[bugsbunny45]

I can kinda sorta see why there is panic gun buying but why the panic buying of reloading supplies and equipment. Locally all the gun shops are out of primers and powder. I was trying to get ready for shooting season and did not realize there was such a shortage. I walked in to Gandermountain to grab a few primers and I was SHOCKED all gone powder almost all gone.

Seems like online most of the reloading kids are soldout.

[cfullgraf]

If nothing else happens and based on 2009, it will take about 6 months for inventories to improve and another 6 months for prices to approach pre-election levels.

All bets are off if there is another incident and/or vote.

[gspn]

I'm guessing things will be approaching normal (notice I didn't say they will BE normal) sometime around Sept or Oct. I don't expect to walk into a single store and find ammo or reloading components sitting on the shelf until that time.

That's why I'm just going to start fishing early this year. I'm not going to sit around sweating it...I'll just go fishing instead.

[hentown]

If the Republicans in the House will demonstrate some testicular grandiosity, and I ain't holding my breath, shouldn't take too long. If they let the Community Organizer-in-Chief roll over them, then all bets are off. There is no COGENT reason for the House Republicans to compromise AT ALL on any new proposed gun-control legislation.

[USSR]

This is going to go on for a LONG time. Unlike the 2009 drought when there was no direct threat (other than a Dem being elected), now you have the president taking advantage of a tragedy to play to his base. This is likely to last at least until the midterm elections in 2014. Just MHO.

Don

[Drail]

Supplies will start being available again when all of the "hoarders" (like me) have built their stockpile up to where they are satisfied. Personally I am still sitting on cases of primers I bought back when the 94 ban was announced. People at that time laughed at me for buying so much. I cannot hardly believe what guys are having to pay now. Just business as usual with our idiots in D.C.

[BYJO4]

I also think things will greatly improve over the next 6 months. Buying will slowly level out and production by manufacturers will increase. Just hang in there.

[Missionary]

Greetings
Yepthat year sounds about right.
Happily 18 months ago a fellow reloader and I put together a good order. It is nice to watch the frenzy from the sidelines again.
Mike in ILL

[capreppy]

I stocked up some over the summer. I built a rifle and am building another so my needs changed a little. Worst case scenario and this goes through the end of the year, I'll be fine. My shooting buddy said prepare and I took that advice to heart.

I am starting to see some product here and here from some of the retailers. The holiday season is over and people are getting back to work and hopefully production is starting to ramp up.

Powder and primer is definitely still an issue. No way to tell how bad it is since we have no visibility to the back orders at the likes of MidwayUSA or PV or others.

[bugsbunny45]

One place had a date ob 7 -2013 as a date on primers. I am seeing 2-15-2013 on a lot of Lee reloading kits

[9w1911]

Yea I had no idea, never again will i be caught without a ton of stuff. Primers, I cannot get primers off my mind. Cannot buy enough either.
Score on the 4lbs of 231.

[Walkalong]

Between the price of metals going way up and the 2008 election, we had tons of folks get into reloading. The reloading forum was absolutely hopping with new reloaders with questions. It was fun helping to teach a great new wave of reloaders. So far this time is isn't as crazy, so I would hope supply would catch up faster this time. While many had learned during the primer shortage after Clinton was elected, many more people learned a lesson about keeping some extra stock on hand for little inconveniences like this. The ones that struggle the most are those just starting.

[Jimbo53]

With the ammo backlog and the producers trying to produce as much ammo as possible, I wonder how many primers they allocate for the reloading market? Might not be one of their big priorities.

[GP100man]

When ya have to show your reloading permit # to purchase your ration of primers , powder & bullet.

As far as us casters lead will become the 3rd largest smuggled commodity in the US.

It`s coming ,just as shore as rain !

I mite not live to see it ,but it`s coming !!

I got caught last time ,but not this time !!!

[THe Dove]

I like many others (not all but many) got hit hard the last frenzy. However, like many others I have been preparing and yes it is nice to watch the frenzy from the sidelines. I do not enjoy this stuff but it is nice not to be hit in the gut with all that is happening right now. I've been casting for 20 years now and luckily have enough ww and lead to get me through many years of shooting/reloading.

I just hope for all the fellow firearm brothers and sisters, this frenzy dies down and things can once again be "normal".

The Dove

[hueyville]

Around me everyone is restocked. Racks full of AR-15's, riot shotguns and Combloc guns. Most are completely restock with components except small rifle primers !nd .22 caliber bullets. Picked up 2 pounds of lil'gun yesterday at one shop. While at another a nice older gentleman came in looking for same powder and some 37 grain bullets for his Hornet. Heard him telling story of calling other shop and drove to town just to get powder. I told him I got it and if he needed would sell him one of the.cans of powder as the decent thing to do. He asked if I had a recommended load for heavy bullets as he was out of smalls. Asked what he wanted, drove to house, met him and handed him a new box of 37 grain bullets. He asked what price was and said had so long didn't remember so just take and enjoy. He gave me his business card and said if ever in need for anything give him a call. So if we all start sharing, the idiots that didn't stockpile a decade ago will stop buying stuff they don't even need, this perceived shortage will end. I have a box full of emails asking how to load 37 gr bullets for autoloaders. I answer that you don't. Every shop in my town is way heavy with powder, primers and bullets except for .22 calibers. Prices are up a bit but suppliers went up. Friend at shot show saying all he orders on the floor is shipping. One local shop actually over 50,000 primers in stock. Nothing has been banned nor will it this week. Stop freaking out.

[smokey1]

Look for pricing from manufactures to rise. material costs will increase with inflation setting. If nothing else they are leaving money on the table. Look at what people are charging and what people are paying on the secondary market.
If someone does not agree then looming anti gun campaign kicking into high gear no telling what crazy tax on ammo or their stupid proposed registering of ammo sales will keep short term demand high and supply choked.

Sit back and cry later or as a target shooter continue stocking up. There is always ammo on the shelf for 303 British, 17 HMR...

One last point. There are over 4 million new firearms on the market in the last 2 months. Some of which are first time gun owners. They need ammo as well.
Out sport continues to grow despite the opposition.

[BullfrogKen]

Four years ago the same thing happened. After the market settled, 9 months later, I changed my buying habits. I had never bought powder in 8 lb jugs before. I do now. Yes, its a hit on the new handloaders, but the market will stabilize. When it does, slowly build up your stocks.

[USSR]

Around me everyone is restocked. Racks full of AR-15's, riot shotguns and Combloc guns. Most are completely restock with components except small rifle primers !nd .22 caliber bullets.

So if we all start sharing, the idiots that didn't stockpile a decade ago will stop buying stuff they don't even need, this perceived shortage will end.

Every shop in my town is way heavy with powder, primers and bullets except for .22 calibers. Prices are up a bit but suppliers went up. Friend at shot show saying all he orders on the floor is shipping. One local shop actually over 50,000 primers in stock. Nothing has been banned nor will it this week. Stop freaking out.

Sorry, hueyville, but if this is indeed true in your area, it is an anomaly. In 99% of the cases, stores are pretty much bare of primers and powder, with resupply dates far into the future. So, enjoy your particular situation, but the macro situation is simply a case that is taught in any Econ 101 course: demand is exceeding supply due to the perceived threat of government intervention. The solution is not telling guys to "start sharing" and "stop buying stuff they don't even need", but to remove the political climate that is causing the problem to begin with. Just MHO.

Don

[hueyville]

Smokey1 wrote:
One last point. There are over 4 million new firearms on the market in the last 2 months. Some of which are first time gun owners. They need ammo as well.
Out sport continues to grow despite the opposition.

Good point sir. We may have the beginning of a new way to jump start our economy. Once a month have Obama propose a ban on some U.S.A. made product. Next month it could be a ban on American made cars, the next a ban on domestic manufactured electronics etc. Consider the idea of a ban on getting private health insurance policies. There would be a such a rush to actually do what folks should already have done that the idea of government mandated or supplied health care would die a natural death.

USSR, I cant disagree with you as all I see personally is what is happening in my community. That being said I was stunned yesterday when I went on my biweekly tour de gun shops to see all of them stocked to the gills with AR's, AK's, shotguns, powder, primers, etc. My buddy who has been at Shot Show all week says on everything except 5.56/.223, 7.62x39, 9mm and .22lr ammo; small rifle primers and 62 to 65 grain .223 bullets; quality 30 round AR mags and 7.62x39 mags; everything he has ordered was verified as packaged for shipping as of yesterday evening. He says the stuff that didn't verify as packaged to ship is back ordered and most should be on a truck within 2 weeks according to his vendors. A run can only last so long as the feds will actually ban our sport, people will spend all their disposable income or the suppliers will run double and triple shifts till the shelves restock. So my mid sized local municipality is an anomaly. Maybe because of our demographics most people so inclined to hoard did so in the past. Dunno...

Here is an idea for those of you having to slow your roll on your reloading/shooting habits due to not having enough stockpile to support your normal consumption. Take your spare time and go get your basic ham radio license. (Technician Class) No knowledge of Morse code is required now, the test is easy and usually only costs about 10 bucks. Then a couple of basic radios and you will have guaranteed two way communications with a surprising large number of like minded folk. I have found most hams are interested in emergency preparedness and guns. If your particular disaster of choice were to happen being able to communicate is going to be of importance.

[Kachok]

Yeah we are not even close to "restocked" yet. No IMR4350, no RL22, no small pistol or large rifle primers, and when I asked the local gun store if they had any AR15s the owner laughed at me. Yeah it is pretty bad here, good thing I had the foresight to stock up on primer, powder, and bullets the day all this started, I guess that makes me part of the problem LOL But at leased I actually reload and shoot, some people are buying this stuff thinking they can sell it for more later.

[ReloaderFred]

I just got home from the SHOT Show in Las Vegas last night. Everyone is sold out of everything. Fiocchi Ammunition has sold their entire production for 2013 in advance, ($134,000,000) and is taking no new orders at all this year. The others are in the same boat. I didn't bother to read through the posts, since I'm still catching up, but this is what I found in the industry.

I was able to place an order with Berry's Manufacturing for bullets, but that was about it. Those who saw this coming have what they need, but those who depend on the local store to always have a supply on hand are going to be empty handed for awhile.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Arbo]

I was actually going to get into reloading as well as I'm doing more shooting and it makes sense. But yeah, can't find the stuff needed anywhere.

But I know a guy about an hour away that does reloading and in the event I can actually find primers and bullets that I want to load, he is set up for just about everything.

I kinda see that as a good thing as I can get 'trained' from someone with a load of experience first..

[hueyville]

Kachock, have actually gotten PM's from 3 people on this website offering to sell me components. Their price was plain goofy. Have also had 4 members here PM asking if I could hook them up and of course said yes. Two of them went far enough in the process to give me their phone numbers, tell me what they wanted and I picked it up. When it came down to finalizing the deal (I was not adding a single cent to price and actually negotiated really decent prices for what they wanted) neither called me back when I let them know had their primers in hand. So put most into my inventory except a few that went to a neighbor that didn't mind fattening up his stock. That said, am not going to even offer to help folks I don't know personally again with components.

The really weird thing is that through all of this most of the local shops never sold out of their 30 caliber stuff except M1a's. Most of the exotic battle rifles that cost real money even before the panic are still sitting in the racks. I found it odd that folks that were paying anything for AR's or AK's and then panicking when could not get one, didn't even seem to glance at HK's, FN's and such.

Yesterday as I was pilfering one shop I found an "old stock" 500 round package of .308 168 grain Sierra match king bullets that had sat so long the green box was fading toward yellow. Proprietor was so happy to have me ask cost knowing I was a buyer not a tire kicker sold them to me for an even 100 bucks just to get them gone. He said couldn't give away 500 round packages of loose bullets in anything but .223. That was completely odd to me. He also had several older 100 count boxes of GameKings in various calibers. All came in a deal where he bought the inventory from an older gun shop that went out of business. Most had three to four price tags stacked on them. He offered to let me have them at lowest price on boxes. Top sticker on the popular sizes said 29.99 and according to caliber/weight varied from 24.99 to 34.99. On the .284's peeled off top and next one under it said 24.99, peeled that off next said 19.99 and bottom price sticker said 17.99. I put three boxes of .243 cal, three of .257 cal, one of .264 cal, three of .284 cal, three of .338 cal, one of .323 cal, two of .358 cal and four of .375 cal with my 500 .308 MatchKing's and he rang up every 100 count box at 17.99. That said, I don't presently even own a .264, .323 or .375 caliber rifle but why not put them in stock while I can. Never know what your next rifle is going to be. So maybe I am part of the problem buying stuff don't even need but all of what I bought in that deal had sat in his inventory for over three years and no telling how long at the gun shop whose original stock they came from.

[Arbo]

good idea. look for used gear on ebay, and check craigs list too. Also, best learn to cast bullets, or contact whomever casts locally. get in touch with your local IPSC or IDPA "combat" match shooting clubs, somebody there knows a local commercial caster, and a commercial reloader, too. count on that much. Lead costs too much to be shipping it very far, and those guys shoot 20,000+ rds per year, or they are a nobody in such matches1

Well, I'm lucky in that the range I just rejoined is owned by the guy that owns Colorado Cast Bullet, Inc, which is on site, and I've been in and seen the machines and process. ;)

[Kachok]

Kachock, have actually gotten PM's from 3 people on this website offering to sell me components. Their price was plain goofy. Have also had 4 members here PM asking if I could hook them up and of course said yes. Two of them went far enough in the process to give me their phone numbers, tell me what they wanted and I picked it up. When it came down to finalizing the deal (I was not adding a single cent to price and actually negotiated really decent prices for what they wanted) neither called me back when I let them know had their primers in hand. So put most into my inventory except a few that went to a neighbor that didn't mind fattening up his stock. That said, am not going to even offer to help folks I don't know personally again with components.

The really weird thing is that through all of this most of the local shops never sold out of their 30 caliber stuff except M1a's. Most of the exotic battle rifles that cost real money even before the panic are still sitting in the racks. I found it odd that folks that were paying anything for AR's or AK's and then panicking when could not get one, didn't even seem to glance at HK's, FN's and such.

Yesterday as I was pilfering one shop I found an "old stock" 500 round package of .308 168 grain Sierra match king bullets that had sat so long the green box was fading toward yellow. Proprietor was so happy to have me ask cost knowing I was a buyer not a tire kicker sold them to me for an even 100 bucks just to get them gone. He said couldn't give away 500 round packages of loose bullets in anything but .223. That was completely odd to me. He also had several older 100 count boxes of GameKings in various calibers. All came in a deal where he bought the inventory from an older gun shop that went out of business. Most had three to four price tags stacked on them. He offered to let me have them at lowest price on boxes. Top sticker on the popular sizes said 29.99 and according to caliber/weight varied from 24.99 to 34.99. On the .284's peeled off top and next one under it said 24.99, peeled that off next said 19.99 and bottom price sticker said 17.99. I put three boxes of .243 cal, three of .257 cal, one of .264 cal, three of .284 cal, three of .338 cal, one of .323 cal, two of .358 cal and four of .375 cal with my 500 .308 MatchKing's and he rang up every 100 count box at 17.99. That said, I don't presently even own a .264, .323 or .375 caliber rifle but why not put them in stock while I can. Never know what your next rifle is going to be. So maybe I am part of the problem buying stuff don't even need but all of what I bought in that deal had sat in his inventory for over three years and no telling how long at the gun shop whose original stock they came from.
No nobody has PM'd me with any offers, I don't buy much online anyway. I have a decent stock and don't really "NEED" anything at the moment. Only thing I could really use is some more range time :) You would not believe how busy the local range is, people are waiting in long lines to shoot, never seen anything like it.

[hueyville]

Kachock wrote:
Only thing I could really use is some more range time You would not believe how busy the local range is, people are waiting in long lines to shoot, never seen anything like it.

Guess I am lucky. Can shoot .22lr as much as I want at home. In basement have small bullet trap and as long as only shoot my NFA supressed .22 wife does not mind me busting caps in the house. At work I have a small bore rifle lane outside that can shoot .17 hmr, .22lr, .22 mag up to my .22 hornet. I have targets at 25, 50 and 75 yards. In my warehouse have a bullet trap and shoot from .22lr up to .45 acp inside almost daily. From the bullet trap I have firing lines at 25, 50 and 75 feet. I own a "farm" about 45 minutes from home with a pistol and rifle range. From the bench I have targets at 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards. Dead level and the sun never in your eyes, wind flags every 100 yards, etc. I have access to the local Sheriff's pistol and rifle range by appointment as long as don't bring friends or show up when they are training, local gun range by appointment and several friends close by with lots of ground hogs, coyotes, crows and squirrels they want eradicated. Thus I get to shoot almost daily and have enough variety to keep from getting bored. Do you not have a gun range close by? Our local indoor ranges not busy during the business day. Only evenings and weekends.

[greybeard57]

I guess I'm lucky too, I currently have a 100yrd rifle with the possibility of 1000yrds if I could build a suitable backdrop and a separate pistol range that's up to 12yrds in my backyard. My farm is small but it's narrow and long and I have no neighbors. LOL

[Ret.CWO]

It's always been " If you snooze you loose "After this is over you may want to stock up every chance you get. I learned that leason 20 years ago. I've never been short.:):)

[BullfrogKen]

Kachok,

I had some business to take care of at my local club.

Every outdoor pistol pit had people there shooting, and it was hard finding a place to park.

[Inebriated]

I'm guessing about three months. We should know how the political side is going to play out by then, and either things will be banned/restricted, or they won't. I think the worst of the panic buying is over, unless there's an announcement of definite restrictions, which will obviously set off another frenzy, until the legislation were to go into effect, so it wouldn't last long. And if nothing happens in the next three months, then I'm guessing most people have moved on, and we'll see things return to normal. That's my bet, anyway... but, maybe I'm just an optimist.

[rg1]

I see no end to the panic buying. Guns, ammo, and components will disappear as soon as they are restocked. Those people caught short-handed or have just decided to get into reloading or have their 1st guns and need ammo are going to make certain they are stocked up and "won't let that happen again". Manufacturers are not going to be able to keep up and this will continue at least for this year and probably into the next, regardless of whether the anti-gun politicians pass any new laws. Prices will fall but probably won't get to the level before all this happened. Just my opinion from a pessimist's viewpoint.

[788Ham]

I feel very fortunate today, got a phone call about 1130-ish, "Hey, you still want that powder you've been wanting?" I couldn't hardly wait for the garage door to clear, I was gone in 1/2 heartbeat. I finally got 2 one .lb bottles of Win. 231 powder, I about messed myself when the guy handed me the stuff! When I asked him if he could get anymore in 4 lb. containers, he said, "No, this is the biggest I can get." So I ordered 2 more lbs. of 231 and 2 lbs. of AA #5, "Might be awhile before I can get it, but I'll order it for you." This guy's prices were $9.00 a lb. cheaper than the big box joints, won't be going back to SW or Gander anytime soon! I'd rather give this small guy the money than those other clowns!

[dragon813gt]

Things will normalize by the end of summer. Manufacturers want to reap the profits so you can bet they will be pumping product out. They learned their lesson last time around as well.

People have short attention spans. I don't expect most first time shooters to amass a stockpile consisting of thousands of rounds. I see most of them forgetting about their new purchase and moving on to the next new thing. I'm counting on this so I can reap the benefits of good deals from a flush market.


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[Kachok]

Kachok,

I had some business to take care of at my local club.

Every outdoor pistol pit had people there shooting, and it was hard finding a place to park.
Cars were lined up parked across the street at our range, it was a madhouse, maybe I should open a range, seems business is booming LOL

[FROGO207]

Keeping a minimum 2 year supply stockpiled ahead of components anticipated to be used to reload at current usage has been a VERY good choice on my part. I have been doing it for the past 20 or so years and have never regretted it. Even have 50K of various .22LR ammo ahead at prices that will never be seen again I am afraid.:( I am just lucky that I had the spare cash to invest when I did. Spent a little every week and it did not bother so badly.;) Some of my friends did not and they are not happy about the current situation I am afraid. I will share with them BUT only so much that it does not hurt my situation.

[El Guero]

Supplies will start being available again when all of the "hoarders" (like me) have built their stockpile up to where they are satisfied. Personally I am still sitting on cases of primers I bought back when the 94 ban was announced. People at that time laughed at me for buying so much. I cannot hardly believe what guys are having to pay now. Just business as usual with our idiots in D.C.

Good to see somebody finally admit to having a 20 year supply of components yet still buy out every shelf they see. I fully expect to find see an episode of that Hoarders show someday where they find a guy with floor to ceiling primers, powder, and cast bullets. I suppose a guy like that would be far too paranoid to let a camera in the house though...

I also get the feeling that most of the component hoarders don't shoot much to begin with. I was just thinking about doing more shooting this year but I've only got 800 primers!

[Kachok]

Only thing I am short on is bulk 9mm, got plenty of premium HPs but no bulk cheap bullets, 9mm and 223 seem to be the hardest cartrages to get components for right now, did not see ANY of them yesterday. Oddly enough there was plenty of .40 and .45 cal stuff untouched, and there is still a decent supply of 30 cal bullets which surprises me. They were still sold out of my 165gr SGKs but they did have the hefty 180gr SGKs in stock, bought a box just in case I run our of 165s before the season ends.

[Elkins45]

I ordered some stuff from Graf's on the first and it hasn't even shipped yet. I'm not talking about AR mags or 9mm ammo, I ordered 375 Ruger brass and dies and a .379 bullet mold. This is hardly high demand stuff, but all the other guys are in line ahead of me. They told me it will probably ship next week.

Can you imagine what it must be like to be a stock picker or packer at Grafs, Midsouth or Midway? I'll bet those guys are working 12 hour days since before Christmas!

[788Ham]

Back in May, Midway had a deal on .224 bullets, 500 in a box, I ordered 3 of them, just so I'd have them. Was at a big box store about mid June, saw some 250 packs of bullets, I picked up 4 of those. When I told a buddy about my buys, "What the hell you need so many for?" Guess who wants some? I'd also picked up some powder I like for my .223, stored it away, guess what kinds can't be found now? Yep, most kinds we all use. Plus, at a GS in June, I picked up 4K of SRM primers, "just in case something hits the fan", hope I have enough.