Buying Reloading Supplies Online

[s1mp13m4n]

Hello everyone. I would like advice about online reloading shops. Whom do you deal with and why? Does any company offer free shipping, free hazmat, etc? I was looking around online and saw Midway USA. I played around with shopping and saw $25 in shipping and hazmat. Surely companies can deliver cheaper than that. Thanks for the help.

 

[SMSgt]

Occasionally, companies such as MidwayUSA offer to drop the Hazmat fee for orders over a certain amount, such as $150. The Hazmat fees are charged by the commercial carriers, not the suppliers, and passed on to the consumer. It costs extra for the truck driver to flip the placard over on the side of the trailer... Keep checking for such discount and order bulk when they pop up.

I never buy enough Hazmat-occurring items to bother with online ordering. I simply don't have the space to store crates of powder and primers.

 

[DumpStick]

For powder and primers, try Powder Valley out if Kansas.

Purchase quantity, split an order with other shooters if need be, and the order still comes out cheaper - even after shipping and HM.

 

[rockquarry]

I've been buying components from Powder Valley since they were Dexter Automotive Supply many years ago. You might find individual items cheaper on occasion elsewhere, but overall, it's hard to beat the everyday prices at Powder Valley.

 

[Ackley1952]

Finding someone who loves your hobby more than Larry Potterfield
is going to be difficult. He supports our youth also. He actually has the product also. Round up and maybe our love and passion will continue.

 

[iouri]

Buying online makes sense if you buy at least 8+ lbs of powder or 5k+ of primers. From time to time vendors have a "no hazmat" sale - good time to restock. I've been using powder valley, midway, grafs, midsouth shooters supply - all good vendors. For coated bullets missouribullets, acmebullets, bayoubullets - all of these good product. My LGS prices don't leave me much choice - it's either online or gun show

 

[reddog81]

Powder Valley has good prices on powders and primers and occasionally free shipping of hazmat. Get on their mailing list. They had free shipping last weekend. Right now Winchester and Federal have rebates on their primers. I picked up federal and Winchester primers for $.026 after the rebates last weekend.

Midway runs free shipping or free hazmat at least once a month but typically has higher prices unless you find what you’re looking at is on sale and even then it might be higher than powder Valley.

Brownells and Natchez are also common ones but I haven’t purchased from them in a while.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Powder valley is a good source, they only charge $20 for hazmat, the trick is to buy in mass quantity, so you won't have to buy as often, also find a reloading buddy and split the costs...

 

[fredj338]

HM is reqd by the shipper, so unless a company wants to eat it, you pay it. Some places have flat rate shipping, some cheap shipping. The only thing that requires HM is primers & powder. Bullets, no problem but weight goes up quick. USPS flat rate is the way to go.
I put in large orders with 4-5 reloaders. It spreads HM/shipping between us & no sales tax on like $1000 wirth saves a lot. Unless your local guy is really cheap, you can usually do better on line. PowderValley, Grafs are my go to, but watch for sales & free shipping. Right now Bayou bullets is offering free shipping on cases of bullets. DG bullets is bery good. Precision delta for jacketed, RMR fir plated.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The trick is to buy enough to cover the cost of the Hazmat fee. If you buy at least 5000 primers and 2 8 lb jugs of powder at a good price the Hazmat will not bother you too much.

When I buy powder and or primers online I buy from Powder Valley. They have very good prices and are good to deal with.

Right now Powder Valley has a lot of specials going, 25% off Winchester primers and free Hazmat with orders over $159. They have rebates on Alliant powders and CCI/Speer/Federal components too.
Powder Valley - Shop Reloading Supplies and Ammunition

 

[Wise_A]

(1) When you see a "no hazmat" special, double-check the price. I've noticed a few retailers jack up the price to compensate.

(2) Look for stuff like Midway 10% off + free ship deals, as those can frequently beat hazmat specials.

(3) Sometimes, it's not about saving money, it's about getting the powder and primers you want instead of whatever your local shop feels like stocking. Additionally, factor in your driving time and gas when you're looking at local buying costs.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Best idea to come along is to team up with a few other folks in your area and combine your orders, buy in bulk, and combine the shipping and hazmat charges on one sizeable order instead of several smaller orders.

Back in the 1970's there was still a lot of GI surplus powder available, sold in barrels. Some local dealers stocked several types and sold it by the pound, either in your containers or in paper bags to carry home. Nothing wrong with that and it was dirt cheap. Today you can order production powders in kegs (typically 8 lbs) and there is no reason why two or three guys can't split it up on arrival. All you need is airtight containers that block out light (old powder canisters can work just fine, but be sure to label them with correct information).

Primers generally come packaged in cartons of 5000, so that is how I purchase them. Nothing wrong with two or three guys going together on an order and splitting them up on arrival.

Bulk quantities provide the best prices and lowest delivery costs (shipping and hazmat), so hook up with a couple of other guys and take advantage.