Reloading Powder

[Pitchman1968]

At the risk of being a reloader's "Debbie Downer", I'll share what I learned yesterday during a lengthy phone conversation with a sales guy at Hodgkin Powders. I joked with him that from what I have beeb reading reloading powders might not be available until 2022. He immediately corrected me saying that I should not plan on being able buying powders until late 2023 and maybe it would be into 2024 ! Holy S--t! Based upon life insurance companies' longevity tables, I'll be outa here by then.

I'm sure that this Forum's heavy duty reloaders know how many reloading powder brands are controlled by Hodgkin. I'm thinking they must have at least a 65% market share. Hodgkin flamboyantly displays those brands on their website.

[Grunt67]

Well, I wouldn't say he's wrong, but I'll take it with a grain or two of salt. 3 yrs is a long time to project in todays' world.

[Headhog]

No matter how you look at this, there is no good news here. I would hope this does not prove to be true. My shortfall will come from lack of primers, long before I run out of powder.

Paul

[fortyshooter]

I'm fine on powders but I sure hope he was joking a bit....that is insane!

[BigAl52]

I have plenty of powder but the primer issue will super seed the powder supply. I have primers at least 5000 of each size but Im not going to do much shooting until they return.

[Grunt67]

I've got enough powder & primers to load what I have to work with. Right now, I have 100 pcs Starline 45/70 brass, with no
bullets to go in them. Got 100 on B/O with Midsouth, but who knows when or if they show up.
Even if they don't I've got enough loaded to hold me a while.

[RanchRoper]

Glad I stocked up.

[Vaquero]

Way more bullets than primers, between 15 to 20 lbs each pistol and rifle powder.
More lr rifle & pistol than sm pistol and rifle primers.

RP

[runnin n gunnin]

Same here Vaquero, primers are the issue for me.

[Hatchdog]

I’m concerned with the bullet I use in my match rifle. Currently I have just over 150 on hand with another 88 loaded. I plan to shoot five matches this year plus several practice sessions. Our match director has reduced the matches from 88 shots to 66 by eliminating the 300 yard line and just shooting from 600. Unless I can get some bullets I’ll be done shooting by mid season. Bullet is the Sierra .224 77g Matchking HP.

Another close by range is running 100 yard matches that I would love to participate in but I don’t dare unless I can get some bullets. Good on powder and primers for this season, just gotta get some bullets.

The info from the guy at Hodgdon is very depressing.

[MuddyWaters62]

As I said in a earlier post, after the Clinton/Biden debacle of 199?, I slowly but surely stocked up on all reloadable consumables. I have at least enough to fuel my next generation of kin. Everything is stored in favorable conditions. Like the old Boy Scout creed "Always be prepared".

Muddy Waters 67

[NHshtr]

If the sales guy is not just blowing smoke, I can last quite a while, but it's going to be mighty lonely at the range.

[wolfman]

I think he was blowing smoke:

https://hodgdon.com/powder-shortage-statement/

If that statement is accurate, ~80% of the powder they make goes to the reloading market, not ammunition manufacturing.

Have been seeing powder available at Hodgdon's website, Graf & Son's, Powder Valley & Midsouth somewhat regularly. It goes fast & is (usually) more expensive than pre-panic, but it isn't completely absent from the market.

The primer availability situation seems much more dire than with powder, especially if you are willing to try new powders (appropriate for application, of course).

Not shilling for another forum, but this is a good thread to follow if you're looking for powder:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?t ... ad.883031/

[JVogler]

New to shooting in 2017, New to reloading Fathers day 2018. Stocked up what I could along the way. Like others I too am okay with powder, bullets and primers for a while. I have seen some posts here and on the Ruger forum of supply and ammo scores. I will just read those posts as signs of shortages lightening up. Keep yourself and your families safe.

[Rifletom]

Powder, primers and cases, I'm good. Only thing I'd like to get is about 500 more 250gr rnfp bullets, coated or plain. Then, I'd be set for a loooong time. Actually thinking of putting some rifle powders, bullets, dies etc in the trading sections of a couple forums. Still pondering that one. Those three .45 Colt shooters I have are hungry dang things!

[RanchRoper]

I don't think we've had quite the same feeding frenzy up here in Canada. Not sure why, our firearms are under attack too. Anyhow, don't need to tell me twice, I have been stocking up for quite a while.

[runnin n gunnin]

Powder, brass and bullets I am fat for all calibers. Primers, well I have a good stock, but I am not loading right now. As much as I like to shoot, I am not going to exhaust what I have in primers until it starts to break free again, if it does.

So in the mean time, my bench and my guns have never been cleaner !

And, RR, I said it last year and I will say it again, of everyone on the forum, you have the best seasonal profile pictures. Its a pleasure to know ya !

[BigAl52]

I don't think we've had quite the same feeding frenzy up here in Canada. Not sure why, our firearms are under attack too. Anyhow, don't need to tell me twice, I have been stocking up for quite a while.

I read or heard where they are even attacking the airguns up there RR have you heard that.

[RanchRoper]

Haven't heard that one yet. If they come for the Red Ryder they better be ready to go down in a hail of copper...