Reloading powder question?

[ChaoSS]

I'm trying to start reloading. Haven't been paying attention to components availability until just now as I'm trying to get set up.

Is powder, specifically various pistol powders, in the same category as .22lr? Is it just unavailable most of the time, having to order stuff on back order? Or am I just looking in the wrong spots?

Sorry if this comes off like the guys who are just now realizing that you can't walk into a Walmart and pick up a 12 dollar brick of .22lr, but I really don't know. Is this as bad as .22, where I have to get to the right website within seconds of it becoming available, or is it not quite that bad? Any advice on where to buy?

[OldShooter32]

It's out there...just keep looking. Gunbot.net has real time listing, but you have to jump on them!

[FromTheGrave]

Keep an eye out on the "Powder in stock" thread in "Ammo and Reloading" section on the forum.

It's pretty elusive, but it comes around.

[kcheung2]

Yeah pistol powders are hard to find. But the good thing is that, depending on the powder, a pound will typically load 1200-1400 rounds. So if you can find just a few pounds, you'll be set for a long time.

Rifle powders are much easier to find.

[Snoopy47]

Powder is starting to come back, and can be found on GunBroker.com

Even if you think you are paying a premium powder is still the cheapest component of reloading. So paying 50% more still is only a fraction of a cent per round.

[ChaoSS]

Has it been hard to find for as long as .22lr? Or has it been more intermittent?

[Metal God]

Even if you think you are paying a premium powder is still the cheapest component of reloading. So paying 50% more still is only a fraction of a cent per round.

^^^This^^^ x10

It makes me laugh when people don't do the math . $40 a brick of primers is WAY to much . Well that"s a penny more a primer . I load Match 308 for $.55 and match 223 for $.35 . OH NO but if I had to pay $.56 and $.36 that would just be a deal breaker . Same thing with powder . Do the math and you will see even what seems like it cost a lot , really doesn't .

[GW]

Try Wideners online
What town are you in?
There might be shops you don't know about and other folks in your town might know of shops with stock.

[ChaoSS]

^^^This^^^ x10

It makes me laugh when people don't do the math . $40 a brick of primers is WAY to much . Well that"s a penny more a primer . I load Match 308 for $.55 and match 223 for $.35 . OH NO but if I had to pay $.56 and $.36 that would just be a deal breaker . Same thing with powder . Do the math and you will see even what seems like it cost a lot , really doesn't .

Funny thing is that right now, I want to run through some ammo, make sure that this is something I'm willing to do before I go out and buy 20 pounds of powder and 20,000 primers in one big huge bulk order... Which means that right now I'm quite willing to pay a premium on the components. I just spent 40 bucks on a box of 1000 primers, and another 40 on a box of 250 bullets, because I thought I was going to be able to get some powder at another store... somehow I managed to not notice that the guy handed me magnum primers until I got home, so now I get to see if he'll take them back, and I ended up not being able to find any powder at the local stores.

I'm in/near Visalia, I called the local stores, there are some more stores up near Fresno that I can call, I work up that way so I could stop in before work one day if they have them in stock.

I was just hoping to get everything in the next two weeks, two weeks from now I'm going to be on bed rest (or at least off of work, supposed to be resting) for 4 days so I was hoping to start working through the process then, but now it's looking like that won't be happening.

[Snoopy47]

I've haven't noticed any differences between Magnum or Regular primers. I just stay away from Wolf because they are really hard, and my match guns sometimes get light strikes. If you are loading for a polymer duty pistol then Wolf should be fine as anything else.

I've been playing this components game ever since I started reloading years ago.

The costliest part of reloading is the Bullet, and is at least 60% of the overall cost.

So I've since learned to simply buy as much as I can get my hands on when prices are low, and say out of the market when prices are high. I've learned to shoot several different bullet types.

[Snoopy47]

I was just hoping to get everything in the next two weeks, two weeks from now I'm going to be on bed rest (or at least off of work, supposed to be resting) for 4 days so I was hoping to start working through the process then, but now it's looking like that won't be happening.

I don't depend on local sources.

If you are willing to order your components you could get everything by the end of the week.

At the time of writing this post I found the following:

Primers (both large and small for pistol, you have to search the site not all manufactures have both large and small, so you have to mix and match brands):

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

Powder (you have to simply take the risk on GunBroker)

8# of Unique with a buy now at $300 which is $37.5 a pound (kind of steep)

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=477995245

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=477791326

Bullets:

Plated

http://www.xtremebullets.com/Copper-Plated-Bullets-s/2897.htm

Cast

http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?pageNum_rsCWResults=1&category=5&secondary=19

Moly Coated

https://www.blackbulletsinternational.com/

Jacketed

https://precisiondelta.com/

**********************

There, you are good to go. The above hooked you up for both Fast and Slow pistol powders. Large and Small pistol primers, and bullet types of any caliber of Cast, Plated, Jacketed, or Coated.

You can have everything by the end of the week if you order it now.

You simply need to web surf, and start making a list of vendors you like.

[blackandredwarrior]

I'm in/near Visalia, I called the local stores, there are some more stores up near Fresno that I can call, I work up that way so I could stop in before work one day if they have them in stock.

Clovis:
Breco [was there today and didn't see anything that looked like pistol powder, but they had primers]
Valley Rod & Gun [same there a week ago 4/3]

Fresno:
Herb Bauer

Madera Ranchos:
Spencer's

[ja308]

It may not be of value to you, but www.angelesshootingranges may have pistol powder available . I would call them and you can always drive down and visit the best public gun range in the USA if they have what you want.

Personally for 45acp Ive only used 1 powder. It was acceptable when I 1st used it and still is .

One thing to consider is getting a powder that fills or nearly fills each case . Doing so will eliminate any chance of a double charge. Something many folks do at least once .

[Calif Hunter]

I use Titegroup for my standard pistol cartridges, (9mm. .38 SPL, .45 ACP, .44 SPL, .45 Colt) but it may not be the best choice for a new reloader as you use so little and it may be easy to miss a double charge. A 4-lb jug has lasted a couple years.... It can also be used in .357, .41 or .44 mags if you are not looking for top velocity.

[stormvet]

It's out there, I've got my pistol powder stock back up to 18 lbs.