Ruger Forum

jim85255 · January 24th, 2009, 12:40 PM

I am in Phoenix and there is no powder, primers, brass, etc. available any place. Dealers are telling me they cannot get anything and when they do it is sold immediately. Are other parts of the country have the same problem?

JRB

terry_p · January 24th, 2009, 12:52 PM

I stocked up last year and there was availability then. It is likely the war combined with BO and a short term stocking up as people are fearful of restrictions in the future are the causes for current shortages. I would look on line and just plan to pay the hazmat fee and by buying as much as you can to lower the fee's per unit cost to you.

jhrosier · January 24th, 2009, 01:38 PM

Jim,
If you belong to a local sportsmans club, consider getting a group together to split the shipping and hazmat charges. You will still have to shop around the internet to find who has powder and primers in stock. You probably won't have a choice of brands for primers and will have to take whatever is available.
I wouldn't want to bet either way that this situation is going to get any better soon.

Jack

scattershot · January 24th, 2009, 02:08 PM

The new Communist-in-chief is responsible for more gun/reloading equipment sales than anything I can remember. Your predicament is the same in Denver. I had a dealer just the other day ask $43.00(!) for 1,000 small pistol primers. I politely declined, but if you can find anything you need, better stock up. Until recently, I thought $26.95 was steep for primers, but now I buy any I can find, and happy to pay it.

Guesswho · January 24th, 2009, 02:33 PM

Good luck on powder and primer instock anywhere. The worst part is most items sold on the be internet is shipped on Back ordered purchase orders for free. But not hazmat items. for each split shipment you will pay a hazmat fee. I really like Grafs and sons and Midway. Midway will split the primer and powder, forcing you two hazmat and shipping charges, where as grafs and powder valley will ship em together.

All I can say "from expierence" is best of luck in shopping.

Also plan on substituting different comparable powders for instock availablity when buying.

Tman · January 26th, 2009, 01:03 PM

Same problem in CA. You have to call the stores and ask when they stock their shelves then try to be there when they do. Even Midway didn't have any primers at all when I checked a few days ago.

Tn_River_Ratt · January 29th, 2009, 10:09 AM

been having the same problem until I found out when their shipments usually arrive. Yes the prices are getting rediculous.

Ratt

scattershot · January 29th, 2009, 11:49 AM

Last time I actually saw a can of Unique, it was $15.00 and change. Just got back from the store, and the empty place where it used to be was marked $22.95.

usncporet · January 30th, 2009, 02:23 AM

Checked 3 stores in my area yesterday and found little available. Powder is virtually gone. Prices have all gone up too!

Conan · January 30th, 2009, 03:32 AM

In my ho-dunk corner of PA I have little to no trouble finding what I need. Generally, the smaller shops- there are a good quantity- have anything I need at any time. The large chain stores are either out or don't sell supplies. Kyle

Bobshouse · January 30th, 2009, 06:04 AM

Our powder cabinet is almost bare. I've contacted our suppliers and they state that there is a national shortage of primers and powder..they can't stock their warehouses.

I have a friend who does gun shows and he confirmed this fact, almost no powders being sold at the last two shows he's done.

Looks like Obama is not only gun salesman of the year..but a powder pusher also!

xr650rRider · February 7th, 2009, 07:50 PM

Powder Valley had what I needed in stock 2 weeks ago and I waited 2 days to see if a buddy wanted to order some as well. They were out of one by the time I tried to order and a week later out of all 3 in 8-lb containers. They had been out of small rifle primers but had some at the time I looked.

c.r. · February 7th, 2009, 08:29 PM

my local dealer is placing an order on Monday. They normally don't carry anything other than 1 lb containers. They will order specifically what I want with their order, but of course will mark it up to get their profit margin and then tax on top of that, so i'm not really "piggy backing" on them. for three 4lb kegs of different powder it will be ~225 plus tax. I'm thinking of adding an 8 lb keg of one powder then then 5k of one primers and maybe 5k of another primer. it's going to be a STEEP bill, but that should keep me in good shape for quite a while.

I'd like to go with Powder Valley on my own, but most of the powders i'm looking for are out of stock per their website. I'm going to call them Monday morning to double check their website is up to date before I contact my dealer. So if I can't get them on my own, i'll just have to pay the extra and go through my gun shop.

I have a difficult time accepting the war is driving up demand for powder, bullets, and brass. I doubt the military is using the bullets and powder most of us are looking for. And 45 Colt, 357, 44 brass? It is possible the war is using resources of the manufacturers so they can't produce what consumers want, but I just think there's more to it. I don't know that all the powder manufacturers have gov't contracts, yet you see this shortage accross the board for all items and all brands.

Rather frustrating.

scattershot · February 8th, 2009, 11:13 AM

Can you spell O-B-A-M-A, boys and girls?

rclark · February 8th, 2009, 04:43 PM

Plus H-o-l-d-e-r . Attorney General.... Be informed on his stance on Second amendment at well ... Talked to a guy at the gun club yesterday.... He 'said' (I can't confirm) that there is now a 6 month back order for AR15s ...