Bad time to get into reloading?

[espresso junky]

Started my firearm hobby about a year ago and since then have acquired a MP9, MP22, Shield 40, and S&W 642. I heard about the ammo crisis of '08 but did not experience it firsthand. After reading and researching the aspects of reloading past month or 2, deciding to take the plunge and start buying equipment and supplies. However, everything is OUT OF STOCK! My question to all of you fellow reloaders is was it as bad with reloading supplies back in '08 as it is now? Can't find the press I want and can't find primers, dies, bullets, or powder. How long did it take back in '08 for supplies to return back to reasonable levels? Bad timing on my part to pick up a new hobby.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO this time it happened faster than in 2008 but that's because everyone believes Obama will do everything he can to ban as much as he can. This is a self-inflected shortage but I can understand the fear.

I'm sorry you picked a bad time to start reloading but hopefully this time things will get back to "normal" quickly. In 2008 it took over 2 years for things to settle down and the prices never did come all the way back to where they were.

Pre 2008 shortage Primers were $19.95/1000. During the shortage I saw prices that exceeded $60/1000 and "after" the shortage they hovered ~$30/1000.

Most ammo prices have more than doubled since 2008 and now who knows how high they will go! I was able to find .38 Special ammo before 2008 for under $9.95/50 and they came down to ~$20/50 after the 2008 scare. Over the weekend at a show .38 Special ammo was right around $29/50 and 20 round of SD ammo was $30.

Sorry for the bad news but it seems things will only be getting worse in the near future and prices will be extremely high.

BTW, 30 round AR mags that were $10 last month were $50 on Saturday at the show and what was left on Sunday was marked up to $60. There were none left by noon on Sunday!

 

[Harrison]

Don't forget the primer shortage of the 90s. It happened in conjunction with the original assault weapon ban. Primers were almost impossible to find for about a year, other components were scarce. When it resolved, prices were significently higher.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Now is always the time to get into reloading! You just won't be produceing anything soon. It would be a good time to go ahead and back order a press and dies, and if the listed prices on componets aren't rediculas go ahead and back order them too. Midway won't charge your card until they ship (put hardware and componets on different orders). The UPS hazmat fee makes it a little tricky, but you can ask about how they want to keep your costs down on hazmat orders, they may have some good ideas. Also orders at 2 or 3 suppliers may (repeat MAY) get you producing sooner. I think brass will be one of the last things back as far as manufactoring goes, but panic hording may make it hard on everything. When things come back to "normal", then keep one year's supply on hand, so order ahead. I've been trying to stay 2 years ahead and buy on sale. Use componets that have wide application, ww231/hp38, ww296/h110, or unique are powders that covers alot of pistol cartridges. 748, Varget, and IMR3031 all cover alot of medium rifle rounds (think old military rifles on 3031) the same way. So reserch loads that use a common powder. It usually won't matter which brand of primer is used, but there are exceptions (many loads that use Rem.7 1/2 require that primer only!) Specialty cartridges will require specialty componets (338 anything was a pain to find now and before this mess started). When things ease up, some things will come back faster than others, the odd balls will be last from the big three and may come back faster from foriegn companies. Many cartridges never came back after WWII (alot of black powder rounds have only come back recently because of Cowboy Action and BP Sillioette), like 44 S&W Russian and 50/90 Sharps. Think hard about casting, there are alot of pros and cons. Casting has high start up costs, and casting alloys are harder to get due the EPA. Starting to reload now, will keep you shooting longer the next time this happens, and it will happen again. Ivan

 

[old&slow]

I agree with everything AA , Harrison , & Ivan said.

During the last shortage I ordered bullets from my normal bullet supplier, the first part of March, the first of April, & the end of April. Didn't get them until November. Normally only takes a couple weeks.
Federal Primers , what I normally like to use, were no were to be found.
If I remember right the last shortage lasted about a year and then things started coming back.

Hopefully this one won't last any longer than that ..
This is about the 3rd shortage I've been thru.
Not very good timing for getting started reloading, Sorry.

 

[MichiganScott]

Backorder everything from dealers willing to honor normal prices and be patient.

When you finally find it, stock up. Order everything in large quantities because it's never going to get cheaper. It's only hoarding if you don't use it.

 

[johngalt]

In 2008, both small and large pistol primers became unavailable. Last time I looked, Powder Valley still had large pistol primers available.

Looks like the supplies of popular powders are drying up though. Powder Valley has plenty of VV powders, probably because it costs 2x the others.

 

[SMSgt]

Welcome to Chicken Little Land.

 

[scattershot]

I think a more apt story would be the ant and the grasshopper, but that's just me.

As to the original question, There's really never a bad time to start reloading, but it used to be better. You can answer your own question by thinking about whether or not you can buy all the factory ammo you want to shoot, and go from there.

 

[thetrio_94043]

It is crazy out there in terms of trying to find stuff locally. I went to Sportsman Supply and they had only a couple of cans of powder left and that was mostly for shotguns (and pistols). Very few bullets and only a couple of boxes (100) of shotgun primers.

I am hoping that this quickly passes and I would ask folks to join the NRA if they have not already done so. The anti's have received a ton of money lately as they know if they don't do something now, other items will distract congress like getting America back to work (which should be there focus now).

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

Expresso Junky,

I'm in WA as well, over in Republic. PM with any questions.

Now is the not the best time but I was in your shoes back early '09! I was back home in CA and decided to get into reloading. Powder, primers and loaded ammo where no where to be found. Didn't even focus on bullets but I guess they were scarce too. I figured it was worse in CA than here but when I got the job, moved here and talked to other shooters, I guess things were just as bad.

So, I purchased all used gear and found a great deal on almost everything I needed to get started. Bought dies from the big outfits like Brownell's and Midway but you can even find those used too. One day, Natchez Shooting Supply got in 8# kegs of Bullseye; I ordered one and was in business!

Always check the big outfits like Brownells, Midway and Natchez. Fill out the little online forms for back orders of all the stuff you want and make a big of order as you can afford, due to the hazmat fee, when they get stuff in stock.

I have had good luck with bullets so far. I figured this would happen when the Obama cartel was re-elected so I ordered lot's of primers the day after election. I noticed powder now is almost non-existent.

Some chain stores over here still have quite a bit of powder, primers and loaded ammo. Check outfits like Big R and Ranch and Home.

Good luck and don't give up! I remember when I was in you spot. Become a range brass dumpster diver. I became one in '09 and I'm always doing it! LOL

 

[Granddad]

Not good timing for you, but with a little luck and patience, this event will cool down. When you can buy, buy in sufficient bulk that you can keep a year or so worth of components in anticipation of the next "event."

 

[FishingPilot]

I'm not having a problem getting powder or primers here in Virginia. The issue I have is getting bullets. I'm having to order them online and wait for the backorder to be completed. Not that bad really. I've been purchasing factory ammunition while I'm waiting. That just means more used brass to reload!!!

Now is a perfect time to reload IMHO, maybe not for cost, but just to avoid the next ammo apocalypse.

 

[Realzebub45]

I am really glad I started when I did. Who knows what stupidity lies ahead. I wish I had already gotten into casting. Maybe there is still time.

 

[rakstr]

Similar to the OP, I'm new to ownership. I've used firearms in the past but not owned. Back in August when it became clear to me that a monarchy was about to begin, I started to purchase weapons and ammuniiton. I'd like to get recommnedations on reload equipment and supplies. I don't mind spending for quality and since we are talking things that go boom, I'm not looking to go on the cheap. Between myself and friends, we'd like to reload 9, 40, 45LC, and 22 (if that even makes sense).

Any recommendations/advice would be greatly appreciated. I have adequate space to create a "permanent bench" dedicated for this purpose if that makes any difference. Any other pointers for education sources, ... also welcome.

 

[kd5exp]

I was out of reloading for almost 12 years. Man have things changed. I didn't do any pistol just alot of benchrest rifle, 22-250, 220 Swift and 223 Rem. I can't beleive the prices on some of my old powders compared to now. Thank God I still have most of my reloading stuff. I went to neighbors and we started digging and found a can of powder for $5.95 from TG&Y, now thats some old stuff. I have gotten into casting now and it makes a good hobby but there is alot to it. I don't think things are going to get much better any time soon either. I hear Obummer starting to get his ideas rolling and I don't trust him.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Started my firearm hobby about a year ago and since then have acquired a MP9, MP22, Shield 40, and S&W 642. I heard about the ammo crisis of '08 but did not experience it firsthand. After reading and researching the aspects of reloading past month or 2, deciding to take the plunge and start buying equipment and supplies. However, everything is OUT OF STOCK! My question to all of you fellow reloaders is was it as bad with reloading supplies back in '08 as it is now? Can't find the press I want and can't find primers, dies, bullets, or powder. How long did it take back in '08 for supplies to return back to reasonable levels? Bad timing on my part to pick up a new hobby.

I didn't read all of the posts in this thread yet so, maybe someone has already said this but: "If not now, then, when?"

When they come to take your guns? When there is absolutely nothing more available to you than 22LR?

Tell you what, go ahead and wait for his third term and get started then!

 

[kd5exp]

The only good thing is that he can't run a third time, unless he changes that too.

 

[Skip Sackett]

The only good thing is that he can't run a third time, unless he changes that too.

There was a rock and roll song out when I was a kid. Don't remember all of the words but, it went something like this:
"You ain't seen nothin' yet" twang, twang...........

Hang on.........its going to be a wild ride for the next 4 years or 8 as the case may be.........

 

[peppercorn]

There was a rock and roll song out when I was a kid. Don't remember all of the words but, it went something like this:
"You ain't seen nothin' yet" twang, twang...........

Hang on.........its going to be a wild ride for the next 4 years or 8 as the case may be.........

Lol! My favorite part of that song is the ''twang, twang..."