reloading supplies.....the new norm??

[Eaglelord17]

All retailers seem to be adopting this model. Not just the firearms community. If you want it we will order it for you etc. your only choices are to buy stock for yourself or be adaptable in what you need.

There is also the possibility that reloading is in decline so the retailers don't bother stocking stuff or their profit margin is higher on pre-rolled ammo or .....

I think it is more to do with stocking specific types of bullets and how often they will have someone seeking it. It is stuff that sits a while because not everyone is looking for that specific type of bullet, powder or brass.

Even if for example they have some bullets of a certain diameter everyone wants something different. For example for 6.5 caliber I only want some 160grn round nose bullets, well others like 120grn spitzers and others want 140grn spitzers, sometimes specific to certain brands as well. If you have to carry 15 different types of bullets, when you don't know what people are looking for that can be stock that sits for a long time.

The opening up of the online market has also helped reduce the need for local stores to keep stock on these items as more people are ordering the specific product they want online.

 

[t-star]

or it could be a left handed way to force you to buy ammo rather than compnenents- far larger mark-up

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Buy online, places like Humansons, Higginsons, CanAmmo, Budget, Xreload....you can find everything you need.

This.^ Gun shows are also a good place to get goodies.

 

[hometownhero]

ne
next time u need a pin, ( the rcbs ones are notorious for bending)use your DIAL CALIPERS TO GET THE DIAMETER and then it's over to Canadian tire bulk hardware to match SHAFT DIAMETERS- some nails have thicker diameters than others and those will stick in your flashole- get the ones that match- and buy a box, NOT JUST A FEW- THE RCBS ONES HAVE A ROUNDED TIP ON BOTH ENDS and cost 6 BUCKS OR BETTER a piece- that might have been guncraft's pricing- that place was designed to screw the customer from the second you crossed the doorstop

Why are you buying pins for an rcbs die? Call or email them and they will send you half a dozen or more and it will be free

 

[Grey_Wolf]

I won't say that I've had no problem finding stuff but it's not impossible. I live in Alberta too. In the last two years I've stocked up on primers and several brands of powder. The biggest issue is finding Nosler bullets You might have to wander outside the city. I've found good stock of some items at Kodiak Lake in Barrhead, Bashaw Sports, Wholesale Sports in Edm. to name a few as well as some of the online stuff like Higginsons.

 

[Eagleye]

This broken/bent decapping pin issue........I have been reloading since 1963 and in all that time,
having loaded 10's of thousands of rounds, I have bent or broken exactly 3 pins. One broke when
there was some foreign object in a case that I missed somehow.
RCBS sent me freebies, so I still have extras. Dave.

 

[bjmurata]

This.^ Gun shows are also a good place to get goodies.

You can say that again, I have made some real scores over the years at gunshows on components. You never know what may pop up and with the Woodstock,ON show coming up this weekend I'll be in line looking for some more goodies as well as one of those famous bacon on a bun sandwiches.

 

[RaymondT]

Inventory control is all about moving goods. If a stores business system doesn't record X amount of turns per quarter/year, the item isn't reordered when the last box finally sells. The longer an item sits on the shelves, the chance that it will sell at regular price diminishes over time. Then there's the issue of aged inventory devaluing. All stores are profit driven and fast turns is what they strive for. Just the reality of running a business.

 

[RonR]

I disagree,

Now one of the finest things for me is walking into a shop and actually seeing what I am looking for on the shelf! its like finding money on the ground.

^^^ This x 20.

No intent to hijack OP because I considered a related topic post myself.

I am only a sophomore reloader but for five six, there must be some patterns/trends that the reloading sage's know about and can somewhat predict in terms of upcoming availability besides just buying it when you see it. (I get it if the sage's want to keep that to themselves too)

For me here in Saskatoon its Varget. There's some around in Canada but to have it shipped I can't rationalize the expense for powder shipping and like another post here, I am concerned about adapting to a powder that will be short again.

The second is Accubonds in the diameter and weight that I am looking for...but this seems to be a wide spread shortage but on the same note, perhaps Nosler products show up just in time...like September?

Its preparation for hunting season here and I am at a quandary right now regarding powder. Purchase and stock up on an available powder with something I have worked with in the past or wait for Varget to magically show up. If the reloading component oracles could weigh in regarding Hodgdon powder supply and any trends in the past regarding calendar year I would be much obliged. I don't want your powder, just some wisdom.

Apologies for the amount of emoji's or emoticons or whatever...my kids text me this stuff instead of texting in proper grammar or picking up the phone to talk. Apparently these things can aid communication.


Regards
Ron

 

[bearhunter]

That stock doesn't go on the shelf for free.

Handloaders are notoriously CHEAP. They usually purchase the bare minimum as far as components go. There are others that don't fool around and find out what shoots best in their go to firearm and then purchase the components in bulk/quantity.

I always shake my head at a fellow that purchases one box of the cheapest bullets/primers in the shop that will go down the bore of his/her rifle, then asks if there are any part cans of his type of powder for sale.

I guess they have to do what they do to get by.

I am spoiled here in Vernon BC. We have a local gun shop called Del Selin's that usually has everything the average shooter/reloader is looking for or something close enough. If I can, I will purchase from him to support the store. He and his staff are relatively experienced hand loaders and know what is needed. Del is getting long in the tooth though, like myself, and is getting to the point he would like to retire. Not right away though. Still may be a great opportunity for someone with a good ethic to get into a running business.

When my local store doesn't have what I need, I will get them to order powder by the eight pound keg. I realize that isn't feasible for most reloaders for different reasons. I pick up primers by the 5000 piece carton. Why??? Because I am anal about consistency and hate screwing around developing a load with each new lot of components. I can't count the times I have seen a frustrated shooter at the range lamenting about his group size. Usually the culprit is the load. New box of bullets, likely the same weight but different manufacturer, new lot of powder with the same number but slightly different burn rate and new batch of primers that are slightly different than the old batch. Then of course there is a problem with mixing odd lots of bullets and primers in a box for future use. Sometimes ok.

OP, do what you can to purchase in quantity. If your local shops can't or won't carry a decent selection then go to one of the banner advertisers at the top of the page and place an order for components. If you are only going to purchase one box of bullets at a time, it will be very expensive.

Most online dealers will give you a discount for quantity. Last month I purchased ten boxes of Barnes TTSX bullets from Mystic Precision. I had them within a few weeks and the discount he gave was more than the shipping. Same goes for SFRC/Budget shooter/local gun shop.

I tend to stay away from the big box stores although their prices on 8 pound kegs of powder can be very good. As for the other components, they are usually pricier.