Where to buy components and some spleen venting

AnotherCanuck

CGN Regular
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Van Isle
I've used Henry at Budget almost exclusively since I started reloading last year. He's fantastic (seriously, dude is amazing), but often lacks some stuff I'd like to get or try. I'd also like to be exposed to some new things, stuff I wouldn't know to ask for.

Where do you get your stuff, and why?

At the risk of preaching to the choir there is something I'd like to gripe about to the community where those responsible may find it - shopping online for this stuff seems to be unnecessarily hard on a lot of websites. Really, stupidly, way too difficult - and I work in IT for a living, my google-fu is fast as lightning. Lay it out in a way where I can actually find a diameter of bullet I want, and see what you have to offer. If I need to know ahead of time what I want so I can search for it (ie: Nosler Partition 168gr 0.308" - or is it Nostler Partition 168 grain 308? Sorry, back on point) will never lead to me filling my cart with new things to test out, making you lots of money and me very happy.

Sorry for the rant, but it's pretty related.
 
X reload is another option for components and tools.

X2, good guys to deal with, reasonable prices and fast delivery. Also, Higginson Powders are good to deal with. The only thing about them is the extra hazmat charges for powder and primers which can increase your cost quite a bit. But good for all other items. Jerry at Mystic Precision is another good guy to deal with for reloading components and other gun parts. I'm sure there there are more but these just come to mind quickly.
 
x-reload has the most complete inventory and best website for querying by bullet diameter.

Higginsons power sells all Hornady components in bulk as well as others, I get most of my stuff from Higginsons.
 
A lot depends on the game you want to load for, whether benchstop, PRS, tactical, hunting rifle, shotgun, pistol, etc. Finding someone who's out ahead of you on the learning curve and asking what they're doing for reloading and the suppliers they've found and looking for some mentorship gets you a long way.

Also, local suppliers are good for meeting in person and asking questions when you almost know what you want and faster / less expensive shipping or just taking it home with you same-day. Out on the west coast there are a set of great suppliers nearby, while the shops to walk into in the GTA are a different set entirely.
 
Lots of excellent advice and thoughts here gents, thank you kindly!

The only one that really hurts is local suppliers - the island is sorely lacking for a hardcore reloading shop. Give me ideas, but probably not profitable ones haha.

Think I'll have to send Henry and email with some requests for pricing / availability.
 
Thanks for the compliment. I've got to get to the Wells again some time. We'll have coffee or lunch.

Regards, Henry

Henry, while I have not bought a lot of stuff from you, your fast service, and the ability to get what I needed has always been a great help! For some stuff, shipping to Ontario is a killer. Now, if you wanted to open a branch operation in my home town; I would deal exclusively with you!

Again, thanks for your past help!

Mark
 
For those in Southern Ontario, I usually save up for a bulk order of powder and a few thousand Cast Lead pistol projectiles and primers and deal with Hummison Manufacturing (the guys that make lead shot on site in a huge shot tower that looks like a silo from the road) in Ancaster Ontario. Amazing prices, and I can drive there and back in about 2hours and save the shipping; and it is a pleasant drive. I'm not sure what their shipping charges are, but I would imagine that they are competitive. They mainly cater to Shot-Gunners but have the largest selection of powders I have ever seen (I believe they are distributors), so when it comes to stock; if it is in their price list, they have it; if not, they don't. No special orders. They have a small store-front on site, but they generally give you a receipt, and send you to one of the warehouses to pick your stuff up.

Different than your average "gun store" experience LOL.
 
I've used Henry at Budget almost exclusively since I started reloading last year. He's fantastic (seriously, dude is amazing), but often lacks some stuff I'd like to get or try. I'd also like to be exposed to some new things, stuff I wouldn't know to ask for.

Where do you get your stuff, and why?

At the risk of preaching to the choir there is something I'd like to gripe about to the community where those responsible may find it - shopping online for this stuff seems to be unnecessarily hard on a lot of websites. Really, stupidly, way too difficult - and I work in IT for a living, my google-fu is fast as lightning. Lay it out in a way where I can actually find a diameter of bullet I want, and see what you have to offer. If I need to know ahead of time what I want so I can search for it (ie: Nosler Partition 168gr 0.308" - or is it Nostler Partition 168 grain 308? Sorry, back on point) will never lead to me filling my cart with new things to test out, making you lots of money and me very happy.

Sorry for the rant, but it's pretty related.

There's your problem - Nosler doesn't make a 168gr 308 partition bullet. It's 165 gr. :)

Seriously though, some websites are incredibly hard to find anything on. Wolverine is a great store but try to find anything specific using their search function can be frustrating. Easier to just phone them.
 
Guess it depends what you are looking for at the time. In Canada, I've used Hummason, Higginson, Hirsch, X-reload, Rayner Shine, Wolverine Supplies, Bullseye, Prophet River, Western Metals, Dragonlube, Precision Optics, Go Big Tactical, Coretac Solutions, Tradexx, Epps,Nordic, Tesro, CSC. At the moment it is more a matter of who happens to have what you want, ppd frt is nice if it can be had, I don't mind making a min order if it is something I know I will use. As far as tools go that don't seem to be available up here, I've used Brownell's, Natchez, Gun Stop, Midsouth, Forster, RCBS, Annealeez, 21st Century, LBT, Buffalo Arms, NEI, Mountain Tactical.
Lots of good places to get things, if they have what you need and the price is bearable for that item(s).
 
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