The last panic and component availability

One point I left out... projectiles for pistol are a non-issue if you are trying to stock up on a budget. Save them for last, because if all else fails you CAN order cast from one of several companies that fill custom orders for reloaders. I like Dardas Cast Bullets, you can order directly from them, and if they don't have it in stock they will make it for you. They are one of the most inexpensive bullets out there, and I can shoot 10 rounds in one tattered 2.5 inch hole from a rest at 15 yards. They are my preference but there are several other companies. This, of course, only applies to calibers that are almost interchangeable between jacketed bullets and cast... i.e. non-magnum pistol calibers (and many magnums not loaded quite to maximum).

Shooting cast in semi's can be a bit of a challenge as reloading for them is a bit different. Not rocket science... but a bit different. Also you will find that cleaning bullet lube out of an action isn't all that fun, so jacketed is much more convenient for this reason alone. But, in a pinch, you will be able to order projectiles. Even during a shortage.
 
When I started shooting I wise man told me buy more than you plan on shooting. If I was going to shoot 100 or 200 I would buy 200 or 300. When ammo got tough a couple years back I had a nice little supply built up. I do the same with reloading if I plan on loading 500 or 1000 I will buy enough for 1000 or 2000. After I shoot those 500 or 1000 I buy enough for another 1000 or 2000. Right now if things get tight I still can shoot for quite a while. I agree primers and powder first.
 
Last edited:
In 2012, in my area at least (SE Louisiana), primers were scarce.

In 2013, primers become more available, but powder, especially pistol powder, got scarce.

Also, for those two (2) years, 22s were scarce around here. That sums it up, in short..........
 
Bullets never was a problem... Could always order them up anytime you needed a few 1000 SWCs etc.

Revolver powder and Primers were the problem. I've learned my lesson and now have enough of my favorites to keep me going for quite 'a while'.

.22LR bulk is 'STILL' a problem locally. Every shop you check 'Nope, don't have any'. So when they do come back (at a reasonable price)... well.... I'll be stock piling a lot more for the 'next' panic. I thought a couple years stock would be plenty... Guess plan on 8 years... Not out of .22 yet, but have cut way back on shooting .22. In fact, I even bought a few revolvers to shoot .32 H&R Mag. .32 H&R Mag is now my 'reloadable' .22 cartridge :) . Rarely shoot .22 anymore.
 
Last edited:
My wife texted me yesterday and told me to buy powder/bullets and primer this weekend. She gave me a $1000 budget! Love that girl :)

I'm not sure we are to that point yet. But i will be putting a list together and hit the stores for powder/primer and then place orders for bullets.
 
Another thought; some of the "old stand bys" powder are being phased out in favor of easier, cheaper to manufacture powders. Off hand I don't have a list, but I believe W231 iss one of those being discontinued in the long run...:confused:
 
I spend about $50.00 every week on whatever I come across. Sometimes a little more if its on sale. I'm good for several years and I do shoot a fair bit.
 
I keep hearing that about W231... but HP38 has been available around here for several months, and W231 shows up a little less often but is available. Let's put it this way I have enough of it for a couple of shortages to come through. :D

It's kinda like Unique for others, handy to have around to use in several different calibers. Reminds me... need some more Unique!
 
Also... remember whatever you buy will hold its value if stored properly.

So buy what truly makes you comfortable.

Better to have, than wise you had.
 
W231

Let's put it this way I have enough of it (W231) for a couple of shortages to come through.
Click to expand...

Me too. Between HP-38 and W231, I have over 10 #'s ;) Just received this 8-pounder from Cabela's a few weeks ago . . .

W231%20-%208%20Pounder_2016-06-10_zpsp7tgpaxv.jpg
 
During the Clinton era, the shortage was PRIMERS. There were rumors going around surrounding this component and they were the one choke point. Even in So. Cal. I could walk into my local store and get bullets and powder with no problems.

Coming into the first Obama shortage, I was well enough stocked that ity was a while before I ran out...small rifle primers first. Fortunately at the next gunshow, I was able to get some since the distributor there was limiting purchases to prevent the horders and gougers from cleaning them out. They even refused to do before hours sales to others that had booths at the show.

The next thing I started to run out of was bullets in certain calibers. When they started to show up, I made my buys.

Powders: I was LOVING some of the advice I saw on these pages. Someone new would ask for advice and would invariably get 'Try "Unobtainium" powder in your SuperDuper cartridge. Real helpful advice :rolleyes: NOT. Some of us would say "Try "Available" powder in stock at On Line Merchant. The answer many times was 'It's not listed in the new on line data or not listed in the new flyer; Don't use it'. What??? No Red / Green Dot, Herco Pistol data? No p[roblem; use the 1990's info. Then we would read the old data is no good don't use it and our response was CALL them. Those who called would be quoted the EXACT same data we had in our old books.

Here's the rub.....in the new manuals they do not reshoot all of the loads....not even close. In 2000 I sent an email to Accurate Arms asking for load data for 32ACP as they did not have data listed in their book. To this day, that same data is published in several sources. AA#2 has been reformulated since that data was first given. So have the Dot powders, Unique, Herco, and several others.

Are you using Lee #2? They only reprint everyone elses data. And all of it is old data. Guess what, you will see lots of loads listed that would not be considered if you only go by the on line or newest data.

One of the joys of reloading is the experimentation part of it. Trying powders that aren't the "BEST" and sometimes finding That Wonderful Load or that I can use this for most of my needs. Over the years I have found certain powders that I will buy in bulk without hesitation. But I will also buy a pound of something and try it out. If I don't like it, so what.....If I do I have another option on my list.

When the popular powders run out right away, these less popular flexible powders remain in stock for a while longer. For the newer reloader, you would be surprised how many of the shotgun powders will work well with handgun loads. You will also be surprised how few rifle powders you really need too.
 
Well I bought my first 8lb jug of powder today. Easily the most expensive plastic jug I've ever bought. But it feels good. :D

Have all of my equipment now and enough supplies for 2+ years. Everything I buy before November will be gravy.

Nice thing about this is you can buy your supplies in manageable chunks.
 
I bought my first 8lb jug of powder today.
Click to expand...

How exciting! What was it? What are you going to use it for?

The W231 in my pic above was my first 8# container. My first 4# container was Power Pistol I got about a year ago (still unopened). Prior to that, I only purchased 1# containers.

I have 11 different powders now (was 12 until recently). Before the shortage, I used just two (W231 & W296). Now granted, I was getting back into shooting and I was going to need to get something in the intermediate range anyway; but the shortage caused me to buy powders I've never tried (AA#'s 2, 5, & 7; N310, Nitro 100, TiteGroup, Power Pistol) and to resurrect some that I used years ago, but phased out (Bullseye, Unique, & HS-6 - which was W540 back then). It was a good thing - the proverbial "silver lining" of the shortage, as it were. I learned lots and have tons of load data.

Now, I'm trying to pare down my stock again. Not down to two, but four. I'm keeping N-310, W231, Power Pistol, and 2400. The rest (and there's a lot, so it'll take years to deplete), I don't plan on buying any more. And most of my loading now is with the "phase out powders" (TiteGroup, when W231/HP-38 is my preferred choice, for instance). Trying to get things back to simple. AA#5 may end up surviving the cut - we'll see - it makes fantastic 10mm range ammo that'll be tough to duplicate with PP. I have about three years' worth now, so I need not decide today.
 
It was CFE223. I'm set up for 223 and 380 currently.

Had been buying a pound here and a pound there then came across a good deal locally on the CFE223. Also have a pound of TiteGroup for the 380. Apparently I can get 2,692 loads out of that. :eek:

Been buying boxes of primers each payday as well.

I've been fortunate in that I happen to have a high paying temporary side job going that has coincided perfectly with my new interest in this hobby. All the equipment has been paid for with cash and I've bought some really nice stuff that will last a lifetime.
 
What Guffey said. I never had to worry about any lack of anything for my personal use, usually Fin Feather and Fur in Ohio had what I needed when I had a need.. Another thought I never ran out of anything, I usually had made a purchase before exhausting my current supply!! William
 
Until I can walk into a Walmart and buy a box of 22LR, or into the Sportsman's Warehouse and pick up a jug of 2400 the last panic won't have ended. So it's just been one long panic to me.
 
Plenty of powder and primers on the shelves in my neck of the woods. Problem is they are all at least 50% more expensive since the last shortage. Primers start at $3.99/100 or $39.99/1000. Yup no discount for bulk. Powders are all $30-35 lb and 8# jugs start at $240.
With online prices dropping almost back to normal it don't take much to overcome a $25 hazmat fee
 
Primers and Powder are readily available online now at reasonable prices and that includes the elusive VV N320: 4lbs at $110 isn't bad if you're buying 4 jugs or so. If the recent ammo legislation in California isn't struck down by the courts you'll see more reloaders in CA, but that won't affect the national demand all that much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top