The skinny on the rush...

[jdgabbard]

I'm not saying its over... But this is what I've noticed from looking at various other sources over the last few weeks.

1) The seems to be a higher availability on Molds found on Feebay. The prices seem to somewhat reasonable for the most part. And there are a few NEW Lyman molds being offered from time to time as well.

2) Availability of primers. While I was able to buy what I wanted, for the most part, throughout the rush, I've noticed that there does seem to be primers showing up on shelves a little more often and in greater quantity.

3) Seems as though powder is doing about as well as primers. There are starting to be larger selections available again.

4) As for equipment, while I can't really speak for everywhere, I have noticed a little more being on the shelves and being available online.

My conclusion is that the rush is beginning to ease a LITTLE. I think this is due to the fact that many people's orders are finally getting filled, as well as the people who have been hording have obtained just about what they think they need, and the guys who bulk buy to try and turn a profit are realizing they need to sell what they have before they buy anymore stuff to sell at 500% profit.

Now it is up to us, and the rest of the nation, to not "try and take advantage" of the situation. Remember, should you, myself, or joe blow down the street decided to run to the local reloading supply store and buy every primer, die set, and pound of powder they have it will just blow right back up.

While I'm in no position to tell anyone what to do, I would urge you to think about the others. If you have a good supply of primers, such as myself, then maybe put off buying until it calms down a bit more. If you are out, by all means go buy yourself some, but just remember the guy down the road who is probably out too, and think to leave some for him. If you're not sure, and wanting to buy what you can just in case. Well, just remember that's exactly how this whole thing took off in the first place...

My .02, for what its worth...

[462]

jdgabbard,

I hope your vision becomes reality.

I retired early and started casting about the time The Socialist became popular and product became scarce, and I got caught a bit short on powder and primers. Moulds, sizers, top punches, etc., haven't been a problem, so far.

Locally, there is one gun-related business, but the owner is first and foremost a gunsmith and Gunbroker seller, and not really into selling reloading supplies and equipment. He hasn't had any powder or primers available for well over a year.

Twenty-miles away is a new start-up business, but they cater to the hunter, and they, too, have very little in the way of reloading necessities, though, about 6-months-ago, I was able to buy a pound of 2400 and a brick of primers. However, they've been out of stock since.

The closest yearly gun show is over 2-hour's drive time to a city that has a population that is more than that of the entire state of Montana. I've not much gumption to want to go there and fight the crowds just to be ripped off by profiteers.

So, I have been biding my time waiting for the miniscule primer backorder -- one that I can afford -- to be filled...

[jdgabbard]

You know, I do feel that the people living in more rural areas are at the greatest disadvantage not only during the drought, but before it as well. As there are just not as many sources of those items besides online or from mail order companies.

Hopefully things will look better for you in the near future. I know I look forward to when I can go shoot a couple times a week, a 1/2k at a time. But for now I'm smart enough to ration my shooting untill things do lighten towards the end of the tunnel..

[runfiverun]

what i've noticed is they either got powder or primers but not both.

[WHITETAIL]

:Fire:I can't say either way right now.
Because I have stayed away from the
gun shops.
Only because I load all winter to shoot
in the summer.
The only thing I do besides shoot in the
summer is smelt lead.

[Bret4207]

Could be people are running low on money and can't afford the stuff.

[Vly]

I watch the online classified ad sites, and I am seeing more and more boats, guns, tools ( air compressors/tablesaws etc ) for sale with a comment to the effect " my wife/I lost my job" and this needs to go.

Many businesses are closing and people are losing jobs. The marketplace is undergoing another change as money tightens up.

[45r]

Saeco molds are still hard to find.Many are listed out of stock at Midway,Grafs,etc.Went to Cabelas last weekend and no primers.I hope your right and things come back to normal.I ordered a Saeco 350GC mold for my 45-70 and it was the last one they had at Buffalo Arms.I got a Saeco 480PB off E-bay for 50 bucks a while back and it drops perfect boolits every time and shoots MOA.The stuff is out there.I guess you have to keep an eye out for the good deals.

[Freightman]

I wish I had a few more primers, but I have enough powder to carry some to the pearly gates, hope things do loosen up as I will be out in about two years. There was a man at the range shooting his .22 the other day ( the stock and sights look to have cost more than my Sharps) said he wished things would get better as the ammo he shot had went up to $2000 a case. I didn't comment, the economy isn't bad for all.

[jdgabbard]

There was a man at the range shooting his .22 the other day ( the stock and sights look to have cost more than my Sharps) said he wished things would get better as the ammo he shot had went up to $2000 a case. I didn't comment, the economy isn't bad for all.

When I saw walmart had just gotten in a supply of .22lr ammo a while back I picked up two 550rd boxes. If it doesn't get better that should supply me for a little bit. Thats about the best thing to shoot right now, if you can find it.

[Shiloh]

bought WIN SP Primers last week. Bought 1000 to replace some of what I've shot up.
I still think availability will increase. Maybe price will go down. Ya Think??
These cost me $38 + tax

Shiloh

[Nate1778]

I think your SPP and SRP will be the last to show at the party. I think those sizes are the one that took the beating the most. I also hope your right, although I just bought a sleeve of FED match SPP at $39 per K plus hazmat. More then I wanted to pay but it will get me through the season.

[Shiloh]

I think your SPP and SRP will be the last to show at the party. I think those sizes are the one that took the beating the most. I also hope your right, although I just bought a sleeve of FED match SPP at $39 per K plus hazmat. More then I wanted to pay but it will get me through the season.

There Ya Go!!

In times like these, ones swallows hard and lays the money down.
What else are you going to do?? This to shall pass. When available, I replace what I use, rotate stock and continue to shoot.

Shiloh

[jameslovesjammie]

The only place I've been able to find any primers was two weeks ago when I went back to my rural hometown. Went into the sporting goods store and picked up 5,000 CCI 500's. I reload for my sister, father in law and his wife, friend, and his father. 5,000 isn't as many as you may think when you spread them out.

[GabbyM]

Primers are still under $30 per K for standard non match grade. Any thing more and you're being taken advantage of. I can buy all the primers I need for $30 per K right over the tail gate of my local kitchen table FFL holders pick up truck. Their are online catalogs still taking back orders at their normal price. At least normal since the increases last year.

People just need to chill a bit. Heck if you've your eighty rounds and a good pair of boots to haul your favorite rifle you have all you need to go fight The Battle Of Armageddon. Speaking of the end of the world as we know it. It's been what? Nine months since this rush began. Volume at 1.2 billion rounds per month. Just here in the USA alone. Looks to me like we've sold enough ammo to have two rounds per human on this planet. Sure doesn't sound like a shortage to me.