What did you learn from the "Big Shortage?"
- Thread starter Nick_C_S
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Marco Califo
New member
I would MUCH rather shoot 2 year old components than eat 2 year old food.
I am also happy that I personally, can store adequate supplies AND eat well.
Keeping an adequate supply, and hoarding, are two very different things. Also, planning ahead is very different from panic buying (especially the wrong stuff).
I am also happy that I personally, can store adequate supplies AND eat well.
Keeping an adequate supply, and hoarding, are two very different things. Also, planning ahead is very different from panic buying (especially the wrong stuff).
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I have been loading since the 70s on and off. Back then I could find pretty much what ever I needed and it had been cheep for a long time. Wow!
Now I have to travel to have a chance to find what I want. The local shops are either out of the reloading business or they just don't have it. I have found that those that have it are ripping me off with prices. Thanks to the web I have a chance to find what I want at a reasonable price. I just ordered supplies from Midway on Saturday afternoon and received it this morning (Monday). I was surprised how fast it came. Although even Midway doesn't always have what I want. But with a little patents they get it in. I wish people wouldn't horde the stuff.
Now I have to travel to have a chance to find what I want. The local shops are either out of the reloading business or they just don't have it. I have found that those that have it are ripping me off with prices. Thanks to the web I have a chance to find what I want at a reasonable price. I just ordered supplies from Midway on Saturday afternoon and received it this morning (Monday). I was surprised how fast it came. Although even Midway doesn't always have what I want. But with a little patents they get it in. I wish people wouldn't horde the stuff.
Geezerbiker
New member
After the first primer shortage, I've always kept a 2 to 3 year supply on hand. I also have a pretty good stash of bullets and powder.
My biggest take on this shortage is don't expect to be able to shoot a new rifle in a caliber I don't already reload for.
I now have 2 rifles in the last couple years that need IMR4227 for the best results. I can make less than ideal loads with powers on hand but that's the best I can hope for...
Tony
My biggest take on this shortage is don't expect to be able to shoot a new rifle in a caliber I don't already reload for.
I now have 2 rifles in the last couple years that need IMR4227 for the best results. I can make less than ideal loads with powers on hand but that's the best I can hope for...
Tony
The lesson I learned is that reading The Alpha Strategy was a good idea.
Basically, if there is a product you know you will use for the next 40 years, then why not buy 40 years worth of it (preferably at a discount for buying in bulk)?
I'm not to the point where I can afford THAT much ammo, but I actually took advantage during the scare. I don't want to rip anyone off, but if I could trade a few K of .22 for a rifle, then why not?
I know, beyond any doubt, that my family will use toilet paper for decades to come. I don't have a decades' worth, but I've got at least a year's worth.
The same applies to any of the 3 calibers I reload for (I'm reasonably new to the hobby/addiction).
Basically, if there is a product you know you will use for the next 40 years, then why not buy 40 years worth of it (preferably at a discount for buying in bulk)?
I'm not to the point where I can afford THAT much ammo, but I actually took advantage during the scare. I don't want to rip anyone off, but if I could trade a few K of .22 for a rifle, then why not?
I know, beyond any doubt, that my family will use toilet paper for decades to come. I don't have a decades' worth, but I've got at least a year's worth.
The same applies to any of the 3 calibers I reload for (I'm reasonably new to the hobby/addiction).
Marco Califo
New member
If I have it, then my supply is adequate.
But if you want it, then I am stockpiling.
But if you want it, then I am stockpiling.
Mike Irwin
Staff
My big take away is that people are panicky idiots.
But I really knew that already...
But I really knew that already...
I've learned to horde ammo when I didn't used to.
I've learned to buy guns when I think about it instead of saving a bit.
I've learned that panics are a cycle now.
I've learned to watch media trends, I see a new one one coming soon.
Gun control legislation is being chipped in bit by bit now.
I've learned to buy guns when I think about it instead of saving a bit.
I've learned that panics are a cycle now.
I've learned to watch media trends, I see a new one one coming soon.
Gun control legislation is being chipped in bit by bit now.
A pause for the COZ
New member
I started reloading at the end of the last shortage. At the time powder was easy to find but no one had primers.
So when I saw this one coming on, I knew I could not afford to stock up on every thing.
So I figured powder would be easier to get and primers would be hard to find again.
So I stocked up on primers...
Wrong!!!
After an initial shortage primers were the 1st to become available again.
Some powders I have not seen in at least two years.
What have I learned???
#1 I will not wait until the next shortage to prepare. I will have at least a two year supply of all components on hand.
Couple of advantages to that. One big one is, you do not have to buy unless its on sale. I may have quite a bit tied up in components, but my cost per round is very very low.
Another good thing found, I was able to try out some powders that I had zero experience with. 5744 being one that has really surprised me. It really performs well in medium sized cases with cast bullets.
Another is CSB-1 bulk pistol powder. I have been getting very very good results in just about all my non magnum pistol loads.
As a matter of fact when most powders become readily available again.
The price on CSB-1 should drop like a stone. if and when it does.
I am buying it in volume.
Another lesson: I have switch over almost 100% to cast bullets loads for all my firearms. I still shoot jacketed but maybe at a 10% rate.
I cast my own and stock up on lead. I have about a 1000 pounds available and can cast what ever bullet I need when I need.
Just to give you an idea. That works out to 56,000 125 gr projectiles.
Plus I trap 80% of my loads so I get to re cast and shoot them again.
Not going to keep me and mine from shooting. Ever.
So when I saw this one coming on, I knew I could not afford to stock up on every thing.
So I figured powder would be easier to get and primers would be hard to find again.
So I stocked up on primers...
Wrong!!!
After an initial shortage primers were the 1st to become available again.
Some powders I have not seen in at least two years.
What have I learned???
#1 I will not wait until the next shortage to prepare. I will have at least a two year supply of all components on hand.
Couple of advantages to that. One big one is, you do not have to buy unless its on sale. I may have quite a bit tied up in components, but my cost per round is very very low.
Another good thing found, I was able to try out some powders that I had zero experience with. 5744 being one that has really surprised me. It really performs well in medium sized cases with cast bullets.
Another is CSB-1 bulk pistol powder. I have been getting very very good results in just about all my non magnum pistol loads.
As a matter of fact when most powders become readily available again.
The price on CSB-1 should drop like a stone. if and when it does.
I am buying it in volume.
Another lesson: I have switch over almost 100% to cast bullets loads for all my firearms. I still shoot jacketed but maybe at a 10% rate.
I cast my own and stock up on lead. I have about a 1000 pounds available and can cast what ever bullet I need when I need.
Just to give you an idea. That works out to 56,000 125 gr projectiles.
Plus I trap 80% of my loads so I get to re cast and shoot them again.
Not going to keep me and mine from shooting. Ever.
Gunplummer
New member
I am not a pistol reloader, hunting rifle ammo mostly. I learned that the good old Remington Corlokt bullets I always used for 80% of my reloading are the best. I still can not get two types of them and the shelves are overloaded with the super dooper expensive bullets I always thought were junk. I have enough to hunt for years, but the occasional practice sessions at the range went out the window.
"The Big Shortage was caused 100% by politics."
Have to disagree with this, although the panic was STARTED by politics, as Mike said "it was caused by panicy idiots!"
For the most part if everyone would have bought what they needed or just a little extra there would have been adequate supplies for everyone.
The panic didn't cause any real changes in my buying, my "standard practices" that I've been following for many years helped protect me from shortages.
First, at one time it seemed like I was trying to buy one of every different rifle & handgun in every cartridge then reload for all of them.
Solutions was to determine what were essential to me, guns, cartridges and types of shooting I really liked. Then sell the rest!
For me the Ruger 10/22 in .22 LR, AR-15 in .223R, M-1A/AR-10(types) in .308W and the 1873 Trapdoor/1874 Sharps in .45-70 were givens... To fill the gaps between these I wanted as few cartridges/calibers/guns as possible. These were the 6.5 Grendel/.260R and the .338-06.
There are always exceptions of course (For me this is the M-1 Carbine and Rifle, 8mm Mauser and Savage 99 in .358W).
Same with handguns, there is nothing a .45 Colt won't do that the .44 Magnum won't do better so they were gone. I had no need for anything smaller than a 9x19mm except a .22 LR.
Second, after reducing the types of guns and cartridges, I looked hard at components and reduced them. For handguns I use just 3 powders. If I had to I could use just 2 or even JUST ONE! When it comes to rifle powders I use 6 but 4 is doable. In addition I have a "substitute" for every powder.
Bullets are a little more complex. I only use one bullet in the .357 Magnum but need 4 for the .223R. For primers I use just 1 brand for each size/type but also have "substitutes" for them.
To save money I've always tried to buy in larger quantities whether gun related or not.
Combined, doing these things has made living through shortages much easier. Only thing I was ever very low on was LP and SPM primers. Never ran out but did get down to about 1000.
T.
Have to disagree with this, although the panic was STARTED by politics, as Mike said "it was caused by panicy idiots!"
For the most part if everyone would have bought what they needed or just a little extra there would have been adequate supplies for everyone.
The panic didn't cause any real changes in my buying, my "standard practices" that I've been following for many years helped protect me from shortages.
First, at one time it seemed like I was trying to buy one of every different rifle & handgun in every cartridge then reload for all of them.
Solutions was to determine what were essential to me, guns, cartridges and types of shooting I really liked. Then sell the rest!
For me the Ruger 10/22 in .22 LR, AR-15 in .223R, M-1A/AR-10(types) in .308W and the 1873 Trapdoor/1874 Sharps in .45-70 were givens... To fill the gaps between these I wanted as few cartridges/calibers/guns as possible. These were the 6.5 Grendel/.260R and the .338-06.
There are always exceptions of course (For me this is the M-1 Carbine and Rifle, 8mm Mauser and Savage 99 in .358W).
Same with handguns, there is nothing a .45 Colt won't do that the .44 Magnum won't do better so they were gone. I had no need for anything smaller than a 9x19mm except a .22 LR.
Second, after reducing the types of guns and cartridges, I looked hard at components and reduced them. For handguns I use just 3 powders. If I had to I could use just 2 or even JUST ONE! When it comes to rifle powders I use 6 but 4 is doable. In addition I have a "substitute" for every powder.
Bullets are a little more complex. I only use one bullet in the .357 Magnum but need 4 for the .223R. For primers I use just 1 brand for each size/type but also have "substitutes" for them.
To save money I've always tried to buy in larger quantities whether gun related or not.
Combined, doing these things has made living through shortages much easier. Only thing I was ever very low on was LP and SPM primers. Never ran out but did get down to about 1000.
T.
9mmSkeeter
New member
I got into reloading around June of '13.
Things were already in short supply but as a smart shopper I knew where to find things others couldn't. To this day people still ask me, "I can't find 22 ammo anywhere" and to that I reply "just open your eyes and clear your schedule one day a week, you'll get lucky, it's not that hard".
Things were already in short supply but as a smart shopper I knew where to find things others couldn't. To this day people still ask me, "I can't find 22 ammo anywhere" and to that I reply "just open your eyes and clear your schedule one day a week, you'll get lucky, it's not that hard".
FlySubCompact
New member
Main lesson from this last panic?
That millions of my fellow Americans will have no problem dropping $2000 on what would normally be a $700 AR-15, but can't muster $5's worth of gas to go vote the cause of the panics out of office.
(Sorry Mods if that is too "politicky", but that is the way I see it.)
That millions of my fellow Americans will have no problem dropping $2000 on what would normally be a $700 AR-15, but can't muster $5's worth of gas to go vote the cause of the panics out of office.
(Sorry Mods if that is too "politicky", but that is the way I see it.)
zincwarrior
New member
Agreed. I'd preface that "was" though. .22LR is still mighty scarce.