Brownell's (Sincalir) Backorder

[derrinx]

Hi All,

Coming to you from the least gun friendly zones in the USA (NYC). Got into reloading last Nov. Over the next few months I had collected pretty much everything I needed to get started reloading .223 and .308, except for powder and primers. After the Newtown tragedy, I searched months to place an order for some powder and primers. Then, at the end of March, Brownell's accepted backorders. I backordered 6 lbs of various powders to try them out, and 2k small and 2k large rifle primers. Now, as of Oct 23rd, I have only received 1lb of BLC-2. No primers, and I'm itching to start already. I have about 500 cases of 223 and 100 cases of 308, wet tumbled, resized, trimmed, and damn near polished. I want primers! I figure I can use the BLC-2 for a small initial batch.



Ok I'll stop whining. I'm sure everyone has been annoyed by this. My question to you guys is, is anyone else in a similar predicament? A 7 month backorder with no end in sight?

 

[derrinx]

Just checked my account and apparently the 2 lbs of CFE 223 I ordered are in stock and allocated to me, though I had to call to let them know I still want the stuff bc my order was on hold.

So all those of you interested, Brownells has CFE 223 1LB cans in stock.

 

[Reloadron]

Welcome to the THR forums!

My question to you guys is, is anyone else in a similar predicament?

You are far from being alone in the universe, believe me. My brother who is 10 years my junior decided to get into reloading right about when you did. Fortunately I have been at it just over 40 years and having learned from past experience was very well stocked so able to help my brother out.

Ammunition is finally once again showing up on the store shelves and slowly but surely reloading components like primers and powder are beginning to follow. It will take time and is a fragile balance that can easily collapse with another incident like Sandy Hook or the mention of more government legislation.

My suggestion to new hand loaders like yourself is when stuff (components) are available stock up as best you can. Right now, be patient.

Anyway, as I mentioned, you are not alone in this mess or your predicament.

Ron

 

[HOOfan_1]

Hogdon powder seems to be non-existent still.

Primers haven't been scarce in my area for at least 4 months. Loaded centerfire ammo has been on store shelves for at least a 2 or 3 months. Even .22 LR are starting to pop up around places.

Unique powder which was the first to disappear has been back for a few months.


Where the heck are the Hogdon powders? Been looking for HP-38 and W231 for at least 10 months now. H335 seems to be scarce also

 

[Jcinnb]

About two weeks ago, I was going through my random search, and OMG, 3rd Generation Shooting had 100's of bottles of most Hogdgen. They have everything I wanted, and more. I made a big buy, and I think I posted on here. I must have hit it the second they posted up. Anyway, within a couple of hours, all back to 0 in stock.

You just have to keep trying.

Have you tried GUNBOT and all the other "bots" I know you don't want to pay HAZMAT just for primers, the key is to combine.

Good luck, OBTW, I still have a big order outstanding from Powder Valley. Hoping that some day it will come in.

 

[derrinx]

Thanks guys I'm not trying to sound whiny (even though I can tell I kind of did). I fully understand the ammo/components supply/panic-buying situation, and the ridiculousness of it all. I'm just amazed at how bad it got that after 7 months they still can't find a few thousand primers to send me. Maybe I'll just ask my bro in law for a few primers to get started. Really itching to pull the lever on my first 100% reloaded by me round of ammo

 

[CLP]

I placed a substantial order with Brownell's right after the last mass shooting. Since then, AR parts started to trickle in first, then mags, but I haven't gotten any of the Rem 7 1/2 primers or the 15lbs of Rel 15. It's still all on backorder and I know they'll send it when it comes in.

On a completely separate note.... I was perusing http://www.precisionreloading.com/ and saw that they showed Rem 7 1/2 primers and IMR 4895 in stock. I ordered 5K of the primers and 16lb of the powder. I was skeptical and even though I've ordered from them before I fully expected a phone call or email stating they were out of stock for one or both of those items. I placed the order Sun night, on Mon I got an automated invoice by email with a tracking number and it's due to arrive tomorrow.

So, it seems like the pressure it letting up- a little bit at least.

 

[Walkalong]

The last few months has been a tough time to start reloading, no doubt. I am about to load up the last of my WST, Solo 1000, and Competition. I have been casually keeping an eye out for some, but no luck. I found one pounders of WST, but do not want to buy multiple one pounders and also want to order some more powder at the same time. No telling how long before I find all I want in one place. Bummer.

 

[HexHead]

I must live in the land of milk & honey. My local reloading store (that's all he sells) is stocked to the gills. About two weeks ago he got in a huge order of Rainier bullets. He had to build another display table for them. Pretty much all the Hodgdon powders. I grabbed an 8lb jug of Varget last week and asked if he needed 1lb jugs I have? He said he has plenty.

If you're in driving distance from Nashville, it's worth the trip. He doesn't ship. Good prices too.

 

[derrinx]

Bumping this back up. Still nothing, only 3 of 6 lbs of powder shipped and 0 of 4k primers shipped. Cabelas, bass pro, midway all have small and large rifle primers. What the HECK!!!!!! If I didn't pay hazmat and shipping already I would have canceled! I'm a bit frustrated folks. It doesn't help that I've been reading on other forums that brownell's is selectively filling backorders not on a first come first served basis. Hate to make this all about me, I understand the industry took a hit. But why is brownell's the only one without their act together?

 

[royesses]

I just emailed Brownells/Sinclair yesterday about my backorder. They said "due to the holidays we were not shipping back orders, or a delay in shipping all back orders, we will more than likely be shipping your order by end of this week." Perhaps that applies to yor backorders as well. I have always had great service from them, your problem with them is the worst I've heard of. Have you tried contacting customer service?

 

[derrinx]

Well, I don't think I'm the only one. These guys have waited almost a year for magazines:

http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=2&f=333&t=229091&page=15

It's weird, because when the CFE223 powder came in stock, I had to call them and tell them I still wanted it. I happened to randomly check my order status, so I wonder if other items on my backorder came in stock and they neglected to ship because I didn't contact them to tell them I still wanted them. Apparently when an item comes in stock, the customer is supposed to receive an email if they still want the item and then it will ship. I call about once a month, and always get the same answer, "We haven't gotten any primers since June" Really? How come everyone else is in stock then? Shouldn't Brownells have some leverage with suppliers considering they are one of the biggest names in the shooting supply industry?

 

[Reloadron]

I started doing business with Brownell's about 25 years ago when we had the gun shop. They were OK but... Since there was no online back then you called in the orders. They also didn't carry loading components back then and had not yet bought Sinclair. If the item was in stock I had it within a week. They also offered good dealer pricing. However, if an item was a back order then good luck. You may see your barrel in a month or six months.

While I still use Brownell's for parts and tools I won't even consider them for reloading components, ammunition, magazines or anything that is not in stock. They need to realize they aren't the only guys on the block.

Just My Brownell's Take....
Ron

 

[Rule3]

Bite the bullet and pay another hazmat fee If you order from Midway the primers ship from a separate location then the powder does so you would pay 2 haz mats if ordering both.

The moral of the story is do not leave oeders on backorder especially powder and primers. If you search around you can find them, maybe not together but some items are out there.

Call Brownells tell them you are not satisfied and get some manager or owner. They are a good company but or swamped like everyone else.

Living in NYC take a drive to surrounding States and maybe find items at a LGS.

 

[gahunter12]

They have been swamped since last December. I ordered 20 PMAGS on 12/20/12, and finally received them May 22/23 this year.

 

[oneounceload]

You might check some good stores in PA and make a road trip

 

[derrinx]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Hate sounding like a whiner. I just want to get the stuff before the "SAFE" act deadline. Don't get me started on that.

 

[jb27]

For sure the best advice is to call and cancel and try to get as much of your money refunded as possible. If they only charged you 1 hazmat fee and already shipped you part of your powder order, you probably won't get refunded your hazmat fee.

Search around for local shops in neighboring states and make some calls to see what they have in stock. That's the best/quickest way to get you loading. I'm in southwest PA and over the past year I've been able to get small quantities of powder/primers from small local shops. The price was obviously not as good as the mass internet merchants, but after you factor in the hazmat fees, it's not all that much more.

 

[derrinx]

I "bit the bullet" and placed another order for primers from midway last week. They will be delivered today, and I'll start reloading next time at the cabin in a week or two! Can't wait. Now that there is less urgency, I'll leave the brownells stuff on B/O as I have already invested shipping and hazmat.

Thanks all,

 

[tootall]

I have a substantial amount of back order material from Brownells still pending. They did send out an Email recently asking if I still wanted the items... I replied I did and they stated it would be at the 'as ordered' price (which was much less than current pricing)...

I think they are doing a great job on trying to satisfy customers.. I'm happy with Brownells service..

 

[Walkalong]

They have always had great customer service, and did every one fair during the shortages, never raising prices unfairly, and honoring prices the items were ordered at, even if normal prices went up a little bit.

 

[Potatohead]

I must live in the land of milk & honey. My local reloading store (that's all he sells) is stocked to the gills. About two weeks ago he got in a huge order of Rainier bullets. He had to build another display table for them. Pretty much all the Hodgdon powders. I grabbed an 8lb jug of Varget last week and asked if he needed 1lb jugs I have? He said he has plenty.

If you're in driving distance from Nashville, it's worth the trip. He doesn't ship. Good prices too.

I can vouch for Hex on this ^^^^

Its friggin reloading heaven in there.

It's beyond "worth the trip"

 

[1John1:9]

I will echo praise for Brownells. OP, I too would recommend you get primers elsewhere if you can. However, it's cool that Brownells only charges one shipping and HAZMAT fee even though they may end up shipping you 5 or 6 different shipments.

 

[derrinx]

Hi All,

I would like you all to attend my celebration of my one year anniversary with my Sinclair backorder. I can't believe it, but it was a full year ago when I first met the backordered items and loved them so much I just had to order them. Still missing 3 lbs of powder and 2k primers (after cancelling 1K). It's been such a successful relationship, constantly checking on them, hoping to see "items allocated". I can only hope our relationship will continue to be so successful.

In the meantime, I ordered primers and powder from other places, and bought powder and primers from stores and gun shows. I've reloaded about a thousand rounds so far, and had a ton of fun shooting them at the ranch. Good thing I've been to busy with ski season to notice my guns are lonely.

.......Are they still in business?

 

[Walkalong]

Contact them with your story, and I bet they fix it.