Do the employees at your LGS know anything about reloading?

Mostly, no. There are a few good shops around but they are all very high, plus I don't really buy any firearms/gear besides reloading components anymore. Most do not carry any reloading supplies, and have no employees that know anything about reloading. A couple have a limited and VERY pricey selection, and I still don't think anyone there knows anything about reloading. MAYBE the owner, and I doubt he knows much more than what is simply needed to order components for restocking.

Then there is the local Cabela's. That is the least expensive way for me to get powder/primer unless I do a large order to offset hazmat fees. There are actually a few guys that work the counter at Cabela's that know a thing or two. I spent 30 minutes talking to one guy who was actually quite knowledgeable. He even kept a book of his own personal loads that he had and we compared notes. He casts also. He knows much more than I do, was a good bit older, and my impression was that he is retired and works there as a hobby these days. So yeah, that's my one good, actually knowledgeable sales rep story. In a big box store no less.
 
The locals here in central PA know that people reload, but act like it's something only a serious bench rest shooter would do.

The one wholesaler around here (CAC Associates) don't themselves do a lot of metallic reloading. More shotguns.
Strange thing is only wholesaler in the area and are only open 7:30-4:30 M-F.
 
If you are looking for reloading supplies look on line. If you want to purchase locally. Tell us where you are at and I'm sure you can find supplies in the general area.

Now When you want to talk about what you are looking for or You have reloading questions. Don't expect the store to supply you with loading facts. That could cause you to make a mistake and BOOM! First refer to your loading manuals then ask here.

You aren't asking about paint you are asking about how to control the bang.

That's my strategy.

I hope I could help.
 
Well yes, I think they do. I went in yesterday to purchase an RCBS .45 acp carbide die set which they had and the clerk pointed out that carbide sets come in a silver colored plastic box, which it did. I wasn't aware of that and the set came with both round and flat nose seating stems. He also pointed out that I should still lube the cases (which I usually do with another .45 carbide sizer). I was the only one in the shop and the four clerks were anxious for a customer and to give me the best deal.
 
Perhaps a thread on member's "qualifications" would be interesting.
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There are more than enough threads now where some claim their "qualifications" make all other opinions worthless.

It's better to just stick to actual gun topics and leave out most of the other BS.
 
There are more than enough threads now where some claim their "qualifications" make all other opinions worthless.
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I see what you're saying, but I think his intent is to demonstrate us reloaders aren't your average person who goes out and buys a new lawnmower (or any other tool) when the old one breaks down. I would dare say that many reloaders aren't afraid to make their own repair parts in the absence of replacements. His argument is that most reloaders, especially people who enjoy it, are likely DIYers on an above average scale. I believe he's right.

I agree that we don't need to start a pee pee contest thread about who has the highest engineering degree.
 
His argument is that most reloaders, especially people who enjoy it, are likely DIYers on an above average scale. I believe he's right.

I agree that we don't need to start a pee pee contest thread about who has the highest engineering degree.
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Exactly
His comment stemmed from my comment that most consistent posters on here have a skill set and willingness to dig in and try to DIY....and enjoy doing it. I made the statement that most of us are engineers, ph.d.s (like me), or highly skilled Craftsman (i.e. tool makers, "real" mechanics, metal fabrication, etc etc.

The intent wasn't, like he said, to be some kind of pissing contest. Only to see if his and my hypothesis is true, that we are all a certain type of person. And the relevance to this thread is that most people are not like us.
 
To the Question.

In my area it is mixed with most shops a no with just a few that do carry anything.

The old shop/range that I go to just changed owners after 15 years. The new owner is a joy to talk with and is still very optimistic. He is going to try and stock more reloading supplies to which I told him even if it's just powders and primers I'd buy from him. The small amount I buy every year makes it prohibitive to buy those online.

Otherwise I'm 45min to 1.5hr to Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's or 1.25hr away from Lee Precision or Titan Reloading. So far I've resisted going to the last 2 as that could be dangerous.
 
The intent wasn't, like he said, to be some kind of pissing contest. Only to see if his and my hypothesis is true, that we are all a certain type of person. And the relevance to this thread is that most people are not like us.
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Reloaders cover the entire cross section of people.
Some will carry it to extremes and worry over all the minutiae, and others just want to load a few boxes a year to hunt.

I made the statement that most of us are engineers, ph.d.s (like me), or highly skilled Craftsman (i.e. tool makers, "real" mechanics, metal fabrication, etc etc.
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I don't believe that's really true either.

I think shooters and reloaders cover the entire cross section.
Some may be more "nit-picky" about it, but there are plenty of people from all walks of life who do it.

It doesn't take much special knowledge to produce ammo that's better than what one can buy at a store.

The few that hang out on internet forums aren't necessarily representative of the majority.
 
No. After living all across this great country I have found gun store retail clerks are no good to talk to about reloading. Most know little to nothing. Even worse some still try to be experts on the subject.
 
Does it really matter? Anyone that has done any amount of reloading should be able to tell when someone is feeding them a line of bull!

Same as when I was fired/released from my last 2 jobs before I went on disability. I knew what they were telling me was BS. They do that to protect themselves from lawsuits. I knew at the end that I could no longer perform my job the way I should, it was just too physically demanding and I was struggling to keep up. I could no longer push 500# tool box around the plant or climb to the top of 60' high cooling towers. I just wish one of those 2 bosses would have had the jewels to be honest with me!!!
 
Funny thing. I used to hang out in a small sporting goods store in Wasilla, Alaska. Really good looking girl worked it. I never did score! But I was in there so much I knew where everything in the store was and reloaded a lot then, she knew that. Anyone came in with a question she couldn't answer, most of them, she'd call me over to talk to the guy! Some guy came in looking for something one time, I forget what, and she didn't think she had it. Well I told her what door it was in behind the counter! Boy she was good looking! Then in Brighton, Colorado one time, I lived there. I went into the local K-Mart and was looking at gun's. Kid behind the counter was engrossed in getting me to buy a lever action 30-30. Kept putting him off and noticed a Harrington-Richardson Ultra 300 in 270w on a Sako L61R action. Wow. Told the kid I'd like to see it and he hedged, big sale on these 30-30's! Da*n! got the 270 for $250 with a scope on it. He was sure I'd made a bad choice! I have seldom gone into a store that sells guns or reloading gear and talked to someone that had a clue what they were talking about. But at the same time in actual gun shops, most the guy's that owned the shop and were going broke did their own selling and had a good idea what they were talking about!
 
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