As consumers we have some inkling why primers (and most everything our hobby requires) suddenly became so scarce and / or expensive.
The (pandemic-inspired?) run of firearm purchases tightened up ammo supply resulting in more components going to ammo makers and less for us
Hoarding and /or buyers with some foresight
Raw materials prices went up
Shipping costs went up
Lockdowns and expanded unemployment benefits led to a worker shortage
Biden’s ban on Russian ammo imports
Federal agencies (FBI, IRS etc.) also placed what seemed to be big orders
It seemed, just as most of the above issues were being taken care of, the conflict in Europe increased demand for ammo & primers again.
To be sure primer and powder prices have dramatically increased. The above reasons have brought this on us, and we can also assume few in ammo manufacturing and distribution are upset about increased prices and profits brought on by real and contrived shortages.
I’m just waiting for Mr. Executive Action to redefine who is an ammo manufacturer and thus subject to ATF regulations, inspection, additional taxes, fees and licenses. He is already expanding who must use or become an FFL.
If disarming the public is the end goal, knowing who produces ammunition is essential.
This administration will do anything they can to build up the registration data base.
I finally was able to buy small pistol primers by the case for the first time in 3 years.
Expensive, so could only afford one case, but they were available and no restriction at Black Sheep sporting goods...
Attachment 311809
"Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River
I see the price of primers is slowly comming down. Scheels in reno nevada has small rifle primers for $74/1000. Not the $30/1k they used to cost but if you really needed them its better than $100+/1k I've seem them online for.
Jeff Bartlett has small rifle primers $350/5000. with so many online scams its always best to shop with trusted sources such as Jeff or powder valley, midway, mid south, Grafs, ect
new factory breaking ground, there is no telling how long till we actually see boxes of the products available for purchase and testing.
There is a $100.000.000 plant set for opening in Hooks Texas <Part of the old Lone Star Ammo>with over 400 workers. Wilson has built an ammo plant in Clarksville Texas--Red River county<bought out Lehigh Ammo> and a new primer plant in Lamar County set to open this year.
Thanks OP for sharing the plant news! It’s good to hear that things are going to keep loosening up in the future!
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |