Bad time to start

[sdnative13]

I feel like I have picked the worst time to start reloading. I am able to find most of the bigger items ( press, dies, etc.) how cannot seem to find a few key items anywhere (primers & powder). In your opinion is it just going to get worse before it gets any better?

[edrex]

I've found persistence pays off. Have a few different choices in mind when you go to a store and grab what you see. I only have one LGS that stocks powders/primers. I stop by whenever I'm in the neighborhood. Usually they are out of everything I need, sometimes they aren't.

[Sub95]

it will get better.

if you post in the wtb section someone might have what you are looking for. its worth a try.

[nothing4u]

Pre-election powder for popular calibers was already in short supply. Match primers were also in short supply. Right now the issue is finding primers. Powder is still available for pretty much all calibers, it may not be the ideal powder but it will work. Example: if you shoot .308, there's no Varget available from PVI, but there's still RL15, 4895. No match primers from Federal or CCI, but there's still large rifle primers from Wolf. And yes it will only get worse before it gets better.

[johnny1290]

Yes, it's the worst time maybe ever to get started reloading. If anybody can point to a worse drought, I'm all ears.

I hope you're not waiting on buying anything, as it will be OOS before you know it.

You're ahead of the game if you can get the press/shellplate/dies you want at a decent ish price.

Like the others have said, you can find things that will work. You won't get your first choice, you won't get them all at one place, you won't get as much as you want, you won't get them when you want, you won't pay what you think you should, but with perserverence all these things can be overcome.

I gotta say though that brass is un freaking real. Last I saw they were asking $170-200/thousand on GB. I paid around $70/k shipped a month or two ago.

You're going to pay "too much" aka the new normal, but it'll still be cheaper than the *** raping you'd take buying loaded ammo. I still bought primers and powder a week ago for $27/pound or /k locally, so there are still places where you can buy at un-inflated prices.

I have a little stash, but I'm panicking like everybody else. When I see something in stock, I buy as much as I can asap and I don't care if I pay 20% over what it was a month ago and multiple hazmats, and I'm a cheap *******.

This won't sort out for a good 18 months IMHO, so I'm trying to get at least a 1 year supply, and 3 years if I stretch it.

[Tjfearl]

I am also looking into starting reloading. I want to buy an Hornady LNL AP press since it is on sale right now and you get 500 free bullets. Luckily I am currently in Afghanistan so all I do is research components all day. Im hoping that things will start coming back in stock in March when I get home.

[cpatbay]

The AP LnL press seems to be on promotional sales quite regularly. A nice press. But finding powder and primers you want is challenging and expensive. But reloading still keeps a wide economics margin over off the shelf quality ammo. Just have to be patient.

[atdski07]

nothing4u
Pre-election powder for popular calibers was already in short supply. Match primers were also in short supply. Right now the issue is finding primers. Powder is still available for pretty much all calibers, it may not be the ideal powder but it will work. Example: if you shoot .308, there's no Varget available from PVI, but there's still RL15, 4895. No match primers from Federal or CCI, but there's still large rifle primers from Wolf. And yes it will only get worse before it gets better.


I picked up some RL -10x and RL -15 today along with projectiles and Federal #215 primers. They had match grade primers too. But if your looking for small rifle...good luck

[Scout2Diesel]

No better time to hone your knowledge.

[Southpaw45]

With .223 ammo going for a buck a round. Better late than never. Just do your research and you will slowly find your components...

[Javi]

I'm glad I at least got the press out of the kit box and onto a bench

[TKM]

Get your Curio and Relic FFL so you can buy your reloading stuff at dealer pricing.

It is absurdly easy and everybody that didn't bother to tell you about it over the years hates you.

Maybe hate is a strong word.

Whatever. Anyway, I am your friend and want nothing but the best for you.

(you, in this case, does not include the four hundred or so on my ignore list)

http://rangingthoughts.com/post/2011/09/01/What-the-Heck-is-a-Curio-And-Relics-FFL.aspx

[XDRoX]

SDNative, I assume you're in San Deigo?
I was just at La Mesa Collectables last night and they had primers and powder in stock.

[AR-Realtor]

Get your Curio and Relic FFL so you can buy your reloading stuff at dealer pricing.

It is absurdly easy and everybody that didn't bother to tell you about it over the years hates you.

Maybe hate is a strong word.

Whatever. Anyway, I am your friend and want nothing but the best for you.

(you, in this case, does not include the four hundred or so on my ignore list)


http://rangingthoughts.com/post/2011...elics-FFL.aspx

Great tip, I will send out my application this week.

[sdnative13]

Thanks

SDNative, I assume you're in San Deigo?
I was just at La Mesa Collectables last night and they had primers and powder in stock.

Thank you I will look into them