Shipping & Receiving

[Adam925]

I'm new, as in never-done-it, to reloading - but am curious to try and have started constructing my equipment list and begun investigating how it all works. This would be very low volume, normal stuff (.357 Mag & 9mm).

I'm 100% sure this has been asked and answered, but am unable to find concrete answers to the following questions.

First, I'm in the Bay Area - Contra Costa County - and in close proximity to a shop in Castro Valley that is easy to work with, accepts ammo shipments, FFL, etc.

I'm getting mixed signals with regard to reloading supplies - brass, bullets, primers, powder.

1. Do shipments of un-primed brass need to go to an FFL?
2. Do shipments of bullets need to go to an FFL?
3. Do shipments of primers need to go to an FFL?
4. Do shipments of powder need to go to an FFL?

Some online vendors don't specify, others seem to be generally un-favorable to doing business in/with California residents, and still others indicate FFL-only but it's unclear to me if this is their generic footnote applied to all products.

Thanks in advance for your insights -

[golfish]

Nothing you listed needs to go through an FFF.

[Divernhunter]

You have the answers but I strongly suggest you buy the Lyman Reloading Manual #50 and READ it. That will answer 90% of your questions.
Also you are about a year late to get into reloading.

[Adam925]

Thank you both!

A good manual is on my list - I’ll make a note of the Lyman manual.

And yes, I’m keenly aware of the supply challenges that lie ahead - materials are few and far between these days.

[JackEllis]

There is no need to engage an FFL or retail store if you want to buy components online.

For 9mm you can easily get more than 1k rounds per pound of powder and with .357 you can get 500 or more per pound. If you're only going to buy a pound or two of powder and two or three thousand primers at a time, it's probably cheaper to buy locally because hazmat fees run $30 or more per shipment. Better still, buy powder from sellers in the Calguns Marketplace if you can find someone close enough who has what you want.

T

[golfish]

Powder and bullets should be easy to find online. I'd try and find once fired brass for both calibers from local CG members. The primers are going to be tough but not impossible. If you can get your hands on 1k of small pistol primers, then you should be set for a while until you work up a load.

YouTube videos are also good to learn from.

[the86d]

I wish you luck with small primers of any variety right now...
Unless you are willing to pay $40-$100/1000.

My raw thoughts...
"Get all setup with everything BUT primers,
get your brass tumbled,
When primers are back to a REASONABLE price, but them and start."

We got a Ruger MK-III, and 22/45 when .22lr was unobtanium,
but we got some of the last Ruger Semi-autos pistols in the state...
You cannot get them in Cali new anymore, unless LEO(?).

[Adam925]

Thanks all -

Great information here regarding involvement of an FFL to purchase materials, hazmat fees (I'd seen some indicators, but hadn't connect the dots yet), will find and start watching the forums for casings, and start looking at my options for sourcing the other bits locally (at least powder and primers).

Really appreciate the pointers and assistance in getting me oriented in the right direction!

[bubbala]

Well,,,i taught myself to reload by getting a Lee book and all Lee equipment.since all the parts were in the pics, it went pretty easy.and you will always need a single stage press.

[TKM]

Strongly consider getting a Curio and Relics FFL (C&R 03 FFL). This is just a collectors license, not for business.

But, and most importantly, this will qualify you for dealer pricing on a number of online sites like Brownells and Grafs. Including reloading equipment and components. May as well save as much money as you can while you are saving money.

With the addition of a COE to your 03FFL you will be exempt from some Ca nonsense. Have ammo shipped to your home for example.

[divingin]

Only things that need to go through an FFL are firearms (or serialized frames thereof) and loaded ammo (technically they have to go through a licensed ammo vendor, but close enough.)

Powder and primers can be shipped to your house, but the shipment will need to shipped as hazmat. Charges vary, but in general you can ship up to 48lbs for one fee (defray costs by ordering a lot under one fee.)

Bullets and cartridge cases are uncontrolled, so can be shipped normally (Fedex, UPS, USPS.) Interestingly, so can primed, but otherwise unloaded cases. Go figure.

I would say that pricing and availability is much improved if you shop online (neither CV shop is great on pricing), but given the current shortages, that may or may not be true. You might also check with GFOS in Dublin; they used to have a pretty fair reloading section (comparatively) despite being a place I don't really like to go.

Good luck!

[Cowboy T]

That's correct; reloading *components* do not need to go through an FFL. Ammo, as in already assembled, does.

Small pistol primers are the hard-to-get thing now without paying "panic prices", that's true. Someone said get everything else and wait on SPP's. I'd say, go ahead and pick up a small amount of SPP's anyway, even given the prices. I'd say, maybe 200 to start. This way, you actually get started reloading, and it's still less money per round than if you bought ammo, even without the CA background check business.

Then, when this panic-pricing business goes away like it always has before, gradually stock up.

The most important thing for you is to actually get started. I used the Lee and Lyman reloading manuals and studied them thoroughly before I ever reloaded my first round.

[edgerly779]

primers are like unicorns. Some people charging 200 per k. Hope they sit on them prices come down.

[bruce381]

agree with all above get setup and look for components NOW powder should be OK bullets maybe and primers not at all.

Try all the local shops including sportsman warehouse and even bass pro shops in your area, also ask around shooting buddies maybe some one can help you out with a few 100.

[Adam925]

agree with all above get setup and look for components NOW powder should be OK bullets maybe and primers not at all.

Try all the local shops including sportsman warehouse and even bass pro shops in your area, also ask around shooting buddies maybe some one can help you out with a few 100.