Advantages of a Shortage of Material

[Tar Heel]

Having been reloading for a few decades, one accumulates a goodly amount of powders, primers, brass, dies, molds, and other doodads needed to wallow in matters of the gun. Today whilst trying to determine what, if any, of my older stock could be used in the 35 Remington cartridges, I managed to get into stock I have had on hand for over 40 years. I finally used up the last of the Gander Mountain IMR-4895 I purchased in 1994 for $15, the last of AA-2520 I bought in Virginia in 1990 for $14.95, the last of the Remington LR primers I bought who knows when for $9.50 PER THOUSAND, and some other component powders and primers that I purchased when Elmer Keith was a baby.

It never ceases to amaze me how well these components keep over time if stored properly. The joy at seeing them in their now antique boxes, tubes, and metal cans is splendid and brings back memories of gun stores no longer there, friends who have gone to the open range with unlimited ammo, and believe it or not, memories of music that used to be played in some of those stores around a pot-bellied stove. Wood smoke and Hoppe's smells dominated the atmosphere in those old stores in Virginia. New modern stores are too clean!

Well I have finally made some room to move other cans of powder into the storage boxes. Same problem just newer stock!

Shoot Safe!

[FergusonTO35]

I'm only 42 and already I have discontinued powder and bullets that I bought new. Also look at price stickers on some of my stuff and wish I had bought alot more of it!

[Soundguy]

Yup.. It's amazing what we collect. Im thankful though.

[Half Dog]

I agree. The sales stickers on some of my components/ammo are a good indicator of the times we are in. Memories are of value now.

[bimus]

When using a can of powder from the 80's just to use it up I found my best 30-30 load Lee 164 grain cast and H 4198

[dimaprok]

I picked up couple steel cans of powder from a acquaintance who's friend's dad passed away. One can was IMR 4320 that was open and other is IMR 4350. I found that I can use 4320 for .308 that I just started to reload last year so I made some ammo with 147gr pulled FMJ I had and it shot .6 MOA 3 shot group! The gun is cheapo Mossberg from walmart.

The sticker on the can says $3.29 and there was some rust in the cap but it sure worked. How old is that can - I have no idea.

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[VA Jim]

I picked up couple steel cans of powder from a acquaintance who's friend's dad passed away. One can was IMR 4320 that was open and other is IMR 4350. I found that I can use 4320 for .308 that I just started to reload last year so I made some ammo with 147gr pulled FMJ I had and it shot .6 MOA 3 shot group! The gun is cheapo Mossberg from walmart.

The sticker on the can says $3.29 and there was some rust in the cap but it sure worked. How old is that can - I have no idea.

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That powder is probably from late 60’s to early 70’s. I just finished off a pound of 3031 from then with a price tag of $3.25.

[Texas by God]

Every powder that I have with a price tag of less than $10 is getting used up this year.
Lord Willing!
Most all of it is slow rifle powders so I'll happily use my 1970's vintage Remington 9-1/2M primers to light it up.

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[dverna]

I have powders I have never used. One is AA Light and I have 24 lbs of it. For trap and plinking ammunition I do not get too anal.

The issue now is “wasting” primers that I can sell for $120+/k.

Nice knowing I can ride out the current shortage.

[MrWolf]

I have a habit of buying something that I think I might need within a kind of foreseeable future. Yea end up with some clutter but I really hate having to look for something when I really need it. Kinda came in handy this go round as I basically have everything I need. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.

[sharps4590]

You do realize Elmer was born in 1899.... I think that's the same year Bullseye came out, followed by Unique in 1902.

I just finished a can of DuPont black powder marked $2.60 and some CCI primers marked 78 cents a hundred. All of it has worked. Also have some goodies older than that.

[smkummer]

Yep, times like these allow us to use up old stuff. Every time I use up CCI primers from the early seventies, I sometimes stumble over more at another gun show in small lots. I haven’t gotten a bad batch yet. On other words, as much as I try to use up the old, I keep finding small lots for a good price I can’t pass up.

[Wild Bill 7]

I recently bought a box of stuff from a friend who bought it from a friend who’s father passed away. Had a couple of vintage Lyman bullet molds, Lyman 310 tool, a couple of really old rifle scopes, round ball for black powder guns and some old cci primers. SP Primers had 85 cents on the box, and some LPP and LRP but no price. The bullet molds look like they just came from Lyman’s warehouse. They even came in the original boxes also.

[Johnch]

LOL
I just used up a bag of #7 ( Not 7 1/2 ) Mag lead shot
It was priced $9.99

I also found 3 unopened bottles of AA #9 powder
These are a square sort of off white or light gray color
From where I found them stashed
I bought these at least 20 if not 30 years ago

John

[VariableRecall]

It's quite unfortunate that I've only really seen the price crunch as product has dried up like the Aral Sea! Even with the tough prices right now, I know that anything's better than having to pay full price for ammunition right now. Things are trickling back and hopefully I can enjoy getting to the store with some primers for a price that I don't have to be so reluctant to look at!