Reloading supply shortage

1

10031994BC

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 28, 2013
13
0
#1
I have been searching Midway, Midsouth, Natchez, and a couple other places. I would like to try out the 178 Gr Amax, or the 175 SMK's. but ill be damned if I can find them anywhere in stock for more than a couple days. I haven't even looked to see what powder is like or even primers.

I guess what I am trying to ask is where do you guys pick up your reloading stuff, or are you guys all in the same boat as me?

Oh yea anyone know of any shipping restrictions to The communist State of New York. Like besides the shipping of ammo or 30 rounders. I mean like will they ship me 175 SMK's or do I have to pick them up from a store

Thank you
 
#2
Its hit or miss right now with components. gunbot.net is a good place to keep up with the latest in stock stuff since its in real time. The powder situation is what really seems to suck right now, but this time last year I could get plenty of powder but no primers. If your looking for 175 SMK both brownells and powder valley have them in stock.
 
#3
Subscribe to the "hide or seek" thread here, you'll see updates as people see stuff in stock.

As to what you are looking for...Powder Valley has 178 A-Max, 175gr SMK, and 175gr Nosler CC (SMK clone) in stock *right now*.
 
#4
While you're on the PVI website, click on the "specials" tab and there are some blems or 2nds listed. I got some of the 175's and they looked real good and weighed within a few 10ths of a grain of each other. Haven't loaded any yet.
 
#5
OP, welcome to the madness. My luck is better with local small gun shops that don't advertise on the net. It will also save on hazmat fees for powder/primers to find local. Powder is the tougher find for me.

I have been trying to dig a little deeper into causes for the powder shortage aside from the hoarding. I have heard the Hodgdon folks stating the short supply of nitric acid limiting their powder production. All I can come up with is the nitric acid plant explosion a few years back at the El Dorado plant but there are other suppliers nationally that actually produce more nitric acid than this location. Maybe the production is being redirected to fertilizer? Also, I believe that the El Dorado plant is back online.
 
#6
I am a salesman for a shooting sports wholesaler. The shortages can be attributed to a supply and demand problem. In this case ammo is still in very high demand. Therefore lots of the components are going into loaded ammo. This will create the initial shortage and is still a contributing factor. The other part is hoarding. Average joe who couldn't find ammo decided to get into reloading. Multiply that by thousands, then add that to all of the other individuals who already reload. Compound that by the fact that almost every single one of those is buying up anything and everything they can find since it's been so hard to get and voila, huge and continued shortages.

There is starting to be a light at the end of this tunnel. We're seeing more ammo coming in and it's not flying off the shelves nearly as quickly. We've also started seeing more powder. As the ammo buying settles and the manufacturers scale back production some then components will start hitting shelves more consistently. Until then, look lots, look often, look everywhere and buy it when you find it.
 
#7
I use Natchezss.com a lot.

You can get on the email list for components. When they come in stock you are notified and if you can get online in a quick but reasonable amount of time you can get what is there. Also, they have powder currently. Not sure if your trying to reload 308?

http://www.natchezss.com/Category.c...brand=HP&prodID=HPPP2000MR1&prodTitle=Alliant Power Pro™ 2000-MR (Medium Rifle) - 1lb

http://www.natchezss.com/Category.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=DU&prodID=DU40641&prodTitle=IMR Powder 4064 1# Bottle IMR Rifle Powder

They also have CCI 7.62 primers

Hope that helps you out!

Matt
 
#8
I load 175 SMKs and get them almost exclusively from Natchez. I've checked everywhere and they have about the best everyday price for them. The same goes for powder and primers. I can honestly say 95% of my components are from Natchez. Just don't try to find reasonably priced loaded Ammo from them!

Gunbot.net is another good resource but the reloading section isn't well organized.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
#10
Every time I've checked midway for the last month-month and a half or so, the 175 SMK has been in stock. I ended up not ordering from them because I randomly saw some 175's at dicks one day and bought a 100 rd box. They are also on sale for $4 off atm...
 
#11
Online has been hit or miss. Most of my "finds" have been from forums like this alerting me to some components availability. I have had luck finding small amounts of components at Scheels in central IL.
 
#12
Other than loaded ammo, and hi-cap mags you are golden for getting things into NY.

IF you can find them.

I have actually had decent luck trolling gunbroker, but I usually buy in bulk so I haven't been pinched yet. By august though, I am going to be up a creek.
 
#14
I got two boxes of 175 SMK's from Natchez a few months ago....shipped into NYC. Powder, good luck finding it and primers have the extra hazard cost for shipping. I'd try to find it in a store or something.
 
#15
A short comment.

For years I read posts that "poo-poo'd" the idea of buying powder and primers online. That horrid hazmat fee you know.

Today people can't find components because they ran out of the "pound or two of powder" or "box of primers". Ditto for bullets.


As a word to the wise, aimed at all the newcomers, take some time and determine what your needs are going to be for a year or more. Then, whenever you do find some powder, primers, or bullets, buy a supply rather than a "bottle" or "box".

I've done this for years and the hazmat fee has never amounted to more than $0.50 per pound of powder or box of primers (especially when I get as full a box as possible with primers and powder combined.

If you plan on relying on local dealer's shelves, plan on only shooting when supply is there. The next time Obama opens his mouth (likewise for Hillary if she's elected) the shelves will be bare in an instant.

BTW, if you forecast right, you won't pay a dime more for your shooting, long term, although the bill for a 100# plus shipment (including bullets) might give your heart a misfire. I'm lucky as my wife's become used to my annual "multi-thousand dollar powder/primer/bullet bills". She's a great wife.
 
#16
I just wanted you guys to know, I am kinda new to reloading. But I started about 4-5 years ago. I know how to not blow myself up or rearrange my facial features. I just didn't want to come off as some guy who is new to reloading, trying to find bullets. My powder is good for now so are the primers. I have a place locally that I get them, if he has them. I was just wondering if the dumb@$$ governor made it so not even ammo components could be shipped to NY anymore.

Thank you for the quick answers
 
#19
Walked into my local shop today and got 7lbs of CFE223. They had one 8lb and two 1lb cans of Varget. Figured I had already spent enough. Plenty of primers though too. Just can't find any Trail Boss anywhere.
 
#21
As others have said, look hard and look often. That's the only way you are going to get what you need until things begin to ease up. Thankfully signs of the easing are starting to show both locally and online.
 
#22
We have been fortunate here in Central MT , with at least small amounts of powder and primers through out this mess that started back last year.
Yesterday snagged an EIGHT pounder of VARGET at a shop in Helena. THE FIRST eight pounder I have seen in well over a year. Same store had their shelves filled with rifle and pistol ammo, brass and about any primer one could want.

Things are looking better. Now if we can go a year or more without another school shooting or the Demo's talking about sweeping controls....
 
#25
Order the max amount for hazmat online. I think they'll send what, 30lbs. or so? That's what I did, it was the only way I could ever get anything. You COULD go to your local store EVERY TIME THE MAIL RUNS --that's your other option, because around here that's how it's done. It goes FAST. Easier to use the net on this one. You'll easily spend as much running around in gas and time otherwise.

I haven't seen ONE CAN of smokeless powder at my local stores. Not in over a year now. They get it, it just goes instantly. But I got 20lbs. of H335 and BL-C(2) recently in the mail so I'm happy for now. Those two aren't exactly my favorites, but they work and are available more often than others.

Now is the time to get into .50BMG if you ever plan on it. Components are easy to find and relatively cheap! Powder available all day long in 8lb. cans, tons of bullets to choose from. But damn, it is expensive to set up the rifle!
 
#26
Went to a combo bait shop/GS last week. About an hour from home. Dirty, messy, but filled with guns, ammo, powder bullets etc. Wall lined with 8# containers. Stacks of boxes of them. I ask if there was limit on powder purchases. Lady said 2#. I replied, those are 8# containers. She said 'I will pour some out for you." No kidding. I thought that was illegal.

A friend wanted to look around so I stayed. I saw cases of .204 ammo. I ask if there was a limit. lady said one box. Must have had 10 cases. Amazing. Is it illegal to sell powder in a paper cup?

I am thinking of taking a primed .308 case in and asking for a refill.
 
#27
Deadshot2 said:
A short comment.

For years I read posts that "poo-poo'd" the idea of buying powder and primers online. That horrid hazmat fee you know.

Today people can't find components because they ran out of the "pound or two of powder" or "box of primers". Ditto for bullets.


As a word to the wise, aimed at all the newcomers, take some time and determine what your needs are going to be for a year or more. Then, whenever you do find some powder, primers, or bullets, buy a supply rather than a "bottle" or "box".

I've done this for years and the hazmat fee has never amounted to more than $0.50 per pound of powder or box of primers (especially when I get as full a box as possible with primers and powder combined.

If you plan on relying on local dealer's shelves, plan on only shooting when supply is there. The next time Obama opens his mouth (likewise for Hillary if she's elected) the shelves will be bare in an instant.

BTW, if you forecast right, you won't pay a dime more for your shooting, long term, although the bill for a 100# plus shipment (including bullets) might give your heart a misfire. I'm lucky as my wife's become used to my annual "multi-thousand dollar powder/primer/bullet bills". She's a great wife.
Click to expand...

I know so many people who believe the same thing. With regards to calibers, the KISS methodology should ring really loudly and think long term.
 
#31
I don't know if it's feasible for you, but I have had great success recently at Cabelas in store. I am currently working in Wheeling, WV. and they have a great supply on hand of loaded ammo, primers and brass....as for powder, you better be there when the shipment arrives, because it leaves the the shelves very quickly. I don't know where in NY you are but there is a Cabelas in Allentown, PA. ....Give 'em a call, Might be worth a road trip with some buddies.
 
#32
Strykervet said:
Order the max amount for hazmat online. I think they'll send what, 30lbs. or so? That's what I did, it was the only way I could ever get anything. You COULD go to your local store EVERY TIME THE MAIL RUNS --that's your other option, because around here that's how it's done. It goes FAST. Easier to use the net on this one. You'll easily spend as much running around in gas and time otherwise.

I haven't seen ONE CAN of smokeless powder at my local stores. Not in over a year now. They get it, it just goes instantly. But I got 20lbs. of H335 and BL-C(2) recently in the mail so I'm happy for now. Those two aren't exactly my favorites, but they work and are available more often than others.

Now is the time to get into .50BMG if you ever plan on it. Components are easy to find and relatively cheap! Powder available all day long in 8lb. cans, tons of bullets to choose from. But damn, it is expensive to set up the rifle!
Click to expand...

the limit is 50lb but that includes packaging so 5 8lb jugs per hazmat is about it - so the total for shipping is about 1$/ pound but the sales tax would be more than that and the local prices are generally higher to start with
 
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