Reloading component shortage

[cad4340]

Now that I've finally gotten off the stick and into reloading, I'm having one heck of a time finding components. .45LC is where I'm getting started, but eventually will be doing 9mm, .38/.357, .45ACP & .223. But, what is going on with the components? Brass is tight (I've been buying Starline when I can get it), powder and bullets are pretty slim, and primers are almost non-existent. I heard a fist-fight broke out at the local Cabela's the last time they got a shipment of primers in. The online hazmat fees on primers and powder are ridiculous. Can anybody recommend a place (preferably somewhere near western WA) that reliably keeps a good stock of reloading components these days? Thanks

 

[jcwit]

See my post under Primers, Primers. Talked to 2 of the mfg. today.

Regarding hazmat fees order in bulk qty's if you can and spread the fee out per lb., its what I do. You can spread it out over 40 lbs.

 

[cad4340]

Thanks for the reply and update. I just knuckled under today and paid $60 (with fees and shipping) for 1K Lrg Pistol primers from Cabela's online, plus a 2-3 week wait due to backorder. I hang tough and keep checking the local retailers in the weeks to come.

I hear you on the Reese's. Now that's worth a fist-fight.

 

[Landric]

The way to save money on components is to order online in bulk. I would never purchase less than 5k primers online. The hazmat fee is the same for 1k or 10k (or more, depending on how many packages have to ship to fill the order).

I got 5k Wolf SRM primers from Widener's a couple weeks ago when they appeared in stock for a few hours and the total was about $135 including shipping and hazmat.

 

[RandyP]

I suspect you should be able to find a mere 1K primers at your local gun shoppe or even in store at the nearest Cabelas? My local LGS sells 1K for just under $30 as of last Saturday when I was in there shooting.

 

[shootinblanks]

Dreams are made of good thoughts, like Cabela's would have 1K in primers

Cabela's are out of primers. The head of my local Cabela's says, "maybe 3 weeks to 3 months" before they get any in. Powder the same, but possibly longer. With Cabela's they fill all back oreders before they send out to the stores. Scheel's might be a better option. They have been able to bring in powder and primers 10x as much as any other shop I know of.

 

[CU74]

Cabela's are out of primers.

Depends on which Cabella's store you go to. The Kansas City store had pistol and shotgun primers last week and also three weeks ago.

Neither Cabella's, Bass Pro or any of my local gun shops have had rifle primers in stock on the days I went by for two months.

 

[loadedround]

I have posted my comments on "shortages" several times before and will be glad to do so again. Yes, there are shortages on brass, powder and primers andthe reason for it is we are hoarding components because of some arcane idea that our new President and /or Congress is going to ban or tax loading components out of existence. As of now that's all just B.S! I have talked with gunshop personnel and seen with my own eyes, guys buying 5 and 10k of primers, or all the 223 bullets off the shelf because of that fear. Yes my friend there is a shortage and we are causing it ourselves. Bet the Anti's are sitting back laughing! OK, rant over.

 

[SASS#23149]

re: western Wa,I"m not able to find a single primer lately,near portland,vancouver,or even the Cabela's in Lacy.Powder is also non-existant pretty much.
buying just 1k primers online is not the way to go,oreder several thousand to spread out the cost per thousand,fee-wise.
Bricks of .22's are also gone from the shelves here abouts.Guess it's time to break out the pellet rifle.

 

[Len S]

A 2nd theory. Yes people are buying it up, not to hoard but to sell at gun shows or online. I saw plenty of primers at the gun show last Sunday. The problem was they were selling for 40.00/1000. Winchester value packs going for twice what they go for at wally world. Just an idea.



Len

 

[redneck2]

if you do a search, threre's at least one of these threads weekly. The answer for you is the same as the thread that's directly above yours and the same as it was two days ago, last week, etc.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=439535

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=439501



I just bought 5k of Fed 205's two days ago. Buy 'em when you can.