Friday, March 20, 2009

Guns: You can't reload without components


Reloaders, at least in my experience, are not immune to scarcity. They're insulated, sure, since you can stockpile bullets, primers, and powder for less money and in less space than stockpiling loaded ammo. But you still need components, and for some time now there's been a shortfall, as the recent panic over the DoD's stance over previously fired brass shows. In my local sphere, the results of the ammo crunch have been stark, to say the least.

Stopping by the Gander Mountain in Ocala was like stepping into a post-apocalyptic zombie movie. The powder shelves were picked clean, with only a few odd canisters of Red Dot lingering. There were literally ZERO metallic cartridge primers left for sale - only a dozen boxes of shotshell primers. Even the bullet shelf was a bit bare, which is suprising considering that most reloaders get their bullets shipped directly to them in bulk.

Even outside north central Florida, it seems like reloading stuff is in short supply. When I searched for Lee carbide 9mm dies, I discovered that most of the usual suspects (Midway, Widener's, etc.) were out of stock. .223 rifle bullets are also starting to get a little hard to find, perhaps the result of all those new AR owners stockinng up. Buy it while you can, I guess.

4 Comments:

At 8:06 PM, Blogger James R. Rummel said...

Good post.

James

 
At 7:34 AM, Blogger Firehand said...

You want really spooky? Take a look at Midway or Grafs in the bullet molds, and see how many show 'out of stock'. Looks like a lot of people are deciding to cast. If not now, to have the mold just in case.

 
At 6:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've heard the current crunch is due to the California Law banning lead ammo, once that's in full affect we will see if the stock piles start to replenish. The thing I can't figure out is why the component manufacturers aren't keeping up with the demand. I mean if there were ever a time to increase production now would be it. The only place you can find primers, if your looking is on Gunbroker.com. Be prepared to pay a premium though as it appears that those who can get primers are hording and taking advantage of the demand.

 
At 3:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Panic in KALIFORNIA. NObama, say no more AMMO, NO PRIMERS, FOR YOU.
Why look for ammo from retail, when you can order WWW and commit a felony. Just try an find PRIMERS,POWDER, LEAD.
Shelf is on empty. Mexico is full of ammo for a price. Just SMUGGLE IT.
COST cheaper than buying.
KALIFORNIA MILITA 2010

 

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