Ordering Powder and Primers in Quantity

[NVcurmudgeon]

I've been trying to forestall the latest round of component price increases since the first of the year. First move was to buy a few one lb. cans of powder and a couple of 1,000 packages of primers at Sportsman's Warehouse. SW has had the friendliest powder prices in the Reno area, and I managed to beat the anticipated Feb. 1 price increases. I also tried to buy an 8 lb. jug of 2400, but they were out of stock though I was told repeatedly, "we should have it in a week." They did not have it in a week, or even seven weeks. After all that time they finally admitted that the 8 lb. jugs of powder "is a discontinued item." (Notice that they did not say that Alliant had discontinued it.) The new Cabela's came into the area with no large packages of powder or any intentions of ever having any. There are a very few local gun shops, but I have already experienced their small stocks and Gold Rush prices.

Then I let my fingers do the walking on the internet. Powder Valley was able to sell me the 8 lb. of 2400, a 5 lb. jug of RL-15, and 5,000 CCI SP primers for $326.75, delivered. For comparison I checked Midway and Graf. Midway would have been about $51 higher and Graf $33 higher, assuming the same amount for hazmat and shipping. The hazmat and shipping fees were not too bad, $33. I could have had 48 lbs. shipped Kansas to Nevada for $40, and would have if the gun fund had held up. I guess PV is able to beat everybody else on components because that is their specialty. I can imagine the trainloads of components rolling into Kansas!

[Calamity Jake]

I just received an order from PV myself a couple of weeks ago, 30,000 primers, 10,000 being the wolf LP to play with in my CAS guns.

[sundog]

The folks at Powder Valley are nice, too. I see them twice a year at the big Tulsa Arms show and pick up powder and primer there. Saves the shipping and gives me an excuse to cruise around ten acres of guns, all under one roof. It's HUGE.

Jake, we need a report on the Wolf primers when you get around to it.

[Morgan Astorbilt]

I just received 8lbs Red Dot, and 10K Fed. LP primers from Midsouth, for $389.98. This included the shipping and Hazmat charge.
Morgan

[PatMarlin]

No more Reno Show deals Bill?

[NVcurmudgeon]

No more Reno Show deals Bill?

Pat, as far as I know, the BRGS still has the big ammo company with the large display in both ballrooms. (The name escapes me.) They always have good prices on WW primers only. I can't address their ammo prices because I buy precious little factory ammo. There is no powder sold at the show. There are a couple of tables that have good factory brass displays, though at about the prices you can get at one of the big mail order houses.

[Scrounger]

I believe that is a company named Miwall, out of Grass Valley, CA.

[PatMarlin]

What's the going price these days from the big WW primers at the shows? I know they've got to be more than the $6 per thousand I paid last time I was there.. :Fire:

[JIMinPHX]

I think they were $22-24/M at the show here in Phoenix a few months ago.

[NVcurmudgeon]

I believe that is a company named Miwall, out of Grass Valley, CA.

Miwall is it, see I remembered just as soon as you told me!

[NVcurmudgeon]

there was one more saving by ordering from PV. Not paying sales tax paid 2/3 of the shipping and hazmat fees. Guess that won't work for you Jayhawkers.

[Dorf]

Does Powder Valley have a very slow loading web page? I'm having a hard job of getting it to load. Also, has anyone else found difficulty in getting WLR Primers? My local sources (including Sportsman's Wharehouse) can't seem to supply them in 1K units. TIA, Stan

[Duckiller]

Pat,Miwall was selling WW LP primers in Glendale CA for Approx. $117.00 tax included Mach 1 & 2. From memory,( I bought LP) LR were about the same, SP non-mag were cheaper, maybe $95.00 plus tax. Duckiller

[BD]

Being a yankee, and just about as tight as a pine knot, i ahve researched this very subject. The best deal I was able to find was to order through Grafs. Last time I did this was two years ago IMS. Buy four 8 pounders of powder and Grafs will pay the shipping and hazmat. Add 10,000 primers and you'll go over the $500 mark getting you an additional 5% discount. Grafs will ship the primers in the same box, and the weight stays below 50 lb, so the primers are also riding for free.

BD

[NVcurmudgeon]

BD, as a Yankee/Confederate half breed, I'm just as thrifty as you. Graf is my favorite of the mail order houses. I get about three $100 orders from them every year, but have been happy until now to get powder and primers locally. I printed out your strategy to save for my next big P&P order. Thank you.

[RFWobbly]

BD -
I also like Grafs, and you're right... that's one to remember. Thanks.

[mroliver77]

With the price of everything in my life doubled in the past couple years my shoting budget is next to nil. I have been loading from the stash and not replacing. I guess I need to cut down on food. Luckily I can shoot at home and have a decent supply of lead. Primers and powder are hard to get along without.
J

[Cherokee]

Powder Valley does well for me. Primers are my main concern, then powder. Have plenty of lead for casting boolets.

[softpoint]

You guys have now convinced me that I don't have enough! Let the hoarding begin! ( I already was..kinda..).:-D
Cut down on calories, increase shooting.

[jdhenry]

I just bought 10,000 wolf primers from Wideners for $214.00.

The only place I have found around me with a brick of 1,000 for under $28.00 never has them in stock and when they do it is only 5-600 at a time. So I figured what the heck and spent $14.00 more ordering it, So I have it all at once:)

[Bret4207]

Man, you guys have me thinking. 8lbs 2400, 8 of RD, 8 of Unique and 8 of something like 3031 or 4895 and a mess of primers.... That'd last me a long, long time. a couple pounds of RL 22 and some BE and I'd be set for even longer.

[kenjuudo]

Black Hills Shooters Supply sold me Winchester small rifle and pistol primers for 93.35 case. Large rifle and pistol for 94.40. 8 pound kegs of titegroup for 102. 89. No other shipping or hazmat, the price is the price. Invoice is a month old, prices may have gone up.

3 small pistol 280.05
2 small rifle 186.70
4 large pistol 377.60
1 large rifle 94.40
3 kegs TG 308.67

total 1247.42

[Hip's Ax]

I can't shop at Black Hills Shooters Supply as I don't have an FFL or firearms related business. No retail sales.

I always try and beat the 1 January price increases, Powder Valley is my usual stop. Bought 500 Lapua 6.5-284 brass, 8 pounds of H4350 and 8 pounds of WW748. The powder is still the same price but man did the brass go up, paid 75 cents per piece then, they are 84 cents now!

Also bought 1000 6.5 142 gr match kings from Widener's in December, paid $119 per 500 then, now they are $145 to $150!

[be603]

Looks like Black Hills saved you about $14/5K primers vs Powder Valley. On the other hand it cost $6/8lbs more for Titegroup vs Powder Valley.

Still that primer savings is enough to make me think about finding an FFL who'll order from BlackHills for me. Not sure it's worth getting a state sellers permit to fax BHSS in hopes of buying direct.

I'm waiting on my share (8K) of primers on a bulk buy from Powder Valley with some guys at work. I signed up for 5K CCI LP and 3K CCI SP (round off at 5K qty for pricing benefit).l

First time we've done it together and really got a good response. Ran up to max weight/price break quickly. Looks like we'll do another pwdr/primer order right away.

dw