Are Component Prices High Now?

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peeplwtchr

peeplwtchr

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Hi All-

I am planning to begin research to buy reloading equipment, after seeing my first ammo scare and related price hikes. I am wondering if the prices for reloading Supplies/Equipment have gone up as much as factory ammo?

I am trying to make a determination if I should wait to buy the complete setup or not. I've got factory ammo to last several months.

Thanks!
 
12Bravo20 said:
The biggest problem is components being out of stock, especially primers. Bullets are hard to come by too depending on what caliber you are reloading.
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I just bought 5000 Win SPP from Brownell's; placed the order one day, it shipped the next and arrived yesterday, a day early. One just has to look and be prepared to buy once found. If you and keep looking hoping to save a few dollars, you'll wind up empty handed
 
In general I wouldn't say that component prices are higher. More accurately, there aren't as many sales (as in NONE). As I've expanded beyond my standard group of merchants (thanks THR), I've been able to find items in stock at same or better prices than I'd been paying. However, I've paid more for shipping, and wait times have increased dramatically.
Since the shutdown of the economy (and significantly more online time) I've discovered The Academy, TJ Conevera, and Sportsman's Warehouse, with new purchases from all but the Warehouse (none local, and limited stock now). I've also discovered a new (to me) local firearms store with a pretty well stocked powder inventory, along with a willingness to place special orders. Sweet!
 
Yes you have to watch and sign up for email alerts for when stuff is back in stock. I just checked Brownell's and they are out of stock on Winchester SPP. They do have Federal, Federal Premium Gold Medal, and Wolf SPP in stock. I ordered 1 box each of CCI SPP and LPP the other day from MidwayUSA. Since my 30 Cal ammo cans are full and I'm not shooting like I use to, I think I'll be all right for now with 1000 SPP and 1000 LPP. George P is correct that stuff can be found. Be prepared to order right away when you do find it.
 
My sleeve of 5000 (and I could have bought more) leaves me about 12K on SPP; should last a good long time (assuming I can get bullets) I buy powder by the 4 and 8# jug and most also work for my shotgun addiction, so I am good for a bit there as well. I stocked up two years ago before I moved away from my local shotgun club where we placed reloading supply orders through the club. Since they bought targets by the truckload, throwing some powders and primers and lead on the back was no biggie (and no additional cost).
If anyone is a member of a shotgun or other gun club, they might want to inquire about procuring some components through the club. If the club places a big enough order with theor regular suppliers, you might have better odds; besides in these times, anything one can do to help the local club stay open would be a wise move.
 
Is reloading something you have wanted to try before but never got around to or are you simply trying to hedge your bets against shortages in the future? If the former or both is you answer then now is as good a time as any to buy a manual and start reading up. That should be your first step no matter what is going on anyways. I haven't seen any increases in prices but like other have said availability is the issue. Lately I'm having great luck finding primer locally but powders seem to be a little lacking. Bullets are in good supply as well as long as you aren't looking for 55gr bullets for your 556. Your local stores will probably differ so going and taking a look would be a good idea. Maybe ask around you local ranges and gun stores to see if there are any reloaders you could talk to as well. Having someone local is a huge help in making sure you are safe with it.
 
I went about it the wrong way without first understanding which items become harder to find when things start running out.

After getting a reloading manual, I'd recommend looking out for primers at a good price. Don't be shy about buying a bunch, you'll use them...I normally buy primers in multiples of 5k; always try to keep 10k on-hand. Once you decide which caliber you're going to be loading for, pick a powder, wait for a good price, and buy 8lbs...loading handguns, that should yield about 10k rounds and likely be good for a year.

You can take your time getting equipment if you are looking to buy used or new. Seldom is equipment not available.

Unless you are loading for a less popular caliber, bullets are pretty easy to come by. They are also the most likely to have price fluctuations as the cost is based of the price/supply of lead and copper
 
9mmepiphany said:
After getting a reloading manual, I'd recommend looking out for primers at a good price. Don't be shy about buying a bunch, you'll use them...I normally buy primers in multiples of 5k; always try to keep 10k on-hand.
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Primers. Always buy primers.

I've gone through several of these shortages, starting back in the early 90s.

In every one of them, primers were hard to find, small pistol being the first to disappear.

One can almost always find powder that can be made to work, but nothing goes bang without primers.

And, if I ever found my supply with only 10k primers, I would be kicking myself.
 
I haven't noticed prices going up for components or tools but, as noted above, sales aren't as common. Now is the time to read up and make the lists of what you need/want. Then the hunting begins. If you come to enjoy reloading, it's the start of an adventure.

Jeff
 
I started reloading when the Obama panic started and the worst thing was primers. Next thing was powder. One thing I’ve done was tried several primers and several powders for my calibers Incase I can’t find what I would normally use.
 
somethingbenign said:
Is reloading something you have wanted to try before but never got around to or are you simply trying to hedge your bets against shortages in the future? If the former or both is you answer then now is as good a time as any to buy a manual and start reading up. That should be your first step no matter what is going on anyways. I haven't seen any increases in prices but like other have said availability is the issue. Lately I'm having great luck finding primer locally but powders seem to be a little lacking. Bullets are in good supply as well as long as you aren't looking for 55gr bullets for your 556. Your local stores will probably differ so going and taking a look would be a good idea. Maybe ask around you local ranges and gun stores to see if there are any reloaders you could talk to as well. Having someone local is a huge help in making sure you are safe with it.
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I see reloading as the next logical phase in the hobby for various reasons. Before the virus I was consistently shooting 8-12 hours a week, cost savings, a new learning curve, ammo drought etc.. I am going to start researching it.
 
peeplwtchr said:
I see teloading as the next logical phase in the hobby for various reasons. Before the virus I was consistently shooting 8-12 hours a week, cost savings, a new learning curve, ammo drought etc.. I am going to start researching it.
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In that case pick up a manual or two and start reading. The ABCs of Reloading is a common suggested one although I've never read it. I started with the Lee book, Modern Reloading and later added the Hornady Handbook. You will want a book or two because not only do they go over the steps and pitfalls of reloading they also have load data that you will want anyways. I wouldn't buy any equipment until you have at least read one manual (minis the load data) and then start looking at components and equipment. Are you mainly shooting rifle, pistol, or shotgun?
 
I am a huge fan of the lyman manuals and I have most of them. If your not hurting for cash I would get the 50th and the lead casting manual as it has a ton of lower velosity lead loadings not found anywhere else.
Most other manuals will try and sell you on certain products. There are a bunch of ways to get things done.
 
somethingbenign said:
In that case pick up a manual or two and start reading. The ABCs of Reloading is a common suggested one although I've never read it. I started with the Lee book, Modern Reloading and later added the Hornady Handbook. You will want a book or two because not only do they go over the steps and pitfalls of reloading they also have load data that you will want anyways. I wouldn't buy any equipment until you have at least read one manual (minis the load data) and then start looking at components and equipment. Are you mainly shooting rifle, pistol, or shotgun?
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9mm and .223 for now.
 
Prices are up just a little but that’s not the problem as others have said. I always try to buy powder and primers locally but powders are pretty much wiped out. My local BassPro had a ton of powder in December, something like 200 pounds on the shelves. Today there were 4 pounds when I got there and 2 pounds when I left. Academy had 20 pounds on one shotgun powder and nothing else. Primers are halfway stocked but powders are the problem for me right now.
 
Hartkopf said:
Prices are up just a little but that’s not the problem as others have said. I always try to buy powder and primers locally but powders are pretty much wiped out. My local BassPro had a ton of powder in December, something like 200 pounds on the shelves. Today there were 4 pounds when I got there and 2 pounds when I left. Academy had 20 pounds on one shotgun powder and nothing else. Primers are halfway stocked but powders are the problem for me right now.
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Shotgun powders are very useful and have way more application for those willing. Unique, the dots and alliant steel along with others can be used in other applications. It's the harder times that drive people to expand the uses and testing.
 
peeplwtchr said:
9mm and .223 for now.
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When you get to loading I'd start with the 9mm. Pistol rounds are generally easier to load since they don't require trimming the same way rifle does. Also since it doesn't have a neck that will make part of the process easier as well, you get more details on that in the load books. While you are reading up you may want to keep an eye out for small pistol primers and small rifle primers since that is what you will be using. Brand isn't very concerning given the current situation but as you have more experience you learn to prefer some brands to others. Whatever you do don't buy 209 or large primers on accident as those won't fit in the cartridges you listed. Also start collecting all the range brass you can while not being either rude or disruptive about it. I'd grab even the brass you don't plan to load for or don't have a gun for. Eventually you might need it. I keep all my dirty brass in kitty litter containers and deal with cleaning them later. Any bucket would work well though too.
 
somethingbenign said:
When you get to loading I'd start with the 9mm. Pistol rounds are generally easier to load since they don't require trimming the same way rifle does. Also since it doesn't have a neck that will make part of the process easier as well, you get more details on that in the load books. While you are reading up you may want to keep an eye out for small pistol primers and small rifle primers since that is what you will be using. Brand isn't very concerning given the current situation but as you have more experience you learn to prefer some brands to others. Whatever you do don't buy 209 or large primers on accident as those won't fit in the cartridges you listed. Also start collecting all the range brass you can while not being either rude or disruptive about it. I'd grab even the brass you don't plan to load for or don't have a gun for. Eventually you might need it. I keep all my dirty brass in kitty litter containers and deal with cleaning them later. Any bucket would work well though too.
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You just answered my 1st question regarding primer size to buy, thanks. I get from everyone the importance of primer stash.
 
I've watched several dillon 750 videos, initial setup seems a bit daunting, but not rocket science.
 
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