Stocking up on reloading supplies - help please.

[BillK01]

I have probably about 2500 - 3000 rounds of unfired 223 for my M&P 15 TS which I've not been able to shoot as of yet.

My plan has been to buy some 223 dies for my Dillon Press once I've accumulated enough of the spent brass to justify reloading. However given the current environment I'm thinking it may be best to just stock up on the supplies I'll need now for the reloading later.

The problem is it's been years since I've reloaded and I could use some advice on what components I should be buying.

My rifle has the 14.5" barrel with a pinned Vortex flash hider (for the 16" total length req) and is a 1 in 7 twist so I suspect a slightly heavier bullet may be better.

That said, could someone offer me a " shopping list" of the reloading supplies I should be snatching up now before it's all gone? Mainly just for target shooting/plinking.

Thanks!

Bill

 

[JaPes]

Primers... primers... & primers

 

[BHarada]

You have a source of once-fired brass so what you need are primers, powder and bullets. Big help, huh? haha.

Primers used to be readily available for <$30/1000, but the major online sources for them are drying up fast. What's left can make you head spin when you see the price.

8lb jugs of popular .223 load powders are hard to find, although 1lb bottles seem to be around.

Finally, the supply of good quality bulk bullets (e.g. 55gn Hornady or mil-surp XM193 FMJBT) is almost completely dried up. Midway does have bulk Armscor bullets in stock for $82/1000, but from what I've been told and read, there a lot of variance in weight, length, shape and cannelure location between bullets. But if your plinking involves shooting at 6-8" gongs they should work just fine.

 

[MichiganScott]

Just slowly buy your bullets, powder, and primers when you find them at regular price. Do not reward the gougers by paying ridiculous prices when the components will eventually become available. Unless you specialize in mag dumps, you have enough ammunition to outlast the current shortage.

 

[Cdog]

As a longtime handloader I already have more junk, I mean stuff than I'll likely use. As loaders most are by nature "scroungers" and "hoarders". When we find a deal on something we buy it.

I don't subscribe to the gouging theory others do. Ain't nobody making me buy anything at their price. I simply go down the street and buy it for less. Demand is high supply is low. It's happened before, if they aren't outlawed it'll happen again.

I've been in retail all my life and it's traditionally difficult to buy inventory this time of year. Most distributors are emptying the warehouse for inventory time. The recent events have aggravated the situation this year.

Patience will likely pay dividends. The SHOT show is in January and distributors will be stocking up on everything, even metallic loading supplies.

I was at Ga. Arms last week. Their inventory wasn't great, but they had all the powders, primers, and bullets I needed.

They had to stop taking internet orders for loaded ammo for a while simply due to overwhelming demand. The lead time was becoming ridiculous.

Things will catch up in a few weeks. Keep an eye on places like Powder Valley. They pass along some good prices on primers when available. I bought a pile for $15/K on my last order from them. I usually order my high volume hazmat stuff from them once a year or so and pickup cast bullets and fill in supplies at Ga.Arms and gunshows.