Rifle Primers in Extreme Short Supply

[LabRat]

Not sure how people feel about Wolf primers, but Widener's has them as of this morning.

www.wideners.com

[M1shooter]

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.

[ChristopherAM]

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...

[gunville]

I had and shot 1K of Wolf LR's - 1000 clicks, 1000 bangs.

[Panama]

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.

[The Kid]

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  .   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

[AR-180]

Powdervalleyinc.com has primers too.  Wolf is the current stock.

[Gumballhead]

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.

[spitstickler]

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!!!

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.

[Gumballhead]

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!

[TOMINCT]

 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.

[DrJohn]

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.

[ThaiFighter]

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

There's your .308's.  I did this deal for 6k 55gr FMJBT and as always, Widener's was top notch in service.   

HTH

[HectorFuego]

Looks like Midway USA has small rifle primers.  Not much for LR primers though.

Hector

[Scarecrow]

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.