Stockpiling components

[K-Rod]

With all the talk lately of ammo & reloading components prices going up & possibly shortages, got me thinking I should stock up my reloading inventory. Being a newbie to reloading, I've never had to endure any shortages.

In relation to reloading components, I'm looking for opinions for a comfortable quantity for each caliber. For those of you that had to deal with the shortages of the past, what items did you find the hardest get? How long did it last? What would or will you do different? I'm comfortable with what I have now because I know I can just make a trip to town to get more. I'm not saying I'm going to be shooting 1000's of rounds a day. I'm not a competition shooter. Just a weekend of fun now & then.

Any & all input is appreciated

 

[Walkalong]

If we all start buying a lot of stuff, we could, along with other factors, help another buying spree/lack of components available/price increase.

Buy a little extra each time. Need a couple K primers? Buy 5K. Need 1K bullets? Buy 2K. Put some back. For the casual weekend shooter 2 or 3 K of rounds will probably hold them through. I never stopped shooting during the outages, but I slowed down a little to stretch my stuff. If you shoot competition, you would need more, but they generally keep good stock anyway.

Some sellers are going to start telling stories to get us nervous, as well as other sources trying to scare us about what o might do in a second term. Lets be smart, and just buy a little extra here and there. Don't help create a shortage/buying spree/panic.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

In 20+ years of reloading, I have always bought more components than I planned to use and am glad of it. It's never gonna get any cheaper. I have powder that still has 12 buck a pound price stickers on it, jacketed bullets that were less than a nickel each, and primers from way back when they were about 12 buck per 1k....I never had to do without during shortages due to political scares....Today, I still buy in bulk when a good deal comes around.

 

[USSR]

In relation to reloading components, I'm looking for opinions for a comfortable quantity for each caliber. For those of you that had to deal with the shortages of the past, what items did you find the hardest get?

Primers, Primers, Primers. In every ammo component shortage situation I have been involved in, they have always been the main problem. Since they are not caliber specific (a particular size primer can be used for many different cartridges), that is a plus as well.

Don

 

[Canuck-IL]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=645853

/Bryan

 

[TheCracker]

I personally think its going to start back up pretty soon.

This time I'll have what I need to make it 4-5 years. If it looks really bad I'll greatly reduce my range visits and sit on what I have.

 

[USSR]

I personally think its going to start back up pretty soon.

Oh, yeah. Just last month I got 5k of large rifle primers for $79.95. There are some deals still out there, but, you snooze and you lose.

Don

 

[cougar1717]

Stockpiling... shortages... scare tactics... uncertainty...

I haven't gone through the stuff I bought in 2008!

 

[Striker Fired]

Every time I buy extra components ,I get the bug to go use them up faster. So I can't seem to get a good pile going.

 

[medalguy]

+1 on primers. That seemed to be the one item consistently short last time. At least with powder you have something of a selection to use, and with bullets the same, or you can cast your own. But primers are the one item you absolutely need to buy.

I've been stocking up every time I buy all components, and I'm sitting on a good supply of all components. They sure aren't getting any cheaper. Watch for sales and buy as much as you think you might need to get through any shortage.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While I'm just fine on primers I just ordered an 8lb jug of H4895, 8 lbs of H4350 and a few odds and ends. In reality I probably could have waited a little on the order but with all this talk about prices and shortages I figure it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Why wait until everything is gone or until prices are again prohibitive?

Anyway, 12 lbs of powder is far from a large order but that's what I need...

 

[Steel Talon]

Primers, Primers, Primers.

Couldnt agree more with this..

Powder is next in importance. If you have a favorite type, buy 8 lbs of it.

 

[Orkan]

The profiteers that prey on the political unrest is really getting old.

 

[Stormin.40]

I started reloading during the last component shortage, 2009 I think. I had the most trouble getting primers, so I agree with others that as money allows primers are top priority followed by your powder of choice.

My wife won't let me stock up too much but I plan to sit on a couple 1000 extra primers and a extra lb or two of my favorite powder. Not much to most of you here but more than double what I normally have around, I have small kids so I don't get shoot that much.

 

[brickeyee]

I have purchased cases of bullets for a long time.

A case of 230 gr .45 bullets is around 75 pounds pounds (a couple thousand bullets).

 

[atblis]

During the Obama scare, I sold an 8lb keg of Unique for $350.

 

[TheCracker]

During the Obama scare, I sold an 8lb keg of Unique for $350.

Bet that guy feels like a fool.

Back then I refused to buy any crap that ppl were trying to rip people on. I also found a couple gun stores that I won't spend another cent in. The ones that were trying to sell primers for 50-60 bucks. The ones who only raised prices slightly are the only ones I deal with now.

 

[Hondo 60]

In relation to reloading components, I'm looking for opinions for a comfortable quantity for each caliber.

That's a question that has a very subjective answer.

What's comfortable for me, may be way outta line for you.
But, before too long, I'll probably get another 8lb jug of my "go to" powder and maybe 5K primers

 

[cfullgraf]

Bet that guy feels like a fool.

Back then I refused to buy any crap that ppl were trying to rip people on. I also found a couple gun stores that I won't spend another cent in. The ones that were trying to sell primers for 50-60 bucks. The ones who only raised prices slightly are the only ones I deal with now.

Fortunately for me, I keep an inventory of components on hand as I normally buy in bulk when on sale. As a result i was able to weather the 2009 shortages fairly well.

I could walk away from $50-$60/thousand primers but I did buy some primers at a higher price ($35/1000) than even today's prices to make sure I did not run out. I did have to change powders for a couple cartridges because I could not find my preferred propellant. Upside was, I like the new powders better than the old.

I did get into some new-to-me cartridges during 2009 and it was frustrating trying to find ammunition, brass and bullets.

 

[X-Rap]

Picked up some primers at my local LGS a couple days ago and they said there were rumblings in the supply chain already regarding primers and some 5.56 ammo.
It could be a long 9 month wait to see what will happen. I will be increasing what I usually keep to hedge against any shortage be it real or not.

 

[USSR]

I will be increasing what I usually keep to hedge against any shortage be it real or not.

Hey, it's not like this stuff has a shelf date.

Don

 

[Ky Larry]

I've started building an anti-Obamanation survival kit in case he gets reelected. I'm trying to get enough powder, bullets and especially primers to last 4 years. So far, I've got about 1 1/2 years stashed. I've got 20,000 .22lrs put away for hard times. I got Obamanated once. It won't happen again.

 

[W.E.G.]

I've still got primers from the Bill Clinton primer shortage.

Stock up what you need to stay 18 months ahead of your ammo needs.

Anything more than that is needlessly taking up space, while it probably violates the Fire Code.

If you have room to store brass and lead, that's fine.
Just remember, when moving-day comes, it won't be fun whey you have couple hundred ammo cans to move.

Trying to sell it off, just to break even, is a lot of work.

 

[bubbacrabb]

I think there will be a shortage. I've been watching sites and noticing prices going up. I stocked up a lot over the past year simply thinking if it don't happen then atleast I got all this and ill use it eventually anyways. Now I just got to keep my wife from finding out bow much my paranoia cost me.

 

[PigButtons]

When buying primers at the LGS on Wednesday, I talked to the owner. He is one of the largest ammo sellers in the nation. He told me that Federal had pre-sold the next six months of production to the Gov't to make 5.56 exclusively. His distributor told him that the order he placed today won't ship until September. He said I was being smart to stock up on primers.