So is this really what reloading is all about?

spenom

spenom

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
61   0   0
Location
Kamloops, B.C.
First off, I never really use this forum to complain about anything. So I don't want this to come across as complaining. I just want to know if component shortages are a normal part of this hobby? I have been reloading casually for about 3-4 years and it seems there is always something I cannot get my hands on. I started off with with a .270 and read up as much as I could on what to get. I also came across a number of threads suggesting I stock up on a number of items. So I bought a little extra of this and that as far as my budget would allow. The first year went pretty smooth. I ended up buying a reasonable amount extra anytime what I was looking for came up..... Then I switched calibers to .223 because the target end of things interested me more than the hunting end and all that extra stuff became wasted money.
So I used the great service of the Equipment exchange and sold off my excess supplies. Now for the last year I have felt like there is really nothing. I can get primers, I can get bullets, but honestly I cannot get powder AT ALL! I see ads asking high prices for powders like varget that are obviously in high demand and I am even willing to pay the silly high prices just to actually do a little reloading and shooting but the seller is usually flooded with buyers and I am late to the table.
I have followed all the advice on this forum a second go round and stocked up on the available items like primers and bullets,brass etc but have been reasonable because I feel that "hoarding" is glutenous and unnecessary. At this point though I need to ask my peers, is this normal? has this happened before? short of playing with my .22 how can I stay interested in this hobby? I am a young guy that is new to this so forgive me is I am missing something here but long story short I have a 1:7 .223 / 1:8 .260 / 1:9.5 7mm how can I make them go "bang" at the range or hunting because at this point I am thinking that the trouble and cost of getting components is seriously starting to outweigh the pleasure of the hobby. If it was like this when I was new to reloading and shooting I would have dropped it like a bad habit. Playstation is looking pretty good right now but that just is not me, so what gives?
 
I started reloading about 5 years ago. When I first started, it was never a problem to get stuffs. It's only been the past 1-2 years that the pickings have been slim. I've been frustrated with it also, just like you.

Hoarding is a greedy mannerism. It makes the situation worse. Furthermore, people like to get on here and brag how they have 200 lbs or powder, 20,000 primers and bullets up the ying-yang. This only encourages other people to do the same.

All I can say to you is be patient and hope the the supply-demand issue balances out in the near future.
 
Buckshot70 said:
Try buying your components at... oh say a gun store?
Click to expand...

Hey, a snappy come back to my stupid question? Just what I was looking for. Now honestly if you could point me in the direction of a gun store with varget on the shelf that is within a reasonable driving distance of V2C 3C4 I would be in your debt.
 
Prior to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban in the USA, when I lived in California, gun store shelves were stripped bare, including reloading supplies. It has happened before and probably will happen again.......

Ups and downs are part of any hobby and ours can be a little unstable at times, but if we let the Antis win and everyone dropped the shooting sports because it got a little rough, than what does that say about us.

I hoard! ~ and have been a proud hoarder of ammo, components, lead alloy and the like. The reason why was Diane Feinstein's 1994 bill that turned my LGS in California that usually had 2 customers into a store that had security and a waiting line while it was stripped bare faster than it could be replenished. That day I became a hoarder, no I don't buy everything in sight, but get a little here and a little there at a good price to increase my stash.

I still shoot ammo that I loaded back in the mid 1990's, so I am never pushed or feel market pressure :)
 
woodenpigeon said:
What he said. ^
Click to expand...

ryan said:
The hoarding will stop if the Americans elect a republican next go round.
Click to expand...

What's they said.

It's the people in the states causing shortages etc.

It will pass in due time, and when it does stock up. Simple.

Check hummisons and higgisons for powders you will have to pay for shipping though. If you want to shoot you gotta pay...
 
Yukon1911 said:
Prior to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban in the USA, when I lived in California, gun store shelves were stripped bare, including reloading supplies. It has happened before and probably will happen again.......

Ups and downs are part of any hobby and ours can be a little unstable at times, but if we let the Antis win and everyone dropped the shooting sports because it got a little rough, than what does that say about us.

I hoard! ~ and have been a proud hoarder of ammo, components, lead alloy and the like. The reason why was Diane Feinstein's 1994 bill that turned my LGS in California that usually had 2 customers into a store that had security and a waiting line while it was stripped bare faster than it could be replenished. That day I became a hoarder, no I don't buy everything in sight, but get a little here and a little there at a good price to increase my stash.

I still shoot ammo that I loaded back in the mid 1990's, so I am never pushed or feel market pressure :)
Click to expand...

The shooting hobby may see me becoming a hoarder after this dry spell! I have not bee in it near as long as you but feel that if I am to keep at it I will also need a stash.....Or a kayak.
 
Buy it cheap and stack it deep comes to mind. I will deal with a temporary shortage because I end up shooting about 3x as much for what I would if I was buying ammo.
 
In between past US panic buying waves and the recovery thereof, component availability was fine.

Having been thru say 3 panics so far, my concept of minimum onhand stock levels has expanded considerably.
I'm happy if I can achieve say 2 years production as components.

The other interesting "secret" is that stocks disappear off Canadian shelves slower when a panic first starts,
but will reappear on Canadian shelves slower when the panic is concluded.

The astute observer will jump all over Canadian shelf stock when the observer sees a panic starting in the US,
since you can be sure that the US end of the component pipeline just slammed closed. It will take a while
for the component pipeline to drain, but drain it will.
 
OP,
Your biggest problem is you want to use "brand name" powder. Try Higginson's . They have Bulk, Surplus powder made for the .223. It works great, but it ain't cool 'cuz it ain't "brand name", but it IS $17 per pound. Buy 21lbs (and they do have it in stock) and they shipping is discounted.

That's how I have been rolling for years. That powder works for everything I shoot from .223 to .30-06. No good for magnums, though.
 
Buckshot70 said:
Try buying your components at... oh say a gun store?
Click to expand...

You need to climb out of the hole my friend.

Spenom, yes it has been rough for a bit now but it hasn't always been this bad. There will come a day when powder is back on the shelves, but for now you just have to keep your eyes open for supplies.
 
Well, I literally JUST broke down and bought 8 pounds of Varget off of the EE for $350. I had to O.K. it with the wife, and have a glass of wine (I don't really drink) but I feel pretty good about my .223 for the next little while now. Not sure if that was a deal by most peoples standards and I honestly don't even care. I think it is reasonable and it will get me out of the house.... well into the basement but then the weekend after out of the house, shooting. I am smiling :)
 
Try our local shops, then call Del's in Vernon, Westside Stores in Salmon Arm and we have a gun
show coming up early May.
I had a bunch of one pound powder cans at the Salmon Arm gun show last year and it didn't start
selling until I lowered the price to $30 a pound.
I would expect powder to be hanging around $40 with taxes in or close to it.
Buy a May 3rd door ticket at our show and I'll bet you dollars to powder you will find it there.
 
rookie wildcat said:
OP,
Your biggest problem is you want to use "brand name" powder. Try Higginson's . They have Bulk, Surplus powder made for the .223. It works great, but it ain't cool 'cuz it ain't "brand name", but it IS $17 per pound. Buy 21lbs (and they do have it in stock) and they shipping is discounted.

That's how I have been rolling for years. That powder works for everything I shoot from .223 to .30-06. No good for magnums, though.
Click to expand...

I am going to look into this even though I may have just secured some of the "cool" name brand stuff! Honestly I didn't know there was non name brand powders. "higginson's" is online I am guessing?
 
kamlooky said:
Try our local shops, then call Del's in Vernon, Westside Stores in Salmon Arm and we have a gun
show coming up early May.
I had a bunch of one pound powder cans at the Salmon Arm gun show last year and it didn't start
selling until I lowered the price to $30 a pound.
I would expect powder to be hanging around $40 with taxes in or close to it.
Buy a May 3rd door ticket at our show and I'll bet you dollars to powder you will find it there.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. Dels in Vernon is actually where I bought my rifle! That is a wild store worth a visit. I love that place! I also love the Kamloops gun show. I have gone for the past few years in a row and even a few times when it was at the KXA back in the day. Never been to the Salmon arm gun store but it is now on my list (didn't even know there was a gun store in salmon arm to be honest)
 
I just ordered and received 3 pounds fo CFE223 from Cabela's. Just go online and do a inter-store transfer to the nearest one or have it shipped to your house if you have to. I also just placed an order through Higginson's for 25 pounds of various powders and am splitting it between myself and two other buddies. You have to work a little harder for it these days but you can still get it. Just don't expect to find Varget anywhere.
 
spenom said:
Hey, a snappy come back to my stupid question? Just what I was looking for. Now honestly if you could point me in the direction of a gun store with varget on the shelf that is within a reasonable driving distance of V2C 3C4 I would be in your debt.
Click to expand...

Don't bother heading up Highway 97. I've never seen a container of Varget in the Cariboo and PG.
 
cr5 said:
I just ordered and received 3 pounds fo CFE223 from Cabela's. Just go online and do a inter-store transfer to the nearest one or have it shipped to your house if you have to. I also just placed an order through Higginson's for 25 pounds of various powders and am splitting it between myself and two other buddies. You have to work a little harder for it these days but you can still get it. Just don't expect to find Varget anywhere.
Click to expand...
I don't know why people keep repeating this line of BS that you can't find Varget anywhere.
It is out there but you just have to pick up the phone and call around.
I know who has some but then people will whine about the $40.00 hazmat charges.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom