Is reloading a viable option?

[cubbyjg]

Since i cannot find ammo in many stores, i am now considering getting into reloading. Are ammo components (brass, primers, etc) hard to find now as well?

[Seabear]

They are around here. Our gun club ordered a bunch of stuff and we got half the powder, no primers, and no ammo.

I have several orders for bullets coming in, but they are slower than normal. I have stocked up on Powder and primers, but am scared to use too much since I can't find more primers. Time to search.

[The Annoyed Man]

Since i cannot find ammo in many stores, i am now considering getting into reloading. Are ammo components (brass, primers, etc) hard to find now as well?

Yes, they are. However, it will calm down a bit over the next few weeks, and when it does, you should jump right in and buy what you need. I am currently set up to reload for 9mm, .45 ACP, .38/.357, .44/.44 magnum, .223/5.56 NATO, and .308/7.62 NATO. However, the vast majority of my ammo on hand was commercially purchased, and I have enough components on hand to assemble a few hundred rounds more (bullets and powder being the limiting factors). The only caliber that I reload with any degree of regularity is .308, partly because the cost/cartridge, even with new unfired brass, is half the cost of new commercial ammo, and partly because the results in my rifles are simply stunning, easily exceeding commercial match grade ammunition. And when you reuse fired brass, the cost per cartridge goes down significantly. It has been a while since I last did the math, but at the time, a single round of .308 Federal 168 grain Gold Match cost about $1.50. A single handload of the equivalent cartridge with new brass cost about 78¢, and with fired brass it was around 45¢. Obviously, current pricing would drive those numbers up, but they are still valid in comparison as a proportion of the cost of commercially produced match ammo........if you can find it.

So now that I have a reserve supply of 9mm, .45, 5.56, and .308, my ammunition related purchases over the next 2 -3 months will be focused on building up my supply of powder and bullets.

[MoJo]

I think the supply pipeline is going to refill but, it's going to take a while. In '08 it was about 12 months before things returned to normal. Panic buying always takes some time to recover from.

[cubbyjg]

Thanks guys. Looks like i need to spend some time reasearching on what i will need to reload. Another project to take on for the year!

[canvasbck]

Now that I have my supplies I can post this. T's just got in a shipment of reloading components if anyone needs to stock up. Probably won't last long.

[Wes]

Ts?

[canvasbck]

That was for Houston area folks. T's Guns and Ammo in Texas City.

Sorry, should have mentioned in Texas City, most folks down here who reload know the place.

[Teamless]

Ts?

T's guns and ammo, Texas City

[cubbyjg]

Hmm good to know. I drive down to texas city to go to the range down there so ill have to stop by the store.