reloading supplies

[xtratoy]

Sometimes I wonder if the worst enemy of shooters aren't the Manufacturers themselves. $70-$75 for a 20 round box of your average large Magnum round ( 300 RUM for example ). Have you priced out any 500 S&W? $25-$34 for a pound of powder. $25 -$30 for your average bulk pack Remington and Winchester rifle bullets. It gets worse if you buy the Premium components ( Barnes, Nosler etc... ) I know, I know, reloading is still cheaper than buying factory made ammo. I don't know how how some on the lower end of the money chain can even begin to enter and enjoy this pastime. I am glad I have a fairly good supply , but still suffer sticker shock when I need a different powder to try or am trying out different bullets when I do get a new gun to load for. It now costs as much to load for a .223 caliber as it used to cost me to load for my .338 win mag ( mid 70's ). Oh wait, you already knew this. :roll: I feel better now.

 

[contender]

We can thank the chinese. They have been buying all types of raw metals (brass, copper, etc!) for the last few years, driving up the prices for everyone. Go to a recycle center & watch what gets brought in to sell. Even steel is worth selling right now. So, we all suffer the higher costs of materials!

 

[mattsbox99]

I buy my bullets & some brass from Shooters Pro Shop - Nosler's outlet for factory 2nds and overruns, powder and primers in bulk from Powder Valley. I still buy plenty from the local guys, but when I save $250 on powder by buying in bulk, I'm all for that.

 

[DGW1949]

None of this is the manufacturer's fault. They have the same problem that we all have...as-in, it keeps taking more 'n more dollars to buy the same amount of "stuff" that it used to buy. Plus, they have to pay higher 'n higher wages if they expect to keep their employees around. Can't stay in business if ya don't make a profit.

If you think it's costing a lot to reload these days, just hang on a while and take another look after ammo prices go up (again). I hear-tell that factory ammo is going to take a 30% jump soon.

DGW

 

[xtratoy]

I understand that but the price of lead, copper and brass dropped a lot and the end product never reflected that during that period. Now scrap metal prices are getting back to where they were 3.5 years ago and like you say, look out for the new price increases. They won't just jump the price of factory loaded ammo. I am sure that brass and bullets will be rising too. One local store dropped the price $2.00 on a bag of chilled shot in early 2009 and within a month ( while the price of lead was at a low point ) had raised it to a new high of $45 a bag. I will hang in there as long as I can and support the economy until I reach the tipping point where I can't justify or can't afford to anymore. Gotta go now and get some 22 LR to tide me over.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I understand that but the price of lead, copper and brass dropped a lot and the end product never reflected that during that period...

That's more than offset by fuel price increases. Bullets and factory ammo are heavy.

 

[EDK]

People are starting to get themselves all worked up on Mr. Obama's POSSIBLE re-election. After his other gestures towards "people clinging to their guns and religion," his second term could be a bad time to be looking for ammunition or reloading components. UNLESS he can figure out how to amend the constitution, he can't run for a third term and will have even less restraint towards people whose values he does not share.

You do what you want. A modest supply of ammunition and/or reloading components would be a wise investment. I'd also suggest a second set of reloading dies for each caliber you reload and spare parts as required.

22 Long Rifle ammo and shot gun shells might also be worthwhile.

 

[desertrat]

What gets me more than how much reloading/shooting supplies are going up is the shipping cost that goes with it when you order online. I've had situations where the shipping was almost as much as the item. needless to say I just won't order when it gets to that point.

 

[desertrat]

People are starting to get themselves all worked up on Mr. Obama's POSSIBLE re-election.....

You may want to look into emigrating to New Zealand if that happens.... :shock: