This is pretty interesting: Why Is There a Primer Supply Shortage? | Powder Valley
Powder Valley On The Primer Shortage
- Thread starter max
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Well that does not sound hopeful for the ones that are in need right now. I am fortunate that I was around in 2008 and have kept a lot of stock since so I was not caught without this time. Like the virus I hope all this is in the rear view mirror by this time next year.
DeplorabusUnum
Member
If the primer situation doesn't get better in the next several months, I have a feeling you'll soon be able to pick up some lightly used reloading equipment on the cheap.
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Much of it will likely be new in the box.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Not sure anybody who has been through the droughts of '09 & '13 could be called a hoarder.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Not sure anybody who has been through the droughts of '09 & '13 could be called a hoarder.
Agreed. Much of 2016, 2017, and 2018 saw me stopping by a local dealer just about every month. After the first several months the guys would ask me as I walked in the door "Primers or powder today?". I usually purchased either a carton (1000) primers or a pound of powder, sometimes both. Those things were available and prices were not excessive, so I stocked up a bit at a time.
I have not suffered from any shortages this time. The local indoor range was shut down for the first several months of the Covid nonsense so I did not get my usual weekly range sessions for a while. I spent several days casting bullets and quite a few evenings at the loading bench, so I have at least a year's supply of ammo now, and I still have a couple years' supply of primers and powders on hand. The range has reopened (subject to occupancy restrictions and social distancing requirements) so I am back to my usual weekly 50 to 150 rounds, refilling the fired brass boxes so I can get back to work reloading pretty soon (I like to do most handgun calibers 1000 rounds at a time).
All my kids and grandkids have received their annual deliveries of hunting and practice ammo. 840 rounds of .30-30 this year! My brother couldn't find .38 Special range ammo so I sent him a few hundred rounds without seriously denting my supplies.
If supplies ever get back to normal (whatever that may turn out to be) I will start rebuilding my supplies for future needs.
Green Frog
Member
I've got 2000 Federal SPP and a 12 pack of Charmin toilet paper available... the bidding starts a one Registered Magnum. 
Green Frog
Green Frog
I've got 2000 Federal SPP and a 12 pack of Charmin toilet paper available... the bidding starts a one Registered Magnum.
Green Frog
With what I have I may have to start the bidding at one M1921 Thompson.....
rman
Member
I was relatively smart at the last shortage. I started stocking up in 2007. This one caught me napping. I have around 3K of SP, 6K of LP and 3K SR and 1K of LR primers. That will get me by for awhile, but nuttin' lasts forever.
Powder Valley's assessment is very honest. Earlier in the year as the shortages showed up at my local stores, Powder Valley had Federal primers - I grabbed 1,000 each of small pistol standard and magnum, and 500 each of large pistol standard and magnum. I want 1,000 more large pistol standard (I have two Ruger .44 specials). I would like to have grabbed some rifle primers for my M&P 15, but missed out. I keep looking.
fredj338
Member
The last big shortage was 2012-13. I bought before but not big. When things calmed down I bought more. If I only had 10k total pistol primers, I would feel pretty short. In another year or so, things should start to settle, maybe, & I'll be looking for another 25k of each sze I use most. Shortages will happen again.
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kbm6893
Member
3000 small pistol primers and 5000 small rifle. Have probably a thousand primed cases ready to load.
If this ever dies down I will keep 10,000 of each at a minimum.
If this ever dies down I will keep 10,000 of each at a minimum.
