This is topic The outrageous cost of components! in forum Firearms forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 19, 2025, 11:55 AM:
Fer Cripes sakes! Looking at the most recent Natchez flier. 50/60 dollars for a pound of powder! They finally start listing primers, but the only Large rifle were CCI match for $129! They don’t bother listing what everybody uses, like 4350 and 4831. No w760 and my most useful powder for 22-250Ackley H414 has not been listed for several years. Let’s face it, it’s almost cheaper to just buy factory ammunition, but it pains me to say that! The only factory ammo I ever buy is rimfires and pistol; occasionally. Although I hand load 38/357, 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP. I still stock up on factory stuff, and that is a stupid amount, unfortunately.
But it’s the cost of components that frosts my ass! Bullets are out of sight! Personally, I think it could be a conspiracy? I go back to Vietnam Nam and ammunition was very scarce at that time. Since then, in regular cycles, we have the scare tactics, shortages, better stock up while you can!
Face it, ammunition is the Achilles heel to gun control, and they fucking know it! There are lot’s of guns rendered obsolete because nobody makes ammo for them. I have a 44-40, when was the last time you saw ammo on the shelves for that one?
I fear we are fighting a losing battle, and nobody gives a shit. Hell, even in Russia and Iran, Italy etc. they let the peons have shotguns. No semi autos and no handguns. That’s where it’s trending in the US. Won’t be long before you have to justify everything and some weenie will decide how many is too many.
End of rant, but think about it. Even in Britain, they are measuring fucking knives! Don’t get caught with any form of self protection! This affects the weakest among us, females and the elderly! Unless you are male and under 30 years old, everybody is vulnerable. I used to work with a guy, a lot bigger than me and he said: “nothing I got is worth a human life.” That is stupidity! They will rob you and kill you after you give them everything, trying to buy your life. If we ever lose our guns. This will be just like North Korea, where they have poop hunts; for fertilizer. No such thing as a fat person except for the Dear Leader.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by NVWalt (Member # 375) on May 19, 2025, 01:05 PM:
That's lots more than I remember stuff LOL. No, I am on my last 100 smr primers and the thought of over 100 bucks that used to cost 10 bucks is what it is I guess . I got an 8 lb can of 748 that says 78 dollars on it. I better keep it as a souvenir.
I make my own gas checks for my cast stuff because the price of even gas checks is outrageous. But so goes life I guess when you get old enough to remember when it was affordable to have the shooting sports as a hobby. I'd hate to get back into racing again LOL.
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on May 19, 2025, 01:20 PM:
Been bad a long time, i run short i just go get it and don't even bother to look at price as i know is gonna be higher than normal. Now days i just hope i can find something i use.
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on May 19, 2025, 04:58 PM:
I hear ya Leonard. They have discontinued H414…. They have also discontinued my favorite powder for a number of cartridges I shoot, from my 17 Tactical,22-250 Ackley, and 6mm Remington. Reloaded 15…. I will probably go to Varget now because it’s very similar to RL15. But they want $450 for 8lbs.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 20, 2025, 08:44 AM:
The stuff that everybody uses is unavailable. Almost like a conspiracy, ain’t it?
Not only, but most powder is made offshore somewhere, like Australia and Scotland. Lately I have seen some foreign primers for sale. I’m thinking it must be deliberate?
I’ll bet they still have surplus 4831 in bunkers. I’ve flown over Fallon in a Cessna, there are so many bunkers scattered out there I know they must have stuff salted away since the First World War!
They are fucking with us!
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on May 20, 2025, 09:32 AM:
Shooter's world powder, not sure how long its been around but new to me.
Match rifle; about same as RL-15
Long rifle; same as H-414
Others that can replace H-414; N-540, win. 760, N-150
Replacement for RL-15; 4064, N-140, Varget.
I've used N-140, N-540 in 17 rem. 17 Pred. 22-250 and 22-250 ackley. No complaints and the powder is available.
Like said "Shooter's world powder" is new to me but may give it a try in future. Can get it at most any scheels stores..
Plenty of primers on the shelves no reason to try cheap stuff.
Vietavory can be found most anywhere as well..
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on May 20, 2025, 12:38 PM:
I should be good with reloading components for a while. Seems like the only gun I shoot anymore is my .22-250 Ackley. I have a few thousand CCI BR primers, 5 lbs of RL15, a bunch of Lapua .22-250 Ackley brass, and probably 1000 60 grain Bergers. So I’m set for a while.
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on May 20, 2025, 02:29 PM:
I think you might run short this year or the next due to a cap being put on wildlife services.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 20, 2025, 04:13 PM:
Except for a few oddballs, I have never used anything but Federal 210match and I have plenty.
I do use Winchester primers in 300WM, and I bet I don’t have more than 50 on hand. Plus a hundred loaded rounds. For some reason I use Remington primers in 6mmRem. And I think I have 10,000 on hand, Should last a while.
Good hunting. El Bee
PS that’s another thing where the gov fucks us. Due. To the haz mat of primers and powder, which is bullshit, we cannot move what surplus we have by mail.
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on May 20, 2025, 07:02 PM:
I read they going to put bag limit on Cali coyotes. 100 rounds should last you about 10 years.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 20, 2025, 09:45 PM:
Very fucking funny!
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on May 21, 2025, 08:47 AM:
Its true Leonard, I read they was voting on it this month or the next.
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on May 21, 2025, 08:57 AM:
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article306565886.html
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on May 21, 2025, 12:06 PM:
They shot the proposal down for now.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on May 21, 2025, 01:59 PM:
" ................. for now".
Always remember; The bastards never sleep. They never give up and they learn from their failures and move on to the next battle.
Over here, they want to ban shooting coyotes south of I-40 because someone 'might' accidently shoot a wolf thinking that it's a coyote.
I have no delusions about all ranchers being pure as the wind driven snow but you back a man into a corner and threaten his way of life & he's going to be buying anti-freeze.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 22, 2025, 09:09 AM:
There was a case of a woman killing two husbands with antifreeze mixed into their Iced tea. That’s almost as evil as Brian Kohlberger!
Good hunting. El Bee
PS I bought one of those Marine Corps KaBars. Totally useless except for gutting defenseless women and sleeping men!
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on May 27, 2025, 05:49 AM:
Try living a the end of the supply pipeline in Idaho... I'm still giddy about finding 2 lbs of H4895 the other day and I bought the entire stock---2 lbs. Haven't seen it on the shelf in years.
Heck, I felt sorta happy to pay the $50 per pound they were asking just to have it.
It seems the only two powders I use, H4895 and Reloder 22 are both very tough to find. I'm now working on a replacement powder for the '22.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 28, 2025, 09:55 AM:
What? Reloder 22, not available? I have a gun that loves that stuff.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on May 30, 2025, 07:46 AM:
Yessir, Leonard. It appears many of Alliant powders are tough to find.
I'm going to give Ramshot Grand a chance. This would be for a 270 Win. Chrono checks show Grand can match or slightly beat the velocity I was getting with '22. I could go back to the old faithful H4831, but velocity was always kinda lagging compared to '22.
I've reached a point in life where extensive testing of bullets and powder has sorta lost its appeal. The component shortage has kinda forced my hand though.
How's life treating you by-the-way?
Posted by NVWalt (Member # 375) on May 30, 2025, 10:07 AM:
SO I was dunging out my man cave and find a couple pellet pistols and a box of airgun sillywets. Set them up actually pretty close there in the garage and low and behold my trigger control REALLY needs some work. I am working on it and also discovered that those pellets sure are cheap fodder.
You know I can step out back and shoot into the woods with my powder burners and make a lot of noise for the neighbors to hear but that airgun will suffice for now. I miss that part of Nevada where I used to live...1000 yard ranges everywhere I looked.
And no one to hear you.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 30, 2025, 10:12 AM:
Lonny! Well, Sir, I could say the same thing. But I’m not into experimenting with weird and suddenly available powders, that might not be available next week. Actually, I’m not short on anything, I even still have a couple pounds of H414, maybe 1 1/2 lbs? I bought 8 pounds of Reloader 2700 because it’s sensational in 25’06Ackley, and/but now I don’t shoot it very much, it’s a Nevada long range gun. And they say it’s temperature sensitive. If you like to leave your cartridges baking in the mid day sun, this might not be your powder? So much of this hype is hogwash. I’m still not seeing a use for 4831SC. The old standby seems to work just fine.
This: “I've reached a point in life where extensive testing of bullets and powder has sorta lost its appeal.” I know what you mean; been there, done that.
I’m hanging in there, might have lost a step? And you ain’t checked in on HM for decades; BTW! Anyway, my TO DO LIST is finding reasons to not worry about it. Nice hearing from you though.
Good hunting. El Bee
Edit: Walt, we are on the same page about Nevada freedom!
[ May 30, 2025, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on May 30, 2025, 10:31 AM:
Walt;
Go to a thrift store and pick up a couple of pan lids. Cheap ...... maybe $0.50 per each. Then drill some holes in the edges for wire to hang them out back. 10 ..... 20 ....... 30 yards. They make very satisfactory gongs for pellet pistols.
I have a Crossman PumpMaster .177 bolt action that is more accurate than I am & like you mentioned, cheap to feed.
>>>>>>--------> Neat trick; Run a brush with some solvent thru the barrel once in a while to scrub lead or copper build-up out. Seems to make a bit of a difference or at least I think that it does which is just as good. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 30, 2025, 11:27 AM:
I used to have a crossman 760? Stolen. Pellet gun, bolt action. I suppose it was more entry level than a fine instrument. But, I have never been very interested in pellet guns. I’m more into explosives.
Good hunting,
El Bee
Posted by NVWalt (Member # 375) on May 30, 2025, 12:16 PM:
Leonard, remember when you could go to the hardware/feed store and buy stump powder? Good ol 30% stuff? We used it to blow choker holes under really huge logs with it when I was a kid logging
I had fun building rockets down in Lost Wages when I was working there and had a couple "Pressure Excursions" due to too small of a nozzle dimension.
Fun to watch but sure was expensive. Still love that Tanninite(sp) stuff. To shoot at.
Who can't help but love pyrotechnics?
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on May 30, 2025, 12:42 PM:
The years seem to slip by as fast as months use to. I just got busy with life and didn't look to the boards as much. Life seems to be gaining speed and I sorta wish it would slow down.
I'm about two years from being able to retire and really don't know if I'm ready to be put out to pasture? Get a pain-in-the-ass boss or a bunch of bullshit to deal with and that could all change in a hurry though. That would push me right out the door.
How to you rate retirement?
Posted by NVWalt (Member # 375) on May 30, 2025, 01:11 PM:
I love it. I took an early retirement after the wife died and didn't have any reason to live back then but in retrospect I am glad I did. Still glad, but after 35 years as a carpenter, that was enough.
Now it's making up my mind in the morning as what in the world do I want to do today Lord willing.
I recommend retirement to anybody that can.
The fishing can be great at times!!!
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on May 30, 2025, 01:27 PM:
That's good to hear, Walt. Glad you're enjoying it.
I know I would enjoy it and I have plenty to keep me occupied, but a part of me still likes being part of the machine.
I still have a couple years, but like I said, wow, it's going by fast.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 31, 2025, 05:49 PM:
Interesting stuff!
My story is that I just burned out and quit. Wife went “Gulp” and I said; hey if it don’t work out, I can always go back to work.
So, then she died, and all my figures and ciphers didn’t add up with out her contributions. So, I adjusted my parameter's and that’s been almost 21 years. What’s kinda changed the equation is two things. I have “invested” considerable in my son going through a rough patch….I think they call it? And now, Biden inflation has me paying attention to the cost of things and the cost of living; something I never did before.
Oh, and healthcare. Up until 10-15 years ago, I never even had such a thing as a prescription drug that I needed. Now, I take so many that I never have totaled them up but with supplements, I’ve had to develop a system, when to take this and that and when, and how to make sure it gets done. It’s not foolproof, but never had to do it before and I’m learning the discipline. A pain in the ass, as is reordering before I run out.
Then there is finances. Nanc always did bills, I never wrote a check and as I snuck cash money and never left a record of transactions, she never knew the money I spent on “stuff”. Now, I have learned to balance a checkbook, (from my daughter) and I force myself to do it. I’ve got it figured out.
I wish I had focused on goals and I would have moved to Arizona 20 fucking years ago! Now, I don’t know if it will ever happen. Looks doubtful, at this point.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by NVWalt (Member # 375) on June 01, 2025, 12:34 AM:
Sounds very familiar there Leonard. Linda took care of everything. And when she died I had a lot to learn that I just took for granted. After being with someone for forty years and relying on her more than I realized. Then being on your own was to say the least interesting. But I am an analog person from way back. My daughter made me get a debit card and then learn to use it. Etc.Etc.
And pills! My God I didn't know they made so many of them and the price of them is absolutely nuts.
And if I don't take them now I'm a goner. My Karendia alone is 800 a month if I wasn't poor enough to qualify for some program from Bayer.
Scary, really. But life does go on and I still don't own a cell phone much to my new wife's lament. Life is good though and work sucks although one does need to eat doesn't one.
I'd rather go fishing or shooting or calling and enjoy what God created for me/us.
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