In the past couple years, I have placed back orders with Starline and received brass within a month or less for 3 different cartridges. A couple days ago I got an email “call us and confirm your order cuz it’s going fast” for 300 Blackout. I only placed the order a couple weeks ago. 7mm-08 and .45 Colt they just shipped when it was available.

I’m sure the wait can be longer for less popular cartridges. Generally I avoid back orders but with Starline they’ve worked out well for me so far.

I have had similar experience ordering from Starline. Place a back order and I get it 3 weeks later.

They do not allow back orders on all calibers. Seems they only allow back order if they can fill it in a timely fashion.

If you need brass, I would backorder with confidence.

"Backorder" with Starline isn't your typical backorder. Backorder generally means the vendor is waiting for an item from their supplier. Starline is the supplier, so I figure, it means the item is is the queue for production.

Even if listed "no backorder" try calling them. A while back, I saw that .45 Auto Rim was listed "no backorder." Discouraging until I called them. The nice lady said they were about to conduct a calibration run (whatever that might be) and they'd put me on the list to ship when available. Sure enough in a few weeks, they called for a credit card confirmation and shipped me the goods! Great company, and it pays to talk with them "the old fashioned way."

Odd terminology system but if it says "backorder ok" then it means they have a PLAN to run a batch through the machines sometime in the next 4 months.

SOmetimes i wonder if they use the "backorder ok" button on certain calibers in order to get enough pre orders/backorders in to make it worthwhile to actually make any

I agree Thom, their backorder system is unique (odd), but not bad.
It is not quite right to say they always fill in a timely fashion, but they've certainly never done me wrong.
I got an email last year after being on backorder for nearly a year, letting me know that they were basically canning that backorder list and starting another, i.e., they never ran the batch. That was 9x23 Win., which has become niche only, so maybe not taken as seriously.
It's alright, it's their business. I appreciate them! And my experience across the last few decades has generally mirrored the ops.

Starline makes great brass. Have used them a few times for odd ball cases. Lucky enough that I can usually get once fired brass at the range when needed.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I've ordered stuff from Starline on back order before and it was just a couple weeks and it shipped. I've got some on back now and it's been 5 weeks.
Hope it's not 4 months

I back ordered a couple of hundred 45 Auto Rim brass some time back. Figured why not as no one else was making it. It took a few months, maybe 4-5, but I eventually got the call they had them in stock and the nice lady asked if I still wanted them. Said Yep! Worth the wait as Starline is great brass.

P.S. the 300 BLK brass arrived yesterday

I backordered .41 mag and .32 mag a while back while they were low on everything and both showed up at the same time writhing a few weeks of ordering. Seems like back order is code for “about to do a run”.

Most items I have ordered with Starline have shipped out within a couple weeks when listed as a backorder...I think I only had one time where I waited for a few months and I think that was 45-70. Now, about those Dillon dies...

I must have the record so far, I waited a little over two years for a back order of .327 Federal that was placed in January 2021.

I have an order listed as Processing from 11/16/2021. I've called twice and they still consider it as an order waiting to be filled. 45 GAP

I had forgotten about that cartridge. Sorry that Starline has as well

I assume they use the backorder system to improve their manufacturing efficiency. It helps them gauge demand, plan production, and helps prevent excess inventory while maximizing sales. With the low demand items they just wait until they have enough backorders for a minimum run. I'd love to see their production numbers by caliber, but that ain't going to happen.

They have a unique manufacturing problem. They only make brass but there are so many variations with relatively small quantities. I wonder how fast they can convert calibers.

Here's a thought....how about a group buy of brass with a "S&W Hist. Fndn." for a head stamp? Could be a fundraiser for the forum. On second thought, we could never agree on a caliber....lol.

Or wait, how about commemorative brass for the collectors. Like ".44 Magnum est. 1955". OK I'm just spitballin' here. Never mind.