Firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies. Are they slowly coming back?

[Murphy]

Over the past year, I've noticed our local shops seem to be making a comeback. No, nothing at the prices they were a little over 3 years ago. But, the shelves are no longer bare. Our local Pawn & Gun shops were in pretty much the same shape as others 2 years ago. If the item(s) you were looking for were available, the prices were the same as anywhere else in the country, expensive.

Fast forward to where we are now. Firearm wise, they seem pretty well stocked. Ammunition is at least available if you're willing to pay the price. I can't say the same for reloading supplies. I hope eventually reloading supplies begin their come back at decent prices.

Now the real question. I've known the owners of the local shops for decades, all three of them. And no, I don't believe any of them would lie to me. Laugh if you wish, but I'm 69 and have a pretty solid hand on when someone isn't shooting straight with me. Especially if I've known them for decades. Thankfully, none have had to close their doors over the past 3 years of insane prices. But, they have to have things to sell to keep the doors open. From what I've gathered, they've had to pay high prices from distributors in order to get anything to put on the shelves, and making little profit when they do. In short, once their shelves are well stocked again and the pipeline has filled back up, then what for them? Sell their wares at a loss to keep from losing to online sales?

I will say this, it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out.


Murphy

[rbuck351]

Yeah, the shelves have a lot more product than they have had for a while but it's mostly the popular stuff. I like the somewhat unusual which are still unobtainium. Try finding 300H&H, 350Rem, 7.7Jap, 35Rem, 22H, 32/20, 41 mag, 410 shot shells 7.62x25 or even 38spl. Some of the ones I shoot haven't been available in a long time so I have spent years stocking up on the real odd ball stuff. 416 Rem, 358 Norma, 30 Rem, 256 Win, 22KH, 25/20, 7mm mauser and a couple others have kept me busy for years collecting enough brass and components to shoot any of these as much as I want for the rest of my days.

I got caught short of primers in the 70s and promised myself it would not happen again. So far so good.

I do feel sorry for those that are trying to get started reloading in the last few years.

[megasupermagnum]

To be honest I have not seen much of a change in the past 9 months or so. I did see a tiny bit of an improvement just before the Ukraine invasion. Overall I have to say this hasn't been as much of a shortage as it has been a stalemate. It wasn't like 2011 where things were just plain gone, cobwebs for months or years. You could always find what you wanted in a reasonable amount of time this shortage, it's just that you had to pay through the nose to get it. At any point in time of the past 2 years I could have driven to my local store and bought any type of primer I wanted... If I was willing to pay $115 per 1000 for them. Same with powders, they are there, if you pay. It's simply not reasonable to be paying that price though. It's bad for the business, it's bad for me. I really don't know how this is going to turn out. I'm not one of those who just threw up my hands and is accepting these prices as a new normal. Especially primers, good lord. You can buy giant 209 shotgun primers for $58 a thousand right now. There's no excuse for an itty bitty small pistol primer to be $100+. You saw these kinds of prices at gun shows in the Obama shortages, and eventually it went away until prices went down. I've had no issues finding bullets or brass. Lake City 7.62 brass is pretty tough to find now, but that has more to do with an Obama era thing against selling surplus. All we can do now is wait for this to sort out. I think a lot of people justified their $100+ primers because ammo was also so expensive. Well deals on ammo are out there now, and they are going to continue to come down in price. Unfortunately I have not seen as much improvement as I wanted to see. What we get this year is likely what we get for the next 4 years too.

[HWooldridge]

I wonder whether the current Ukraine-Russia conflict is driving the primer shortage and resulting higher prices or if we are still suffering from Covid and Biden’s election? I knew someone who used to work at a primer factory in 2019; at that time, she said they were running 24/7 and management was driving employees crazy with the OT, but there was no hint of adding capacity. They were simply going to run what the machines would produce and reap profits while they lasted.

[armoredman]

BassPro in Mesa now tends to have primers in stock, even IF it's $90 a brick, AND they are selling by the 1000 brick again, not limit two sleeves of 100.

[deces]

I know Hornady is sending a lot of Lapua ammo to ukrane. The Russians found some in a workshop in Mariupol. I wonder what is hiding in in Kyiv.
That might be why Hornady pulled retail of their 5.45mm brass.

[john.k]

In 2016/17 there seems to have been a primer overstock,and deep discounting all over .......I know by the end of 2019 ,and just pre covid ,Winchester announced 25% increases in primer prices across the board..........you just have to look at the annual reporting to the stockmarket of manufacturers of all kinds reporting doubled and tripled profits due mainly to the tight market for manufactures.

[M-Tecs]

I know Hornady is sending a lot of Lapua ammo to ukrane. The Russians found some in a workshop in Mariupol. I wonder what is hiding in in Kyiv.
That might be why Hornady pulled retail of their 5.45mm brass.

Why would Hornady be sending Lapua ammo to Ukraine? Lapua is not part of Hornady. The Lapua cartridge factory in Finland is also part of the Nammo group as Nammo Lapua Oy. In 2005, the present joint ownership between Patria and the Norwegian government was established.

Hornady does produce 338 Lapua magnum ammo. https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/338-lapua-magnum-270-gr-eld-x-precision-hunter#!/ and the 338 Lapua is seeing a lot of use over there.

[deces]

Hornady 338 Lapua, yup it's being forwarded.

[DCB]

picked up a brick of Federal #200 primers for $75 at a gun show

[Shawlerbrook]

Better than it was but still not great. We went from just about nothing available at crazy high prices to now some things available at crazy high prices.

[deltaenterprizes]

Fiochi , wrong spelling, is setting up a factory to make lead free primers here so that will put more in the pipeline and hopefully bring prices down.

[GhostHawk]

Going to be hard sledding for the brick and mortar local gun shops.

Profit margins are going to be reduced. People have learned that even when the shelves are empty they can still get what they need online with a bit of patience.

If you have a good local gun shop, support it.

Locally the Scheel's stores have been pretty rough on the local gun stores.
I walked into a scheels 5 years ago looking for powder and primers. They had none to sell me of any kind and I have not been back.

My local Fleet Farm on the other hand has had limited powder and primers off and on. And they are pretty good at letting me know when they expect a big shipment.
So they continue to get my support to some extent at least. They also have good supplys of brass for a wide variety of calibers. I know I bought .44mag and .45 colt brass from them and was pleased to find it was Starline brass.

[pworley1]

In my area you can get about anything you want if you are willing to pay the asking price. I haven't reached that point yet.

[Thumbcocker]

Finding primers and powder in the area. A little pricey but it doesn't eat anything and won't spoil.

[Harter66]

I quit looking at the shelves when the only box of 45 Colts I'd seen in 2 years was over $2 a pop after taxes for Cowboy loads .

I combined Dad's leftovers with mine , aside from a few second hand dies , sets , and misc small tools I haven't bought anything for the loading room since 2018 . I wish I'd bought a couple more arsenal packs of LRP. I would imagine that I'll get by for a while more . I ain't buying a primer until they come back under 60/100 .

[atr]

I do not think the supplies are coming back. The supply chain is still a mess after covid, there are real problems with manufacturing, especially primers, the war in Ukraine is sucking up a lot of the production of primers, powder, and brass. I have no problem with diverting production to the Ukrainian war if that helps kill Russians.

[MUSTANG]

Although many have poo-pooed the idea; and the spokespersons for the Plants, the Company, and the "Industry" have related how they are "Working 24/7 and can not keep up with the shortages due to ___________. Fill in the Blank.

The reloading community and the Shooting Sports community are being impacted by lack of competition. We have experienced the drastic reduction in numbers of producers. Wall Street "Holding Companies" have gone on Acquisition of competing companies. Narrowing the numbers of Producers and retailers to a Hand full for those controlling the Production and Distribution. Yes we have had inflation; but that was driven by the SAME condition; that being Industry and the Government joining hands to Plan and Control the Industry (Called Socialism when Government and Industry Band together to control the Markets and Populace for their benefit - removing the Individual choices and Adam Smiths Invisible Hand from the Market place.

Imports of Primers and Powder are an alternative to excessively high prices and shortages, but these are significantly controlled and encumbered by the Federal Government on behalf of the Industry. Entrance of competitors into the market are controlled by the Local, State and Federal Governments through Environmental, Health, Zoning, Safety, and other ordinances and laws that add little to the Safety of the populace - but keeps competitors from entering the market unless they have a few spare 10's of Billions laying around. The entrepreneur who with a 1 to 50 $Million investment fund need not apply.

I anticipate as others have said, we will see Primers and Powders become available on the shelves - but prices will only drop a little as the shop owners have invested significant capital in stocking their shelves and do not want to take loss on inventory (Think the Local Gas Stations dilemma when prices go up then supply comes back. The Mega Corporations have enjoyed super profits on their Products and do not want to lower their profit margins. Deep down in my gut; I believe the Mega Corporations controlling the production and distribution of Firearms, Ammunition, and Components are "WOKE" and are going to extract all they can from a despised clientele - when the profits drop they will extract every dollar possible and either shutter some of the plants, break the companies off and sell them, or simply Take their $Millions & $Billions and walk away leaving the stockholders with a raided and depleted treasury wondering what happened. When it comes to Big Oil, Big Food, Big Etc... the News and Political environment want to "Break Them Up" for the good of the people. In the case of Big Fire Arm, Big Ammo, and Big Component Producers there is no call for overwatch or breaking them up for the good of the people - also no plans for allowing/improving ability to compete in the market.


In the mean time - I am comfortable in primers, Powder, Brass, and Ball/Lead. I am concerned for others and my GrandKids who I want to get into shooting and reloading and see a long term problem on the horizon.

[RSAPD]

It has been a little challenging to get into BP reloading. I had to wait a year to get the powder and primers. Particularly primers. I had to get them off GB. Still can't find primers anywhere. Smokeless powder is now much more available as well. I have been able to find all the projectiles I want but I know it is hard to find certain calibers and configurations.

[dverna]

Went to a large sports store in Claire MI on Sunday and lots of powder for $300+ a jug. No primers...or at least I could not see them. I did not ask as I am set on primers. Shot at $70/bag.

Posted a link that had to be removed due the company name having a 'bad word' in it and primers were $70/k shipped.

I think primers will settle in at the $60/k range. Seeing quite a bit of powder on line for $30-35/lb.

People who want to shoot will shoot. People looking for excuses not to shoot will not shoot. Most people will fall in between and shoot less.

[HWooldridge]

I personally don't need any but percussion caps still seem to be non-existent (except for musket caps, which do appear to be available.

[MT Gianni]

I was in the Missoula Scheels yesterday. They had over 40 varieties of powder priced from $36.99 to $42 for what I looked at.

[abunaitoo]

Nothing here, but we are at the end of the supply line.
Prices are crazy high.
Shops all blame the high shipping cost.
Strange because no Haz-mat on cases and bullets, but prices sky high.
Glad I cast boolets.

[deces]

I know the company that bought up gunbroker recently, publicly announced once that they sent like a million rounds of 5.56 early in the war. I doubt they ever stopped.

[megasupermagnum]

Went to a large sports store in Claire MI on Sunday and lots of powder for $300+ a jug. No primers...or at least I could not see them. I did not ask as I am set on primers. Shot at $70/bag.

Posted a link that had to be removed due the company name having a 'bad word' in it and primers were $70/k shipped.

I think primers will settle in at the $60/k range. Seeing quite a bit of powder on line for $30-35/lb.

People who want to shoot will shoot. People looking for excuses not to shoot will not shoot. Most people will fall in between and shoot less.

I think that's the most accurate assessment. $60 per 1000 is at least on par with the prices of everything else right now.

[lightman]

I think things are slowly coming back.

A year and a half ago the gun counters were mostly bare at the local BassPro and the ammo and reloading isles were bare. The only die sets were things like the WSSM's, ect. Now the gun counters are pretty well stocked.The reloading isles have dies, presses and other tools. Shelves are full of ammo and they have primers behind the counters. A decent supply of powder in the 30-50 dollar range. They have a decent supply of Hornady Bullets.

About the same at another large outdoor store. A while back I found a 500 count box of Sierra BlitzKings on a back shelf at this store for pre-pandemic prices and scarfed them up!

Midway, MidSouth and Powder Valley get primers powder and primers, although the primers don't stay around very long.

[Swineherd]

Was caught with my pants down during this last lockdown shortage. Never again. Took a twofold approach. First: I bought what I could when i could. Second: I assembled everything I need to manufacture my own ammunition, excepting brass (haven't solved that puzzle yet). I can cast my own boolits from the few thousand lbs lead I've scrounged, reload my own primers from the tens of thousands of spent cups and anvils I've collected, I'm tooled up to manufacture BP and I can shoot my "primitive" firearms indiscriminately using a bare minimum of my components.

I remember the many angry posts, here and elsewhere, berating anyone paying $90 or $100 per brick for primers, or $0.60/ round for 45acp.
"Stop buying components!", "You're just helping price gougers keep the price up!!!"

Prices aren't going down. Biden bucks are.

[MUSTANG]

Was caught with my pants down during this last lockdown shortage. Never again. Took a twofold approach. First: I bought what I could when i could. Second: I assembled everything I need to manufacture my own ammunition, excepting brass (haven't solved that puzzle yet). I can cast my own boolits from the few thousand lbs lead I've scrounged, reload my own primers from the tens of thousands of spent cups and anvils I've collected, I'm tooled up to manufacture BP and I can shoot my "primitive" firearms indiscriminately using a bare minimum of my components.

I remember the many angry posts, here and elsewhere, berating anyone paying $90 or $100 per brick for primers, or $0.60/ round for 45acp.
"Stop buying components!", "You're just helping price gougers keep the price up!!!"

Prices aren't going down. Biden bucks are. Going Down in Value.

Fixed it.

[MUSTANG]

Anyone attempted to make a useable Rifle or pistol Case out of a 3D Printer yet? As alluded to previously; we have options (although some are poor/bad options for Reloading/fabricating primers, Swage/Cast Ball, even making black powder and White Powder; but that pesky Brass Case.......

[Swineherd]

Anyone attempted to make a useable Rifle or pistol Case out of a 3D Printer yet? As alluded to previously; we have options (although some are poor/bad options for Reloading/fabricating primers, Swage/Cast Ball, even making black powder and White Powder; but that pesky Brass Case.......

Definitely a problem in dire need of a solution.
I'm amazed at the ingenuity displayed by firearms DIYers now. A 3d printer is on my shopping list, I would love to begin rifling my own barrels by means of ECM.

[dverna]

Anyone attempted to make a useable Rifle or pistol Case out of a 3D Printer yet? As alluded to previously; we have options (although some are poor/bad options for Reloading/fabricating primers, Swage/Cast Ball, even making black powder and White Powder; but that pesky Brass Case.......

Firearms for critical needs should be selected wisely so things like cases will never be in short supply.

For example, my core calibers are 9mm, 5.56 and .308. Brass for 9mm and 5.56 are currently selling for about the same price as scrap brass. But, in any case, even if a person did not stockpile a few thousand, there will never be a shortage of brass for these calibers. There is nothing that needs to be done that cannot be done with those three calibers.

3D printing will not produce cases that will take the pressure of CF calibers. Even if the cases could take the pressure, it would be a painfully slow process, and the product would likely not be reloadable.

[45_Colt]

I'm not up on the latest 3D printers. But should be able to print a plastic cartridge body above/onto a brass base.

Down the road should be able to print a full brass or steel cartridge. Isn't steel printing being done now?

45_Colt

[Loudenboomer]

Powder is available if you don't mind a little substitution on some flavors. Large rifle magnum primers have been the most challenging to find.

[rbuck351]

I think I have over 500 lbs of brass. I'm 74 and don't shoot competition so I don't think I will ever have to buy another piece of brass.

I learned my lesson in the 70s when I ran short of primers. Now, fifty years later, I won't run out of anything for the rest of my shooting days.

[Swineherd]

"..there will never be a shortage of brass for these calibers. There is nothing that needs to be done that cannot be done with those three calibers."

Lotta absolutes in those sentences.

[Boogan1]

Starting to see primers more frequently at online suppliers and prices coming down slowly. Target Sports Usa today has federal small pistol primers for $90 a thousand.