Rifle Primers in Extreme Short Supply

[Southern Grey]

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.

[Antibubba]

They aren't impossible to find, just very difficult.

Try the auction sites.

[Southern Grey]

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.

[POP]

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

[biathlon]

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.

[Muskyjerk]

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.

[Nickle]

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.

[biathlon]

Does that mean you KNOW where to buy Winchester primers? 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!

[Nickle]

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.

[LaneArein]

This site claims to have some http://216.15.64.227/
t&t reloading

[Antibubba]

Wow, I've never seen them before.

[Southern Grey]

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.

[Old Dog]

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&;

[BaldDragn]

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.

[Southern Grey]

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.

[CATT]

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

[Dirty Bill]

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

[sardoodledom]

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.

[Colorado Pete]

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.

[Southern Grey]

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.

[Will]

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.

[Appalacious]

Good luck. Sheeple only have two speeds, grazing and stampede

Guilty.
J

[sardoodledom]

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.

[wildman]

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

[Muskyjerk]

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.

[gunville]

Sinclair  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.

[douglas34474]

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

[Texas Rifleman]

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.

[nmmi9100]

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

[panhead]

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...