health problems kept YOU from shooting it did not stop the rest of the world.
with a second term of poor administration , people went and bought everything that was available...

here is a real big clue...
DEALER price on a BRICK (500) of 22 RIMFIRE...is currently $45 to 60....with buying limits.

you actually got back as inventories are slowly getting back on shelves...

 

[dtucker]

I get frustrated sometimes looking for stuff when there was a time you could go to any vendor and it would be rare that they were out of anything. Sometimes i wish i could crap a pile of what i need.

 

[LHSmith]

Since 1993 you could see these shortages happening. I got caught short the first scare, and ever since then, I make sure I keep my component inventory levels high enough to last a few seasons. I order well in advance....eventually my inventory gets replenished.
Some may think of my system as hoarding.....but while they're complaining they got nothin', I'm out shootin'.

 

[FN in MT]

It's a Regional situation as well. Here in MT we have been getting most powders , primers and bullets at least from time to time.
VARGET and H4350 is rare it seems everywhere yet we have had occasional supplies it seems every month or so.

There are some items simply tough to find. Reloder powders and Sierra Match Kings at the top of the list. Same for most rifle brass.

I'd suggest back ordering what you need, the Haz Mat fees be damned. I'd try Powder Valley, GRAF's , Sportsmans Warehouse, and possibly Sinclair Intl. Check the vendors here as well.

Have any friends that travel? Have them check stores out of your area.

Have out of State shooting or hunting friends...Same thing.

I have gotten VARGET , H-4350, Rl-15, primers and Berger bullets to several friends from Idaho, New Jersey and NC these past few months.

Components are out there but it seems to differ between geographic areas as to what, how much and how long it's on the shelves.

MY take on it. YMMV.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

while YOUR health problems kept YOU from shooting it did not stop the rest of the world.
with a second term of poor administration , people went and bought everything that was available...

here is a real big clue...
DEALER price on a BRICK (500) of 22 RIMFIRE...is currently $45 to 60....with buying limits.

you actually got back as inventories are slowly getting back on shelves...

I don't know where you're buying from but my local sporting goods has it for $22 a brick when they have it. But just keep frequenting the gougers and things aren't going to change.

By the way I picked up some TAC and some 2015 in the last couple of weeks. Oh not at gouger pricing!

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Since 1993 you could see these shortages happening. I got caught short the first scare, and ever since then, I make sure I keep my component inventory levels high enough to last a few seasons. I order well in advance....eventually my inventory gets replenished.
Some may think of my system as hoarding.....but while they're complaining they got nothin', I'm out shootin'.

I call it looking beyond the end of your nose. Yep a lot of acquaintanes are running out. They had a chance to order with me but say I have a thousand primers I'm way ahead of the game. No these aren't people with money problems they are well fixed with very poor vision beyond the end of their noses. Live and learn.

 

[stool]

two of my suppliers...i buy wholesale. i am a dealer...have SOLD OUT of 22 rf after purchasing at the above prices...
yes wally world occassionally has bricks cheap. i was surprised at both the dealer cost and how fast they sold out..
i'm just reporting what i see..

while YOUR health problems kept YOU from shooting it did not stop the rest of the world.
with a second term of poor administration , people went and bought everything that was available...

here is a real big clue...
DEALER price on a BRICK (500) of 22 RIMFIRE...is currently $45 to 60....with buying limits.

you actually got back as inventories are slowly getting back on shelves...

I don't know where you're buying from but my local sporting goods has it for $22 a brick when they have it. But just keep frequenting the gougers and things aren't going to change.

By the way I picked up some TAC and some 2015 in the last couple of weeks. Oh not at gouger pricing!

 

[Road_Clam]

Only scarce powder out my way is Varget and R15. So you either dont shoot or work up a new powder. Im really zeroing in on some sweet loads using more readily available XBR , 4064, and 2000MR. I have 2 lbs of varget i tried and yes its an excellent versatile powder but so is xbr, 4064 and 2000mr. I think typical internet varget hype is a contributing factor as to the lack of availibility. Primers and bullits are plentiful by me as well.

 

[dryhumor]

I think no one wants to be caught short again so they stock up. Then there's the crowd that buys to resell.

I see enough variety in my travels, that there is stuff coming through; but slowly.

 

[artbosco]

I know I'm in danger of being an alarmist here, but after searching the internet for brass, powder, and primers, and finding that almost everything is listed as "out of stock", where is it? Any ideas?

Irrational and rampant fear led to hoarding in both weapons and components. It's in the still expanding closets of the paranoid. One positive. The shooting sports industry has been the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy. However, some industry analysts believe it's starting to slow.

 

[stool]

the only thing that i am sure of, is that discussing it on here will not change anything...

 

[hogpatrol]

My sources in industry tell me the shortages are caused by the tremendous increase in new shooters. Look at the NICS checks over the last few years. Data here shows almost a million in ONE WEEK!

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/obsolete-reports/nics-firearms-checks-top-10-highest-days-weeks

In 2013 there were over 21 MILLION background checks for firearms. Granted not all were okayed but clearly the manufacturers can't keep up with that kind of increase in shooters and demand for ammo and reloading components.
Personally, I have more than a half dozen new acquaintences that have recently gotten in to reloading and shooting. These are people that have either never owned a gun in their lives or hadn't ever considered reloading and they are buying large amounts of components. I don't see this ending anytime soon.

 

[hogpatrol]

while YOUR health problems kept YOU from shooting it did not stop the rest of the world.
with a second term of poor administration , people went and bought everything that was available...

here is a real big clue...
DEALER price on a BRICK (500) of 22 RIMFIRE...is currently $45 to 60....with buying limits.

you actually got back as inventories are slowly getting back on shelves...

I bought a brick of .22 LR HV last week for 27.95. That dealer needs to find another supplier.

 

[jhord]

My little hole in the wall local shop had tons of Win primers, some Rem 7.5's, Varget, H4895, piles of Hornady bullets, bulk Federal 5.56 ammo, so on and so forth, when I visited today. As of this writing, Powder Valley has primers, plenty of Nosler .224 bullets in 69 and 77gr., as well as 5.56 brass. Midsouth has various 4064 powders. If by "XTC" you mean a 5.56 service rifle, you can find the stuff you need- just maybe not all in one spot. Note- unlike a lot of lunatics, I didn't buy any of the stuff above when I found it. I have enough stashed to get thru this competition season and probably next... that's plenty.

 

[dreever]

It's a great mystery.....or is it?
The hoarders are a small part of it, those buying to resell and make a profit are part of it, the Government ordering a skillion rounds (yes I said skillion, which translates to a lot) for every government agency is part of it, possible, and I say possible limited production by a few manufacturers, or a few suppliers stockpiling and then letting supplies dribble out to keep the price up thus increasing the profit margin three fold.
This could, and I say could all be a part of the big picture.
The only thing we can do is deal with it, pay the price when available, or do without because I see no end in sight.

Danny

 

[stool]

you make money TODAY...you do not save product for Tomorrow's SMALLER DOLLARS....

the government purchase are actually DOWN........

THERE WAS A GOOD ARTICLE A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK IN THE AMERICAN RIFLEMAN...

 

[kentcroy]

Thank you all for your input, you have given me some perspective on this issue.