$500 on Primers,Powder,or Lead???

[sw282]

l have $500 l can spend out of the budget on primers,powder, or lead between now and New Years. The money will be used for pistol components only. right now l have app 10k pistol primers and 15 lbs of powder. Lead on hand is around 1200 lbs. What should l buy with my $500??

[hithard]

Primers, primers, primers,

[WilliamDahl]

It's going to depend upon what calibers you shoot and your preferred loads, but it appears that when I run the numbers, your primers are not sufficient to cover the amount of powder or lead that you have on hand. Personally, I have about 60 lbs of various powders and 40K primers, but not near enough lead to be able to accommodate either of those. During the last shortage, it was easy enough to get powder if you weren't too picky about the type of powder. Maybe it wasn't the optimal for your load, but you could develop *something* that would work. Primers, on the other hand, you just can't go substituting things very well with them. I'm not picky on the brand of primers, I'll work up a load with whatever I might have, but the key thing is that you must have *something*. I would say get some more primers and maybe another couple of kegs of powder.

[Mooseman]

Best way is to figure out how many loads you get from a pound of powder for the calibers you load and that's what you need for proper primer to powder ratio.
I like to have around 1000 to1500 primers per pound of Powder for pistols .
Less for large rifle powders...

[Wayne Smith]

If you go with Tula primers you have enough money left over to get something else, too.

[GRUMPA]

The advise given so far is pretty spot on, only thing I would do is get out a calculator and figure how much powder I use per loaad in the given power. Figure how many you get per pound and have enough primers based on that.

If it were let's say 38spl and you use 6gr of whatever, then 6 divided into 7k would be 1166, so I would have on hand at least that many primers per pound of powder.

[frkelly74]

primers then powder. I can still scrounge lead.

[Roundnoser]

I'd say primers...followed by powder. -- As another CB member/friend once told me, without the primers there is no BANG! It states the obvious, but it certainly is the truth.

I think Tula is around $20 per 1K, and you might be able to find Winchester or CCI primers for $27 or so. Thats 100 - 135 dollars per sleeve. If you purchased 10K, you'd still only spend 200 - 270 dollars on primers. You'd have $ to spare for ____?_____.

[mac1911]

I would stock up on primers also. I need lr rifle primers and no luck finding local.

[Floydster]

Just put in another order for primers and powder from Powder Valley, no telling what the future holds:)

[EDK]

Back in July, I drove 150 miles each way to GRAFS in Mexico MO to buy 15 K large pistol primers. I saved $8 per thousand over the cheapest local shop. Gas was under $40 and it was a beautiful day driving.

For pistol usage, a rough estimate is 1000-to-1200 loads per pound...an 8 pound keg of powder and 10 K primers.

FWIW The local guy is within a dollar or two of GRAFS price on the 8 pounders of powder, but NEVER close on primers. HI-TECH ammo is 20+ miles away for mil-surp powder, the CCI primers and J-words for the AR15 or M1A.

Lead could be a problem, but I have a storage area with some in it...a steep bank behind my targets that looks like you used a garden tiller on it. I need to figure out some sort of screen and start re-cycling.

:redneck: :cbpour: :guntootsmiley:

[runfiverun]

hmmm short term thinkers.
figure out how much you shoot a year then times that by how long you might live then go buy that many primers.
then you don't have to worry about it.
you can scrounge lead and your powder likes might change over time but you'll need those primers either way.

[prs]

hmmm short term thinkers.
figure out how much you shoot a year then times that by how long you might live then go buy that many primers.
then you don't have to worry about it.
you can scrounge lead and your powder likes might change over time but you'll need those primers either way.

I wonder how much it would cost to put in a side track for a railroad box car to enter my property?

;-)

prs

[500Smith]

Current conditions: 1/3 Powder 2/3 Primers

[Harter66]

I don't have nearly enough of either 1 . If it was me 4k sp 4k lr 2k lp and 2 8# of 4350. But that's me padding what*I*have.

EDK,
I have a frame 4ft long and 18 in wide set up at about a 30* incline of 1/4 mesh aka chipmunk wire. Even in the area where I am w/the other berm miners I can come up w/20-50 lbs an hr. More if it happens to be a hot week/month for the blow sand filled tire traps.

[bobthenailer]

Primers #1 as theres no substution avalible . #2 powder but substution are avalible . #3 lead theres allways some around somewhere and less people are looking for it as most are reloaders not casters
1,200 lbs of lead yealds 42,000, 200 gr cast bullets
15 lbs powder @7.0 per charge yealds 15,000 rounds
10k primers yeald 10,000 rounds

Powder & primers can be shipped in the same box under the same HZ MAT fee !
In all of the reloading componet shortages weve had through the years the #1 item that was hardest or most expensive to obtain has allways been primers

[H.Callahan]

I am squarely in the primer camp, too. Almost everything else can be made (assuming that the brass is good for many reloadings). Primers there is no good substitute for.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

I agree with Grumpa, do some math and try to buy enough powder for primers and vice versa, so basically you are buying powder and primers for X number of reloads.

[762 shooter]

You didn't say what caliber pistol so here goes:

158 grain 38 special.

You have:

Lead for 53,000 boolits.

If your powder is Unique you have 17,000 - 6 grain powder charges.

You have 10,000 primers.

Buy 13,000 more primers @ $390.00,

and buy 8 pounds of Unique at $117.

You now have 26,800 powder charges,

and 23,000 primers.

Buy primers after that.

762

[bumpo628]

Here's another post similar to the one above. If you used 200 grain boolits and about 5 grains of powder, then you would have enough for the following:
@ 20K worth of powder, 10K primers, and 40K boolits.

That means you buy about 17K primers and about 4 lbs of powder. That would balance you out to be able to make about 27K rounds.

HOWEVER:
Powder and primers might be good to stock up on in case there is a shortage, but lead is easily convertible to cash if you need it. It is pretty difficult to ship powder or primers. Lead is easy and cheap to ship due to the flat rate boxes. There would be no point in stocking up on $1/lb lead only to have to sell it later. If you can get a deal on some lead locally then you might consider this second option.

[Gliden07]

Primers!! They just keep going up money wise!! And like a few others have said you can substitute powders if your favorites not available? And in my area I hav'nt been able to get Large Pistol primers as of late?

[mpmarty]

Primers, primers, primers. Kind of like "location" in real estate.

[fredj338]

I would buy primers as well. Brass lasts along time, I can scrounge lead, even powder but primers, gotta have em. At todays prices, $500 isn't that many primers.:violin:

[gray wolf]

Holly Cow, you guys make me feel Anemic, Like a lost boy in the woods.
I can't believe the numbers you folks talk about.
I have about 800 primers for my pistol and 3/4 pound of unique,
No lead, been melting my 45 ACP bullets for 44 Mag bullets.
It seems I am in pathetic shape, Hope the poop don't hit the fan for a while.
I didn't feel to bad till I read this thread, I think I need a nap.
Thanks guys. ( kinda grinning )

[Catshooter]

Primers are very important, but the key for me is balence. As pointed out above, having way more lead and powder and short on primers doesn't work very well. This is true, but don't forget brass.

Also, how are your reloading tools doing? Moulds? I would do an inventory and make sure (don't think you have it, know you do or don't) there's nothing missing. If there is suddenly a 500% tax on all things firearms related, do you want to be standing there holding your last primer tube that your kid just bent in half?

gray wolf,

Not wanting to flame you, but I think you're correct. You're in bad shape. Were you around for the primer shortage in '93? How about the Obama scare combined with the run up in comodities prices of '07 to '09?

If you've got the resourses I'd get to stocking. Maybe sell a safe queen or two if money's tight.


Cat

[MT Gianni]

I would buy a CZ75 in either 9mm of 40 S&W and save up for $100 worth of primers.

[sw282]

l have plenty of guns Gianni--l need to feed them.

[parrott1969]

The primers have it. All my suppliers are having difficulty getting primers. They have all told me the same thing, " order now and expect to wait. Be grateful if they happen to ship quickly"

I wonder if the fire department would even try to put out a fire at my house? I have well over 100K of primers and over 120# of powder. It would make for a heck of a light show.

[badbob454]

primers and powder, double what you have buy in bulk if local, and cheap enough ....and save on hazmat , but seconds on the cz 75

[wgr]

last fall i got 2o,ooo primers., l/s rifle mostly. i do,nt shoot a pistol that much any more thinking about getting 20/30000 more what i dont shoot my son will. like what was said powder might not be what you like but a primer will still make it go bang.

[badbob454]

Holly Cow, you guys make me feel Anemic, Like a lost boy in the woods.
I can't believe the numbers you folks talk about.
I have about 800 primers for my pistol and 3/4 pound of unique,
No lead, been melting my 45 ACP bullets for 44 Mag bullets.
It seems I am in pathetic shape, Hope the poop don't hit the fan for a while.
I didn't feel to bad till I read this thread, I think I need a nap.
Thanks guys. ( kinda grinning )

gray wolf go hit your tire shops bring some beer and swap em for wheel weights and dammit get some more powder he he :groner:

[Frosty Boolit]

Buy some proper containers to store your components such as a powder cabinet built with at least 1" plywood.

[TCLouis]

Primers, Primers, Promo powder.

some of the funny coated boolits

BEFORE November

[dodgyrog]

primers then powder. I can still scrounge lead.

+1 on that! Primers are getting hard to get and expensive over here in the UK.

[dnotarianni]

PRIMERS You can sub different powders but no primers = no bang. Can always trade primers for powder with guys at the range and lead is always around. Remember 4 years ago with no primers? I personally get shakey when I got less than 40,000 primers

[1Shirt]

Primers, then powder in priority sequence!
1Shirt!

[fredj338]

Holly Cow, you guys make me feel Anemic, Like a lost boy in the woods.
I can't believe the numbers you folks talk about.
I have about 800 primers for my pistol and 3/4 pound of unique,
No lead, been melting my 45 ACP bullets for 44 Mag bullets.
It seems I am in pathetic shape, Hope the poop don't hit the fan for a while.
I didn't feel to bad till I read this thread, I think I need a nap.
Thanks guys. ( kinda grinning )

Well, for some of us, 800 primers is a weekend of shooting. I always keep 5K of each size on hand just because of potential shortages. When Obama was elected, primers got very scarce & prices shot up never to return. So when I see them on sale, I buy them. When I get into my last 5K, I buy another 5K. Best prices come in bulk anyway.;-)

[Jack Stanley]

Small pistol primers ....... is that all ????? You got way to few firearms to feed you really need to dive right in buy a hundred thousand of each type . Then get the appropriate powders and then run out and buy more guns !![smilie=l:


:kidding:Jack :bigsmyl2:

[garym1a2]

A Gen 3 glock, you already have enough primers to feed it for a year.


l have $500 l can spend out of the budget on primers,powder, or lead between now and New Years. The money will be used for pistol components only. right now l have app 10k pistol primers and 15 lbs of powder. Lead on hand is around 1200 lbs. What should l buy with my $500??

[sw282]

Stay focused Gary on primers-powder-lead...Sorry,but Glocks dont fit into the "Caste System"

[Wayne Smith]

Stay focused Gary on primers-powder-lead...Sorry,but Glocks dont fit into the "Caste System"

Actually, Glocks digest cast just as well as any other gun. Just have to find the fit.

[WilliamDahl]

Actually, Glocks digest cast just as well as any other gun. Just have to find the fit.

So, what's the secret? I have a G29 that I'm planning on using with the 175 gr TL Lee bullet...

[bowfin]

If you are a hunter, take that money and go on a hunting trip.

If you are not a hunter, then buy up primers and powder.

I would rather DO something than HAVE something.

[fredj338]

A Gen 3 glock, you already have enough primers to feed it for a year.

Barely! With the powder he has on hand, he doesn't have enough primers w/ only 10K. So another 10K, $250, then spend the other $250 down payment on a new gun.;-)

[Alchemist]

Primers, primers and spend anything left over on primers.

They take up the least space storage wise, and can be bartered or sold later if necessary.