Reloaders a dying bread

[Scarman]

I started reloading about 10 years ago. Over the years buying reloading supplies locally has become more difficult. I used to be able to drive into Fresno and pick up anything I needed. A few years ago lead started to become hard to find around here, so I was forced to mail order my bullets. In the past year or so, powder and primers are now becoming hard to find. Stores around the Fresno area don't stock this stuff like they used to. It looks like I'll have to start ordering powder and primers from out of the area in the very near future. With the cost of shipping lead and the hasmat fees for powder and primers, it starts to take a bite out of my reloading budget.

I was just wondering if anyone else is seeing the same trend of locally available reloading supplies becoming scarce. I assume if the local retailers were making money selling the stuff they would keep stocking the supplies. It's hard to imagine most individual reloaders would be able to purchase large quantities of reloading supplies on their own to be able to compete with the large quantity buying power of a retail store.

[TKo_Productions]

I started reloading about 10 years ago. Over the years buying reloading supplies locally has become more difficult. I used to be able to drive into Fresno and pick up anything I needed. A few years ago lead started to become hard to find around here, so I was forced to mail order my bullets. In the past year or so, powder and primers are now becoming hard to find. Stores around the Fresno area don't stock this stuff like they used to. It looks like I'll have to start ordering powder and primers from out of the area in the very near future. With the cost of shipping lead and the hasmat fees for powder and primers, it starts to take a bite out of my reloading budget.

I was just wondering if anyone else is seeing the same trend of locally available reloading supplies becoming scarce. I assume if the local retailers were making money selling the stuff they would keep stocking the supplies. It's hard to imagine most individual reloaders would be able to purchase large quantities of reloading supplies on their own to be able to compete with the large quantity buying power of a retail store.

+1

I've noticed the same thing. All of the local suppliers went out of business, leaving me with retail chains and small stores all of which have limited supplies. Not to mention their prices tend to be higher.

I just wait until I need a lot of supplies and combine shipping/hazmat fees. It's the only option available at this time.

A lot of people scrounge the gun shows for reloading supplies, but I've yet to. I just don't have the time or patients.

[big jon]

reloading

oh boy your not kidding, iam still using powder and primers that ive had for years,but iam starting to run out and iam not looking forward to replacing them, the cost has easly gone up by a 100% iam looking at making my own bullets now. if you find some good bargens be sure to post em and ill do the same...

[shooterx10]

A few IPSC shooters that I used to run into combine orders together and buy in huge bulk (up to 10,000 bullets at a time) to save up on haz mat fees.

I have heard of these guys before: www.powdervalleyinc.com and they are pretty reputable amongst the IPSC crowd.

[TonyM]

I have heard of these guys before: www.powdervalleyinc.com and they are pretty reputable amongst the IPSC crowd.

I've made 7 orders with powder valley now for powder and primers. Zero complaints from me. great prices and they maximize your shipping when it comes to HazMat fees.

For handgun bullets I've been buying Zero Bullets from ghostholster.com, I estimate close to 6,000 .45's and over 5000 .40's from them down the pipe and no issues.

[Fjold]

Actually what you are seeing IMHO is the fact that most people are ordering their reloading supplies over the internet instead of at Brick and Mortar stores.

I was going to buy one pound of H380 a few months ago to experiment with in a 22.250 and stopped by one of the local stores to pick up a pound container. The asking price was 26.99 + tax

I ordered it instead with a regular order from Powder Valley with 9 lbs of other powders and some primers and paid $15.60 for that pound, even with the $20 Haz Mat fee and shipping (Divided over the 15 items) it only cost me about $19.00

My usual semi-annual powder and primer shipment would cost me at least $100 more in the stores.

[ohsmily]

Are they a dying "bread" like rye, white, wheat, pumpernickel, etc? Or are they a drying breed?

I am 25, I started reloading a couple of years ago. I personally know of many young people who reload. People order everything online. There are still PLENTY of people who reload.

[esheato]

Are they a dying "bread" like rye, white, wheat, pumpernickel, etc? Or are they a drying breed?

Are you sure they're a DRYING breed?

Ed

[Scarman]

Alright, you got me on that one. Too much time in the sun cleaning the spa today.

Thanks for the tip on Powder Valley.

Oh and FYI... NationalBullet.com is having free shipping today on orders of $75 or more and 15% off if you buy two or more items. I've never ordered from them but they have been highly recommended to me from other shooters. I think I'll take advantage of the offer to give them a try.

Are they a dying "bread" like rye, white, wheat, pumpernickel, etc? Or are they a drying breed?

I am 25, I started reloading a couple of years ago. I personally know of many young people who reload. People order everything online. There are still PLENTY of people who reload.

[mow]

Are they a dying "bread" like rye, white, wheat, pumpernickel, etc? Or are they a drying breed?

Are you sure they're a DRYING breed?

Ed

By reading some of ohsmily's posts I am sure he meant DRYING breed and not DYING breed.

[PanzerAce]

well, with reguards to a dying breed, I plan on learning to reload for my 6.5 Grendel platfom, and considering how much .45 I will be shooting, probably for that as well.

[mow]

I would like to learn about reloading. I read a reloading book, but I learn better by doing.

If anyone knows of classes or anyone that is available to help someone learn the art that is reloading I would be happy to compensate them

[Turbinator]

If anyone knows of classes or anyone that is available to help someone learn the art that is reloading I would be happy to compensate them

I'm in the Bay Area and still reload for pistol, I'd be happy to talk to you about how to get started, and what to do. I buy all my supplies via mail order, I haven't found any local sources that I like so far. Let me know if you want to learn more. I can't help you with rifle rounds, though, as I've never done rifle before and probably won't be getting into it anytime soon.

Turby

[PanzerAce]

I would like to learn about reloading. I read a reloading book, but I learn better by doing.

If anyone knows of classes or anyone that is available to help someone learn the art that is reloading I would be happy to compensate them

from what I know, it seems to be one of those things that is just handed down through gun owners, without any real classes per se.

[mow]

I'm in the Bay Area and still reload for pistol, I'd be happy to talk to you about how to get started, and what to do. I buy all my supplies via mail order, I haven't found any local sources that I like so far. Let me know if you want to learn more. I can't help you with rifle rounds, though, as I've never done rifle before and probably won't be getting into it anytime soon.

Turby

I would imagine that loading pistol rounds are similar right? I mean the difference would be the dies, the casings, the projectile and the amount of powder. All things that would change if I were to only load rifles anyway. While I do not have a pistol yet (very soon I will) I think even learning to do that would instill a bit more confidence than I have right now. I would definitely like to load both and would like a setup that would allow me to do so.