I've been stocking up

[twarr1]

…. Just like the guys after Clinton signed the AWB buying 10/22 mags for more than the rifles cost, Glock mags being bought for $180 each.

Or the guys still paying interest on the AR’s and stuff they bought after Obama part II and sandy hook.

It is speculation that $100/1000 primers will be a bargain. Kind of like the folks that bought up bump stocks before the ban. How did their return on investment come out?

Here is what I wrote:
“If you’re reasonably sure you’ll use 5000 primers in 2025, and inflation is pushing 10%, it might be a smart move to just buy them now. IF you have the means.”

How you got the comparison to guys buying up magazines and bump stocks from that is beyond me. I didn’t advocate taking out a second mortgage to buy primers.

 

[Show Me]

Reloading is as enjoyable as shooting. Reloading gives a stress reliever. Bartering gets you out the house and talking with like minded people. All this equals a healthy happy life style, at the end of the day, what else matters.

And some strange people. Anyway reload to shoot Or shoot to reload

 

[stonebuster]

Stocking up is different for everyone. What works for me may or may not work for someone else. It's all relative to your needs/wants as well as your finances or goals.

As for 500 million, I could easily retire on that today and be comfortable the rest of my life barring accident or illness. And I'm "only" 54 years old. Again, it's all relative to the individual. No house or car payment, no other debts, and half a million would go a long ways if used/invested wisely.

Glad you're stocked up, enjoy it while you can.

chris

500 million? I could be comfortable on that too. Probably have a Korth collection to show off here.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

Just like the guys after Clinton signed the AWB buying 10/22 mags for more than the rifles cost, Glock mags being bought for $180 each.

That was nuts and I remember those days ... the ebay magazine sales frenzy. High caps for everything were like gold. I had a ton of Mecgar M9 high caps, boxes of them, from my competition days ... good gosh I made a mint on those.

Or the guys still paying interest on the AR’s and stuff they bought after Obama part II and sandy hook.

I must have missed that one. People bought ARs on credit when Obama was elected ... and are still paying for them? Wait, wut? He was elected in what, 2008? They're srill paying for ARs 13 years later? Are you sure? That had to be very few, a very small percentage. Never heard of that one before but you're talking about a ban type issue. You're kinda drifting off base there aren't you friend?

It is speculation that $100/1000 primers will be a bargain. Kind of like the folks that bought up bump stocks before the ban. How did their return on investment come out?

There you go with the ban stuff again. You might as well have used the run on toilet paper when Covid hit or the run on Canadian banks when the truckers' money was locked down or the run on gas when OPEC cut us off in the 70s under Carter. Better yet, incandescent light bulbs, creosote preservatives, codine laced Jaegermeister and cocaine laced Coca-Cola. Panty hose. Zima. Prohibition, they took our dang liquor and spirits! ..... here's a better one for you Jim. When FDR effectively banned gold from private ownership in the U.S. in 1933 ... what happened? How did that turn out? Who won in the end and who benefitted when Ford brought it back in 1977?

Bans are different things than supply shortages.

There is a primer shortage right now because of demand ... supply cannot keep up. Three reasons.

1 - Biden cut off imports.
2 - Demand for loaded ammo has more than quadrupled.
3 - The number of reloaders in this country has tripled in a very short period of time. (Vista Outdoors says it has more than tripled based upon their numbers, some say it has more than quadrupled based upon reported industry gross sales.) Plus, we're doing it better and faster with more progressives and automatics in use today than ever before.

In order to keep-up, primer manufacturers added extra shifts, then there were staffing issues then material supply issues then .... well, you get the point. Never has there been a ban on primers. Your ban comparisons are not apropos imho. It's apples and oranges ... one is non pertinent to the other.

Primers, and ammo for that matter, are the new precious metals. Is it a speculative market? Absolutely and it rolls with the tide of commodity markets. Everything that it takes to produce ammo, on whatever scale, is more expensive. Price of copper and brass and tin and zinc? Cost of lead? Cost of the chemicals to make primers? Cost of labor? Etc., etc., etc. ....

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Are any of us talking about doing it on an investor level? Treat primers like gold or silver? Use primers to pay our bills one day?

No. No. No. No.

Are some of us saying a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?

YES! Ab-so-lootley. Darn right. Get it now while the gettin' is good during this little reprieve or, better yet, play it like the commodities market. Bet it short or long. If you think prices will drop to $80 per 1000 then do it, wait a couple of years, lewrn to code or carve in the meantime (we call it whittlin' down here) ... $60 per 1000, go for it (good luck) ... or if you think prices are going up (they always do) then invest now for the future.

I did in 2008. Between 2008-2016 I bought more than 100k primers. I still literally had over 90k primers when the Covid scam hit and the Floyd tragedy happened and the riots began. It was a good investment when everyone told me I was nuts between 2008-2016. I'm down under 40k now. (Everyone has seen the pictures over the years - I may have to post some again in a timeline for the OP so he can relate.)

Inflation is over 10% right now ... more for reloading components obviously. Your money is worth less. That stands-to-reason that if you think you are still going-to-be handloading in 2025 (that year is significant for a reason btw) then the wise move, the prudent move, is to buy primers now at $100 a brick (sic: 1000 ct) versus waiting and hoping the price drops between now and then because, regardless of what the price of primers is three or four years from now, chances are with a devalued dollar and the rate of inflation it's a break-even proposition at best and .... why wait and hope and pray when we're talking a few hundred dollars here and there?

It doesn't make sense.

If this were a ban we'd be talking about astronomical prices for primers and we'd all be looking for homemade remedies. Some already are.

Also, there is supposed to be another primer manufacturer going-online in 2023 (somewhere in Texas) that is going to eventually be able to turn-out a half a million primers a day. We shall see.

If there is a major war in Europe ... primers will double or triple in price. That's not speculation. Therefore, in addition to everything affecting the supply mentioned above ... politics is also going to play a major role for the foreseeable future unfortunately.

Primers are such an interesting commodity to watch. Honestly, that we are still managing to get our hands on some at current prices is a good sign imho.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

@Airborne Falcon -
Whew ! Take a breath amigo !

While I agree with much of what you say, life's too short to get apoplectic over a forum post !

Although, I did enjoy the read !

Now then, tell us what you really think...

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

That was nuts and I remember those days ... the ebay magazine sales frenzy. High caps for everything were like gold. I had a ton of Mecgar M9 high caps, boxes of them, from my competition days ... good gosh I made a mint on those.

I must have missed that one. People bought ARs on credit when Obama was elected ... and are still paying for them? Wait, wut? He was elected in what, 2008? They're srill paying for ARs 13 years later? Are you sure? That had to be very few, a very small percentage. Never heard of that one before but you're talking about a ban type issue. You're kinda drifting off base there aren't you friend?

View attachment 1062275

There you go with the ban stuff again. You might as well have used the run on toilet paper when Covid hit or the run on Canadian banks when the truckers' money was locked down or the run on gas when OPEC cut us off in the 70s under Carter. Better yet, incandescent light bulbs, creosote preservatives, codine laced Jaegermeister and cocaine laced Coca-Cola. Panty hose. Zima. Prohibition, they took our dang liquor and spirits! ..... here's a better one for you Jim. When FDR effectively banned gold from private ownership in the U.S. in 1933 ... what happened? How did that turn out? Who won in the end and who benefitted when Ford brought it back in 1977?

Bans are different things than supply shortages.

There is a primer shortage right now because of demand ... supply cannot keep up. Three reasons.

1 - Biden cut off imports.
2 - Demand for loaded ammo has more than quadrupled.
3 - The number of reloaders in this country has tripled in a very short period of time. (Vista Outdoors says it has more than tripled based upon their numbers, some say it has more than quadrupled based upon reported industry gross sales.) Plus, we're doing it better and faster with more progressives and automatics in use today than ever before.

In order to keep-up, primer manufacturers added extra shifts, then there were staffing issues then material supply issues then .... well, you get the point. Never has there been a ban on primers. Your ban comparisons are not apropos imho. It's apples and oranges ... one is non pertinent to the other.

Primers, and ammo for that matter, are the new precious metals. Is it a speculative market? Absolutely and it rolls with the tide of commodity markets. Everything that it takes to produce ammo, on whatever scale, is more expensive. Price of copper and brass and tin and zinc? Cost of lead? Cost of the chemicals to make primers? Cost of labor? Etc., etc., etc. ....

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Are any of us talking about doing it on an investor level? Treat primers like gold or silver? Use primers to pay our bills one day?

No. No. No. No.

Are some of us saying a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?

YES! Ab-so-lootley. Darn right. Get it now while the gettin' is good during this little reprieve or, better yet, play it like the commodities market. Bet it sort or long. If you think prices will drop to $80 per 1000 then do it, wait a couple of years, lewrn to code or carve in the meantime (we call it whittlin' down here) ... $60 per 1000, go for it (good luck) ... or if you think prices are going up (they always do) then invest now for the future.

I did in 2008. Between 2008-2016 I bought more than 100k primers. I still literally had over 90k primers when the Covid scam hit and the Floyd tragedy happened and the riots began. It was a good investment when everyone told me I was nuts between 2008-2016. I'm down under 40k now. (Everyone has seen the pictures over the years - I may have to post some again in a timeline for the OP so he can relate.)

Inflation is over 10% right now ... more for reloading components obviously. Your money is worth less. That stands-to-reason that if you think you are still going-to-be handloading in 2025 (that year is significant for a reason btw) then the wise move, the prudent move, is to buy primers now at $100 a brick (sic: 1000 ct) versus waiting and hoping the price drops between now and then because, regardless of what the price of primers is three or four years from now, chances are with a devalued dollar and the rate of inflation it's a break-even proposition at best and .... why wait and hope and pray when we're talking a few hundred dollars here and there?

It doesn't make sense.

If this were a ban we'd be talking about astronomical prices for primers and we'd all be looking for homemade remedies. Some already are.

Also, there is supposed to be another primer manufacturer going-online in 2023 (somewhere in Texas) that is going to eventually be able to turn-out a half a million primers a day. We shall see.

If there is a major war in Europe ... primers will double or triple in price. That's not speculation. Therefore, in addition to everything affecting the supply mentioned above ... politics is also going to play a major role for the foreseeable future unfortunately.

Primers are such an interesting commodity to watch. Honestly, that we are still managing to get our hands on some at current prices is a good sign imho.

You really need to learn to come out of your shell.
But, yeah.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

@Airborne Falcon -
Whew ! Take a breath amigo !

While I agree with much of what you say, life's too short to get apoplectic over a forum post !

Although, I did enjoy the read !

Now then, tell us what you really think...

Lack of voice inflection and facial expression is the bain of social media communications.

That was the least "apoplectic" explanation of anything you will ever encounter.

I'm not sure you understand the definition of the word apoplexy.

apoplexy ăp′ə-plĕk″sē noun

Sudden impairment of neurological function, especially that resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage; a stroke.

A sudden effusion of blood into an organ or tissue.

A fit of extreme anger; rage.

Do you really believe my portion of the conversation was apoplectic? Lol, heck no ... I know you didn't mean it like that.

The purpose of my post was strictly conversation. I did it on my tablet under perfect calm while sipping on Blanton's, watching the news (Fox Business) with subtitles, petting my GSD puppy who is laying next to me on the floor and listening to my wife play Chopin on her piano. I never once felt a twinge apoplectic.

I guess you thunkit wrong Hooda.

Lack of voice inflection and facial expression makes it very difficult at times, I understand.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Lack of voice inflection and facial expression is the bain of social media communications.

I guess you thunkit wrong Hooda.

I understand. My comments were meant to be jocular in tone, but it's hard to make it come through on a keyboard.

Emojis are a poor substitute for FTF communication.

No harm meant, and no hard feelings !

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I understand. My comments were meant to be jocular in tone, but it's hard to make it come through on a keyboard.

Emojis are a poor substitute for FTF communication.

No harm meant, and no hard feelings !

God Bless you Brother ... and of course not.

This subforum is the finest of its kind on the Internet ... I dare anyone to find one better.

Here's the cool thing. Having been in the business for years and with a solid understanding of the analytics and metrics of the business ... I'd be willing to bet the unique user data has been favorable for the past year or so. An uptick in traffic which hopefully will translate into some good things for the site.

That's because we are able to have these conversations and hash things out .... that's important. We're older and more experienced and far better looking than most of the forums these days.

Chicks dig us. We get all the girls.

Walkalong doesn’t recruit, he selects. He's just gotta rethink his "wait-it-out it's gonna get cheaper" primer philosophy.

 

[jmorris]

Bans are different things than supply shortages.

The point being bans or risks of them have caused supply shortages that have driven prices through the roof, temporarily. In the case of the AWB that supply shortage (cut off) while temporary, was one of the of the longer “temporary” supply shortages we, as shooters have faced and only the end of it dramatically reduced prices.

I believe the OP understands this, in relation to buying over priced primers.

Time will tell if it's a wise decision or not

There are two directions the price can go. Up or down from the $100/1000 primers he has found. No one has a crystal ball but now is a good time to be selling, that is for sure. People couldn’t be taking advantage of others with the “stock up forever” mentality, if there were not people with money that felt that way and as long as the buyer and seller walk away happy, I am happy for them.

I understand the “stock up” mentality, I just don’t wait until things have peaked in price to do so, it greatly reduces my buying power and I can’t just print more money.

No matter how many primers I can afford at $100/1000 I could buy twice as many at $50/1000.

 

[Pottimus]

My daily/monthly expenses have really gone up a lot. That said I used to be comfortable spending $50 bucks for a brick of primers. I have stocked up on LRP and SRP in the past. For some reason I never thought to get SPP but I am managing fine. Last time I saw SPP not only was I limited on amount willing to spend, but I was also limited to 500 primers because the guy before me has unlimited funds. I pass on the items I have and will get things I might want. Powder seems to be available, although I tend to leave it for lack of need, at this point. If I ever see SPP for any price I will consider picking up at least a sleeve. The rest I will leave for those in need. There seem to be no primers at all in any local gun stores, and few in the box stores. I have never ordered on line, I may have to someday. I feel like these times be much different than ever before.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I feel like these times be much different than ever before.

You aren't the only one, my friend.

I've been through these shortages since the late 1980s. I've not yet seen one so deep and wide.

We are in a different world, and I don't get a good feeling about the new one.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

You aren't the only one, my friend.

I've been through these shortages since the late 1980s. I've not yet seen one so deep and wide.

We are in a different world, and I don't get a good feeling about the new one.

It is certainly a brave new world. One where bullies silent discussion with which they disagree. Be careful, friends. Big Brother has great power.

 

[BJung]

How are you stocking up? I am bartering what I am not using for components to preserve cash. At the beginning of the Pandemic, I took up casting to offset any need for practice bullets like 38-148wc, 9-122 TC, etc. so now I don't have to worry about all the empty brass I have saved. I only need a thousand or so small pistol primers and I'll be set. Last, I have 10 rounds each of factory pistol ammunition per caliber that I have from SD. Bullets are so expensive! I've also put the word out to my youngest brother and nephews that I want to teach them the basics of casting and reloading so they'll see the value of what they might inherit, just in case I kick the bucket.

I have a universal powder for my pistols and cast rifle bullets. So, I can practice with any of my HP rifles. I need to buy gas check makers later. My biggest problem is buying powder. Every store locally has not powder and all the gun shows have been closed around me have been closed because of the Liberal Politicians (SF Bay Area). Maybe the new club I joined will do a bulk buy. I hate the idea of paying a hazmat fee.

 

[stonebuster]

God Bless you Brother ... and of course not.

This subforum is the finest of its kind on the Internet ... I dare anyone to find one better.

H

How are you stocking up? I am bartering what I am not using for components to preserve cash. At the beginning of the Pandemic, I took up casting to offset any need for practice bullets like 38-148wc, 9-122 TC, etc. so now I don't have to worry about all the empty brass I have saved. I only need a thousand or so small pistol primers and I'll be set. Last, I have 10 rounds each of factory pistol ammunition per caliber that I have from SD. Bullets are so expensive! I've also put the word out to my youngest brother and nephews that I want to teach them the basics of casting and reloading so they'll see the value of what they might inherit, just in case I kick the bucket.

I have a universal powder for my pistols and cast rifle bullets. So, I can practice with any of my HP rifles. I need to buy gas check makers later. My biggest problem is buying powder. Every store locally has not powder and all the gun shows have been closed around me have been closed because of the Liberal Politicians (SF Bay Area). Maybe the new club I joined will do a bulk buy. I hate the idea of paying a hazmat fee.

I'm gradually stocking up any way I can in a variety of ways. When I started reloading in Dec. 2020 a friend sold me 3K SPP from his stash for $30 per thousand. I found 2K Murom HMF SPP on GB after which the seller contacted me and sold me another 2K for $90/1000 directly avoiding GB charges. My LGS has supplied me with 6K SPP for $100/1000 from an estate consignment and may be more available. Another friend who doesn't reload gave me 3K Federal LPP Magnum from someone who passed. I sold them on consignment at the LGS for $100/1000 and bought the last 2K SPP the LGS was selling on consignment and had $40 left in my pocket. I've all but given up on finding smokeless powder in local stores so buying several pounds at a time online to keep the Hazmat/shipping charges low as possible. Buying bullets on sale in bulk and have enough brass to last me the rest of my days from what I saved for years before I started reloading. However my wife has observed most of this and now wants her only occasionally functional dishwasher replaced with a new one. Can't believe how she spends money!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I'm gradually stocking up any way I can in a variety of ways. When I started reloading in Dec. 2020 a friend sold me 3K SPP from his stash for $30 per thousand. I found 2K Murom HMF SPP on GB after which the seller contacted me and sold me another 2K for $90/1000 directly avoiding GB charges. My LGS has supplied me with 6K SPP for $100/1000 from an estate consignment and may be more available. Another friend who doesn't reload gave me 3K Federal LPP Magnum from someone who passed. I sold them on consignment at the LGS for $100/1000 and bought the last 2K SPP the LGS was selling on consignment and had $40 left in my pocket. I've all but given up on finding smokeless powder in local stores so buying several pounds at a time online to keep the Hazmat/shipping charges low as possible. Buying bullets on sale in bulk and have enough brass to last me the rest of my days from what I saved for years before I started reloading. However my wife has observed most of this and now wants her only occasionally functional dishwasher replaced with a new one. Can't believe how she spends money!

At our house, I am the occasionally functioning dishwasher.
I’ve been able to stock up during this shortage by watching garage sales and keeping in touch with former reloaders who don’t need their stash anymore. You’d be surprised what people squirrel away and forget about.

 

[dannyd]

I'm gradually stocking up any way I can in a variety of ways. When I started reloading in Dec. 2020 a friend sold me 3K SPP from his stash for $30 per thousand. I found 2K Murom HMF SPP on GB after which the seller contacted me and sold me another 2K for $90/1000 directly avoiding GB charges. My LGS has supplied me with 6K SPP for $100/1000 from an estate consignment and may be more available. Another friend who doesn't reload gave me 3K Federal LPP Magnum from someone who passed. I sold them on consignment at the LGS for $100/1000 and bought the last 2K SPP the LGS was selling on consignment and had $40 left in my pocket. I've all but given up on finding smokeless powder in local stores so buying several pounds at a time online to keep the Hazmat/shipping charges low as possible. Buying bullets on sale in bulk and have enough brass to last me the rest of my days from what I saved for years before I started reloading. However my wife has observed most of this and now wants her only occasionally functional dishwasher replaced with a new one. Can't believe how she spends money!

You may want to make yourself couple of inexpensive magazines.

I use these make out of 2*12's; the open at the top.

I also have plenty of fire extinguishers on hand.

 

[Walkalong]

Wandering off topic