I hear you on that. A friend of mine in Vancouver called me and asked how much 9mm was available at the LGS as there was zero available in Van. Well I called and had to break out pen and paper for type and cost. But me, I was in the middle of 1lb run of titegroup,9mm powder cast run on my Dillon 1,600 rounds over 3 days. I always try to keep a lb of TG and enough primers and bullets to do another run whenever.
Why the shortage
- Thread starter Moosetang
- Start date
I hear you on that. A friend of mine in Vancouver called me and asked how much 9mm was available at the LGS as there was zero available in Van. Well I called and had to break out pen and paper for type and cost. But me, I was in the middle of 1lb run of titegroup,9mm powder cast run on my Dillon 1,600 rounds over 3 days. I always try to keep a lb of TG and enough primers and bullets to do another run whenever.
My advise... buy UNIQUE Powder in bulk when you can. It can be used to reload 90% of the calibers out there. Not fast fast loads in rifle but still usable and fun. If you can find IMR4895 or H4895 or D4895, they can do an exceptional job in most Rifle rounds. I keep both of those in bulk as backup mostly for shortages as they work great and combined cover sooo many calibers with excellent results.
Past that, Titegroup is another super versatile powder to keep on hand. I much prefer Bullseye to it as it's cleaner burning in my experience but it seems like TG is always around and Hodgdon has released so many loads to be made with Titegroup.
As for primers there's not much to say.... Not long before Covid, Donald Trump had been president for a while and Federal had a promotion to get a mail in rebate on primers. Can you imagine that!?!!? A SALE on Primers!!! I instantly went into debt and maxed out the offer. It got it paid off once CERB kicked in (kidding) but now not only do I have primers to tie me over, if I wanted I can sell them for double what I paid. It's really the only way to roll with primers, buy as much as you can when their cheap. Then just pay the price wave if you run out.
Bullets are the same, if you have a nice load that`s working for you buy in batches of 500 when promotions are on. I got a good run on Sierra MK`s when they had some promotions. If I run out I`ll buy just what I need or what I can get if it`s scarce. Also, there`s casting. I bought a sailboat keel so I could have a lifetime lead source. It`s really liberating not worrying about finding bullets and shooting as much as you want on the cheap. Casting is a whole other hobby though and the rabbit hole goes deep!
Past that, Titegroup is another super versatile powder to keep on hand. I much prefer Bullseye to it as it's cleaner burning in my experience but it seems like TG is always around and Hodgdon has released so many loads to be made with Titegroup.
As for primers there's not much to say.... Not long before Covid, Donald Trump had been president for a while and Federal had a promotion to get a mail in rebate on primers. Can you imagine that!?!!? A SALE on Primers!!! I instantly went into debt and maxed out the offer. It got it paid off once CERB kicked in (kidding) but now not only do I have primers to tie me over, if I wanted I can sell them for double what I paid. It's really the only way to roll with primers, buy as much as you can when their cheap. Then just pay the price wave if you run out.
Bullets are the same, if you have a nice load that`s working for you buy in batches of 500 when promotions are on. I got a good run on Sierra MK`s when they had some promotions. If I run out I`ll buy just what I need or what I can get if it`s scarce. Also, there`s casting. I bought a sailboat keel so I could have a lifetime lead source. It`s really liberating not worrying about finding bullets and shooting as much as you want on the cheap. Casting is a whole other hobby though and the rabbit hole goes deep!
Shortage? Shortage? Not in my house, this is at least the 3rd time in the past 25 years we have had difficulties with procuring what you need. Think ahead, Plan ahead, learn to reload and stock up ahead of time. Then shortages don't happen.
mmcintyre1220
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Tillsonburg, Ontario
Every 4 years there is a shortage. This one is worse due to the plandemic and power being transferred to a democrat. I have been reloading now for 15 years . The first shortage I went through taught me to invest heavily in reloading components, as well as any ammo you don't reload. As a general rule, I keep a MINIMUM of the following on the shelves at all times.
30k Small pistol primers
10k Large Pistol primers
15k Small rifle primers
5k Large rifle primers
10k 209 shotshell primers
8-16lbs of each powder
1000lbs of shot
For my rifles I try to keep 500-1000 projectiles on hand at any given time. I cast all of my own pistol rounds and some rifle rounds. I have been able to build a stock pile of lead large enough to keep me going for the rest of my life. Don't let your guard down, keep a good supply at all times. As most of us know, not only can it run out but the cost can skyrocket. When I started just 15 years ago, 1000 primers was $27 and a lb of powder was $18.
30k Small pistol primers
10k Large Pistol primers
15k Small rifle primers
5k Large rifle primers
10k 209 shotshell primers
8-16lbs of each powder
1000lbs of shot
For my rifles I try to keep 500-1000 projectiles on hand at any given time. I cast all of my own pistol rounds and some rifle rounds. I have been able to build a stock pile of lead large enough to keep me going for the rest of my life. Don't let your guard down, keep a good supply at all times. As most of us know, not only can it run out but the cost can skyrocket. When I started just 15 years ago, 1000 primers was $27 and a lb of powder was $18.
In the 10 years of collecting etc i have seen what most would deem 'shortage'. Prior to sending in my paperwork it was $15 / brick of 22 reg retail.
almost immediately .22 went from 15 a brick to 22 to 45 and barely finding stock. Powder was hard to find, primers were hard to find. 10-`15 yrs later and it hasnt improved really.
This is the GTA where the markup is nice and healthy for some items. Canadian tire store ammo shelves that exist here are bare, although they have like $74 .303 20 round boxes so i dont think they want to sell ammo. SAIL has a reasonable selection but pricing is high. LGS are the only places i can find ammo selection now for any non hunting specific calibres.
A lot of calibres are drying up from the surplus markets internationally, and due to multiple wars overseas there are embargoes and other issues diverting ammo and components. Manufacturers are rolling out triple shifts and expanding facilities but cannot fulfill military, national etc police and civilian market demands. Especially when you consider as time goes on more and more calibres or variations of existing are put into production in varying amounts so there has to be accommodations made to change the production lines.
Add in covid and now 1+ years of effects on raw materials and then more recently their processing and manufacturing sectors are seeing labour and material issues. Add in slow processing at every step of the border process from both sides theres even more time and cost added. We will soon see supply chain issues that will make things even worse.
Some governments play the political game with mask/drug/shot mandates and it can be done state by state so different facilities different rules.
You almost have to watch the trends in EE/auctions. Right now there is a big flow of reloading dies and some stations. In the past years I found there was some here and there, but now it can be half or an entire day's lot.
Learned reloading a few years ago from someone doing it for ipsc. I learned how easy, efficient and safe it can be while much friendlier on the pocket book.
Im at the point now where for most calibres i dont look for ammo i look for components.
Dies are coming up left right and centre and i assume only more will come up as people find it harder to find components.
almost immediately .22 went from 15 a brick to 22 to 45 and barely finding stock. Powder was hard to find, primers were hard to find. 10-`15 yrs later and it hasnt improved really.
This is the GTA where the markup is nice and healthy for some items. Canadian tire store ammo shelves that exist here are bare, although they have like $74 .303 20 round boxes so i dont think they want to sell ammo. SAIL has a reasonable selection but pricing is high. LGS are the only places i can find ammo selection now for any non hunting specific calibres.
A lot of calibres are drying up from the surplus markets internationally, and due to multiple wars overseas there are embargoes and other issues diverting ammo and components. Manufacturers are rolling out triple shifts and expanding facilities but cannot fulfill military, national etc police and civilian market demands. Especially when you consider as time goes on more and more calibres or variations of existing are put into production in varying amounts so there has to be accommodations made to change the production lines.
Add in covid and now 1+ years of effects on raw materials and then more recently their processing and manufacturing sectors are seeing labour and material issues. Add in slow processing at every step of the border process from both sides theres even more time and cost added. We will soon see supply chain issues that will make things even worse.
Some governments play the political game with mask/drug/shot mandates and it can be done state by state so different facilities different rules.
You almost have to watch the trends in EE/auctions. Right now there is a big flow of reloading dies and some stations. In the past years I found there was some here and there, but now it can be half or an entire day's lot.
Learned reloading a few years ago from someone doing it for ipsc. I learned how easy, efficient and safe it can be while much friendlier on the pocket book.
Im at the point now where for most calibres i dont look for ammo i look for components.
Dies are coming up left right and centre and i assume only more will come up as people find it harder to find components.
You're correct, but between Brandon election, Burn Loot Murder, and this horrific pandemic. Tack on the ban of lead production, and it's gone sideways for makers down south. With only one thing things may have carried on, but now....... Well you know.
Like most things, the answer is somewhat complicated (as in numerous factors). One of the biggest, is that many people obtained licenses and firearms in both the USA (much bigger population, much bigger effect on supply chain) and Canada. Along with their newly acquired firearms they bought a few boxes of ammo. This alone (but isn't the only factor) created a huge surge in demand for ammo. Ammo production was previously at a level that was intended to be somewhat stable with the prevalent demand for ammo prior to the surge. While the demand could escalate very quickly, production is slower to increase. Even when it is decided to increase production you need facility space, trained staff, supplies, and tooling. While trying to increase production the producers where faced with the unknowns and added complications from COVID (work place precautions, lock downs, availability of workers, supply shortages etc). Also, the same companies producing supplies for reloading are the ones producing supplies for making production ammunition. As the demand for factory ammo had increased significantly, so the demand on the limited supply of reloading components.
Here is a link to a video with the President of Federal, CCI, Speer, and Remington giving a better explanation than I have provided. https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=KIgvoJKovIg
If you shop around, you can find a lot of components that seemed unavailable a few days before. Production rates are high and increasing. Many of the producers allow you to set up to receive an email when they have what you want in stock. Then you can follow the chain to a Canadian retailer for that product and make arrangements. A few companies even pulled product aside for me and I was able to specify the specific Canadian Distributor that'd would be ordering it to sell to me.
Like many things, if you put effort in, in an appropriate manner, over time, you should be able to see some results. Best of luck!
(I hope I have followed the Forum rules correctly in the manner of providing the link). You need to copy and post the link and delete the space between "you" and "tube".
Here is a link to a video with the President of Federal, CCI, Speer, and Remington giving a better explanation than I have provided. https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=KIgvoJKovIg
If you shop around, you can find a lot of components that seemed unavailable a few days before. Production rates are high and increasing. Many of the producers allow you to set up to receive an email when they have what you want in stock. Then you can follow the chain to a Canadian retailer for that product and make arrangements. A few companies even pulled product aside for me and I was able to specify the specific Canadian Distributor that'd would be ordering it to sell to me.
Like many things, if you put effort in, in an appropriate manner, over time, you should be able to see some results. Best of luck!
(I hope I have followed the Forum rules correctly in the manner of providing the link). You need to copy and post the link and delete the space between "you" and "tube".
Canada Ammo had good deals and availability on Dominion powders during the darkest days of this current shortage. I got 4350, 8208, 5744, 4895, and 4064 in 5 lb jugs. It doesn't exactly match the IMR data so you need to work up from a lower start point but it's good stuff. And at $32/lb and free shipping over $200 it was a screaming deal.
It's a duopoly...
'At a glance, Americans appear to have a variety of ammunition companies to choose from: Remington, Winchester, Speer, CCI (Cascade Cartridge, Inc.), Federal Premium.
Winchester bills itself as “The American Legend” and has been in business for over 150 years, while Remington has been making guns and ammo for over 200 years and states that their company is as “boundless as the American spirit.”
These companies associate their brands with freedom, independence, and toughness. What most customers do not know, however, is that they are all owned by the same two entities: Olin Corporation and Vista Outdoor.
This consolidation in the small arms ammunition market by corporations and private equity firms is hurting businesses, consumers, and workers. And it’s producing a massive shortage, just as demand for ammunition picks up.
It looks like the problem could get worse, not only in the commercial shooting market, but where it really matters: for our national security.'
https://prospect.org/economy/great-american-ammunition-conspiracy/
'At a glance, Americans appear to have a variety of ammunition companies to choose from: Remington, Winchester, Speer, CCI (Cascade Cartridge, Inc.), Federal Premium.
Winchester bills itself as “The American Legend” and has been in business for over 150 years, while Remington has been making guns and ammo for over 200 years and states that their company is as “boundless as the American spirit.”
These companies associate their brands with freedom, independence, and toughness. What most customers do not know, however, is that they are all owned by the same two entities: Olin Corporation and Vista Outdoor.
This consolidation in the small arms ammunition market by corporations and private equity firms is hurting businesses, consumers, and workers. And it’s producing a massive shortage, just as demand for ammunition picks up.
It looks like the problem could get worse, not only in the commercial shooting market, but where it really matters: for our national security.'
https://prospect.org/economy/great-american-ammunition-conspiracy/
Good thing you reload, huh?
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
You would have to be a pretty new (or oblivious) shooter to not know that Winchester is owned by Olin, Federal and CCI by Vista. It's all over the boxes, and the advertising, and the websites.
Remington is a new addition to Vista, that is the only consolidation that could be considered news.
The USA has many alternate sources of ammo, such as Black Hills, Magtech, PPU, and Herters.
Not to mention the massive assembly lines at the Lake City plant, owned by ATK though operated by companies such as Olin or Vista under contract.
And as the final note, this article came out last week, odd given that the ammo shortage down there started 18 months ago but by now is in full retreat, with most stores apparently having ammo on the shelves and prices dropping.
So all in all, I call this one a fail.
SustainingGopher
CGN Regular
- Location
- An airport
I’m still waiting for all the newer varieties of M855 to hit the shelves here. Yeah I know the American Eagle stuff is garbage, but I have two rifles that shoot the 62 grain pretty well.
The US have all this Winchester, fiochi, wolf brass and armscor stuff on the shelf, wondering when some of it’s gonna land here.
The US have all this Winchester, fiochi, wolf brass and armscor stuff on the shelf, wondering when some of it’s gonna land here.
I don't reload.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
You might want to look up the word "sarcasm".
I can't see the posters deportment but I didn't infer it was meant to be sarcastic...not sure why you would see it as?
He's right it was kind of tongue in cheek, but not a mean sense. A friendly hint to say reloading is the way to go.
I needed 243 deer loads for the kid so I made 20 last night between periods in the hockey game. Sized and primed in the 1st intermission, powder and bullets added in the 2nd. Rifle season starts next week and and he has put 200 practice rounds through the rifle since spring. The practice ammo used cheap varmint bullets but the deer loads use Nosler Partition. Components for 220 rounds cost under $120 and I can make more any time I need.
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I'm a bit shy on shotshell primers at present but my stash of metallic reloading components will last me a very long time.
That being said, if I was just getting going with the reloading bug I'd be a bit discouraged with the lack of availability of what used to be fairly common items. I've spent a fair bit of time lately window shopping on many websites and the " out of stock " blurb is frighteningly common.
That being said, if I was just getting going with the reloading bug I'd be a bit discouraged with the lack of availability of what used to be fairly common items. I've spent a fair bit of time lately window shopping on many websites and the " out of stock " blurb is frighteningly common.
Everytime a DEMONcrat gets elected or appears to be getting elected to POTUS....the Yankees stock up.
Also, the USA Military buys everything it can.....first!
Combine that with Covid, shipping delays, factory slow downs....
You have perfect storm for components shortage.
Also, the USA Military buys everything it can.....first!
Combine that with Covid, shipping delays, factory slow downs....
You have perfect storm for components shortage.
