We've been looking for ANY small rifle primers to begin learning the reloading process and have yet to locate any unless we'd be willing to pay 4 to 5 times the "normal" price.
My brother stopped by an outfit that deals in reloading supplies on the off chance that they may have some. While there he had a conversation with the proprietor who told him that CCI has open backorders for over 92 million primers. That's just CCI!! Add in all the other manufacturers and the situation becomes one that can only be called mind boggling.
They aren't impossible to find, just very difficult.
Try the auction sites.
I rationalized that if I wanted primers in this current environment I had to be prepared to pay more than I thought I should and did.
Wednesday this week while driving through CaBuda, Texas, we just happened ^-^ to stop at Cabelas, a nice little sporting goods store on IH-35.
Actually, our plan all along was to stop there on our way back to Corpus Christi to stock up on reloading supplies. We too are just getting into reloading.
Cabela's was out of stock on large primers and had only two boxes of small primers on the shelf. Don't remember the price but, it did not seem too bad.
Moral, get'em when you see'em. Eventually, you'll have the right parts for reloading.
POP
The window for cheap readily available surplus ammo was over more than 3 years ago and that should have been the red flag. The window for cheap, readily available reloading stuff was closed nov 5th. !@#)
Quote from: Southern Grey on April 06, 2009, 02:29:53 PM
I rationalized that if I wanted primers in this current environment I had to be prepared to pay more than I thought I should and did.
MidwayUsa gives you an email when stuff is in stock, I sit at a desk all day so I can jump on these quickly..just order 4000 of them to justify the shipping.
So, y'all know, Winchester primers come 5000 to the case (five 1000 primer boxes), and can usually be mixed as to size, for Haz-Mat purposes.
The smart guys order by 5000, and some 15000 to 75000 at a time.
Does that mean you KNOW where to buy Winchester primers? :o After the election I re-armed for 22 winchester magnum and have done my best to clean out Natchez, Cabelas, Midway,,, they seem to be able to keep up **) Go over to www.magnumresearch.com and take a look at the product improved ruger 10/22 magnum they are selling. It's ON THE SHELF ready for delivery!!! !@#) !@#) !@#) Get one now. Do it! &) Then go over to www.shootersridge.com and get a footlocker full of magazines! @@)
I'm sure Winchester isn't the only company using 5K cases.
My supplier only sells to FFL's and Type 06 Manufacturers. We (my father and I) fall under both.
This site claims to have some http://216.15.64.227/
t&t reloading
Wow, I've never seen them before.
Quote from: LaneArein on April 07, 2009, 07:37:26 PM
This site claims to have some http://216.15.64.227/
t&t reloading
My brother tried to buy primers from them because their site says they have them, but the next day they send a cancellation notice saying the primers are out of stock.
I've never ordered form these folks so I can't comment one way or the other on the prices or service.
http://216.15.64.227/bin/index.cgi?cmd=categorysearch&args=9&startat=12&
Quote from: Southern Grey on April 08, 2009, 09:18:22 PM
Quote from: LaneArein on April 07, 2009, 07:37:26 PM
This site claims to have some http://216.15.64.227/
t&t reloading
My brother tried to buy primers from them because their site says they have them, but the next day they send a cancellation notice saying the primers are out of stock.
I bought a case a couple days ago and no cancellation notice yet.
I just tried to call them on the phone and the number listed on their web site has been disconnected, but another number is said to be taking calls for the previous number.
When I called the second one, a recording says that they are taking no phone orders and if you buy anything from their web site that they will notify you within a week if they do not have what you ordered...NO BACKORDERS!!
Caveat Emptor.
Hey all of you,need some help locating primers so I can do some reloading.I have sent a lot of lead downrange from my M1 now it's time to reload.If any of y'all know where to get some please respond.
Thanks CATT OUT
It's hit and miss...no pun intended.. ::) you have to stop anywhere they might have primers and buy them,because it's going to be a good while before any are available. if you find them,buy what they have. Check on line too.Good Luck
Just to add something interesting to the discussion:
Some stores are forcing you to buy powder as a prerequisite to purchase primers.
They say they are being forced to do it so they are passing on the love.
The CCI service rifle primers or the Winchester WLR are what I've heard recommended for the M1/M1A. Their cups are a little thicker and resist possible slam-fires (firing as the bolt closes) better. Look for those first if possible, if you're not already using them.
We broke down and bought some overpriced primers through Gunbroker.com.
1000 CCI 41
1000 CCI 450
1000 Wolf Small Rifle Magnum
At least now we can begin the learning process.
Good luck. Sheeple only have two speeds, grazing and stampede and they are in full lemming mode at the moment. Until the credit cards overheat you aren't going to be able to buy much that goes pop. Isn't pretty but that's the way it is.
Quote from: Will on April 13, 2009, 09:44:57 AM
Good luck. Sheeple only have two speeds, grazing and stampede
;D ;D
Guilty.
J
Sadly: Gunbroker
I have been told that most websites dont bother updating their inventory anymore because they sell out so fast so you can try cold calling on the hope they received a shipment.
Ive been reading that for large rifle primers people are paying 60 dollars per 1000 recently... thats 4 times the price they were 4-5 years ago and double what they were just 6 months ago.
I just bought 2k of primers from my local gun shop for 29.95/k. My advise would be to decide how far you are willing to drive and call the gun stores that fall in that radius ask'em if they have primers. You may find some.
I have recently learned that mag primers may be used in 30.06 case IF YOU REDUCE THE LOAD BY TWO GRAINS. My local shop had plenty of LR mag primers so I bought some to try it out but have not done so as of yet.
I am sure some of the experienced reloaders that hang out around here will chime in.
My rule is never believe anything you here around the campfire until you confirm it elsewhere. This is around the campfire so to speak. My lawyer told me to say that.
Here's a link to a discussion on mag primers in standard case over at Gunboards:
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=104837
Quote from: LaneArein on April 07, 2009, 07:37:26 PM
This site claims to have some http://216.15.64.227/
t&t reloading
I never herd of the either but I ordered 2 months back and got 4k of CCI hard primers, they didnt send an email confirmation but it showed up in a week.
Sinclair http://sinclairintl.com (http://sinclairintl.com) has small rifle primers (Sellier & Bellot) for $33.60/1000
Not the best price, but available! I'm sure they won't last long.
Mil spec '06 was loaded with magnum primers. If you load ball powders it is recommended that you use magnum primer as the powder is harder to ignite.
I use them for all '06 I load, using either IMR 4895 or H 308.
As long as you do not exceed 2750 fps using a 150 g bullet you are good to go.
Douglas
Also the CCI "Arsenal" primers that use the harder cups to prevent slamfires ARE Magnum primers. In other words they are small or large rifle magnum primers with the thicker cup.
CCI #41 small rifle primers for loading .223/5.56mm for the AR15
CCI #34 large rifle primers for loading .308/7.62mm for the M1A
I would'nt think you would be able to find these primers right now though. Supplies of all primers are too limited.
I think CCI #34's are starting to turn loose. At the last FCSA Match at the NRA Whittington Center on Independence Day weekend, there was a vendor selling cases of them. I bought 5,000 for $125. I think he had about 75,000 that he sold that day. He said they were new stock, had just come in during the last month or so. He didn't have any CCI#41's...I begged...most of my small rifle primer supply is Federal Match so not particularly ideal for ARs...but they're what I've got about 3K of right now.
-David
Edgewood, NM
Saturday at Hernando Gun Show, west central FL, I saw CCI Large Rifle for $53/1000 from a private party. I didn't roll back by on Sunday to see if he still had them...
Not sure how people feel about Wolf primers, but Widener's has them as of this morning.
www.wideners.com
I work at a Gun Store in Ca, and while there is no regularity to our receiving primers, when we do get them we charge (on average) 30.00 for 1000 mag primers. If people continue to pay inflated prices, dealers and sellers will continue to sell them at those prices. If you look hard you can find them, it just takes time.
I used to order 2 cases (10k) of primers per size at a time, and when I'd get down to about 20% of my stock I'd order another 2 cases. It was nice and economical, and I never had to worry about running out. Can't do that anymore...
Now finding primers seems to be a trolling game. There are 3-4 gun shops in the area that carry primers, and another 4-5 online shops that will ship to Massachusetts (many will not). I know when each of the shops gets their weekly shipment, and I'll give them a call every week or two and see if they got anything in stock. And every week or two I'll call the online shops and see what they have in stock. And every now and then I get luck - 2k large rifle here, 3k large pistol there. I just grab whatever I can, whenever I can. It sucks paying hazmat on an order of 4k primers, but it's better than not having any...
I had and shot 1K of Wolf LR's - 1000 clicks, 1000 bangs.
For those of you in Ohio, Mountain Man Trading Post is having a sale on Saturday. He has CCI primers that will be selling for about $32/1000. He had several cases of each when I stopped in there this afternoon.
I recently purchased 5000 Wolf LR primers. They shoot fine in my m1, about 1 MOA. I shot about 50 rounds and all consistently grouped so I am happy :D . I have also loaded up some 30-06 with Winchester Magnum primers. Everything worked fine with 46 gr of powder and 168 gr bullet. The wolf primers were about 2.5 cents a primer so if you have access to wolf primers GET THEM. Check wideners.com
The Kid
Powdervalleyinc.com has primers too. Wolf is the current stock.
I'm just getting into reloading, and can't find any primers. I am reloading .30-06 & .223/5.56. I read a lot about slam fires & #34 primers from CCI. One of my local gun stores has good stock of CCI Magnum LR primers (also SR magnums as well). Will I have any problems using these to reload for my M1 & AR-15? Should I wait it out, and try to just get #34 and #41 Mil-Spec Primers?
This is the one component I'm having the most trouble putting my hands on, and if i can use the magnums, it will let me get started!
Thanks.
Quote from: Gumballhead on March 02, 2010, 01:14:10 PM
I'm just getting into reloading, and can't find any primers. I am reloading .30-06 & .223/5.56. I read a lot about slam fires & #34 primers from CCI. One of my local gun stores has good stock of CCI Magnum LR primers (also SR magnums as well). Will I have any problems using these to reload for my M1 & AR-15? Should I wait it out, and try to just get #34 and #41 Mil-Spec Primers?
This is the one component I'm having the most trouble putting my hands on, and if i can use the magnums, it will let me get started!
Thanks.
There are definitely folks on here that have a lot more experience than me. But for what it's worth, I've been using CCI 400's in my AR reloads with no problems. This rifle is fairly new and in spec, so my understanding is that as long as the primers are seated correctly (below the edge of the primer pocket) having an issue is very unlikely.
I just ordered a Garand from the cmp and have started looking for components for it and reading up. My understanding is that you can run fine with regular Large Rifle primers as long as everything is in spec, primers properly seated, never let the bolt slam forward with a round in battery, etc. However, these rifles have been in the world awhile, tolerances may not be exact, and some folks use the Mil primers for an extra layer of protection. I'm looking for the military primers for this rifle myself, so if you find some PM ME!!! :D
Some folks say that the mil primers are just a way for CCI to make more money and others say you'd better use them in any rifle with a free floating firing pin, so it's really hard to find a consensus. Not having a full selection of components to choose from is a definite bummer. I'd love to hear what our folks are doing. I'd trust a Rifleman's advice any day over some random person on a forum somewhere else.
From CCI website:
*Effective slam-fire prevention requires more than special primers. Headspace, chamber condition, firing pin shape and protrusion, bolt velocity, cartridge case condition, and other factors can affect slam-fire potential.
Thanks for the feedback - I see midway has LR our until April, but they seem to have stock of SR (#41), so i'll buy some now, when I can!
Sure seems to be a plethora of information out there!
About 1994 there was a shortage of primers, it happened to be when I worked at a gun shop. None available for months and then they trickled out, like now. Anyhow, CCI#34 LR's were the first available and no one had ever heard of them! A quick call to CCI tech dept. and the answer was " #34 lr primers are our magnum lr primer with the primer anvil's legs, which support the primer when seated, were about .004" shorter than standard primers. This decreased the sensitivity of the primer for use in semi auto military type rifles, which may decrease the likelyhood of a slam fire." This is from memory so you may want to check it yourself. There is a lot of good info on reloading for a gas gun out there and it's worth reading up on it. Seating primers in a cleaned pocket is pretty much mandatory as is correctly sized cases. If you don't want to take the time, don't reload for your rifle. Regards, Tom.
Rifle primers have been hard to locate lately (spring 2010). The preferred type for automatic-loading rifles such as the M-1 and AR, are either Winchester Large or Small Rifle, or in CCI, #41 for small rifle and #34 for large rifle. LuckyGunner.com has Winchester Large Rifle primers available as of the date of this posting, for 190 FRN per 5,000, including hazmat and shipping charges (to my location in the Southeast). The correct powder(s) are also in short supply. This includes IMR 4895 for the M-1 and AR. Widener's Reloading & Shooting Supply has 8# tubs of IMR 4895 for 137.00 FRN, not including hazmat and shipping. I am trying to locate a reasonable source for bulk .308 FMJ bullets in the 147-150 grain weights, and any info would be greatly appreciated.
Hey John,
Widener's has bulk Hornady bullets for cheap with free shipping. I am pretty sure they are just doing a drop ship from the factory.
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=1942&dir=278|281|293|324|696 (http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=1942&dir=278%7C281%7C293%7C324%7C696)
There's your .308's. I did this deal for 6k 55gr FMJBT and as always, Widener's was top notch in service.
HTH
Looks like Midway USA has small rifle primers. Not much for LR primers though.
Hector
For magnum primers, reduce the starting load a bit.
Always consult a current reloading manual.
Try to keep all ammo out of direct sunlight.
Pressure goes up as temps go up.