Primers---kinda-sorta

[robertrwalsh]

I stopped by my LGS/Range today and noticed that the had a restock of both powder (which I don't need) and primers (which I could use some SPP though am not desperate for).

Unfortunately the primers were limited to 200 per person per day. They had Winchester for $8 per hundred and Argentine for $5 per hundred. I picked up two packs of the Argentine primers, which I had never used before, just to see if I like them. For that price it will be worth a few return trips to snag more.

 

[MDF4]

If you are referring to servicios aventura I bought a couple bricks from PV for $ 80++ and very pleased. I loaded a couple hundred after testing with 38 SP 148Gr DEWC with 231, N320 and True Blue. I'm happy with them so far...they seat well and no FTF.

 

[rockquarry]

When primers are again plentiful, they're going to be more than $50.00 a thousand, a cap figure some misers have dreamed about. It's hard to put a dollar figure on the enjoyment of a hobby, but some try.

Granted this has been the longest lasting of the shortages, but it's the fourth or fifth one we've endured since the mid -1990s and it certainly won't be the last. I think many who were caught unprepared for this one won't put themselves in such a position again.

Let's hope we'll soon be able to dispense with the primer shortage threads.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am getting down to my last 12-15k primers from the old ($30 brick) price and will have to either start shooting up my stash or paying market prices for primers. I have no issue with $50 bricks. $100 bricks is a tad much IMHO.

 

[BC38]

Yeah, 5 years ago these shortage threads were all about 22LR ammo. People said bulk range fodder would NEVER get below 8-10 cents a round.
I'm seeing it for 5 cents a round on sale now - and plenty of it.
Primers will be the same way. Now that primer production is reaching the point of slightly exceeding ammo production, they are starting to appear on the shelves, and the price is starting to come down. They'll keep cranking them out until the market demand is satisfied, and the price will then start falling much more dramatically.
I expect them to be down to $50 per thousand within a year.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Yeah, 5 years ago these shortage threads were all about 22LR ammo. People said bulk range fodder would NEVER get below 8-10 cents a round.
I'm seeing it for 5 cents a round on sale now - and plenty of it.
Primers will be the same way. Now that primer production is reaching the point of slightly exceeding ammo production, they are starting to appear on the shelves, and the price is starting to come down. They'll keep cranking them out until the market demand is satisfied, and the price will then start falling much more dramatically.
I expect them to be down to $50 per thousand within a year.

Hope you're right!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

$40/K would be even better but I think I have to give up on that wish.

 

[9mmPatriot]

Said it before....
"CHEAP" off-shore primers are need to drive the current prices down.

Yes I'd rather buy Murica' Made, but if south american brands are comparable in effectiveness at 50-75% lower in cost....guess what I'll buy.

To the OP,
Thanks for sharing your results. That helps a lot!

 

[Rlg#17]

Ginex have worked well in everything that I have tried it in. Currently 9, 40, and 45 acp. Idk if the will ignite in an unlimited gun with lightened springs and such, but I have plenty of federal for that.

Several weeks ago there was a large online auction of reloading supplies and machines. Literally a half million primers or more of all sizes. I scored several sleeves of 5000 @$250-260 per sleeve. Even with the ving and driving to pick them up it was the best I have paid for primers in 4 years or so. I wish I had ten grand free, but did end up with quite a few.

Thanks for the information!

Regards, Rick Gibbs

 

[Nick B]

$40/K would be even better but I think I have to give up on that wish.

I remember just before COVID seeing Winchester pistol primers on sale for $28.00 per thousand.
And then practically overnight they tripled and then quadrupled in price .

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I remember just before COVID seeing Winchester pistol primers on sale for $28.00 per thousand.
And then practically overnight they tripled and then quadrupled in price .

I do remember that and I was upset they were $28! If I only knew lol...

 

[nksmfamjp]

$40/K would be even better but I think I have to give up on that wish.

I looked in my crystal ball and I cannot see that!

 

[austintexas]

gunshow

I saw them this weekend at a gunshow for $80 @1000
SWCA 892

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I looked in my crystal ball and I cannot see that!

Oh man, can you look again? Maybe in the the corner or something? Oh wait, there are no corners in a ball! OK, never mind...

 

[slickracer]

I remember just before COVID seeing Winchester pistol primers on sale for $28.00 per thousand.
And then practically overnight they tripled and then quadrupled in price .

And in 2019 Winchester had a 25% rebate. Glad I bought them when I didn’t need them.

 

[DWalt]

I wonder whatever happened with that outfit in Texarkana which was supposed to be making enough primers to bury the earth? I haven’t seen squat about them in nearly a year.

 

[9mmPatriot]

I wonder whatever happened with that outfit in Texarkana which was supposed to be making enough primers to bury the earth? I haven’t seen squat about them in nearly a year.

Mr. & Mrs. Google say Spring of 2023.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Mr. & Mrs. Google say Spring of 2023.

I truly hope that's true. Prices will drop as fast as the inflated.

 

[GypsmJim]

It's not just the price. The supply is the bigger problem.

You check online and the local Cabelas (or whatever) has them in stock and by the time you get there they are all gone.

When the shelves remain full, and thus the demand slows down, THAT's when the price will come down.

 

[BRL40]

YAHOO!

Got myself 1000 Winchester small pistol primers!

Yes I paid through the nose for them, but I had 250 brand new .40 S&W cases, tons of bullets and lots of Bullseye and Unique powder....not a single primer.

For years.

Interesting thing about these primers, they have a ruby red priming compound that made me wonder if somebody at Winchester hadn't messed up and put lacquer sealant on the wrong side of the primer.

So I placed one in an empty case and chambered it...POP!

I don't know whats going to happen with price and availability of these things but 2 years of seeing the rest of my stuff rotting on a shelf convinced me to order some primers already.

 

[BC38]

YAHOO!

Got myself 1000 Winchester small pistol primers!

Yes I paid through the nose for them, but I had 250 brand new .40 S&W cases, tons of bullets and lots of Bullseye and Unique powder....not a single primer.

For years.

Interesting thing about these primers, they have a ruby red priming compound that made me wonder if somebody at Winchester hadn't messed up and put lacquer sealant on the wrong side of the primer.

So I placed one in an empty case and chambered it...POP!

I don't know whats going to happen with price and availability of these things but 2 years of seeing the rest of my stuff rotting on a shelf convinced me to order some primers already.

Define "paid through the nose"...
Your nose and my nose (or someone else's nose) may be totally different things....

 

[BRL40]

$136 shipped from Brownell's.

I won't be doing that again any time soon, I just wanted some more stash around here.

ETA: Had the same problem during the .22 LR shortage and apparently I didn't learn a dang thing from that experience either.

 

[Alton]

CCI website list MSRP $79, $89, and $149 for BR. For me 209 I paid $35 per 1000 and have 1500. Most I paid $48 to $58 per 1000, except my large pistol I paid $100 per 1000. Fed Match I paid $12 per 100. If you need it you will pay it

 

[raljr1]

I have bought them at prices as high as $150 per 1000. The money is spent, the primers are in my inventory, and I don't think about the prices any longer.....Until I need some (years), I won't fret about the rice. Still cheaper than new ammo. I am glad to see prices coming down out of the stratosphere.

 

[H Richard]

What I would like to know is at what point is the cost increasing that 5X amount? The supplier of parts?, the Manufacturer? The distributor? The retail store? I have recently seen Small Pistol Primers for $150 P/1000.
What, if anything might be "gouging?

I haven't had to purchase any primers at all since before the Pandemic started, and I do still have a reasonable amount left. But, due to age I don't shoot near as much as I used to.

 

[Liftrat]

Just FYI, Norma has a limited quantity of Argentine SP primers on sale at $62/1000. I picked a couple just to hedge my bets. We'll see if they actually arrive.

 

[BC38]

What I would like to know is at what point is the cost increasing that 5X amount? The supplier of parts?, the Manufacturer? The distributor? The retail store?

The answer to your question is YES. Shortage and inflation are increasing the cost at all levels.
Suppliers are charging manufacturers more for materials, manufacturers are charging distributors a bigger markup, distributors are charging retailers a bigger markup, and retailers are charging you and me a bigger markup.
Materials up 10%, manufacturer markup an additional 10%, distributor markup an additional 10%, retailer markup an additional 10%. It is the same as compounding interest on investment. 4 levels of markup at 10% each equals a total price increase of over 46%.

 

[Skeet 028]

I just put a few things in a local online auction. 2000 Win 209s 2000 Win/CCI SRPs 1000 CCI SPPs...the 209s sold for 85 per M the SRPs and SPPs sold for 120 per M...oh I also put a 1000 Fed SPmag on also. They went for 90 No shipping on primers in the auction so local sales. Powder went crazy too. What really was crazy was prices of 410 and 28 ga shotshells. One box of 3 inch Herters(Cabelas) sold for 45 dollars. 8 boxes of Rem STS skeet loads...30 a box. A full case of Remington 28 ga skeet loads...They were 1st generation plastic cases...about 1968-69.. Terrible shells sold for 300 bucks...15 a box. I sold stuff I didn't need or want... to pay Dental implant bills Holy Cow...But momma needs them. I still have about 30 M primers so not hurting but even so I don't expect primers to be under 50-60 per M even going forward..someone already gave us the suggested retail price right now...inflation is still happening ya know? Love to see reduced prices but doubt it will really happen any time soon. I was amazed with the price of 1 box of 35 Rem ammo and a box of 32-20 Jacketed rifle ammo...70 dollars a box. Thank goodness I can reload...at least for now. With time...we shall see though!