Bad Time to Take up Loading/Reloading

[DAdams]

A year ago I purchased an LnL AP thinking that some day once I got moved, settled and had some "winter" basement time I would get into loading. The 2000 bullet deal seemed too good to let go by also (a great deal in retrospect). Got the loader in November 07, got the bullets (took almost 2 months) .45 XTPs early 08. Also at that time I got a scale, calipers and a few other odds and ends.

Roll the clock to late 2008 and to the present. Tried to order holders and plates, two of the holders showed up after three weeks, the three plates and other holder, well it's been a month now.
Powder, cases and lead are hit and miss. Can't find any small rifle primers locally. .223 stuff forget it.

Hornady parts and accessories for the loader, backordered everywhere seemingly. What a PIA. Glad I got all my handguns and rifles two-three years ago and the commercial ammunition to last the first few skirmishes.

I never expected or anticipated getting started in this endeavor to be so inconvenient. Guess I never anticipated the election going the way it did either. I certainly didn't expect the panic buying of loading components or I would have at least gone into the hoarding mode like everyone else.

 

[jfh]

It's good to see you in this forum, DAdams!

I hope you are set up enough to get the 38/357 loading going....

Jim H.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Timing is everything, and your timing is about one year off. Things will smooth out after all the stockpiling and panic buying is over. Stuff that's been on the local retailer's shelves for years (powder mostly) has suddenly sold. I know for a fact that several pound cans of powder that I've seen there for the last 7 or 8 years are now sold, since they were in steel IMR cans and everything these days is packaged in plastic.

Just don't get discouraged. We've seen this happen before and it will get better, supply wise. The rest will take at least 4 years to cure......

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[BADUNAME37]

I agree, I think once the distributors have their shelves stocked and the goods are coming back into the stores, you will be fine. Don't give up.

Fortunately, I had most of what I need to reload over a year ago, so I could just use some primers, but I don't really need them. I'm glad I bought the reloading stuff when I did. Fortunately, there is nothing now that I HAVE to have.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Hornady is doing some changing of facilities and so things may be a bit tough for a bit.

 

[DAdams]

Jim

Thanks for the greeting.

It's good to see you in this forum, DAdams!
I hope you are set up enough to get the 38/357 loading going....
Jim H.

I reloaded 12 and 20 gauge shotshells 45 years ago with a Lee Handloader.
Just took awhile to get going again.

I must admit that y'all's SGDFSB replica load development was an impetus to get me going. I was excited to find all the necessary components to do 200 hundred rounds of .38 SGDFSB.

That's part of my frustration, not having the necessary plate and holder to start working up the rounds. You can't even find case lube around here, that's how bad it is. Took me two weeks on and off to find small pistol primers!!

While I was at I have been getting the necessary stuff to utilize the .45XTP 230 gr, and concurrently I thought I may as well get the accoutrements to do .223 although it may take awhile to get to that level of expertise, at least for reloading burned rounds.
I let my son pick the rounds that were part of the LnL promo. I don't even have a .45 he did,,,,but I may have to rectify that situation soon enough. Can't beat the price on that M&P .45 compact through Bud's.

I haven't been able to do any firearms purchases living in TN with a FL drivers license.
Residency is now changed. Just need to find a reasonable transfer agent.

When things get set up and going I will post the "man cave" shop and loading zone pics.

 

[Doug b]

Most puzzeling

I did all of my X-mas shopping 3 days before X-mas at cabelas in Dundee Mich.The store was packed, the check out lines were full, stretching from the front of the store to the rear.The shelves in the ammo/ reloading section were by far more filled than I have ever seen them including the primer cabnet.

 

[jcwit]

Powder Valley has primers to fit anything, may not have the brand you usually use or may have to use Bench rest primers but you can shoot. Buy in quanity and the HazMet goes down, you'll use it up anyway. Toss in a jug or 2 of powder and it gets even better.

 

[Jeffs_Dad]

Things that are tight (reloading)

I just completed my reloading equipment with orders this week. I started of with a Lee Challenger kit, and after learning (again) how to reload, I "needed" a few more things for completion.

What I couldn't get from MidSouth (backorder), I picked up from Midway. I used Dardas for 148 WC, because most cast bullet companies were offering 500-1000 rounds. I wanted to just check out the WC's to see if I liked them. Dardas sold me 100 per order, and I appreciate them. The only thing I was lacking was an extra 8 rnd mag for my CW-9, and I was in a 'back order' situation again, but I decided to stick with Trading Post Supply and keep the order open.

Usually, I use Missouri Bullets for my normal cast bullets order, and Cablea's and Midway.

It may be time to forgo the "all in one package" and do some "huntin' and peckin'". jp

 

[Walkalong]

since they were in steel IMR cans

I still have a couple of "Dupont" steel cans.

Yep, tough time to be buying components, but like Fred said, things will settle down.

 

[DAdams]

doug

Contrary....

The shelves in the ammo/ reloading section were by far more filled than I have ever seen them including the primer cabnet.

To East TN. I was at Gander Mountain at the same time you were in Dundee.

Ten minutes after opening. There were 25 guys picking over stuff that had been picked over for the previous five days.

I was able to pick up a brick of .22LR (wahoo) and some Wolf Steel Crap .223

Life is good in the SE. Guess we still have a few jobs left.
MI went one way. TN went the other. Different confidences and that's why we don't have any guns or ammo on the shelf. It's all in personal possession.

I was at the same good ole boy LGS twice in the last week. The place was mobbed. They don't even have time to open the boxes from UPS. You go find the stuff you ordered yourself and bring it up to the counter and pay full retail.

I can say that since I grew up in SW Michigan. Go Green. I didn't plan it that way it is just the way it worked out.

 

[skidooman603]

New to this site. Hello to all! Midway has always been my supplier of choice. I ordered Wed and had my goodies in hand by Fri. Great service!