Powder prices increasing?

[Inline6]

Very good article Jim! I did know Vista Outdoors owns Alliant powder, Remington (ammo), CCI and Federal. I didn't know about the Russian primers available in mass in the market in 2008. Maybe explains some of the current primer shortage? Thanks!

The current shortage is completely different. You also have several factors.

Primers are over run components from manufacturers. With the demand of ammo, they had no overage of primes.

People could not get the none production ammo, so they start reloading. Components fly off the shelves, that creates even less supply.

The Ukraine was is taxing ammunition supplies

The government not allowing foreign ammo sales from certain countries is also hurting supply (by design).

It is not a simple issue, it is not something that will be fixed soon either IMHO.

 

[Vintageguy]

Very good article Jim! I did know Vista Outdoors owns Alliant powder, Remington (ammo), CCI and Federal. I didn't know about the Russian primers available in mass in the market in 2008. Maybe explains some of the current primer shortage? Thanks!

I think that the big jump came because of all the new fire enthusiast that showed up during COVID. They were buying anything and everything and stocking up for the next apocalypse. Look at what happened in grocery stores, and a number of stores still haven't recovered from all the panic buying that went on.

The one thing that gets me is that you can buy all the 5.65x55, 223 Rem, 7.62x39, 9mm, and .40 S&W that you want and at bargain prices. I picked up 1000 rounds of 40 S&W this past summer cheaper than I could load it for.

Here is a little read on the shortages:

Why Is There a Primer Supply Shortage?

Why is there a primer supply shortage? The pros at Powder Valley discuss the causes of The Great Primer Shortage of 2020, and what you should do about it.

www.powdervalley.com

By the way Mark, I may need to buy that pound of power back that I sold you a couple of years ago.

The pistol and 223/556 ammo, I think, illustrates the principle of supply and demand is still there in that segment, on life support but there. Perhaps that’s partly the reason for the lack is the limited supply. Components are being used there rather than offered for sale. But it doesn’t explain the longtime lack of supply not being met by now. As a business model if hoarders are stripping the shelves as it arrives then good business demands changes to capitalize on that and this has been the standard too long now for something else not suppressing it.

 

[John Wasmuth]

If you can’t import it you can’t sell it…… cutting the supply chain between countries the present administration of ass clowns doesn’t like makes it difficult to do business with….

 

[Excessexpress]

How about primers?

Sporadic, periodically one category or another becomes available. At one point just one of the importers had a backlog of orders exceeding 15,000,000.

There is a domestic supply capability, but current demand (the government is supplying “military aid” to Ukraine) means that if they are making it, we won’t be getting any for quite a while.

Powder will likely be the same.

 

[steve white]

Well, just remember that LITERALLY all powder purchases are "money up in smoke" lol

 

[Trogon]

I visited my Sportsmans club this morning for getting my annual membership card (no interest in shooting at 7 degrees F and a fair breeze). Here's what was available and prices below.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

How about primers?

@CoElkHunter
Just seen an add for LR primers military drade to suit 308 for 250AUD /1,000 in OZ but limited supply so be quick.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well, just remember that LITERALLY all powder purchases are "money up in smoke" lol

@steve white
Only if it's black powder otherwise it up with no smoke.
Ha ha ha ha ha
Bob

 

[Hunter4752001]

Hey Bob, be careful. Those OFV primers are Indian military. I wouldn't use them in any of my rifles.. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous operators out for a quick buck at the expense of desperate shooters. The bastards are scouring the world for garbage components which they then sell at over the top prices. Buyer Beware

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey Bob, be careful. Those OFV primers are Indian military. I wouldn't use them in any of my rifles.. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous operators out for a quick buck at the expense of desperate shooters. The bastards are scouring the world for garbage components which they then sell at over the top prices. Buyer Beware

@Hunter4752001
I have 5,000 LR primers so should do my son and my self a while. Plus around 200 loaded Whelen, 300 loaded 25s and around 400 loaded 308 so fine fore a bit.
These are what are advertised, are they the ones you are talking about.
Bob

 

[Hunter4752001]

Bob. I don't know if the ones in that ad are the OFV ones, but you have to wonder if they won't even name the brand in their ad.

The description is the same as OFV use.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob. I don't know if the ones in that ad are the OFV ones, but you have to wonder if they won't even name the brand in their ad.

The description is the same as OFV use.

View attachment 581205

@Hunter4752001
Description sounds the same.
Bob

 

[fourfive8]

Those #34 primers, if made by CCI or to same specs, are a very consistent, high quality large rifle primer that can be used for either standard or magnum cartridges. Usually recommended for semi auto rifle use to help prevent slam fires. I have built up a large supply and now use them exclusively for all my large rifle and magnum large rifle loading. The CCI version has silver colored cup and yellow compound. If made by or deceivingly repackaged by a third party to look like a legit #34 for purposes of a quick buck then who knows?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Beware also the sketchy sites that just happen to have whatever you are looking for “in stock”. I think it’s pretty unlikely that totallylegitnotaripoff.net is going to get supplied before Midway is.

 

[rblum]

Prices continue to go up because the few manufacturers have discovered that there is price in-elasticity for reloading components. Raising prices has little or no impact on sales. Only a fool would fail to keep on increasing prices under these conditions. I predict that this will continue until enough customers are forced out of the market so as to have an effect on demand for powder and components.
At the local level, we are seeing a sharp reduction in the number of users at a local shooting range.

 

[DrBob]

Just got an email from Powder Valley this morning about upcoming powder price increases. Whether its true, or a marketing ploy, I'm sure others will follow suit.
What's your opinion? I'm personally not surprised considering the current economic state.
View attachment 579972

The greatest price hike comes from powders produced in Australia for Hodgdon. The past three years didn't have to happen... the virus release, the lockdowns, the loss of businesses, the damage to savings.....

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Prices continue to go up because the few manufacturers have discovered that there is price in-elasticity for reloading components. Raising prices has little or no impact on sales. Only a fool would fail to keep on increasing prices under these conditions. I predict that this will continue until enough customers are forced out of the market so as to have an effect on demand for powder and components.
At the local level, we are seeing a sharp reduction in the number of users at a local shooting range.

@rblum
We are seeing a decrease in attendance at our local range due to a virtual zero availability of primers. You can have all the powder in the world but if you can't make it go bang it don't matter.
Bob

 

[Woodcarver]

Grafs has Fiochi LP and SR in 12k packs in stock. Works out to $0.077/ea and $0.069/ea respectively with their $12.95 flat rate shipping and a $25 hazmat (think that's what they charge for hazmat). That's as good a price as I've seen in recent times. I have not used Fiochi brand myself, but if I were in need of either of those types, I'd be ordering.

 

[ArmyAV8tor]

Saw an 8lb jug of 4831SC for $335.

 

[Wyfox]

If you want to see the new msrp for Hodgdon powder look on Midwayusa, just be sitting down when you do...