Saw a few primers at Bass Pro today

[shil]

I saw CCI large pistol primers at a LGS this morning. $100 per thousand. I passed, even though I could use some.

I probably would have as well. HOWEVER: When a reputable vendor (not a scammer who wants only venmo or zelle) gets a supply, the going price seems to be $89 and up. Tack on shipping, the hazmat fee, and, maybe, sales tax and you are up to $125-$130. Go to a gun show, pay maybe a $10 admission fee, and see the bricks of primers at $125-$150 each. Food for thought. Such are the times in which we live.

 

[shil]

At that price, I would have cleaned them out!

Oh come now! Leave a couple for us!

 

[shil]

Remember the shortage of .22 Long Rifle? Guys would get wind of a shipment at WalMart, wait at dawn outside the door, then when the doors opened would race each other down the aisles to get to the ammo counter first. Before WalMart started limiting quantities, if they ever did, the supply would be cleaned out in an hour. "Sure! I'll grab a couple cases at $30 a brick and sell them at a gun show for $100 a brick. I'm so clever!" Predatory capitalism?

 

[TheTinMan]

We aren't supplying Ukraine with gasoline, SA far as I know, but it's about 3 times as expensive. Diesel, same, and we're on the precipice of a shortage which might double prices.

While the US beef, chicken and pork producers aren't also supplying the Ukraine, prices were up nearly 100% in my area, though they have come down lately.

Now ammunition, which we are supplying Ukraine, is up maybe 30-50% and harder to find. Primers likewise, and ammo bound for Ukraine requires primers.

I am a very small time beef cattle farmer. In 2019 a large round bale of hay cost $45. In 2022 I paid $60 and my supplier was cutting me a deal because we've been buying hay from him for decades. Hay is my biggest expense after payroll (more on that in a moment). Everything I do on the farm requires diesel. Everything he does, from haying to trucking, uses diesel. The cost of his fertilizer doubled.

Please trust me, neither he nor I are deliberately choking supply to boost prices. Our costs have gone up MORE then we can raise our prices. In fact, I've decided to quit farming altogether despite it just about breaking my heart. Besides not being able to make money, I can't get help. Period. The guy who worked for my family for 40 years can't do it any more due to age and injuries. Replacing him in this labor market is impossible.

A supply shortage doesn't last for 3 years because businesses want to raise prices permanently. Over the course of 3 years, SOMEONE would move into the market to reap profits if it were possible. US corporations are notorious for focusing on quarterly earnings, sales etc. instead of looking at the long-term. No, this problem is created by government, either by crowding out the rest of the market or some other manipulation.

 

[CH4]

Here's Reno Scheels' stash, this past Sunday. All sizes with prices ranging from $79 to $125.

 

[llowry61]

Here's Reno Scheels' stash, this past Sunday. All sizes with prices ranging from $79 to $125.

CH4 - I am seeing what you are seeing here in central Ohio at a fairly large regional retailer. Availability is increasing and the prices are slowly coming down. Look at the online retailers, offering free shipping on ammo, doing bundles etc. They are doing everything they can to get rid of the inventory as the demand starts to wane.

My personal opinion is we will see primer prices land in the 50 - 65-dollar range depending upon brand and type.

Folks who are starting to reload may be motivated out of the fear that they will not be able to get ammo, which IMHO is not the same reason people who have reloaded for years picked up the hobby.

 

[diyj98]

At that price, I would have cleaned them out!

They had a two box limit per person. But if they can sell them at those prices, others could as well. I'm sure they aren't being sold at a loss!