New primer prices

This morning, amidst a feeding frenzy, I snagged a brick of Federal SPP at Sportsman’s Warehouse. $28 after the veterans discount. Since Covid I’ve always pay between $23 and $30 per brick at Sportsman’s Warehouse. Powder, brass and other reloading components are also at or near pre Covid prices. I am as disappointed to hear Scheels charging so much for primers.

Today’s haul from Sportsman’s Warehouse:
 

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Kid Shileen said:
I have some once fired primers I’ll sell for half price.
Click to expand...

Had to laugh at this one. I don't know what to do with once fired primers so I bag them up in 1 quart ziplock bags. At this point I have enough of these bags of primers it's starting to become an issue. Don't know if a scrap yard will put any value on these primers but it's either that or drop them off in the dumpster at my shooting club.
 
There is a guy in Colorado that sells the stuff to rebuild your primers. The kit was originally designed to reload .22 rim fire cases. I picked up a couple of bags just as a fall back. I still have about 800 spp and 1000 lpp. And plenty of ammo so I am not hurting yet. You never know about what will happen down the road though and I will start saving my spent primers.
 
After being through a few shortages I figure you need to keep two years worth of components. Plus, balance your primers to your powder inventory. No sense buying powder you have no primers for.

So if we're in normal time and you buy powder, buy enough primers to load it all at your expected usage.

For me, I also figure I'm going to ration a bit. Maybe shoot 100 instead of 150 some of the time. Take an occasional week off. I could get by comfortable on 5,000 rounds a year.

When you get closer to the end of the shortage stuff will start popping up. Often with limits. If you see it at a retail price buy it. Even if they limit you to 300 primers at a time. Do that twice a month and it cover's current consumption at least. Someday we're going to have a shortage, a brief relief, and another shortage. Buy what you can but don't get greedy.

I'm a bit off balance. I shoot more small pistol than large pistol. I have more large pistol than I need.

People ask me for primers here's what I do. I let them have 200 at time at the retail price I paid. I write "Bad Primers" on the sleeve with a Sharpie. They bring the sleeve back to me I'll sell them 200 more. Rinse. Repeat. I also tell them I don't know how long I can do this so ration yourselves.
 
Good friend of mine just bought a reloading set up from a mutual acquaintance but it only came with 1K of primers. I'm fronting him another 2K out of my stash and told him he can replace them when price and availability return to normal. Fortunately I was well stocked up before this mess hit so I'm still in good shape.
 
Around where I live, there's nothing on shelves, anywhere. The last time I saw primers sitting on a shelf, it was small pistol, $55/case and that was May of 2020.

I had a local watering hole that would sell me a tray at a time for $5. That price jumped to $15 as of yesterday, so I passed.

I refuse to spend $150 on a case f primers, $50 is my absolute limit.
 
Can't believe anyone would pay a buck per primer. But hey, free market reigns these days so more power to him/her. I used to think poorly of what some refer to as gougers, but I simply don't care anymore. If I need ammo or supplies and am willing to pay a high price, so be it. If I was able to stock up - good for me. Or whoever it is. I think this will stabilize in the next few months but a a new higher price base (for everything). It is called inflation.
 
robrossk said:
Can't believe anyone would pay a buck per primer. But hey, free market reigns these days so more power to him/her. I used to think poorly of what some refer to as gougers, but I simply don't care anymore. If I need ammo or supplies and am willing to pay a high price, so be it. If I was able to stock up - good for me. Or whoever it is. I think this will stabilize in the next few months but a a new higher price base (for everything). It is called inflation.
Click to expand...

I'll admit that the entire thing irritates me.

Honestly, shooting and reloading is my only hobby. When there's a full on panic and things go nuts, it's easily 12-24 months where the entire scene is a hot mess. Not only does it make things difficult to get, the prices are silly and worst of all, it ruins forums. A mass majority of discussions on firearm forums have been relating to the panic.

It's a super first world problem, but I was planning on getting a 45-70 lever action in 2021. Where I could *possibly get my hands on the actual firearm, getting reloading dies would be very difficult and I can forget about getting proper powder, projectiles, or brass. So...on the back burner it goes. Maybe by this time next year, I'll be able to move forward with things...
 
I have the funds for a pre-panic N Frame (old school Smith of course) just waiting to be spent. Not going to do it in this crazy panic world. Will wait or just fold...

The Preacher
 
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I'm looking forward to the rapid decline of the ludicrous prices on GunBroker, etc.

I understand the law of Supply & Demand, but it's sad that so many people have become greedy beyond all measure.
 
9mmPatriot said:
I'm looking forward to the rapid decline of the ludicrous prices on GunBroker, etc.

I understand the law of Supply & Demand, but it's sad that so many people have become greedy beyond all measure.
Click to expand...

I too am hoping DEMAND slackens in the coming months. But it is demand that has pushed prices where they are currently, not greed. If you truly understood free market economics, you would realize greed isn’t involved in setting market prices. Take a look at some hot housing markets around the country. Are those “greedy sellers” pushing prices far above original listing price? Nope, it is buyers making those offers to attempt to acquire a scarce commodity where demand is exceeding available supply.
 
I do understand the economics involved.

Private sellers are short-term profiteers.

Reputable business are in it for the long haul. They too can charge whatever they want but they choose to hold the line and serve there core customers.

Home prices go up because no one is making anymore land, materials are scarce (priced any 2x4's lately?), and new construction has to take place on available lots.



I think we can agree to disagree.
 
Went to sportsmans Warehouse this morning, stood in line for 1 1/4 hours.
No primers.
No powder.


BassPro was up next...
No primers.
No powder.

Big R...
No primers.
No powder.


Locally own "Specialty" gun store.
No primer.
No powder.
The counter guy said they haven't seen any of those since last march.


So I'm really starting to believe in alien abductions, the guy on the grassy knoll, faked moon landings and that somewhere in the world there are legit primers for sale.
 
3/16/2021 11:51 am

A gentleman named Dave let me have a box of Federal small pistol primers that he had for his use............

since the store was sold out.

Not too bad price wise at 100 for $5.40 out the door.

Missed a 1,000 box by 20 minutes.

Thanks again, Dave.

PS;
Now I know that I am getting old because............
I forgot to ask for my seinior/Veterans DISCOUNT !!

:mad:
 
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