Powder quest complete, now what

[RETSMSGT]

I started reloading at the end of 2012 right after the Sandy Hook incident. This obviously was the worst possible time to find components and for me the never ending hunt has been a big part of my reloading adventure. Now that things have improved dramatically and I have enough to load for at least a handful of years, I kind of miss my weekly tour of the local shops. That excitement of scoring a powder I had never even seen before was fun. I really struggle to walk by shelves full of most every flavor! I am now in the position of trying to figure out if I shoot more so I can load more...... or vise versa. It's a good problem to have.

 

[smokindog]

I started around the same time and I know EXACTLY how you feel when I pass by a Walmart or Cabelas or ... without stopping as I'm driving around town. It feels really weird.

I've supplemented the "addiction" with online gratification

 

[JBnTx]

Shoot, load, shoot, load, shoot, load and repeat.

After a while it won't matter which comes first.
Kind of like the chicken or the egg thing.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I started in 2010 and remember primers were the big problem.
One thing reloading has done for me is not limit the caliber of guns I own. I use to own lots of 9mm's because it was the cheapest ammo. Now I own one.

 

[MattO]

I have still yet to see some of the powders I have been looking for.

2400 W231 HP38 all have not been in this area in the stores I frequent. I wish the powder situation would get even better!

 

[RETSMSGT]

I saw 4 & 8 lbs of W231 and 8lb HP38 the other day and it took all the willpower I had not to buy some!

 

[Moe Mentum]

I have started to see Unique and 231 appear on occasion, but is usually gone the next day.

 

[MattO]

I live a couple hours from Grafs and sons and keep an eye on their website. The list of powders that are out of stock is crazy.

AA2 AA7 W231 and the list goes on and on. I know many people see them in stock in places, but it's just not that good here yet. Hopefully it gets better.

 

[gwpercle]

Let the rest of , who can't find powder, get some.
In the past three years I've been able to purchase 1 lb of Red Dot and 14 ozs of 700X. The hoarders are still buying up everything.
The last of my 4 lb. container of Unique is dated 1971, would like to get a little more.

 

[Magload]

The thing that I hate is when I started load again this year after a 38 year lay off is my first powder was Titegroup which was fine as if covered the 5 calibers I needed. After working up the best loads for each gun i ran out of Titegroup but a LGS had CFE Pistol for $40 a pound and I needed powder. I did find 8 pounds online but can't find anymore of it. I getting tired of starting all over with a different powder. Then on this forum someone says oh in you X load use said powder. Well I would if I could get it. Don

 

[ChiefStealth]

Stuff is getting a little easier to find. But, all the things you learned about searching, and scrounging... don't forget 'em. The shortage could happen again. When the 2009-2010 shortage was over, we didn't think we'd have to worry about it, again. Bzzzzzzzzz! Wrong!
Starting all over with new powders/bullets is a pain. But, at least I now have several well tested combinations. 'Sides.. its good practice for when you start to load a new cartridge.. which usually means ya got a new gun!

 

[bwxmas]

autocomp is a kissing cousin to cfe..I shoot the same charge when using either.
Same accuracy, same POI

 

[Co Th G]

I started reloading at the end of 2012 right after the Sandy Hook incident. This obviously was the worst possible time to find components and for me the never ending hunt has been a big part of my reloading adventure. Now that things have improved dramatically and I have enough to load for at least a handful of years, I kind of miss my weekly tour of the local shops. That excitement of scoring a powder I had never even seen before was fun. I really struggle to walk by shelves full of most every flavor! I am now in the position of trying to figure out if I shoot more so I can load more...... or vise versa. It's a good problem to have.

Dude..... If you are a serious handloader, your "quest" is NEVER complete. You never know when some incident will trigger the next run on components. I'm always looking to buy when the price is right and buy in bulk. I already have enough components to last me till I'm an old man, at my current rate of shooting. I'm still stockpiling because I might increase my rate of shooting in the future and to give to my kids when I'm no longer able to handload.

 

[Co Th G]

Let the rest of , who can't find powder, get some.
In the past three years I've been able to purchase 1 lb of Red Dot and 14 ozs of 700X. The hoarders are still buying up everything.
The last of my 4 lb. container of Unique is dated 1971, would like to get a little more.

Not hoarding. It's stockpiling for the inevitable next incident that will trigger the latest run on components. You can NEVER have enough if you are a serious shooter.

I'm a competitive shooter, so I go through components faster than the average handloader. What they might take is "hoarding" is just
normal consumption for me and I buy in large bulk so my stockpile remains at a comfortable level.

 

[Co Th G]

Let the rest of , who can't find powder, get some.
In the past three years I've been able to purchase 1 lb of Red Dot and 14 ozs of 700X. The hoarders are still buying up everything.
The last of my 4 lb. container of Unique is dated 1971, would like to get a little more.

With all due respect, if that's all the powder you have been able to find in that time span, you are doing it horribly wrong. In the last three years, I've purchased over 150 pounds of various handgun powders and probably just paid an average $18/lb.

The powder has always been out there and for a reasonable price..... IF you know where to look.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

When I can walk into a Store and buy 2400 AND a Brick of .22LR its over.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Dude..... If you are a serious handloader, your "quest" is NEVER complete. You never know when some incident will trigger the next run on components.

Yep. I have been through the primer shortage, the bullet shortage and now the powder shortage. Recently came across a 8 lb. jug of CFE pistol ($135!) and did not hesitate to buy. Think about what it's going to be like if the Hildabeast is elected next November!

 

[bananaman]

I started reloading at the end of 2012 right after the Sandy Hook incident. This obviously was the worst possible time to find components and for me the never ending hunt has been a big part of my reloading adventure. Now that things have improved dramatically and I have enough to load for at least a handful of years, I kind of miss my weekly tour of the local shops. That excitement of scoring a powder I had never even seen before was fun. I really struggle to walk by shelves full of most every flavor! I am now in the position of trying to figure out if I shoot more so I can load more...... or vise versa. It's a good problem to have.

Take on another caliber! You may need to buy another gun also. Bob

 

[otisrush]

I, too, have enjoyed the ongoing powder hunt. (Within reason, of course.) The key, IMHO, is hunting consistently. A few times per week my commute takes me by favorite LGS so I'll stop there on the way home. Just knowing I'm going to walk in at the end of the day makes the day nicer.

From a powder perspective things do seem to be improving. .22 seems to have gotten WORSE in my opinion. It seemed to be lightening up a bit about a year ago. There were a couple of times I randomly checked in a Walmart and I got some. I haven't seen any .22 on a Walmart shelf in many months.

 

[RETSMSGT]

Take on another caliber! You may need to buy another gun also. Bob

I already load for 8 calibers, with multilple guns for several. It has been challenging enough to keep them fed!