75 ELD-M....no one has them....why?

A buddy of mine runs a small - but rapidly growing - reloading components business here in NC. I talked to him for about an hour yesterday evening. His business has more than tripled in terms of orders received and filled since the beginning of the year - the increase started before the pandemic took hold. He talked about how regular customers are placing larger orders - people that might have ordered a few hundred bullets of whatever flavor are now ordering thousands at a time.

He also talked about feedback he gets from new customers who have been gouged. One guy found H4350 powder at a brick&mortar shop in Virginia, took all four of the 8-pound jugs to the register - and put them back after he was told the price was $350 a jug.

Seems like I've read here about primers being sold for $180 a thousand - and my buddy said he's heard a number of similar reports from customers.

Panic? I'm not sure what I'd call it, but I too have been placing more frequent orders for more stuff per order. I started this long before the pandemic, recognizing the cyclical nature of component availability and panic buying after some real or imagined problem.

In case anyone wonders - I didn't link to my buddy's business because he doesn't want me to. I asked him if he was aware of the positive exposure he could get as a SH vendor. He said he was very much aware but he is struggling to fulfill all the orders his 3-person business is already getting, not to mention his difficulty in obtaining components from his own suppliers.

So buy what you can when you can (hopefully within reason; don't be the reloading equivalent of people who bought hundreds of rolls of TP at a time), and don't buy from gougers. There are plenty of businesses out there who will treat you right.
 
First the ammo disappeared then reloading components. Make sure your not shooting next to one of these first time gun buyers/reloaders at the range.
get ready for all the why did my gun blow up threads:rolleyes:
 
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When we were in the middle of the .22LR shortages, I took up air rifles. I got pretty good at working on them and making them accurate shooters.

Don't tell any of my friends but it was actually a lot of fun. I priced out a nice air rifle and about 15,000 pellets several years ago and it didn't cost me much more than a few cases of high quality .22LR ammo.

I have a bunch of centerfire rifle and pistol ammo and some reloading components. I'll still be shooting that stuff but with an eye on conserving most of it.

To keep my trigger skills up to par, I'll be shooting a lot more .22LR and airguns. I say all this for the folks that are like me and love to shot A LOT.

If you are needing trigger time but don't want to use up ammo for fear of not being able to replenish or reload it for a while, consider airguns.
 
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That powder was a bit difficult to find BEFORE things went sideways. I would occasionally find it in stock at the usual online vendors, but typically had to place a backorder that would be fulfilled in 2-6 months. If you find any, buy all they have.


After a lot of searching, i got lucky today. With your advise, i felt like i should have bought more, but it wasnt cheap. I'll just have to conserve and keep hunting for that 8lb jug.
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One guy found H4350 powder at a brick&mortar shop in Virginia, took all four of the 8-pound jugs to the register - and put them back after he was told the price was $350 a jug.

At that price I'd laugh in their face let them restock it for me.

Anyone know where there is some IMR 8202 to be had?

Im desperate.
i felt like i should have bought more, but it wasnt cheap.

Congratulations, now you're part of the problem. I wager this component draught will rival the Obama Era ones and generate record high prices when supply normalizes. I'm glad I already have what I need for the next few election cycles. I have Obama to thank for foresight. That man was an excellent gun salesman.