reloading supplies in Houston TX

[StephenT]

Hi all,

I'm getting tired of constant ammo price increases (thanks to the commodities craze on Wall Street) and have decided to start reloading. After doing some research, I ordered a Dillon 550B progressive press. My plan is to start loading 45ACP and move on to 40S&W, 357 and 44 Mag later on.

Now, I need to pick up some supplies to get started. Those of you who reload in the Houston area, please let me your experience. Where can I get the best deal on supplies (powder, primers, bullets, whatever else is needed) here in town? I know Carter's Country, Collectors' Guns and Gander Mts. carry reloader supplies, but how is their pricing? Are gun shows a good source for supplies at competitive prices? What are some good places online? I don't mind ordering bulk quantities if the price is right. Thanks for any info!

 

[JimGun]

Houston Shooting supplies

I started reloading for a few months agon and have bought all my powder and primers from from Carter Country.When buying them on-line you have to pay a hazmat fee that increases the cost substantially for the amount I buy at a time) The quality of products bought at Gun Shows has been a mixed bag - that is, clips, holsters and ammo, so I never considered them for reloading supplies, except Winchester casings which were priced very similar to Carter's Country. I load .45 ACP and have bought all my Ranier bullets from Midway. The overall price (product plus shipping) was cheaper than Natchez, but I haven't tried Mid South. I would be interested in hearing if you find any retailers in the Houston area that are economical.
When buying ammo, I always bought from Mr. T's in Texas City, but I don't know how he is situated for reloading supplies.

 

[rundm]

Carters has some stuff but they are laughable on their prices. Look to a couple of the online places like Powder valley or Widners reloading. Prices at carters are ok if you are only going to buy a couple of different things. If you buy in bulk it is much cheaper to go the route of the others online. You do have to pay a hazmat and shipping but it will far outway the cost. Carters is 21/lb of most powder and about 34 dollars for match primers. PV and Widners are only about 116/8lbs of Varget and or Benchmark. wolf primers are 90/5k. you can not get those at carters or most of the others. RG PS, T's has now gone the way of retirement and having a good time in Palestine. He closed it down last yr when nobody else wanted to take it over from him.

 

[41 Mag]

For the most part I shoot both rifles and handguns in many calibers, so when I buy I try to buy bulk on either as well as picking up as much range once fired as posible. As to the bullets and powder, as mentioned the online shops are probably your best bet for shaving a few bucks off things even if you only ordering a one or two powders. Do some research and figure out just what you want to shoot the most, plinking, hunting, or what ever. Then base your load decision on buying components in bulk. You can get some decent prices if you shop around, on cast or FMJ bullets and over run or surplus powders as well as the Wolf primers. IF you want premium loads you might be best off just sucking it up and buying the smaller quantities of powder, primers, and bullets from Carters or Midway when they have a sale.

Shoot me an e-mail if your interested I might be able to help you save a little here shortly. Just use the address I have listed for my yahoo IM.

 

[redneck2]

When you're out and about, make it a habit to stop in most any place that has what you're looking for. Once in a while you'll stumble across something.

A few years ago, I was in a store that normally doesn't carry much reloading stuff. He had an 8# jug of Blue Dot for $49. He also had gotten a lot of bullets on a close out. I bought 17 boxes of Speer for $3 each. I found a similar deal at another store on 180 Gold Dots for my 10mm at $5 each. Bought all 10 boxes. Another store had new bags of Dillon .223 brass from an estate. 500 rounds for $10. I bought a milk crate full.

 

[aka108]

Houston must have a Sportsman's Warehouse. Give them a call.

 

[wdlsguy]

Just found this place, nice little shop:

BKB Outdoors, Inc.
11616 Cypress N. Houston
Houston, Texas 77429

http://www.10ring.com

 

[rino451]

+1 for the 10ring.com

 

[StephenT]

Thanks guys, lots of good information here. I'll check out some of the online sources mentioned to get a better idea of prices. I see Gander Mountain has got a 20% off sale on all reloading stuff, so I will probably start there this weekend.

 

[Greg Jensen]

+1 for the 10ring.com

 

[StephenT]

Well, Gander Mountain was a bit disappointing as far as reloading supplies. I picked up some primers (CCI 300 for large pistols) and 1 lb of powder, but didn't see much there in the way of bullets and brass. Small Hornady boxes containing 100 bullets of 45ACP was priced at around $27. Isn't that priced higher than commercial ammo? Small bags of brass were not cheap either. I stopped at Carter's Country on the way back and priced a larger box of 45ACP (500 bullets) at around $74+ tax. I didn't buy any. Does that pricing sound right?

Do you guys get good deals on brass from the gun ranges? I think I'm going to look online for deals on bullets and brass. Paying the prices that Gander and Carter Country want, it's hard for me to imagine that I'm saving anything on reloading. Of course, then I saw a value pack of 9mm ammo selling for $25 there. I stockpiled ammo a long time ago, and ammo prices nowadays are so depressing.

 

[paperpuncher49]

Most local outlets don't seem to compete price-wise with the on-line sources. I would check Midsouth Shooters Supply. Powder Valley is great, but keep in mind you want to buy in bulk or make a "group" buy as there is a $20 Hazmat fee for UPS and Fedex if primers or powder is being shipped. The Hazmat fee is BS because you can purchase assembled ammo which obviously contains both primers and powder, yet that is not Hazmat????????

 

[StephenT]

Yeah, there are some pretty decent deals online when large quantities are ordered. 2000 FMJ 45ACP zero bullets go for about $200 at Powder Valley; but everywhere I've looked, the 2K quantities are out of stock. Anyone know of a place that has large quantities of "generic" 230 grain FMJ bullets available now?

Another route I might try is cast LRN bullets in 45ACP, which are considerably cheaper. I would prefer FMJ, though.