primers

[jj]

I just can not belive this. NO PRIMERS....
The War / Conflicts are still going on - No Change.
People getting laid off? BULL.... Heck let them make primers there is a demand for them.
Politics..........Must be the ans.
MICHAEL ! Who is at pulling this chitt.........other then B-hole.
How do respond?

[tombogan03884]

I would say that increased demand for both Ammo AND reloading supplies is the problem. Manufacturers probably will not expand production capabilities in the near future as it is probably going to taper off eventually.

[jj]

BULL... Money is to be made........There is something else going on.........

[twyacht]

Hello jj, and welcome. A recent gun show here in S. Fl. "used" to have reloading supplies, the last three shows have seen a dramatic decrease in availability of any/all handloading provisions.

The ammo rep. selling packaged ammo as fast as the register could ring up sales, said he was having problems getting anything regarding primers.

I agree something is going on...

[ccd]

Money is to be made

The factories are running at full capacity. Primers for reloaders come from excess capacity and there is no excess capacity right now. That and with ammo prices being artificially inflated right now there is no incentive to sell primers on the side as the ammo companies make much higher margins on the ammo versus the primers. So they are happy to sell as much ammo as possible and really don't/can't (business wise) care about the secondary market (handloaders) that in reality competes against them.

[Sponsor]

[deamonpi]

BULL... Money is to be made........There is something else going on.........

I am guessing you have no idea how much capital is needed for primer manufacturers to increase production.  I have heard from manufacturers on several audio shows their production is AT capacity, there is no more they can make without buying new machines to add.  That costs a lot.  And are YOU going to make sure you buy all the excess capacity when the hoarding is finished?  If you are let the manufacturers know and I'm sure they will buy the new machines, if you aren't then just wait and supply will eventually return to 'normal'

[jj]

The factories are running at full capacity. Primers for reloaders come from excess capacity and there is no excess capacity right now. That and with ammo prices being artificially inflated right now there is no incentive to sell primers on the side as the ammo companies make much higher margins on the ammo versus the primers. So they are happy to sell as much ammo as possible and really don't/can't (business wise) care about the secondary market (handloaders) that in reality competes against them.

Hmptt...factories running at full capacity? were they doing that 6 months ago? I don't think so. BUT there was primers you could buy anywhere.
Ammo on shelfs.. 6 months ago? YES there was ammo was on the shelf.
Bottom Line.. who? is buying all this up?
Can't be the handloaders. Can't be the ammo mfg. cuz there is no ammo at Wally World.......Can't be the US goverment, because there no new war.
Perhaps there selling it to China? Alkida?
Or B-Hole has his hands in it?

[Badgersmilk]

At least Federal brand has always been spotty for availability.  Dealers get in one huge shipment every several months, no consistant supply.  When they show up again buy a couple cases.  They're cheap enough, if stored properly wont "go bad",  and a few thousand should hold you a while.   You want to do it that way for "lot consistancy" anyway!

ccd, and deamonpi make good sense.

Have you seen the price of bullets lately?!  Thats what I ran out of.  Cant bring myself to pay more for bullets than I did a year ago for loaded ammo!!  I'd consider casting (as you do), but the jackets have to many benefits to me.

[SCfromNY]

I usually get my primers and powder at USPSA matches from a local guy to save the $20 haz mat fee. The last 2 months he has run out immediately because of the demand. I have heard of huge stockpiles of primers by reloaders. Last purchase was Federal @ $25 per 1000. So I went to Cabelas, who will honor backorder prices and paid $29.95. The primers like my 7.62 ammo will eventually come in. I hated paying the haz mat fee.

Put some on backorder, you can always cancel if they become available locally.

[MikeBjerum]

I have a freind that moved to another community where he works as an electrician.  One of their clients is a well known ammo manufacturer.  My friend says that he could just as well call the plant his homebase, because for the last year and a half that is almost the only place he has worked.  It is a constant flow of new machinery for both upgrading of old and increasing production.

His report is that the trucks are rolling constantly with raw materials coming in and finished product leaving.  The only thing he knows is what he gets told - "Don't look for another job, because we need you here for a loooooooong time!"

I believe that there is a genuine demand issue that no one was ready for.  Some is for legitamate use, and some is hording by users.  I also believe that the "big boys" may not be ramping up (expanding) as much as they could due to investor ownership that operates differently and for fear of what is coming out of DC in months to come.