Get it while you can

slimjim · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:50 am Post subject: Get it while you can

Talked with a friend yesterday who is in the reloading and bullet business for ARs. His provider of rifle brass told him that their machines are set-up for 308 and 556 brass for the rest of the year trying to catch up with their backlog. He carries 6.8mm SPC, 6.5 Grendel, (used to is the operative word) so he doesn't expect to see supplies until 2022 or later.

We in the US only get reloading components that are the left overs the major manufacturers don't need for their manufacturing of factory ammo (excess components). Right now they are consuming all there are. For the HuntingNuts in the rest of the World, do you get components after we in the US do?

Right now, there are no reloading components for us here in the US and may not be for another year or more. I've heard from other shooters in NZ and AUS that you can still find components. You may have already taken steps to stock up. If not, it may be advisable to buy more factory ammo, powder, bullets, and or brass than you may think you need.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Yea, I've been curious how availability is in other spots of the world. Its getting BAD lately... I thought $200 for 1k primers was bad... I saw a guy posting $50 for 100 of the Remington 209 Muzzleloader primers.

I've been doing a little trading with local folk who have excess of something I want, and need something I have. Did a trade the other day for 1k Small Rifle for 1k Large Rifle.

I need to go through my powders. I have a bunch of bottles and partial bottles I no longer use that I could get rid of just to free up space.

W231 / HP-38 ... I must have short term memory loss or something. I kept picking up a bottle here and there, over and over again. I have wayyyy to much of that to ever shoot it up at 3.4gr per round.

-DallanC

Vince · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

I haven’t noticed a significant shortage of components here in Australia, but then again, I think it takes so long for imported stuff to be sent and actually arrive, that what we have here now is components from the time when there were no shortages in the US.

I am lucky in that I only use ADI powders, manufactured here, so even though ADI supply to other companies in the US, there is usually no shortage of powders here for reloaders. Consequently, I have enough powder (AR2206H, AR2208 Varget, BM 8208, AS 30 Shotgun powder, plus other odds and sods) to last me for quite some time.

I have a goodly supply of projectiles for my .223 REM, .243 Win and Mod 94 30.30 Win, but if I have to, I can cast for all three caliber, just means velocities will be down, but I can live with that. As for .22 rimfire ammo...I don’t think I’m gonna run out any time soon.

Dallan...you say you are doing trades or bartering...I gave away three thousand Federal SP Bench Rest primers because they were cluttering up my bench. I bought one thousand SR and LR primers (Remington) a couple of weeks ago at $69 a thousand (US$53.29 per thousand). I should have bought more because I like the Remington offering.

As for brass...I rather like the PPU brass and have a few hundred for my .303 Brit, and for my .223 and .243 and 30.30 I have maybe a thousand + cases being a mix of Winchester, Remington and PPU, although I think I will need to look at my .223 holdings soonish as they approach their useable life. I even found 20 30.30 cases with a S&W head stamp, and they are in good condition.

slimjim · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

Vince, now is the time to stock up even more so you aren't caught short when the shortage finally reaches your shores.

It didn't take but a few weeks for everything to be bought up, even odd calibers you didn't think anyone wants anymore.

At a gun show last weekend they were asking $320 for a box of primers.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Vince, they are saying shortages here might last 4 years... its going to ripple around the world. I'd highly recommend making sure you have supplies like Slimjim said.

Primers here are absolutely non-existent in any of the primary markets or local / online stores. You can only acquire them by trading with someone who already has them, or paying up to 10x markup on the secondary market.

Here's an example... this seller actually lives about 5 miles from me, 11 cents per primer:

classifieds.ksl.com/li...g/62894057

His prices arent crazy as some... not even 3x markup. But I have no doubt that he will sell them all in the next day or two.

-DallanC

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Regular ammo is also reaching crazy prices... I've been looking for 20GA shotshells for my wife, for NEXT falls hunts. You cant find 20GA of anything around here... resellers are selling a box for around $1 a round, or $25-30 per box... for the old common cheap stuff. Its nuts

www.gunbroker.com/item/892094799

-DallanC

Loke · Member Joined: May 13, 2013 Posts: 207

We started last year with what I guess to have been 15-20 million primers in our store. They are all gone. 10-15 million rounds of 22LR. Gone. Our last shipment of Winchester 556 ammo (six pallets, 546 cases) gone in 2 1/2 days. A shipping container full of shotgun ammo in empty. For all of the Bible reading folks here, The bridegroom is at the door. If your lamp is empty, you're out of luck.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Good lord Loke, I had no idea you guys stocked so much inventory. I shoulda bought a brick of the Large Rifle primers when I bought that Tristar from you at Christmas. I saw a couple people walking around with them, decided to not contribute to the shortage as I really didnt need them.

At the time, I had a unopened brick of Federal 210's (1000ct) and another 400ish misc LRs. I've since traded off the Federals for 1000 CCI Small Rifle primers. Still have the 400 LR or so... thats PLENTY for us for a really long time, even doing frequent target shooting. Centerfire rifles we normally dont fire more than a box or so, slow fire to preserve barrels.

Atm... We are in good shape I think. We have ammo for every caliber we own, able to reload quite a bit for most of them as well. I primarily hunt via Muzzleloader and have way to damn much Pyrodex sitting around, at least 4 cans of GOEX going back to the mid 1980s... and a bottle and a half of BlackHorn.

Anywho, I'm incredibly jealous for those folk who have supplies available in their countries. I dont think it will last... so just keep it in mind.

-DallanC

Vince · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

DallanC wrote:

Regular ammo is also reaching crazy prices... I've been looking for 20GA shotshells for my wife, for NEXT falls hunts. You cant find 20GA of anything around here... resellers are selling a box for around $1 a round, or $25-30 per box... for the old common cheap stuff. Its nuts

www.gunbroker.com/item/892094799

-DallanC

Have you considered handloading for the 20g Dallan? I bought a LEE Loadall in 20g and now load for it...shot, SG, round ball and slugs...the round ball isn’t very accurate from a smooth bore.

Vince · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

I think I will take Dallan’s advice and grab some more primers. I’m pretty right with other components for a few years.

English Mike · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

I'm OK for pretty much everything - primers, brass, bullets & powder across every calibre.
I do know those less prepared are in for a shock, as what UK retailers have on their shelves regarding US made components & ammunition is IT. The importers & wholesalers are expecting no more deliveries until November at the earliest.
Needless to say, this means the European & domestically made stuff is in high demand (which reminds me - need a couple of hundred Eley subsonics for the suppressed .22)

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Vince wrote:

Have you considered handloading for the 20g Dallan? I bought a LEE Loadall in 20g and now load for it...shot, SG, round ball and slugs...the round ball isn’t very accurate from a smooth bore.

Considered, Yes. I used to load 12GA 35 years ago. I dont even have that press. A used 20ga MEC is running $150-175 it seems.

No chance of it now though, there are no components to even start. I have lots of 20ga hulls actually... but thats it. Zero powder, zero primers. Probably could find some wads... no idea where I'd find shot.

-DallanC

Elvis · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:28 am Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

thats NORMAL prices for shot shells here..... $1 a pop is not too steep....centrefire is $2-7 depending on calibre.
there are a few folks who convert there BP rifle to take cap gun caps from $2 shop...you remember the wee 6 shooter you had as a kid that took wee red plastic caps???? thems the ones.....
Ive tootooed with BP in the .12ga will work fine for furry critters,not so good with steel shot for birds as wont be going quick...still have loaded up a few for grins n giggles...because it patterns relly tight it will be awesome for finishing rounds..woundies on water are problimatic with steel,always have been..looking forward to seeing how 1 oz of BBs going slow but tight work....

Loke · Member Joined: May 13, 2013 Posts: 207

reloading components are non-existent now. No powder, or primers. Hornady is shipping bullets because they can't get primers for their ammo operations. Powders are hard to get because shippers can't find drivers that are willing to work. Easier to stay home and get the covid pay. Panic buying at its finest. I used to enjoy working at gun store. Its not so fun any more.

dhc4ever · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Get it while you can

Loke,
Just be glad you dont sell toilet paper.
The panic buyers over here puzzle me, wtf do you do with THAT much toilet paper?
In your case, covid, and your political system have caused this latest run on supplies, with unfortunately no end in sight.