Powder availability.... ?

[Poper]

So I finally got my reloading bench built in the new-to-us house and spent both Saturday and Sunday last moving the stored tools, equipment, materials, etc. into the new shop space and put away in a manner that should allow me to put my hands on most of it.

Surprisingly, I did not have nearly as much powder as I thought I did! Then I remembered: I was running low on 4064, 4831, 4451 and 4166 before the move and thought I would hold off until the new shop was occupiable. The price of 8lb jugs has increased $35-$40! That lazy wait cost me a little over $140 for the 3 jugs I could get. I couldn't get the 4064. Dang.

The bright side is I WAS able to get 3 out of 4 powders. I should be set for the next 3-4 years. I have brass up the ying- yang, primers coming out my ears, and more bullets than I will shoot in the next two or three years.

 

[BullRunBear]

I haven't noticed too much trouble getting powder but didn't need to buy any. The local Cabelas had a good selection on the shelves a few days ago. Loaded ammo is another matter.

After the last shortage I made sure I had plenty of my prefered powders on hand: Unique, Bullseye, Red Dot, and a few others. (I'm starting to experiment with 2400 for mid-power magnum loads.) If I had to, I could do most of my reloading with Unique and Bullseye but it's better not having that limitation. It is nice not having to think about panic buying.

Jeff

 

[Charlie98]

After the last shortage I made sure I had plenty of my prefered powders on hand

Same, same. Last time it was a lack of Unique... I was on the downslope of a 8#er of Unique and I didn't realize it until it was too late. I wound up wildly searching for something, and grabbed almost anything I could. In the time between Then and now, I've stocked up on all the powders I need for a long-term shortage, including primers. Now I need to work on my bullet stash!

 

[Eddietruett]

I've probably got enough either already loaded or components to carry me for several years. In the last month I've been shooting up a bunch of bullets I had laying around. Most is loads I tried and for some reason didn't like and have a bunch of that stull laying around. Sort of waiting to see where everything is going. Since the bulk of my shooting is .38/357 I don't forsee any problem getting components. My only fear is being able to get Federal primers down the road. I have a good many revolvers with light actions that will not shoot CCI primers. I'm sitting on about 15k Federal primers right now, so not panic and I can use Winchester if I get in a pinch. They do almost as well as Federal with light actions.

 

[Stew0576]

Haven't been able to find H4350 locally for months, finally ordered 2lbs from midway today, was thinking of trying different powders but decided the cost would be higher in bullets than the hazmat charge

 

[Charlie98]

Haven't been able to find H4350 locally for months, finally ordered 2lbs from midway today, was thinking of trying different powders but decided the cost would be higher in bullets than the hazmat charge

When I started loading for the 6.5CM, all of the 4350's were complete unobtanium. I decided rather than fight the supply chain, I would just start with a different powder... IMR4451, which seems to have worked out well. It's IMR's Enduron replacement for IMR4350, feedback from others is it doesn't produce the absolute velocity the standard powders do, but with none on the shelves, slightly reduced velocity is better than no velocity. You might give it a try.

 

[Stew0576]

You might give it a try.

Thank you, I will keep that in mind for future load development, my wife is putting my shooting on a diet for the time being, she's a bit worried about things, I keep finding reasons to shoot a little but have to keep the wife happy or else......

 

[Charlie98]

After the Dark Ages, when there was no components... including reasonable powders... I really had to rethink my powder strategy. Powders that are in demand, like IMR4350 and Varget, et al, are a no-go. My shooting has changed since then, too, so the reevaluation has gone hand-in-hand with my shooting. Basically, I only buy 8#'ers of regularly available powders... and be done with it.

 

[Chuck R.]

I'm still using H4350 and Varget.

I just got much better at procuring it. I maintain an open 8lb keg and a reserve, when I get to a 1/3rd left in the open the search is on for another keg. It also helps that I have a dealer that specializes in Hodgdon Powder. He's a little odd, cash or Poastal Money Order only, but he's reliable, his prices are great, and for large orders he'll meet me in public places. Seriously, he's like some powder & primer, pusher........But since Varget's become like crack, it's sort of fitting....

 

[nevadabob]

The other day Sportsman's had 1 lb Bullseye available to order online. It was not in stock at the Reno store but will be available for pickup on 4/07. That works for me. No hazmat involved as it's a part of their regular restocking. One just has my name on it.

About 2 weeks ago I ordered LPP from Powder Valley. They arrived yesterday. About the same time I ordered projectiles from Gallant (coated 45 Colt...and they are beautiful) and ordered from Rim Rock (lead 45 Colt...equally as perfect). The bullet orders arrived 2 days ago. Today I should be receiving an order from Bayou. Things are moving.