How do you identify (seek out) component bargins?

[rajb123]

OK, so the price of powder, primers, bullets, and brass tend to vary a lot amoung vendors. In one extreme case recently, I found one vendor's price for once-fired-brass was 2 times the price of another different vendor's new brass in the same caliper.

Do you just shop around the Net, consistently use one low cost vendor, use only your LGS, or something else (e.g., like ammoseek.com)????

Recently, shipping has become a big portion of the total costs and this is often a big consideration when deciding on where I place an order.

How does shipping cost impact your decision on where to shop?

Thx...

 

[cfullgraf]

I shop at a few vendors that have provided me with good service over the years. I watch for specials and jump on them when they occur.

Yes, shipping costs can make or break a sale. I have purchased items from higer priced places because the total cost including shipping was less.

It will be interesting to see what happens if the government applies sales tax to out of state, internet/catalog purchases.

 

[Bull Nutria]

1- try to order thru a gun club or range(no shipping or hazmat)

2-get togetther with friends to make a group order(share shipping and hazmat)

3-Buy in bulk (spread fees over more components)

4- make a pilgrimage to a wholesaler like Powder Valley, etc

5-internet is your friend-there are enumerable places to purchase stuff look for best deal.

6 ask on forums who has good deals for what you need!!

Bull

 

[drsfmd]

If you can make a large enough order, you can get a distributor to send one of their drivers to your door... typically the minimum is $10,000, but if you get a group together it is easy to get that much.

 

[Sniper66]

I buy wherever I find a deal and it's something I need. It is important to know your prices. I know that seems like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget and impulsively buy stuff at a gun show or a big box store that says it is a "sale". I have access to a guy who sells components at reasonable prices, but his supply is limited. So, I call him to see if he has what I need. He sells Hodgdon powder for $21-$23 per lb that sells for $25-$26 at Cabela's. About once a year Cabela's has a 10% off everything sale, so I buy stuff then. Also, I have used Rem SR 7.5 BR primers, but they cost a bit more and so I switched to CCI SR and adjusted the load. It worked so I will buy a bunch of CCIs when I get a chance. Also I plan to shoot blems at p-dogs...they are a lot cheaper and I hear they are quite accurate. We'll see.

 

[gahunter12]

I buy all my powder and primers local from a local reloading shop. He sells Hodgdon, and Win powders for $17-$20/lb. Primers are $28/1,000 for CCI, or Winchester. All bullets come from the internet unless I'm in a pinch then I buy from him, but he's usually about $5 more per 1000.

 

[rajb123]

...have components increased in price a bunch lately? ...some of the powders I have been shopping are very high now... ditto for primers..... some bargins on brass are available now but not a big choice.... bullet prices seem high too...

 

[FROGO207]

Get used to looking at a few select sites that are mentioned here by others. I have several that have good prices bookmarked and check them ALL weekly. Get used to finding what the prices are normally and when a sale/deal presents itself jump on it. Also it pays to have a reloading "stash" of ready funds to take advantage of these deals when they are available. Some places I have found deals before below. Google them.

Powder Valley
Natchez Shooters Supplies
Graff and Sons
Midsouth Reloaders
Missouri Bullets
Zcast Bullets

 

[oldreloader]

I FROGO207 uses the about same places I do..I also use Midway USA and Friendswood Bullets along with those he listed. I check frequently and compare pirces including shipping. Powder Valley usually gets most of my primer and powder business.

 

[Bovice]

I look at all the vendors and see who has what I want for the best price. Different vendors for different calibers.

 

[1SOW]

Get on the email/mailing lists--register on the suppliers' sites. (My wife says, "Not ANOTHER sale catalog!)

Group buys

Shop

Talk to other reloaders

 

[dragon813gt]

I go to powder valley online if I'm placing a large order on primers and powder. If I just need one pound or a sleeve of primers I will buy locally to save shipping/hazmat fees. Bullets I seem to always order from powder valley as well. They always have what I was looking for at the time in stock at the best price. I will buy locally if I want to try a new bullet out. Brass is mostly range pickups. If I don't have what I need I will try Starline first. If they're backordered there a few vendors that sell once fired for about 70% cost of new. I have no problem with this price since they are reliable and the brass is always quality.


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[wingman]

Powder Valley IMO is the most consistent for me other places a rare sale that
I take advantage of.

 

[Bentley4700]

Wideners is another good one.

 

[LiveLife]

I stock up whenever I see good sales on reloading components and text/email other reloaders I shoot with and post on THR "Reloading Equipment/Components on Sale" thread to spread the word - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=570734&page=5

I buy some of my components from local gun shows and call the vendors ahead of gun shows to check on inventory/prices and reserve some items if prices are good so I don't leave the gun show empty handed.

Powder Valley has good prices on powders, primers and bullets (they also sell select Berry's and Missouri bullets good prices) and often run specials (check the "specials" tab). TJ Conevera sells Berry's and X-Treme bullets at good prices and free shipping. RMR sells various jacketed, plated and pulled bullets with free shipping but the inventory changes from time to time at good prices so I check the website regularly. Both TJ conevera and RMR will do email notifications of sales and special promotions.

Graf & Sons is another good source for various reloading components (check the home/sales page for current promotions) and also sells more complete line of Missouri bullets with free shipping (but there is a $5.95 handling fee per order).

Wideners is another good source for reloading components and pulled bullets and offer free shipping on larger bulk bullet orders.

 

[MADDOG]

Estate sales and garage sales have been good for me. The Tulsa gun show is worth going to also.

 

[Hondo 60]

For powders & primers it's Powder Valley. I usually order once or twice a year.

For brass, I usually shop on gunbroker. (pretty rare)

Almost all of my bullets come from Berry's (plated) or Missouri Bullet Co. (lead)
Plus, I'm on the mailing lists for 5 or 6 other companies, so when they have a sale I'll get their email flyer.

 

[Clark]

Midsouth and Lock Stock and barrel used to sell Hornady blems annually for 10 cents on the dollar, up until 2004. They would sell a semi truck load in a couple days.

UPS would only accept 80 pounds boxes, and I would get many boxes.

Since then, vendors have learned they can sell them all slowly for 80 cents on the dollar.

Since then, I have learned that I am never going to use up that many bullets.

But since then I did see at Midway .338 250 gr Nosler Partition Gold moly $4.99/50 Midway repackaged as franfort arsenal for less than 10 cents per bullet. I got a lifetime supply and called up my favorite gun store, and he got a shelf full. They may have been miss marked in the Midway website. I can't imagine that price was correct.

 

[evan price]

Buy energetics in bulk to max out hazmat value.
Keep ear open for people getting out of reloading, cleaning out Grandpa's attic, changing calibers, and moving.
Cast my own boolits.

 

[medalguy]

Google is your friend. Scour the internet for the best buys, frequent many forums to keep up with good deals, and buy in bulk.

Here's a few more for you:

Pat's Reloading
gibrass.com
Poly Gun Bags
Top Brass
Montana Gold
Berry's Bullets
Hi-Tech Ammo

Plus all the others recommended above.