What to stock up on?

As commented everything disappeared and some companies would not even take backorders. Brass is reloaded several times over so it is the easiest item to get by on.

I suggest you focus on a few types of powders and primers. Don’t wait until a panic and do what a friend did. He backordered a lot of primers from different companies and forgot who had had orders with. When the panic ended and the companies started filling their backorders he ended up with over 100,000 primers plus a lot of powder he had backordered. I told him that if his house ever catches fire the Fire Department will need to evacuate the entire block and watch the explosions.

BSA1 said:

he ended up with over 100,000 primers plus a lot of powder

I told him that if his house ever catches fire the Fire Department will need to evacuate the entire block and watch the explosions.

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FYI, powder/primer burn that is not confined does not lead to explosion, rather simple burn - https://saami.org/publications-advisories/sporting-ammunition-and-the-firefighter/


"These ammunition tests expended over 400,000 rounds of sporting ammunition ... and unpackaged bonfires, and fires involving a retail store and truck trailer.

About the Results

The video shows that sporting ammunition outside a firearm ... does not mass explode ... only low energy/velocity projectiles" ("Bonfire, retail store and truck trailer" fires start at 12:19 minute mark of video and they did not cause explosions)

I buy when components are on sale, I buy in large quantities, not because of a feared shortage, but because it's more cost effective to buy in bulk at a lower price....... Economics 101.

What has changed this time around(if needed) is I have the casting and bullet molds that are needed, to keep the shooting at the same pace, and have the lead ingots ready, and have been able to put everything, in the shooting budget, toward primers and powder. I was casting back then, but was not ready and set up, with every caliber covered in molds and proven loads, and had 5 gal. buckets of berm bullets, sitting around, but not made into ingots, but never again. Hopefully, we won't see another shortage, but I'm not betting on it, and am ready, if needed. If not, my kids will enjoy the joy of shooting, for years, after I'm gone.

WiTom said:

If not, my kids will enjoy the joy of shooting, for years, after I'm gone.

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My thoughts also...........

Maybe someone already suggested this.
Read through the following thread's post. You might get a feel of the climate in the last panic/shortage. You'll see many times someone would post a component in stock, only to have a post within a few minutes of it being out of stock/no back orders.
People were willing to try surplus/pulled powders. You had to be quick to get something.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/where-are-there-reloading-components-on-sale.707473/

I found it easier to get primers than powders. Lead bullets, thanks to ones like Brad at Missouri Bullets, were easier to get than plated/jacketed. Many hours were logged online by many in search of anything that would suffice this addiction.

Videos popped up about making your own primer compounds.

brewer12345 said:

I would start with primers. Can't do much without them. After that, powder. You probably have favorites you should stock up, but make sure you buy at least one do all powder. I chose unique because it is my preferred for 20 gauge plus I can load everything from 38 special to 3006 with it. For bullets you either need to stock up or learn to cast. I chose the latter. Brass is cheap now so buy some.

One other thought is that it might not be a bad idea to pick up a muzzleloader. They can be had inexpensively, are lots of fun to shoot, nobody is likely to ban them, and in a pinch you can even make your own projectiles, percussion caps, and even powder.

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That would include being able to mold bullets without electricity.

RealGun said:

That would include being able to mold bullets without electricity.

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I would think, if you're saying long term loss of electric, one ought have their stuff reloaded by then and be in the "locked & loaded" mode.

I starting stocking up last month. Bought a few 8lbers of my most used powders. Just ordered 20,000 primers. Next month I'll be ordering bullets. Already stocked up on 22lr awhile back, that was the worse for me last shortage. I should be set for a few years with this and what I already have. If not more fishing

irishlad said:

If not more fishing

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Excellent.
Always good to have a back-up plan!

As others have said, everything was scarce, but primers and .22lr ammo stayed scarcest longest. I think that has to do with how difficult it is to become a manufacturer of that stuff - the last shortage launched or embiggened* a whole slew of bullet makers and even some brass companies. Powder gets scarce, too, but there's a lot of good-enough substitutability.... something workable usually becomes available before too long.

Federal primers especially, because there are some guns - and therefore some users - that won't reliably pop anything else. So if you really like or need Federal primers, be sure you have a decent stash of those on-hand.

*It's a perfectly cromulent word.

I was just getting into Reloading (pistol) when the last shortage was starting. As I was trying to buy components for the first time, my observation was that small pistol primers dried up first. Then, just as the small primers started to show up again, the standard pistol powders dried up.

Not having much experience yet, I was hesitant to order multiple pounds of powder online before I had a chance to try it first, so I was pretty much limited to what I could find at the local gun shows. Getting in the door early meant getting there really early or the line would be around the building and everything was gone before I could even buy a ticket to get in. But, I would buy a pound of whatever was available, just to try.

The good thing from that is that I eventually was able to try a lot of different powders and now know what works well, what will work in a pinch, and what doesn’t work so well. I have started stocking up on the ones that work well, and trying to use up the rest.

I think I have enough to last probably 5 or 6 years now. I have a detached workshop, so I am not worried about how many primers or powder I have stored. I’ve been picking up supplies when they have been on sale, at a rate of about twice what I shoot. Adding more calibers to my collection slows me down in that respect, but having more calibers to shoot ends up slowing down the rate of consumption of any existing caliber, so it all works out.

kcofohio said:

I would think, if you're saying long term loss of electric, one ought have their stuff reloaded by then and be in the "locked & loaded" mode.

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And if not...? Just sayin'.

Walkalong said:

If they are able to outlaw reloading etc, don't think they won't go after everyone with lots of stored components.

The best hedge for the future is to vote pro gun.

A couple of years of components on hand is a good hedge for a temporary shortage, but in the long run we better not lose the pro/anti war.

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Absolutely! But we are preaching to the choir in gun forums. My problem is that my vote doesn't ever mean anything in New Mexico. My county and all the counties adjoining us in the NW vote right. The counties with the big cities vote left, unless the last last idiot really screwed up. We had a good Female governor fighting a liberal congress, replaced by a liberal witch. They have all power now. We are in process of losing everything this season . Registration was passed, red flag law....passed. I can't even give guns to my kids now. And they are just getting started.

The rest of you better not take gun rights for granted. Get vocal, get involved before the loud liberal criminals take everything in your states too.

Hooda Thunkit said:

Having been through shortages since the Clinton Admin, I have a one-word answer.

Primers.

Secure a sufficient supply of primers. Then get more primers.

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Yep, what he said..

I grew up watching the older folks in my family scrounging for components and or ammo during several so called panics. I never really wanted to go through that crap so when I jumped into reloading I spent a little every week when I could afford it on reloading supplies and equipment. A box of primers a lb of powder here and there and even dies and molds even for oddball stuff I have. See the opportunity and jump on it. If you see powder discounted get a few and stash it away. Same for brass and lead. Make friends with telephone line workers or put bugs in their ear. I procured no less than 2k lbs of dead soft lead in a few years just from 3 lineman that would have otherwise thrown it literally away in the trash dumpster at their work. Most was sold or traded for ww ingots. Put bugs in ears trusted friends and family.


A few years back that paid off big time. A coworkers father in law passed away and had been reloading for 50+ years. He went into hyper drive once his spouse died and reloaded any time he could. When he passed the kids had no clue what to do with it all. Some took a 50cal can here and there for their own personal firearms but the oldest, a coworker was left with a garage full of ammo. I offered component prices and they declined. After several weeks he called and said he just wanted it out of his garage and basement. It took several car trips just to get it home. That oppritunity alone netted me enough 25, 32 ,38,357, 45lc and 45acp brass to last me a lifetime. And it was all because I mentioned to a trusted coworker that if he came across and reloading equipment or components to get with me. You can read about that fiasco here on the forums under "shooting dead peoples ammo". Everything was broken down into components.


The rambling point I am trying to make here is when you have a little expendable cash, Buy what you can and store it. Always go for powders , primers and lead. Even cast bullets were hard to find for months at a time. Whatever you do dont put a financial burden on your family or yourself.

First, stock up on what you can't or won't make yourself. Primers, powder and rimfire ammo are pretty much beyond the home-brew skills of the vast majority of us.
Bullets can be molded or swaged, shot can be dropped, and brass and shot hulls can be reused many times. Black powder can be home made..
Once you have the powder, primers and .22LR or .17hmr stashed to your heart's content, then start building supplies of bullets and shells or anything else you might need.

I'll buy powder and primers when a good price presents itself.

splattergun said:

First, stock up on what you can't or won't make yourself. Primers, powder and rimfire ammo are pretty much beyond the home-brew skills of the vast majority of us.
Bullets can be molded or swaged, shot can be dropped, and brass and shot hulls can be reused many times. Black powder can be home made..
Once you have the powder, primers and .22LR or .17hmr stashed to your heart's content, then start building supplies of bullets and shells or anything else you might need.

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This 100%

rfwobbly said:

If people will talk to their friends and family, and get them to VOTE correctly, then there's no need to "stock up" on anything.

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VERY well said!!!!

And time has come of events we talked about in the past - These are words from those who saw/lived through various "component shortages":

LiveLife said:

Stock up while prices are low and items are in stock.

You are all properly warned. When you whine later, I will direct you back to this thread.

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Walkalong said:

A couple of years of components on hand is a good hedge for a temporary shortage

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splattergun said:

First, stock up on what you can't or won't make yourself. Primers, powder and rimfire ammo are pretty much beyond the home-brew skills of the vast majority of us.

Once you have the powder, primers and .22LR or .17hmr stashed to your heart's content, then start building supplies of bullets and shells or anything else you might need.

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Toprudder said:

I was just getting into Reloading (pistol) when the last shortage was starting. As I was trying to buy components for the first time, my observation was that small pistol primers dried up first. Then, just as the small primers started to show up again, the standard pistol powders dried up.

I think I have enough to last probably 5 or 6 years now ... I’ve been picking up supplies when they have been on sale, at a rate of about twice what I shoot

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Analogkid said:

I grew up watching the older folks in my family scrounging for components and or ammo during several so called panics. I never really wanted to go through that crap so when I jumped into reloading I spent a little every week when I could afford it on reloading supplies and equipment. when you have a little expendable cash, Buy what you can and store it. Always go for powders , primers and lead. Even cast bullets were hard to find for months at a time. Whatever you do dont put a financial burden on your family or yourself.

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Several months ago someone here posted a link to Nosler. Special and something like 400 (I forget) rounds of 223 for about $100 including shipping. I went for it because they were real light bullets and I figured good for my 1:12 twist bolt gun. Anyway I get emails from them and they seem to be doing OK. The bulk stuff was a good deal, I can't speak for today but if someone needs/wants they may be worth considering.

Ron

A sigh of relief for business with too much stock and not enough sales...