[MissouriBullet]

I figured this would be the place to say this, having been welcomed into this forum and treated very nicely by all you nice people. THR is the official forum of the Missouri Bullet Company and so it naturally is the place I chose to share some good news.

But first some background: I started this company 3 years ago, incorporating it with my wife as a Sub-S corporation in January of '07. I had a full time job in Kansas City, 50 miles away, as the sole Unix support person at a county utility company. I ran their Sun server/Solaris infrastructure and the job paid very well. More than I had ever dreamed I would make, in fact. But I was getting on in years and wasn't happy with having to drive a hundred freaking miles every day to do the work that paid so well. I didn't want to have to depend upon my 401k and social security to get me through the last years of my life and I didn't want to have to fight the traffic in the meantime. So I came up with the idea that maybe I could start a bullet casting business on the side, work a few hours evenings and weekends, and then when I retired in a few years, have a little bit of income to get by on for my wife and myself.

So I sold the idea to my wife. She's entrepreneurial as well, of course, owning a web hosting/design company (Suncoast Networks) which we run out of our home on dedicated static DSL. She runs her stuff on Windows servers and my stuff is all on Linux. Jo Ann did our website, you know, everything from the ground up including the SQL backend to the shopping cart. Anyhow, she thought I was nuts, of course, but told me to go for it so I did. In a month I ran up 40k in credit card bills buying equipment and getting an area of our property cleared of trees in readiness for concrete and an 18x35' steel building. The building went up on the pad on a 10-degree day in early January. There was nothing to do about the 5 inches of ice that was on the pad, now inside the building, except to attack it with a pick and torpedo heaters, so it took us 2 days before we were able to stand on the floor and start laying out equipment and getting electricity run in. The casting equipment from Magma was still crated, covered in tarps, while we struggled with the building in that bone-chilling weather.

And a struggle it was and it continued. Continues. This is a difficult business to learn, y'all. But we have been blessed with great good luck and are thriving in these difficult times. From the first day our goal was to let the customers lead us where we needed to go. We do try hard to satisfy our customers and are always happy when one of them drops us a note thanking us for making them feel that they were treated honorably and their needs serviced efficiently.

So business started slow and grew. In those days, we were able to sell on eBay and that is where most of our trade was, before our website began moving its way into the web crawlers and the buzz started. We did a couple of gun shows and had good results but begrudged the time it took away from the manufacturing of bullets. I had a full time job, remember, and a 100-mile daily commute.

You all know the story of eBay going into a fit of Stalinist pique and banning the sale of all cast bullets. That was in August of '07. Well, it was a blow to us but by then, our web traffic was picking up and we were doing better there than we had with eBay, so it wasn't a big problem for us. And sales kept growing and we hired some folks. Some worked out and some didn't. Danny worked out and Josh worked out. Josh needed some tuning up but he is doing fine work now.

So three months ago I quit my job and went full-time into the bullet manufacturing business. Not a moment too soon, as March marked the milestone of having sold and shipped one million bullets in a month. April was better than that, and so was May.

Since I quit, we've added another caster (4 now) and two more sizers (5) and a spare collator that's dedicated to the .380 bullet, which is very very difficult to collate. We had more land cleared, paved it, built a parking lot for employees and customers, bought a 28-foot travel trailer for use as a field office/break area, bought a forklift, and are ordering lead by the truckload.

So we have had a good run, one that in fact has exceeded my wildest dreams. We're making lots of bullets and are able to ship them quickly at a time when (and I don't understand this) other casting companies seem to be having immense difficulty filling their orders inside of weeks or even months. What the heck is that about? Seriously, I want to understand the problem because I don't know.

Anyhow, I'll quit rambling and get to the point:

I've been a Missouri boy all my life. I think that I was maybe 6 or 7 the first time I heard the name "Graf and Sons", based out of Mexico, MO. Throughout my life I have heard nothing but good things about them: Good people, prices, honorable, et al. I knew they were big-time folks who earned their way up the way every successful business does, by pleasing their customers, being smart, being persistent, and being lucky when it counts.

And so today, Missouri Bullet Company is truly honored to be able to announce that Graf and Sons has picked us as their supplier of cast bullets. Our machines and our people will be running real hard next week, I believe, as we get their huge stocking order onto the pallets.

They've ordered every bullet in our lineup and we will shortly be adding new bullets to satisfy their requirements.

So, that's the news I wanted to share with our friends here on THR, as I am convinced that you folks have contributed to the "buzz" that got Graf and Sons interested in us in the first place and I am truly, truly grateful.

Brad and Jo Ann
Missouri Bullet Company


Brad

[ReloaderFred]

Congratulations on your success. That surely is The American Dream. I hope your business continues to grow and prosper.

Fred

[armoredman]

Well done! Congrats on making the big time, sir!

[Husker_Fan]

This is great news for you. I am very impressed with what you have done. I just hope the added demand doesn't make it harder to keep up with your terrific turn around times.

[ChuckB]

I'm a relatively new customer of yours, but have been highly pleased and impressed with both the quality of your products and your service. Many years of success and health to you all.

Chuck

[The Bushmaster]

Ah Brad...I sure hope you save some bullets for me...I plan on trying to load lead instead of jacketed and have chosen your company to supply. Me? Just a back yard shooter...

[LogicGS]

Congratulations!

Grafs is huge and hella busy, you all are really stepping into a whirlwind there. Good luck with that, if you can keep up it's a wonderful setup.

I'm also a customer of yours, and while I'm not as big a user as Grafs will be, I've been very pleased with your products, and can't wait to see the new stuff you all have got in store.

Hope you all have a bumper year, and many more to come.

[PBinWA]

That's a good story! Congrats and keep up the good work!

[bakert]

Congrats. Keep those bullets coming.:)

[Gryffydd]

Sweet, a Unix/Linux guy. I knew I liked you :)

It was really interesting to read about your experiences starting up and growing over time. Thanks for sharing that.

Pending me getting to actually shoot some of my first order I'll be switching to you guys for all my cast bullets (the ones you make, anyway). From what I've read here I expect them to perform excellently.

It's almost surreal right now to order anything related to shooting and have it in 2 days or less.

About the only thing I like to shoot that you don't carry is harder and heavier LSWC or Keith bullets in .452. The TC Whompers will do for plinking though :D

~Brad

[DnB_TeK]

Missouri Bullet Company has been great to us. Great customer service, really pleasant to talk to. I ordered from Missouri before and shipping was fast, packaged well. I'm getting ready to make another order and I'm going to use THR discount code too. Glad to hear that business is well!!!!! Maybe post some pictures of the facuility??

[conarth]

Congratulations. I do thank you for the service I have received so far with my orders. You make wonderful bullets. Make sure to save some for THR.

[~z]

Great news! Sounds like you worked very hard to get to where you are. Dont forget to enjoy the ride. When it gets to be too much like work it is no longer fun. You have provided a wonderful product. Thank you for helping to make my mailman hate me.
~z

[editingfx]

Thank you for helping to make my mailman hate me.
+1

Truly, MBC stands out these days in their astounding delivery times.

A great story! I hope you're considering the impact shortly down the road when the "great firearms spree of '09" slows down....

[D. Manley]

Wow, congratulations...enjoy your success.

[IMtheNRA]

Congratulations!

[dwave]

Congratulations! Love your bullets and glad to hear that you are doing so well, which is also good for me cause I will have a good supply of bullets!.

BTW, good man, Linux is the bomb! Debian on my second computer (main one is for games, so Windows on it!)

[Roccobro]

Way to go!

Thank you for your history and good luck with your future. :)

Justin

[something vague]

Now that's refreshing. Best read I have seen on this forum for some time, an actual bullet manufacturer that I support takes the time out of his incredibly busy schedule to say thanks to US the consumer/shooter. The ones' that made him into what he is today, and he realizes it. If a small timer like you can keep up with demand then what in the hell is the issue with these major manufacturing plants? Thanks a bunch for the post, and I promise I will do what I can to turn my buddies into Missouri Bullet believers. Almost feels like supporting my local feed & seed shop.

[ilmonster]

Congratulations on getting to the next level in your business. I am a principal in a consultancy that helps entrepreneurs, and it's always makes my day to hear when an enterprise "makes it". Again, congrats and continued success!

p.s. as I recently purchased a reloader for handgun rounds, I will hopefully be contributing to your future success in the coming weeks! An order will be forthcoming.

[angus6]

Brad out of curiosity if you don't mind , how many million do you cast in a years time

[floydster]

Oh,ya, I wear my Missouri bullet tee shirt to the range all the time!!!
Hardness Optimized.
I am a member of the Factory Team!!!
Floydster

[Seedtick]

Congratulations! And thanks for sharing your history with us.

You are where you are at today because you earned it and you deserve it.

ST

[45ACPUSER]

Congrats...just goes to show what someone can do with sweat equity!

[Joemyxplyx]

Congratulations Brad on an all American success story. Good bullets, good prices and fast service. What's not to like?

Of course, having the best web site in the bullet business doesn't hurt. Maybe the redoutable JoAnn can improve the Graff and Sons web site. I have a terrible time finding anything on the site. It's not very intuitive.

I bought from Midway preferentially because I could find stuff on their site. But now Midway's redone their site to be so bad that I have to use Google to find stuff there. For example, see if you can find the RCBS powder thru expander adapter for a Uniflo powder measure. Midway has it, but you'd never know it from their web site. JoAnn shouldn't lack for work in the reloading field.

[Rodentman]

I am happy for your success, and I shoot a fair # of your bullets, although not as much as some other people. It is good to know that we will always have a reliable source for quality bullets.

Can you make primers?

[angus6]

Brad , Thanks for the insight , that sounds like about 72 pigs of alloy a day :eek:,

[edSky]

Congratulations! Grafs did well picking you!

[NVMM]

Thanks for sharing your story.
Congratulations and good luck!

[jackdanson]

And so today, Missouri Bullet Company is truly honored to be able to announce that Graf and Sons has picked us as their supplier of cast bullets. Our machines and our people will be running real hard next week, I believe, as we get their huge stocking order onto the pallets.

They've ordered every bullet in our lineup and we will shortly be adding new bullets to satisfy their requirements.

So, that's the news I wanted to share with our friends here on THR, as I am convinced that you folks have contributed to the "buzz" that got Graf and Sons interested in us in the first place and I am truly, truly grateful.

Brad and Jo Ann
Missouri Bullet Company


Brad

Congrats, I live right near the graf's store in st. charles... nice store with very reasonable prices. Nice to see local folks doing so well.

[MikeS.]

Good for y'all. I too would like to see pictures of your shop.

[Hank Zudd]

I ordered 2 boxes of pistol bullets from you a couple of months ago when I couldn't find anything on other sites.

You're getting alot of good vibe type traffic on other boards as well, so you must be doing something right.

I know you did right by me, and I'll continue to support you in any way.

good luck & screw Kali; let'em keep their lead ban.

[Floppy_D]

I've shot about 1500 of your bullets with no complaints... keep up the great work!

[Roccobro]

good luck & screw Kali; let'em keep their lead ban.

Yeah!.. wait.. WHAT?!?

The lead ban is for hunting ammo. Not for target. Relax there Hank. Cali sucks, but no need to overhype just how bad. :)

And yes, I'm enjoying the 3k+ bullets I got from MB. Thanks again Brad!

Justin

[scf4003]

Outstanding Brad!

[Hank Zudd]

I lived there (Calexico to Ukiaha) for 18 years, so I know you're pain.
Moved back to free America in 05.

[kevinm]

Congratulations!

[herohog]

I bought 1k of .38 wadcutters and was VERY pleased! I finally got another .44 Magnum so it is time to orger again.

[jjohnson]

Well, now, that IS great news, and thanks for sharing it with us!

It looks like many of us agree - Graf's has been great to deal with (as you have) and enjoys a reputation that's compatible with yours.

Kinda glad to hear about the .380 line - I was one of those folks wheedling you for months to go there - it looks like perhaps your customers have been good to you because you've been good to them. It's been evident as long as you've been around that you're putting phenomenal work into your business. It's hard to beat your combination of quality, value, and responsiveness. We're all glad you're there!

Here's wishing you continued success and prosperity for all your hard work!

[ljnowell]

Hey Brad!

I have a question for you or maybe two. When do you see Grafs having your product in stock and on the website? The other thing, how would you prefer your orders? Those of us who have been ordering from you, would you prefer those orders continue straight through you, or go to grafs? Does it matter? How much of an inventory will grafs keep on hand?

[Corner Pocket]

Brad, you rock! (That's a verb, not a noun.) ;)

I have enjoyed loading your bullets for a while and I will continue to order from you. It is a genuine pleasure to deal with you good people. I wish you all the best as you continue on! :D

Corner Pocket

[Encoreman]

Congrats to you both, keep up the hard work.

[ArchAngelCD]

Congratulations... Just goes to show you if you work hard and you are honest you can succeed even if the worst of times. God Bless you, your wife and America!

[mousegun380]

That is fantastic news! You earned it 100%. Congrats to you and JoAnn. Hold on to your hats because I would expect Graf's to keep you casting like crazy.

Another poster above mentioned a very good point: Would you like us to keep ordering from you or from Graf's? I would worry that if a lot of your regulars start ordering from Graf's that those sales might cannibalize your current base of direct orders. I would expect that you have a higher margin on the bullets purchased directly from MB.

[Gryffydd]

Would you like us to keep ordering from you or from Graf's? I would worry that if a lot of your regulars start ordering from Graf's that those sales might cannibalize your current base of direct orders. I would expect that you have a higher margin on the bullets purchased directly from MB.

I would expect that's true, but I would also expect that "don't buy from my new biggest customer, buy from me" isn't something Brad wants to say out loud. :)

[ljnowell]

I would expect that's true, but I would also expect that "don't buy from my new biggest customer, buy from me" isn't something Brad wants to say out loud.

Thats why I didnt word it in that way. What I was wanting to get at was are they trying to get away from retail themselves or not.

[Six]

Congrats, and good for you, I just hope you guys won't get too busy for our little orders :)

[K96771]

I love a success story! Good for you.

I recently tried your bullets for the first time and am very pleased with quality and pricing. The 158 LSWC for .357 is my favorite. Easier to reload than my previous favorite - 148 HBWC - and it doesn't gunk up my dies or shave off.

[Guinny_Ire]

Congrats, Brad.

[herohog]

Congratulations! I hope the deal is good for you in every possible way.

Now I have a question: What is a good load for your .38 PPC #1 using Bullseye powder? I loaded 200 of them using grains and will try them out this weekend. I don't have a chronometer so all I can test is accuracy.

[MissouriBullet]

The order is filled, including the two supplemental orders they stacked on after the original. We actually had everything palleted up and ready on Tuesday and notified them then, so that would be 15 days from start of production to completion of their 340,000 bullet order of 43 different bullets. And we managed to not slip on our normally quick shipping response to our regular customers. I don't mean to brag guys, but that's a lot of darn bullets to get out in a fairly short period of time, at least it is for a country boy like me!

In all honesty, it was Jo Ann who kept us all steady and who kept the regular customers happy with her cheerful phone manner and her quick and efficient shipping. So thank you, Jo Ann, and I'm happier than ever that I married you :-)

But it was tough. Over that timespan, we experienced 102 degree heat, random employee outages (causing employer outrages), a new hire, equipment failures, and the frenzied installation of a 4-ton York air conditioning unit that has brought the temperature near the casters down from 125 degrees to a very very nice 70.

On top of it all, last Tuesday morning, Jo Ann headed out of the shop to take a customer call on her headset away from the noise and tripped over the edge of a pallet, causing a cascading 9-foot leaping fall across the dock and she landed with her forehead striking the corner of a lead ingot. Very bloody. Concussion. Trip to hospital, CAT scan, unable to think straight for a while. But no bad report from the MRI results. The contusion was a centimeter (.4") deep and could have lacerated her skull but fortunately, didn't. Close call, that one. So thank the Lord it wasn't any worse than it was and she was able to get back to shipping in a couple of days :-)

Man, we're tired! Time to go for a nice ride on the Softtail, I think.

[MissouriBullet]

After due consideration, I think this is what I'll be riding tonight :-)

[Six]

Now I have a question: What is a good load for your .38 PPC #1 using Bullseye powder?

I load them with 2.8gr Bullseye or 3.3gr Unique.

[herohog]

Congrats on the orders and work MB!

[MissouriBullet]

I was looking at Graf's website and realized that their prices on our bullets are about the same as ours. Note that they pay shipping, so if you are ordering anything at all besides our bullets, man, that's the way to go! Most reloading supply houses don't do that, I believe.

Graf's rocks!

[JimGun]

Congratulations Brad, in these times its good to see an individual make it in business, especially in an area that I love. I haven't done any business with you yet, but I'm going to be looking at your website when I log off. Best of Luck.

[jjohnson]

Dittoes on the American Dream of working hard, dealing honestly, and being rewarded for it all. Great success story!

Gawd, I'm sure it's all been really hard work with anguish over business terms and all that, but I imagine it's gotta be cool waking up in the morning knowing you're really making it as your own boss. I have a buddy who puts in 60 hours a week minimum working for himself but he feels great about being his own boss and having people really like his work.

We're all glad Jo Ann wasn't hurt worse. You guys deserve some good breaks.

[freakshow10mm]

Saw your bullets when I was in the dealer section of G&S earlier tonight. They used to keep Suters in there but I'm glad you guys got in there. You deserve it.

[lonewolf5347]

Brad: keep up the good work:
Rick from long Island n.y.

[rduckwor]

I have to say that I was very fortunate at the start of my short reloading experience. Found Missouri Bullet, order, received, and reloaded. No need for anything/anybody else's bullets.

I'm here for the long haul and I appreciate the quality product and the excellent service from these folks.

RMD

[mousegun380]

Man I am glad JoAnn is OK. That sucks!!!

[MikeS.]

Definitely glad to hear that JoAnn is OK. That is a bummer of a trip. I can attest that their service was excellent during this period.

[My(2)Cents]

Hey Just wanted to let ya know that i ordered 1k of .45 200gr SWC and was plesently surprised by the fact that the bullets were in stock and shipped to my door so fast. They are of great quality and was also glad to find out that there was a military discount most of the time when I ask a place if they have a military discount they look at you like you have 2 heads. That said does anyone have any recipies they use with this bullet. I've used both 4.3 and 4.5gr of red dot. Im lookin to change to bullseye any ideas?

[Joemyxplyx]

I was looking at Graf's website and realized that their prices on our bullets are about the same as ours. Note that they pay shipping, so if you are ordering anything at all besides our bullets, man, that's the way to go! Most reloading supply houses don't do that, I believe.


Yeah, but with the High Road discount and the volume discount for 2-3,000 packs, its better to order from Missouri Bullet. Plus I get to deal with the redoubtable Jo Ann who is, thankfully, recovering nicely from the tumble.

[Quoheleth]

That said does anyone have any recipies they use with this [200gr SWC] bullet.

Google is your pal:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=200&shellid=35&bulletid=62

Website specifies Speer bullet, Bullseye 4.6gr (start) 807fps. Should work just fine w/Missouri Bullet.

Q

[Oldtrader3]

These are difficult times and it is very heartening to hear a success story like you and your company are enjoying. I hope that it continues for you.

[rfwobbly]

On top of it all, last Tuesday morning, Jo Ann headed out of the shop to take a customer call on her headset away from the noise and tripped over the edge of a pallet, causing a cascading 9-foot leaping fall across the dock and she landed with her forehead striking the corner of a lead ingot. Very bloody. Concussion. Trip to hospital, CAT scan, unable to think straight for a while. The contusion was a centimeter (.4") deep and could have lacerated her skull but fortunately, didn't. Close call, that one. So thank the Lord it wasn't any worse than it was and she was able to get back to shipping in a couple of days :-)

Dang! Sincerely sorry to hear about that. Hope her recovery is speedy.

She's probably be back in no time writing code, fussing at vendors, answering the phone, straightening out employees, while balancing a baby on each hip.


Man, we're tired! Time to go for a nice ride on the Softtail, I think.

Now motorcycles, those are seriously dangerous things. Stay away, pal. You could poke your eye out!

[71Commander]

Congrats on the move upwards. I have 7 people buying from you now.

BTW. I hope you still sell from your web site. I just checked out your bullets on G&S site. All I can say is :what:

[bhawkeye]

Love your bullets & service & Love your story even more!

PLEASE keep up the good work & stay safe. :)

[MissouriBullet]

71Commander -

Jo Ann hails from Chattanooga, as you probably know if you've ever spoken to her :-)

She's fully recovered now, still showing some bruises.

I looked at the pdf of Graf's sale flyer last night and it blew me away. Those folks are professionals!

And yes of course, we will still sell from our website. There may come a day, though, when we lock down and only supply existing customers. I truly enjoy working with the public but the volume continues to increase and we will have to figure out the priorities. Graf's is going to keep us busier and busier and more gunstores and clubs are coming online with us. So we'll have to see.

This is Saturday, so we won't have any employees in. I actually enjoy working on the weekends. Graf's just placed another order (smaller than the first one), as they have already sold out of about 8 bullets, 4 days after they lined up our products for ordering from their site. So I'm guessing I'll be running about 50k bullets today (SoftBall!, Cowboy #1's, Cowboy #2, and Cowboy #9's.) Another 50k tomorrow and I'll palletize their order, forklift it into our freight container, and let them know Monday that we're ready for their truck.

Jo Ann's away this morning. She runs the local Farmers Marker in Holden, 6 miles from us. An amazing woman. Shortly after she moved here, she got the Market going because she remembered how important it was to have a good Market in her hometown. She does it all for free, coordinating everything, not charging vendors for use of the city park and it has developed into a very successful operation where folks can make good money bringing their produce in, along with the occasional chicken and free kittens. After her injury, word got around and the first Saturday afterwards she arrived to do the setup and one of her old-time regular vendors said "Didn't your mama ever tell you that when your husband tells you to shut up, you're supposed to shut up?"

Anyhow, it's time to get out there and start cleaning some moulds.

Brad

[Roccobro]

Brad, I love your stories!

Justin

[Varmonter]

Missouri Bullet Company has been great to us. Great customer service, really pleasant to talk to. I ordered from Missouri before and shipping was fast, packaged well. I'm getting ready to make another order and I'm going to use THR discount code too. Glad to hear that business is well!!!!! Maybe post some pictures of the facuility??

Code ...Whats the thr code??

[Six]

Code ...Whats the thr code??

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=441173

[rfwobbly]

And yes of course, we will still sell from our website. There may come a day, though, when we lock down and only supply existing customers.

Glad I made it onto your "existing customers" list. The bullets I ordered look beautiful, arrived VERY quickly, and were packaged very nicely. However I must complain. They came padded with last week's newspaper.

That was probably the day your wife was at the ER, so I'm gonna let it slip this time. :rolleyes:

[bhawkeye]

Wow!

I ordered some IDP#4's last Saturday morning, got an email a couple hours later saying they'd shiped. I thought "Must be an automated response".

MONDAY my order was delivered (I had to open it to be sure it was really the order that I placed less than 2 days earlier).

Kudos to Brad and to the US Postal service - Missouri to Kali in less than 2 days. :)

[robphillips]

Nice to see a company that can deliver on deadlines and even changed orders. Congrats on the new vendor.

[HuntAndFish]

Glad to see the local boys doin' good. Got Graf's flyer today with almost a whole page of Missouri Bullets in it. Glad JoAnn didn't get hurt any worse.

I just buy your bullets locally at what used to be Denny's Guns, now GTS. Good stuff.

38 Spl
OAL = 1.470
Fed #100 small pistol primers
3.8 grains W231
158 gn Missouri Bullet "357 Action" bullet (.358 SWC)

This is roughly 800 fps and works well.

[HuntAndFish]

When I first started loading your bullets I looked around for load data (a la; Hornady's load book, etc...) but didn't find anything. Instead I just compared Lyman's molds with your bullets and used Lyman's load data. Seems to work okay.

Do you plan to collect, test, and publish some load data for your bullets? Do you need some help with that? hint hint :)

[TwistedMinded_Biker]

Congratulations!