Not shooting now

So let me get this straight, you are voluntarily not shooting now because in the future you might not be able to find primers so you won’t shoot then.
Sounds a little like cutting off your nose to spite your face to me.
If the bad thing that might happen is that you won’t be able to shoot you are doing that to yourself right now.

I wouldn’t starve myself with food in the freezer, that’s why I put it there in the first place.

I can’t replace what I shoot right now, at least not cheap or easily but I could still shoot thousands of rounds a year and die with plenty of components for someone to figure out what to do with.

I suppose not shooting is better than being the guy that buys everything he sees, at stupid prices, just to put it in your closet or worse try and hose others by selling it at even higher prices…

Some of us don't have the money to pay the inflated prices of components or hazmat fee. We are used to walking into a store and buying what we need at reasonable prices. Guess we got spoiled.

This is why I buy tens of thousands of primers, bullets, 22lr, etc. when they are cheap. Pre Covid there were many deals to be had.

I have been shooting only 22RF for the last 5 years or so, I learned to shoot with a 22, and it beats no or strictly rationed shooting.

The only thing I have slowed down at is one certain rifle that I cannot find the bullets she likes. Other than that range time has not changed except I don't blow through rounds like a mad man like some at my local range. Shooting and hunting are my go to and I'm not giving that up. Learned long ago to buy it cheap and stack it deep. I have also been replacing some ammo, powder and primers at fair prices. ymmv

I shoot a lot and really havent slowed down all that much through all this, although, unless things start to pick back up in the supply line, thats probably going to change a little bit here in the near future.

Ive always bought when things are good and stockpiled as much as I could for when times might not be as good. Its always worked out well in the past, and Ive never had to stop when things went missing.

This time around has been a bit different than it has been in the past. The longevity of the shortages and pretty much total lack of some things, such as primers, has made this more of a challenge.

If anything, we are our own worst enemies here when it comes to this. A little planning ahead, and a little less panic, and this wouldnt be quite so bad, but I guess its just human nature to slack off when things are good and panic when they arent.

Those who plan ahead, arent usually the ones panicking.

Hang in there Bruce, you ain't alone.

I've only shot once this year, primarily to stay sharp on my handgun technique......no ammo shortage here and I don't reload.......without sounding condescending I've popped more caps than any five ordinary enthusiasts combined and I look at my weapons now more as tools than recreation. I enjoy this forum as its informative and entertaining. Thank you all for sharing your views and information......I learn something new every time I log on here......

I was about to open my last 1000 ct LR primers. Stopped by the LGS he had some. So i grabbed a new box. At normal prices.He has been wonderful though out this latest shortage. About not gouging.

I see the primers, powder and bullets the I have in stock as a reason to shoot. I don't have 10s of thousands of components stocked up but I do have enough to load and shoot for the next 1.5 years if I don't buy any more and I shoot several times a month. And with a little work right now you can replace components. Not on demand but with a little persistence the components are there and the market seems to be improving.

I havent really had any problems getting bullets and powder.

Powder still seems to still be around, but depending on what you use, you may have to substitute some here and there, and quantities may be limited. For some reason, the 8# jugs seem to be harder to come by too.

Bullets, the couple of places I deal with online seem to have most of what Im looking for. Might have to wait a bit longer, but I just order and when they show up, they show up. As long as they keep rolling in, its fine.

Primers are the weird thing. All the other times things went south, they were always still around, and usually without too much of a price bump. They might have limited you to 1000, but they generally had them. The one place I usually get them is like a mini distributor and always had pretty much everything when everyone else was out. This time around, every time Ive been there, it looks like they were going out of business and were fixing to sell off the shelves and fixtures. Never seen anything like it.

The couple of times I was there recently, they had none at all, and the times prior to that, when they did have primers, they were down to selling them by the sleeve, and limiting you to just a couple of each type.

The one boy I talked to at the counter said that they had asked Winchester what to expect, and they were told that Winchester was using all the primers they had for the ammo they were making, trying to catch up, and not to expect much in the way of their primers for about a year or more. That was about a month ago.

i haven't been shooting much and when i do i am still burning through previously loaded ammo. i will have to restart reloading again.

i usually shoot 22s as they are cheaper but i just saw black friday prices on 500 rds thunderbolt above $50. makes me feel bad about shooting cci or federal bulk which i consider better ammo.

I can understand the OP’s position; I have reduced my centerfire shooting because I cannot replace bullets, powder and primers easily. I stocked up on .22LR prior to this pandemic so I continue to shoot that regularly but I have cut back on the other stuff. Fortunately because of that I have enough components to load up some 6.5 Creedmore ammo for my new rifle so I can at least break in the barrel and sight it in.

I get having a reserve and I am doing the same thing as the OP with a twist.....

I do not touch my powder or primers I had before covid19, what I do is buy what I need to shoot with at current prices.

Yeah spending money sucks but I still get to feel good

Jack B. said:

Some of us don't have the money to pay the inflated prices of components or hazmat fee. We are used to walking into a store and buying what we need at reasonable prices. Guess we got spoiled.

Click to expand...

You don't have money guys.....poor you guys

If you wanted this stuff you would figure out a way but you don't want it bad enough, BUT instead play the we can't afford it card. I have not met one adult male or female who did not have one stupid activity they could stop doing that would fund a project they wanted to be a part of.

Please provide a rebuttal how your situation is entirely different than 73% of America

Having followed advice since mid-2008, the times between the - inevitable — ammo panics allowed ammo to be stored.

However- being 66 years old (“Roger that, “Boomer” ), if we postpone any regular enjoyment of our ammo etc, an unanticipated health or vision issue could suddenly make it impossible.

There must be a balance, somehow.

I am in the same boat. I have shot very little in the last year, year and half. If/when things get back to normal I will be investing more in loading my own to build a nice little ammo stockpile of the important calibers I shoot.

KY DAN said:

You don't have money guys.....poor you guys

If you wanted this stuff you would figure out a way but you don't want it bad enough, BUT instead play the we can't afford it card. I have not met one adult male or female who did not have one stupid activity they could stop doing that would fund a project they wanted to be a part of.

Please provide a rebuttal how your situation is entirely different than 73% of America

Click to expand...

I went from shooting once, sometimes twice a week... to shooting just once a month now. I hate seeing my ammo stash get smaller!

I have been getting into airsoft guns though, to supplement my plinking fun. I know to some that may sound childish, but don't knock it until you try it. Airsoft guns are extremely realistic... apart from the lack of sound, recoil, and the delicious smell of burning powder it's a very similar experience.

Ignition Override said:

Having followed advice since mid-2008, the times between the - inevitable — ammo panics allowed ammo to be stored.

However- being 66 years old (“Roger that, “Boomer” ), if we postpone any regular enjoyment of our ammo etc, an unanticipated health issue could suddenly make it impossible.

There must be a balance, somehow.

Click to expand...

And the goal is to zero out at precisely the same moment.

I have not shot anymore or any less the past few years. My shooting habits really haven't changed. The kids are grown with kids of their own and my wife and I are retired. Having been around longer than many and having survived shortages and droughts before I have always been well stocked with my reloading components. When times were right I was fortunately able to take advantage of sales and good prices. Over the years supplies just accumulate. Things were not always this good. While not a "prepper" type I have learned not to be caught short.

Ron