Primers---kinda-sorta

robertrwalsh

robertrwalsh

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I stopped by my LGS/Range today and noticed that the had a restock of both powder (which I don't need) and primers (which I could use some SPP though am not desperate for).

Unfortunately the primers were limited to 200 per person per day. They had Winchester for $8 per hundred and Argentine for $5 per hundred. I picked up two packs of the Argentine primers, which I had never used before, just to see if I like them. For that price it will be worth a few return trips to snag more.
 
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If you are referring to servicios aventura I bought a couple bricks from PV for $ 80++ and very pleased. I loaded a couple hundred after testing with 38 SP 148Gr DEWC with 231, N320 and True Blue. I'm happy with them so far...they seat well and no FTF.
 
When primers are again plentiful, they're going to be more than $50.00 a thousand, a cap figure some misers have dreamed about. It's hard to put a dollar figure on the enjoyment of a hobby, but some try.

Granted this has been the longest lasting of the shortages, but it's the fourth or fifth one we've endured since the mid -1990s and it certainly won't be the last. I think many who were caught unprepared for this one won't put themselves in such a position again.

Let's hope we'll soon be able to dispense with the primer shortage threads.
 
Yeah, 5 years ago these shortage threads were all about 22LR ammo. People said bulk range fodder would NEVER get below 8-10 cents a round.
I'm seeing it for 5 cents a round on sale now - and plenty of it.
Primers will be the same way. Now that primer production is reaching the point of slightly exceeding ammo production, they are starting to appear on the shelves, and the price is starting to come down. They'll keep cranking them out until the market demand is satisfied, and the price will then start falling much more dramatically.
I expect them to be down to $50 per thousand within a year.
 
BC38 said:
Yeah, 5 years ago these shortage threads were all about 22LR ammo. People said bulk range fodder would NEVER get below 8-10 cents a round.
I'm seeing it for 5 cents a round on sale now - and plenty of it.
Primers will be the same way. Now that primer production is reaching the point of slightly exceeding ammo production, they are starting to appear on the shelves, and the price is starting to come down. They'll keep cranking them out until the market demand is satisfied, and the price will then start falling much more dramatically.
I expect them to be down to $50 per thousand within a year.
Click to expand...

Hope you're right!
 
Said it before....
"CHEAP" off-shore primers are need to drive the current prices down.

Yes I'd rather buy Murica' Made, but if south american brands are comparable in effectiveness at 50-75% lower in cost....guess what I'll buy.

To the OP,
Thanks for sharing your results. That helps a lot!
 
Ginex have worked well in everything that I have tried it in. Currently 9, 40, and 45 acp. Idk if the will ignite in an unlimited gun with lightened springs and such, but I have plenty of federal for that.

Several weeks ago there was a large online auction of reloading supplies and machines. Literally a half million primers or more of all sizes. I scored several sleeves of 5000 @$250-260 per sleeve. Even with the ving and driving to pick them up it was the best I have paid for primers in 4 years or so. I wish I had ten grand free, but did end up with quite a few.

Thanks for the information!

Regards, Rick Gibbs
 
ArchAngelCD said:
$40/K would be even better but I think I have to give up on that wish.
Click to expand...
I remember just before COVID seeing Winchester pistol primers on sale for $28.00 per thousand.
And then practically overnight they tripled and then quadrupled in price . 😡
 
Last edited:
Nick B said:
I remember just before COVID seeing Winchester pistol primers on sale for $28.00 per thousand.
And then practically overnight they tripled and then quadrupled in price . 😡
Click to expand...

And in 2019 Winchester had a 25% rebate. Glad I bought them when I didn’t need them.
 
I wonder whatever happened with that outfit in Texarkana which was supposed to be making enough primers to bury the earth? I haven’t seen squat about them in nearly a year.
 
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It's not just the price. The supply is the bigger problem.

You check online and the local Cabelas (or whatever) has them in stock and by the time you get there they are all gone.

When the shelves remain full, and thus the demand slows down, THAT's when the price will come down.
 
YAHOO!

Got myself 1000 Winchester small pistol primers!

Yes I paid through the nose for them, but I had 250 brand new .40 S&W cases, tons of bullets and lots of Bullseye and Unique powder....not a single primer.

For years.

Interesting thing about these primers, they have a ruby red priming compound that made me wonder if somebody at Winchester hadn't messed up and put lacquer sealant on the wrong side of the primer.

So I placed one in an empty case and chambered it...POP!

I don't know whats going to happen with price and availability of these things but 2 years of seeing the rest of my stuff rotting on a shelf convinced me to order some primers already.
 
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