Reloading

[Bwhntr53]

Ok. I am just curious. I know that there are already a lot of reloaders here. I have an RCBS Rockchucker that I have reloaded with but not for quite a while. I am in the process of buying some different dies, shellholders, etc. And getting back into reloading. I am just curious how many have gotten in or gotten back in to reloading since this covid19 crap arrived and what seems to be an ammo shortage.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Not many, considering the primer shortage...

 

[Bwhntr53]

Not many, considering the primer shortage...

Seems like there is a shortage of a lot of reloading supplies.

 

[mcfred]

There's a shortage? Where?

 

[Deleted member 113831]

If you haven't been buying your components buy the case, then you have been fucking up.

 

[Bwhntr53]

There's a shortage? Where?

Every where I have been looking unless you have a secret hideaway store.

 

[mcfred]

You missed your window by about 7 months. If you value your money, it's best to explore alternate hobbies until some semblance of normality returns to the market. Until that time if you acquire ammo/components in a dryspell you're only contributing to the scarcity and further driving prices up.

Back off and plan ahead for the routine bubble/crash firearms market.

2¢

 

[Mudburner]

I got into hand loading when you couldn't find common ammo after 2012 election.

Better late, than NEVER! NEVER AGAIN be without ammo. Buy bulk quantity today, or whatever you can GET, if you can find it/afford it.

I'd rather have the ammo than the money. I can always get more money. Guns & ammo? Not so much.

 

[MTRecon]

Networking with fellow shooters, especially at the range, sometimes helps...some of us at our range try to help out those who are actually shooting without scalping, etc.

 

[Threerun]

I would watch Craigslist. For every guy getting into reloading, someone is getting out of it. Unfortunately some folks are pretty short on cash- the pawn shops in my area are getting a lot of firearms in on pawn. I just checked CL this morning in my area there are 3-4 presses and accessories being listed. One listing has a pile of shotgun reloading components-

2 Mec 650 reloading presses
1 Resizing press
Accessories
1250+ wads
8500 primers
Medium moving box of reloadable hulls
Carry box w/ 3 trays
$500 OBO Contact me

 

[Do-nothing]

In the same boat. Bought a used press last year and sat on it because ammo was cheap. Then all hell broke loose and I'm a day late and a bunch of dollars short. It seems the hardware is more or less available depending on brand and what you are looking for. Components are another issue all together. In my area, powder is more or less available depending on brand and type. Cases are in short supply and primers are gone. No luck finding them on line. My local shop has gotten some in and if you are there you get some, if not... I've bought magnum primers while standard primers are not available. Bullets are just as bad. Found 500 Hornady 45ACP bullets at my local shop for a decent price. Didn't need them but grabbed them anyway. Was on Precision Delta's notification list for out of stock items. Got an email at 2:00 p.m., I think it was Wednesday, that some 9mm and 40 S&W were in. I saw the email at 2:20 p.m. and it was all gone. Don't know how much they got in but I suspect some of you low-lifes got my 9mm bullets.

I'm going to get my press set up and get everything else I need to start. I'll buy what I need and can find as long as it is a fair price. I will not pay $300 for a 1000 case of primers nor will I patronize those businesses that engage in such practices after things settle down. I've learned my lesson. I just pray things settle down. I'm not optimistic though.

 

[Threerun]

Yeah I saw the handwriting on the wall in March as soon as I noticed TP flying off the shelves. I told the spousal unit "Honey- I'm going to make a couple big purchases for reloading supplies- I think things are going to get wonky". So I bough-enough to last me a few years at the rate I shoot.

 

[Bwhntr53]

Thanks for all the replies. Just ordered .223, 6.5 creedmoor dies, shellholders, brass, and a Hornady reloading book. I am continuing to stock up on all the ammo I can get. As soon as I can decide on what bullets I want along with the powder I want I will be getting the bullets and powder too. I am going to get back into reloading after being out of it for a long time. May take me a while to get everything I need but since retirement I seem to have more time for a hobby like this plus I like to shoot.

 

[Gustav7]

Thanks for all the replies. Just ordered .223, 6.5 creedmoor dies, shellholders, brass, and a Hornady reloading book. I am continuing to stock up on all the ammo I can get. As soon as I can decide on what bullets I want along with the powder I want I will be getting the bullets and powder too. I am going to get back into reloading after being out of it for a long time. May take me a while to get everything I need but since retirement I seem to have more time for a hobby like this plus I like to shoot.

Check Armslist filtered for your state ... search "reloading primers"
Turned up quite a bit in my location.

If you keep searching and try every day, you'll find some primers

Just bought 2k of Federal 205M's tonight. Got chatting with the guy and he gave me a bit of deal. More expensive than normal but not too bad... hell of a lot cheaper than gunbroker lol.

 

[silentnswift]

Haven’t had trouble with primers. Wasn’t really short to begin with. Have had a hard time finding certain powders, H1000, varget, IMR 4350. Others like 4064 seem to always be on the shelf. Just started loading for 7mm-08 was a challenge to find any brass. This is all locally.

 

[Nics00ss]

^ good luck with the varget. I haven’t been able to find any in months now! Midsouthshooters.com had 4350 a few days ago.

 

[Mr Tibbs]

Well after recovering from COVID-19, I’ve been trying to get back to my loading bench, only been to one of my local gun shops so far, they had plenty of Winchester LR & SR primers. Going to try and get out this week and check for bullets and powder.

 

[Bwhntr53]

Well after recovering from COVID-19, I’ve been trying to get back to my loading bench, only been to one of my local gun shops so far, they had plenty of Winchester LR & SR primers. Going to try and get out this week and check for bullets and powder.

Sorry that you had to go through something as horrible as this covid19. Try to get better and stay healthy. I am still having trouble locating small and large rifle primers. I have searched pretty much every online.
Bwhntr53

 

[1fliride]

Learned my lesson after '13 shooting. Buy more than you qill need during the good times. Then sit back and enjoy the times like now.

 

[Gustav7]

Learned my lesson after '13 shooting. Buy more than you qill need during the good times. Then sit back and enjoy the times like now.

I definitely did not do that...but I also underestimated:

1.) How much I had in reserve (I hadn't counted my stash in quite some time)
2.) How much I wouldn't shoot during my wifes pregnancy and first two months of the kid being here

Ammo wise I ended up being more comfortable than I thought.

Primers were getting scary, and I was hitting myself in the head cause the last time Powder Valley had a big Hazmat sale RIGHT before this shit went down, I deleted my cart with about 6-7k worth of primers in it in lui of something else.

But I found 1k SPM hidden on a shelf at a LGS, found another 1k at a place out in the boonies, bought 2k SRM at a slightly increased price, and a buddy found 1k SRM today at a place ... pretty happy it all worked out.

But you're right...I won't ever go shorthanded again lol

 

[1fliride]

It is hard to do sometimes. But ive always remembered the panic back then. Dont want to feel it again. Be patient, it will return to normal eventually.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Everyone talking about ammo and component shortages, are you even looking? I have been able to find everything I need with almost no effort lately.

 

[Bwhntr53]

Everyone talking about ammo and component shortages, are you even looking? I have been able to find everything I need with almost no effort lately.

I do think so. Using the search engine for small rifle primers, large rifle primers. I am finding everything I need except primers. Go figure but if you have a website that I can get to deliver to an address I am open to any and all suggestions.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Try calling your local gunshops, gunsmiths, and sporting goods stores.

 

[Bwhntr53]

Try calling your local gunshops, gunsmiths, and sporting goods stores.

Yes I have been doing this too.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Try calling your local gunshops, gunsmiths, and sporting goods stores.

Not everyone lives down the street from you. Some of us live in 'less permissive' environments, and it is just as hard to find things locally as it is to find it online.

 

[Mr Tibbs]

Sorry that you had to go through something as horrible as this covid19. Try to get better and stay healthy. I am still having trouble locating small and large rifle primers. I have searched pretty much every online.
Bwhntr53

Bwhntr53 thank for your good words of encouragement it was very horrible indeed , doing a whole better, always wearing my mask and keeping my hands washed. The only component I order online is bullets, when i cant find em locally.