Primers Strategy

[IVC]

Since this whole madness started, I've been able to procure quite a bit of powder (due to my setups I happen to reload only for pistols and only use VV powders, so it might help) and bullets (coated, plated and FMJ/CMJ). Brass is mostly a non-issue for standard calibers and I am having 38SC rechambered for 9 Major, so that will also help. However, I can't run into any primers (I do have some reserves, probably around 20-30K, but some of those are for revo (Federal #100 GM) and some are small rifle for overpressured Open loads).

Anyone has any strategy tips for primers? Or is it just a waste of time?

I couldn't find anywhere where I'd end up on a waiting list, everyone is showing "first come first serve" and I can't stumble into any. In contrast, I would check Montana Gold bullets daily around 2-3pm and was able to get recently two cases of 3.7K each (124/5 HP and 124/5 CMJ). I can also get coated bullets when I need them, or so it seems (and I have a bunch).

Clearly I understand the shortage and all that. What I'm asking is whether it makes sense to keep checking websites and waiting to get lucky, or it's so hopeless that I should just weather the storm with what I have in reserves.

[ysr_racer]

I'm looking for a unicorn that farts rainbows...

[Sig so sour of ca]

Check the usual sites, late at night and really early in the am. Or pay the ransom some calguns "members " are charging. $125/1k.

[Featureless]

I'm looking for a unicorn that farts rainbows...

Serendipity that you should mention that as I have one for sale at a deeply discounted price. I will happily ship to you with a 50% deposit, your search is over!

[Shab21]

Going to be hard to get primers online. Professional resellers have bots that notify them as soon as they become in stock. Those same professional resellers are selling SPP and SRP on Gunbrokers for up to $250 for 1k. Best bet is to go to a local store. I have been lucky a couple of times on LPP and LRP but the small stuff is very hard to come by.

[golfish]

OP, I think we could all benefit from using the market place. Maybe management could setup a forum for trading.

[IVC]

So it seems that there might be some primers to be had *if* the timing is right - I will keep checking it, much like I was checking for bullets. It was pure luck/coincidence that I was able to get some MG JHP, so just use the same "strategy" for primers: have low expectations and do it as a chore...

[IVC]

I'm looking for a unicorn that farts rainbows...

Those are easy to find... Just disable your "adult filter"

[xfer42]

The strategy is to check websites for inventory of packs of 100. Ammoseek dried up back in July, but you could still get 1000 a day from many sites, pickup only, up until September. Everyone immediately put up limits and many stopped shipping due to those limits, so ammoseek showed nothing for a while (except the most expensive primers at +$0.03 each).

Once you start searching all of your resources several times a day for a few years, or decades, you see the next shortage coming like a slow freight train.

[RiskyBusiness]

just remembering i held out on win cases because their 25% rebate didnt include spp. Last december you couldve gotten their primers for under $24/1000 at brownells

[michaelf3]

If you have enough for a while, I would stop looking. I'd wait until this madness is over then buy a whole bunch when prices and stock are back to earth.

This is what I did when the last ammo shortage happened and background became a requirement. I have enough ammo and components to last me for the next 20-30 years. I shoot 5k to 10k rounds per year.

[1911-CV]

Watch the continent

Got excited... had 5,000 Remington SPP in the cart... in Australia

[Spyder]

If you have enough for a while, I would stop looking. I'd wait until this madness is over then buy a whole bunch when prices and stock are back to earth.

That's my plan. I have enough to get through this shortage, if it's anything like the last several. And I'll buy a crapload more once things have returned to normal availability. I've slowed down my use a bit too.

[JackEllis]

Anyone has any strategy tips for primers? Or is it just a waste of time?

I can see how someone who shoots 400 pistol rounds a week could burn through 20k primers in a year, and it sounds like that's the amount you do.

What I would doing your situation is a) shooting somewhat less, b) keeping an eye out for deals but without letting the search consume all of your time.

[Dave Hill]

Smart people stock up when there is an abundance .