Reloading equipment purchase FAIL

[au_prospector]

Okay I have been doing reloading research for about 4 months. A couple weeks ago I noticed RCBS has a nice rebate program for 2012. Over the past couple of days I make up a shopping list so I can buy a Rock Chucker, some dies get the $50 rebate, and then take advantage of the extra $25 rebate by buying CCI, Alliant, and Spear components. All written down and documented, ready to go!

Last night I went to the Sportsman Warehouse and got a shopping cart. Almost closing time so I gotta work fast. Grab the Rock Chucker, grabbed the .38/.357 carbide die set (last one), grabbed the .45-70 govt die set (last one), grabbed the .44 mag carbide die set (two left), and got the last .45 acp die set. Okay I have over $300 worth of RCBS products in my cart, time for the $25 rebate in components in the next aisle.

Empty shelves
Looked for Alliant Unique powder~NONE
Looked for Alliant Bullseye powder~NONE
Looked for CCI primers #300~NONE
Looked for CCI primers #350~NONE
Looked for CCI primers #500~NONE
Looked for CCI primers #200~NONE
Speer bullets ~ barren shelves found one box taped shut of 125 grain JHP .357
Brass~They have plenty, I've got plenty. No help there.

Asked someone if they had anything in back, they smiled and said 'NO'. I said I had over $400 in my pocket and over $300 in the cart which I would put back, "Are you sure there's nothing in the storeroom?"
"Nope", they said.

I put everything back. Left the store empty handed. Spotted the manager on my way out who said, oh yeah someone bought 6000 primers yesterday and I thought we should begin with the limits thing again. He said he orders stuff and receives less than 50% of his orders. What he receives is gone by the end of the day.

 

[NWcityguy2]

So they didn't have any primers, powder and bullets or they didn't have any CCI primers, Alliant powder and Speer bullets?

 

[Sport45]

Why didn't you go ahead and buy what you selected? You have until the end of the year to buy the components and it doesn't have to all be on the same receipt.

Up to a $75.00 rebate. Cash redemption value is 1/100 of 1 cent. Purchase must be made between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012 and coupon must be received by Jan. 31, 2013. Consumer submits coupon with box UPC’s and original cash register receipts.

 

[au_prospector]

You have a point, they had some Winchester small pistol primers but not really anything else in primers. They had other powders, but I had decided on Alliant Unique and Bullseye. I have not reloaded before, so I am not so confident that I can just grab anything off the shelf and make a go of it. I did see 4 lb containers of Alliant Red Dot, Blue Dot, and Green Dot, but again I had already researched Unique and Bullseye and 4 lbs is a lot for a guy who is just getting into this right? I could have bought Nosler or Sierra bullets I suppose.

Fact is I was tired and irritated. They didnt have the components specified in the rebate, I had spent time making my shopping list for this, it meant I wasnt going to get the extra $25 so I went home empty handed. I suppose it is a personal flaw. Whatever, back to the drawing board. I guess having $400 in my pocket still isnt half bad.

 

[dickttx]

You really didn't do too bad at a big box store. Whether Cabelas, Bass Pro, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc. I usually feel lucky if I get half of the things I go for, out of acres and acres of stuff.
As some have said: The internet is your friend.

 

[Bowfishrp]

I really like Winchester primers....CCI and Winchester are my favorites. Of course just got a big box of wolf large pistol because of the cheap price so will see after a lot of testing...which happens to be the best part...shooting!

 

[kingmt]

Look online. If they don't have your stuff then you still have the money in your pocket & your gas. If they do most of the time you don't pay the tax & you still have your gas. It is a win win.

 

[gahunter12]

au_prospector: where are you from in North Ga? I did not know we had a sportsman warehouse. I may be able to help you out. I also live in North Ga.

 

[mgmorden]

You have a point, they had some Winchester small pistol primers but not really anything else in primers. They had other powders, but I had decided on Alliant Unique and Bullseye. I have not reloaded before, so I am not so confident that I can just grab anything off the shelf and make a go of it. I did see 4 lb containers of Alliant Red Dot, Blue Dot, and Green Dot, but again I had already researched Unique and Bullseye and 4 lbs is a lot for a guy who is just getting into this right? I could have bought Nosler or Sierra bullets I suppose.

First lesson in reloading: don't get TOO attached to any particular brand of component . This goes doubly so in an election year, but for the most part you often have to just settle for what you can get your hands on.

Go to buy primers of a general type (small pistol, large rifle, etc). Brands are merely a preference - you typically don't go shopping for a specific one.

Powers are much the same - get something that will work for your application. If you're loading for pistol then I just kinda mentally separate powders into rough burn rate groups (fast, moderate, and slow) and as long as I get get a powder that is the same general group as what I'm looking for I'll get that and work up a load as needed.

I've got a feeling that if you keep going in with an "all or nothing" list that specific its going to be a very long time before you get to buy anything .

 

[oneounceload]

I have not reloaded before, so I am not so confident that I can just grab anything off the shelf and make a go of it.

Maybe you want to grab a reloading manual or two next time and read them - might save you a lot of aggravation. Go buy your stuff, other stores carry the same stuff as well. If not, buy online

 

[solman]

Prospector... buy what you can while you can. It looks like all of us will be making due with what we can get when we can get it. Reloading supplies are hit and miss right now and it will get worse before it gets any better. If your new to the reloading scene you don't know about the scarcity of supplies a few years ago after Obama came into office. Now with fears of his re-election among other fears there is a bit of a run on shooting supplies in general.
Solman

 

[Hondo 60]

Powder Valley is the IMHO the best place online to buy powders, primers & bullets.
www.powdervalleyinc.com

But you have to do a large order.
The Hazmat fee is a killer if all you want is a pound of powder & 1,000 primers.

 

[CraigC]

I find it very odd that you basically threw a tantrum and put all the reloading equipment back because they were out of stock of powder, bullets & primers.

 

[Certaindeaf]

If you wait to get all the ducks in a row, you may well wait a long, long time.

 

[mdi]

Unfortunately, buying reloading components isn't like buying golf balls and tees. It's been over 20 years since I was able to walk into a sporting goods store/gunshop and get everything I started out looking for. Big stores place large orders, but often don't get wht was ordered. Small stores don't have the purchasing power and often only get what they can. It's all hit and miss. Some blame our involvement in the middle east for shortages and some blame hoarding (BTW 6000 primers isn't very many when you reload a few different calibers). I dunno...

 

[Certaindeaf]

I forget the breakdown of what one has to do to commercially house/safeguard the various step functions/amounts of primers and powder but the big houses really don't/can't house hardly any at all by their own choosing.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Before this conversation goes too far downhill with internet style critics I'll say that all things being equal I've got my brand preferences as well. And I can understand that as a new reloader you didn't want to take a chance on buying the wrong thing that you can't return for a refund. The advice to get a reloading manual is spot on as well. Write your name on the outside in sharpie and take it to the store with you to double check everything you buy if you want to.

That being said I don't have a preference in the world that would get between me and shooting. Everyone has a #1 priority and when it comes to reloading having something to shoot is mine.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
You can't return powder or primers.. don't know about projectiles.

 

[C.F. Plinker]

Call Sportsman's, find out when they get their components on the shelf, and be there to get what components they have that you want and pick up the equipment while you are there.

 

[billdeserthills]

The former comment about saving money buying online is soo true & you have quite a pile of stuff on your list too, which is the best time to buy online & save the sales tax. You might take a look at some internet vendors, I heard
www.graf.com
had a good selection, or www.midwayusa.com
is good sometimes too.

 

[dbarnhart]

>>>He said he orders stuff and receives less than 50% of his orders. <<<

I had this same conversation with a clerk in my local Sportsmans Warehouse here in Phoenix over a year ago. They can order whatever they want but what actually shows up is a different matter.

Truthfully though, I don't buy much in the way of reloading components from Sportsmans any more. I've found a combination of sources online and locally with better prices and availability.

 

[BYJO4]

As others have said, you can most often save money by buying on the internet even when you pay hazmat fees. Several weeks ago I needed both Bullseye and Unique and cheapest local price was $24 lb. I got 4 lb canisters of each online for $64 each plus some primers along with a few other things and saved about $125. You just have to look around for what you need. I have good luck with Midsouth, Midway, and Cabelas.

 

[au_prospector]

Thanks guys,

I think part of the problem was I got into a huff. They were trying to close and I didnt have the time or the experience to be able to alter my purchase on the fly. Im just that way. I will try again soon and be better for it with backup plans.

 

[joed]

Welcome to the world of reloading au_prospector. They didn't have what you wanted? Get used to it, I put up with that for 15 years. I couldn't even count the times I wanted a specific component and had to settle for something else I didn't want.

That's why I'm glad for the internet. I no longer put up with stores selling me what I don't want. I now search for what I want and stockpile it. During the last shortage I didn't find Winchester large pistol primers for a year. I probably could have lasted another year before I ran out.

The way you're shopping you'll have blood pressure problems.

 

[dbarnhart]

>>>I think part of the problem was I got into a huff<<<

I understand. I'm constantly having the the following conversation with big box store managers:

me: "Do you realize that your biggest competition is online retailers?"

manager: "Yes, absolutely"

me: "Do you realize that every time I take the trouble to come to your store, can't find what I want, and then go home and order it online anyway it dis-incinivizes me to even think of coming here the next time?"

manager: mumble mumble mumble