What happened to S&B small pistol primers?

They were available at great prices several years ago. Cabelas had them for sub $20/thousand at one point.

Then they disappeared. Haven't seen them since.

Is this another "the factory burned down" story? or ???

 

The importer stopped importing them when the US made primers became available again. Then Cabellas sold them out before they were bought out themselves. IIRC I got some from Powder Valley a few years ago when they had them in stock at reasonable prices.

 

I wish they were back in supply ... I shot many a thousand without any problems!

I still have a couple thousand SR in the cabinet ....

 

I have heard there are one of two problems. One is a manufacturing problem the other is an import problem. But it appears to be a combination of both. Political problems in country of origin!

It's too bad because I liked them as they always fed well in my Lee Pro1000. When I ran out and had to go back to Winchester I started having all sorts of feed problem again.

 

I'm going to miss S&B primers.

 

Same here. S&Bs are the least problematic SPP in the Pro1K. Been looking for months. If they are gone I'm sad.

 

I will miss them very much. Tried them first in Large Rifle, and was able to duplicate my match loads previously using Fed 210M which became unobtainable. Also used them in small rifle match and pistol for bulk shooting/plinking. They were beautifully manufactured with nice, flat striking surfaces and a high polish. Fed well in everything and ignited all powders I tried with ease without being too hot. Hard enough for the M1 Garand and 5.56 service loads without being too hard. I converted ALL of my loads to these, now it's back to the drawing board as I use them up.

 

Cabela's showing SR and LR primers in stock - https://www.cabelas.com/product/SELLIER-BELLOT-PRIMERS-BRICK/2002898.uts

 

Yep you better scarf em up while you can! There may not be any more available sadly.

 

FYI, Powder Valley is selling CCI/Winchester primers for $28, Remington primers for $29 and Federal primers for $30 - https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product-category/reloading/primers/page/2/?orderby=price

 

I have been trying to find then since June. No one one the web that use to stock them has any. As for Cabela's, check their site and look under Illinois or Wisconsin. every primer is out of stock and the S&B all that is listed anymore are LR.

 

Is the whole S&B lineup gone forever from Cabelas? They were such a better deal than any of the "name" stuff.

 

FWIW:
(1) Cabela's employee told me both Herters and S + B will no longer be carried. (Bass Pro decision)

 

My local, small dealer enquired directly with S&B. They have no plans to sell component primers going forward. They sold them during the big component "shortage" for awhile, and are now concentrating on sales of manufactured ammunition, only selling components to ammunition manufacturers.

 

That sucks. They are great primers especially for the price. I love S&B ammo, cases, and primers.

 

Maybe if we put enough bugs in a reasonable sized dealer's ear, they would change this policy. Maybe Grafs or Midway?

 

Tula or Wolf suited me just fine.

 

Man, had I known it was this bad I woulda coughed up some mattress money and bought some at the last sale. So now our only option is the overly priced US brands. Sweet.

 

I got misfires with Tula. Won't buy them anymore.

 

I had read back last spring that there were also political and manufacturing implications involved along with import issues. It will be too bad as I liked them a lot and they worked well in my Lee Pro1000 priming system.

 

I shot several bricks of them. I'll miss the price but nothing else about them. They were always hard to seat for me.