Where have all the primers gone? (2020 Edition)

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Seriously? Another reloading primer shortage? Unfortunately, YES. In this video I'll talk about the "Great Reloading Primer Shortage of 2020", and give you some ideas regarding where to find them.
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[@Ultimatereloader]

To ad to what I said in the video: I think of "us" as a community, not just a "market segment". You can have capitalism with a conscience. I will challenge companies (and individuals) to care as much about the sport and the community as they do about the dollar and bottom line. I couldn't accept $300. for a brick of primers, and I hope that you couldn't either. I do believe in the "Golden Rule". Everyone here is entitled to their own opinion, and this is mine.

[@jdmasfuuck]

100% agree with you man. For example: Palmetto State Armory (pre-COVID) constantly had mark downs on all of their in-house made inventory, now that the supply cannot meet demand, they have marked things back to their retail prices. I agree with that and am okay with paying full retail. However, like you and many others, I’m not comfortable paying 10X of what retail is and will refuse to buy from those retailers now and in the future. Btw, when is the Lee Pro 4000 review coming? I can’t wait to hear/see your thoughts on it. I blindly preordered a kit from Brownells and am still awaiting shipment.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

love ya, bro, and your channel, but you're just missing the mark on this one. you are just not considering the impact of a crunch on ALL players in the market - the producers/excavators of the raw goods, the shipping costs, the mfg, more shipping costs, and the point of sale. your choosing to do business with somebody who didn't raise their prices, or didn't raise them as much, is also a market signal. a free market will always marry cash to product/service in the most efficient way possible. any interference with those relationships will cause more scarcity, which drives prices up. let this soak into your bones: all voluntary exchanges are ALWAYS to mutual benefit. the seller gets money, and the buyer gets something more valuable to himself than the money he exchanged for it. if the exchange is not to the mutual benefit of both parties, it simply doesn't happen. if i give you $10 for a widget, clearly, i value the widget more than I value $10. If you take the $10, clearly, you value that $10 more than you value holding on to your widget. in this case, if nobody is willing to buy small pistol primers at 30 cents, they won't sell.

[@TTiger86268]

I agree but even paying retail is ridiculous. Reason there is a demand and not enough goods is that manufacturers are NOT ramping up production so there is work for their employees when the "Pandemic" and the "grabbing" is over.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Very well stated.

[@ryanday9737]

This situation is the most classic, perfect instance of supply and demand price discovery...not price gouging in the least. This is THE foundation of capitalism. Any outside force dictating or forcing price is essentially communism/marxism. Literally. Even if perceived as only a tiny infringement on free market capitalism, it is the first step onto a slippery slope. It exactly like agreeing to "reasonable gun controls" with progressives. They "progress" to something worse. The right thing to do is respond to the market as a free participant in the market...find alternatives...buy ahead next time...etc, etc.

[@rufturbo997]

Cheaper Than Dirt has always been one of the 1st to gouge. I will never do business with them.

[@pachuagfirearmsrestorations]

I'm willing to bet its written policy for them. I wont even click a link to them in a search engine.

[@Chief351L]

Sportsman’s is also...!

[@vtmegrad98]

CTD showed their true colors back after Sandy Hook in 2012, and haven't changed a bit since.

[@Brandon-wh8hr]

@@vtmegrad98 same here

[@jwhmerica504]

My dad (long sigh) just paid those ass hats $1100 for 1000 rounds of LC 55gr 556. I struggled not to loose my mind on him.

[@roquri]

Midsouth has over the years become my first look when trying to find something. Cheater than dirt has been dead to me for a long time.

[@machinist7230]

Grafs is another good source.. I still miss Lock Stock and Barrel though.

[@biggerbehindthetrigger2814]

Mid South has never let me down. I like that they are not price gouging. I just bought 16 lbs of powder from them. I'm waiting on them now.

[@TrimJazz]

just bought a lock n load from them $439.. best price and family owned.

[@biggerbehindthetrigger2814]

@@TrimJazz they gave my 70 stickers to pass out. I still have like 20 or so. Drop me a pm and I will send anyone a few each.

[@95cgonzo]

Bigger behind the trigger can I get a few of those stickers?

[@rudyschwab7709]

Where have all the primers gone? They're sitting on shelves above reloading benches waiting to be auctioned off at estate sales in another 30-40 years.

[@ironmonkey1512]

That's not completely true, if you like practicing consistently having lots of components on the shelf allows you to continue to shoot even in lean times for ammo. You need to shoot a couple times a month to keep your skills sharp.

[@jamesowens2781]

@@BOSS_DOG I wait on people like you mention.

[@wadebrycejones]

less than 30 years for sure.

[@George-vf7ss]

True

[@PyroRob69]

@@BOSS_DOG Hmm, I have 10K CCI SRP's on my bench. I load a lot of 300 BO. Was cleaning out my office today and found another 1300 from when I was hand priming while watching videos. My kids will get any that might be left.

[@bjorker40]

You’ve explained it well, I always stocked up on reloading supplies of every caliber since I’m an avid shooter and could actually say I love reloading more that the act of pulling the trigger...I am more than happy to help out a buddy when in need of certain rounds and this makes it all worth it

[@dvalinut]

You are missing a critical point here. Look at what people are bidding on auctions for those same primers. If you sell primers for normal prices, people will just buy them to resale. The people paying stupid prices are the problem, not the sellers.

[@rangersmith4652]

BINGO!

[@vtmegrad98]

Since no one *needs* primers, anyone paying that much is an idiot. And I cant' fault anyone for taking advantage of idiots spending outrageous amounts on things that aren't necessities.

[@dancastillo27]

Good point

[@jdrollason]

Preach. Help the community don't take advantage of it. And hold others accountable.

[@rangersmith4652]

​@@jdrollason How are you going to hold an anonymous seller on Gunbroker accountable? Or Gunbroker itself? Artificially holding sellers accountable for what someone thinks are too-high prices sounds like a really bad idea. Just don't buy. That will moderate prices.

[@adamknapp653]

Never blame someone else for your lack of preparedness. I’m not saying you’re doing that here, Gavin. It just popped into my head. When you said we will weather this storm, I hope you are correct, but someday there will be a storm where we will have to fight with everything we have. It’s happened to other nations and it can very easily happen to ours as well.

[@NipkowDisk]

I checked my primer supply early this year and made sure to stock up since I planned on retiring in May, which I did. In retrospect, it was a good thing. Glad you mentioned Midsouth Shooters Supply; they are truly a stand-up outfit.

[@biggs8729]

"Cheaper than Dirt" should be renamed "More Expensive than Gold." Those guys should be shunned by the shooting industry. Join the boycott.

[@todsimpkins8908]

yeah, always the most expensive when I am looking for ANYTHING.

[@joshualawson7604]

I stopped even looking at their site after the last time they price gouged.

[@MrSparty8]

I've looked at their site rarely. Never have bought from their that I can think of. They are the first to start gouging alot of times and even when not in a bad situation they don't live up to their name.

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

It a shame, they used to be the one to go to, ive done plenty of business with them back in the day. No longer will I, being from a hurricane prone area of the US, I know price gouging up close and personal. I sure wont seek it out on the internet.

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

I heard yrs ago that company was ran by the Government ... Not shocked if that's true..

[@nilescoyote4829]

I learned this back when Bush was still prez... don't EVER wait till an election year...

[@CenlaSelfDefenseConcepts]

I've been through this 3 times 09, 13, and now every time I learned space your purchasing out at the slow times get a supply then replenish what you use (I shoot 200 I load 200) so you don't get caught flat footed

[@Mark-hx3nd]

Exactly! This.

[@truecrimson1]

Yeah, the first Bush. I lived through '94.

[@rdsii64]

@@CenlaSelfDefenseConcepts I load 300 then shoot 150.

[@HRCSJSUAMMAS]

About midway in appears to be the ideal time.

[@frankw7266]

I'm old enough, and been reloading for long enough, to have been through many of these cycles and "ammogeddons". Sorry if I sound a bit crass, but knowing this was an especially contentious election year, and other than the 'Rona effect, if you didn't see this unrest coming from orbit you're a little on the dense side. I've been doing nothing but stocking up for the past few years, even forgoing a few firearm purchases to do so. I can understand the new buyers being in a pinch, and I do feel for them, but if you've been around for any length of time, everyone and their brother has been preaching to "stack it high, stack it deep" during the good times... I have a hard time feeling sorry if you didn't take heed.

[@ax4jarmory664]

Exactly.

[@frankw7266]

@Gray Au I do understand where you're coming from on that point, however, if you look at the second auction he presented @ 3:20 for the 2 boxes for $500, take a look at the number of bids it had received and the bid price it was up to. People were bidding against each other to that point, not as a demand by the seller... THAT, to me, makes it a whole different issue. If you don't like the "buy it" price, don't buy it, but look at what people are willing to do against each other... you cannot rag on the seller for that.

[@jwg335]

it's a hard lesson to learn and usually only needs teaching once.

[@joeashbubemma]

@Gray Au And the AUTHORITARIAN MARXIST has spoken. Remove the PLANK from your eye before you call others stupid. Where's YOUR "integrity" for selling your home for that "evil profit"? HYPOCRITE. Assuming of course, that you actually OWN a home.

[@brtecson]

"If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready". That pretty much sums it up. I'm 29 and I've seen a multiple ammo and firearm "shortages" that are unjustifiably driven by a bunch of greedy jerks that only think of themselves. Election years, civil unrest, mass shootings etc are going to trigger these shortages over and over again. Do yourself a favor and spend a couple hundred bucks on components once in a while and think a good 5 to 10 years into the future while doing so. Hell, I invested in scrap lead, tin/antimony, a lead furnace and bullet molds and I haven't used it all. But for ~$200, I'll have enough materials and equipment to make bullets for many, many years. Same with bullets, powders, primers and everything else. In the meanwhile, I stay sharp at the range and I don't mind not having to wait for an available lane on the weekend these days.

[@terryfaber3038]

Really appreciate your talk my friend loaded shot gun loads for me growing up miss the art he show me a lot.

[@backfire]

I disagree about the “bad behavior.” If primers literally can’t be found anywhere and someone has some they are willing to sell, supply is low and demand is high. Price goes up. That’s just how capitalism works. HOWEVER, I don’t want that opinion to come off as criticism. It’s just my opinion and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this channel. Really appreciate the vids.

[@dangerranger4323]

If distributors were hoarding them and increasing price so thatcitizens couldn’t exercise their rights I could understand it. But individual listings on gunbroker should not be “penalized” for selling their box for however the fuck much they want That being said I couldn’t personally live with myself doing that. So far I’ve sold a few hundred at normal price to friends and given away a few hundred and mags to people in need. We’ve got to help each other out in hard times.

[@charlesdriggers199]

And you wonder why we have communists in this country? That kind of thinking. It is bad behavior and you must be one who is doing it. Don't give us that crap of supply and demand when you charge ten times the price.

[@jayphilipwilliams]

It's a shame how many people are ignorant of basic economics. Anyone who uses the term "price gouging" is ignorant of basic economics. How is pricing something you want to sell at any particular price "bad behavior"? It's an absurd claim.

[@jayphilipwilliams]

@@dangerranger4323 "I couldn’t personally live with myself doing that" You're not forcing anyone do to anything. Anyone who buys something that you're selling for whatever price you're asking does so voluntarily. I agree with your first paragraph, though. You're a good guy.

[@dangerranger4323]

Jay Philip Williams I know I’m not forcing anyone, it’s just not something I’m ok with doing. I never said other people couldn’t.

[@arthurcarstens]

Haven't done business with Cheaper than Dirt since Sandy Hook, they lost my business a long time ago

[@shane99ca]

People who look to buy on price alone often get burned.

[@Mrpaint06]

Midway USA has been great on ammo pricing. When they have it, they sell it for a reasonable price. Just bought some ammo from them yesterday, so this is fresh information.

[@Porschedoctor1]

Unfortunately they limit you to 2 or 3 boxes of ammo. That's 60 to 100 rounds depending on the cartridge and charge both sales tax and shipping. it ends up being >$1 per round.

[@rambocambo75]

@@Porschedoctor1 limiting sales is the only way they can guarantee 1-2 panicked people don’t buy the whole stock.

[@claudiodelcastillo893]

$30 for a box Winchester white box 50ct.

[@angelosorvillo1912]

Thank you for a great informative video. Your one of the people holding sanity together and it’s greatly appreciated!

[@yojimbo05]

Great video Gavin. Thank you so much for bring out the truth and proper way to get the information across.

[@TerryGilsenan]

Market forces are market forces. Price gouging is a myth. if the prices are too high, the buyers will go elsewhere and the issue is self correcting.

[@Ultimatereloader]

To each his own. I WOULD NOT ask $300 for a brick of primers. I could not to that with a clear conscience. I'd rather GIVE them to someone in need. Remember, we're not just a market segment, we're a community.

[@TerryGilsenan]

@@Ultimatereloader I wouldn't do that either, but ones property is just that: their own property, and they are entitled to ask whatever they choose if someone else wants to purchase them. It's entirely up to the purchaser if the transaction will happen. One person was prepared, the other was not prepared. this can be seen as the market forces associated with preparation. Remember: nobody is forcing the purchaser to hand over his money if he thinks the price is too high.

[@FullSendPrecision]

@@Ultimatereloader Will you sell me your primers, then? Probably not. Because you want to keep them. But I bet there's a price you would let them go.

[@TerryGilsenan]

@Libertarian 4 Life exactly. If people don't like the price one guy is asking, then they are free to take their money and spend it with his competitors. If the first guy can't sell his stuff then he misses out on the transaction.

[@xephael3485]

Completely agree! One big issue is if it's not a free market and the manufacturing is limited to just sources that are not competitive, or in collusion...

[@bberguson]

Cheaper than Dirt, sure, if it gold infused dirt! Never been a fan of ctd...

[@mightyjoeyoung1390]

IF they actually ever do have decent pricing they make up their "loss" on the shipping.

[@StewartCountyBallistics]

Gavin I was at midsouth today.. we talked about the primer shortage.. then I wanted to do a video about it . I felt like I really didn't have all that facts in place ... I watched your video !!!! Spot on I'm sending them to this video!!!! Thanks god bless

[@coryg1109]

Excellent set of points. Appreciate hearing it. When I lived in Texas back in the mid-90s I used to drive for 3 hours to go to Cheaper Than Dirt. Loved their store. Never had an issue with them. I am disappointed to see numerous video's indicating they are now charging a lot more than they used to. It's to bad. Thanks for the video, people do need to hear how we need to work with each other instead of against each other (I imagine a person not wanting to share their primers but needs cases...while a person with cases who needs primers won't budge either...yup)

[@michaelmarts6397]

I started stocking up 2 years ago , there all in my reloading bench YA!

[@superiornoisereduction1211]

Gavin, great video, I checked gunbroker when this first started and there was a $.01 auction with no reserve on 5,000 Winchester SRP. The bid was up to $1500! Not the seller’s fault in this case but absolutely absurd nonetheless.

[@tcwong1458]

Good point. I am learning to reload my own ammunition but I got everything except primer. I have not started yet. Thank you for your reviews. Thank you. TC

[@MrDet807]

we need a lot more people with your mind set in our community, ty.

[@victorwaddell6530]

Upstate South Carolina here.

[@sixtofive]

While I completely agree it's disgusting to see prices that high on primers, it comes down to simple supply and demand. I completely disagree with pushing for any penalties for the sellers however. Just don't buy from them. If you're selling right now, selling at a normal price is throwing money out the window. If people weren't smart enough to put a supply away prior to these events, then maybe they just won't get to shoot at their matches when they run out of ammo. Personally I can't help feeling that anyone who is out shooting matches right now is being very irresponsible unless they have a deep stockpile to draw from. Shooting just got more expensive until things settle back down. Pay up or don't shoot is the reality whether people like it or not. The best advice is to be honest with people. You're out of luck if you waited too long. Tell them if they get another chance to see "normal" prices to remember these times and act according at that point.

[@oif3vetk9]

I have cut way back on shooting matches this year. Actually I've only shot one pistol match this season. Once the covid lockdowns kicked off and the wave of first time buyers started right then I decided matches aren't my top concern. Any of us that have been in this lifestyle for any amount of time could see the writing on the wall. We've been through it before and we adjust accordingly. That said there is one style of matches I am shooting but it's because the round count is low, PRS. It's once a month and generally around 100 rounds per match. I can live with that. Powder is a bit hard to come by but I have plenty on hand. Primers, I stop at a shop on my way to the matches and if they have them on hand I buy a brick. (they aren't marking prices up but they do limit to one brick per customer which is fair.) I use midsouth for bullets. That's how I'll handle it until things settle back down. And like you said, once they do and prices/availability are back to normal, act accordingly.

[@sixtofive]

@@oif3vetk9 Absolutely agree. Nothing wrong with that approach at all. When I have been out for target practise, it's been more 45 Colt than anything because I can reload that with components on hand for a long time. Plus going through 100 rounds of that in a rifle makes for a satisfying trip with a lot less ammo expended than smaller calibers.

[@2541968joey]

I can assure you that Gunbroker is not going to tell their sellers how to price their items.

[@z50com]

Gunbroker might not, but states like California take price gouging seriously. I think the Feds do also. 10x list price "IS" price gouging!

[@Strelnikov10]

Nor should they. This isn't the Soviet Union.

[@z50com]

@@Strelnikov10 If they prosecuted people for price gouging masks they might as well do the same for other items of interest.

[@Strelnikov10]

@@z50com Okay... I don't support them prosecuting people for "price gouging" masks either. That's like saying, "well, since Hitler massacred the Jews... we might as well massacre this other group I don't like". Okay... harsh example. Let's just say "two wrongs don't make a right".

[@z50com]

@@Strelnikov10 Primer manufactures should just raise the price to $100 per 1000 and sell direct that might cure the current problem. Federal is selling ammo direct online now at double the old prices. I'm sure all the others will follow suit. . . .We'll never see cheap ammo again. . . .

[@MrHuntermikey]

Excellent editorial. All shooters need to see it.

[@Panhandlehomestead]

Very well said, I just bought a reloader just starting out no primers. I like your integrity thank you sir. These people are insane should be ashamed of themselves and prices.

[@_taylor_renee]

Ya I got an email from cheaper than dirt that the “ammo trucks have arrived.” Highest prices I’ve ever seen on ammo and that’s because they don’t have reloading components to gouge is on. Obviously it’s their choice to set the price, but most of us will remember.

[@johnreynolds6499]

I saw that too on CTD. Outrageous prices. I did a double take.

[@jh-lp7cg]

Pepperidge Farm remembers.

[@redmondray8066]

Gotta prep, reminds me of a story that was read to me as a young child. Something about an ant and a grasshopper?? 🤣

[@supertruckertom]

Mid South and Precision Reloading have been good to me over the years. I have a local source here in Atlanta also.

[@leverman7517]

My shooting/reloading routine has not changed since I started in 2003. Buy supplies "in season" if you don't waste and don't open till you use them, it lasts a long time

[@The_Privateer]

"Price gouging" isn't actually a thing in a free market economy. Prices are determined by what the market will bear. Basic supply and demand. This is one of the ways capitalism works. It's kind of funny (or sad, really) to hear someone in the firearms industry saying something to the effect 'someone should reprimand these businesses because they don't subscribe to my values.'

[@brandonlaflin8946]

Exactly! The moment we start placing heavy regulation on private sellers is the moment we disband a free market society.

[@Strelnikov10]

I'm glad to see that so many here actually study the roots of the capitalist economic system. So many people sing the praises of capitalism simply because they are conservative, but when pressed, they cannot really explain it to you. Or, in the worst case, you get people who put forth extremely socialistic ideas when they are down on their luck (like this video does).

[@jayyoung5627]

@Log Splitta Yes it is a free market. The "abnormal market upheavals effecting supply" is a signal to manufactures and producers to INCREASE production of these items as they are now selling at a higher price and they can make more money by meeting the demand for these items

[@thelz7909]

@@Strelnikov10 I think you go way too far to label the idea as "extremely socialistic." Some gunbroker sellers are fraudulent and have their own people going in and driving the prices up. That's unethical and not part of a free market capitalism society. It's fraud and there is nothing wrong with giving people like that negative publicity.

[@Strelnikov10]

@@thelz7909 He wasn't talking about auctions. He was talking about a buy it now price. Please, enlighten me on how one might artificially drive up a "Buy It Now" price.... Also... if I place my highest bid at $100 for an item, that means I am willing to pay $100 dollars. Now let's say that a seller "sends his own people in" and drives the final price up to $99.99. Well, that's still within the range of the price I was willing to pay. While that practice is shady for sure, I still haven't been ripped off. Easy way to counteract this.... don't place your highest bid at a level that's higher than you're comfortable paying. Easy enough! Now, if he put a gun to my head and forced me to pay $110, now I've been ripped off.

[@lunaticrider209]

I’m the only one who started to reload. No one else in my family or friends reload. They all bought ammo and are sitting on it. They don’t even want to shoot because they don’t want to waste there ammo because of the crap that’s going on. Cheers from California!

[@unclebobthe1]

I bought 2k of ammo four years ago and still have half of it. Even so I decided to start reloading as a winter hobby. Cheers from Wisconsin

[@ryanwilson5936]

Just in time to fill those new-fangled “high-capacity” magazines too... Cheers from Michigan!

[@jbar4ranch]

If I charged "the normal going rate", as per your suggestion,, a small handful of people would buy my entire inventory well before closing today (maybe 80,000) and resell them for 5 or 10 times what they paid. To prevent this, I can either shut down my primer sales, limit sales to 100 per customer (one sleeve), or inflate the price.

[@tomfavre669]

Thanks for the input. Very well said. Stay strong.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks, you too!

[@Toysrme]

Just an FIY, as a LGS; I just want everyone to know that in general, the wholesale prices of firearms has not risen beyond inflation since before COVID. For example, common Glock wholesale costs from the large national distributors are between zero and $20 higher price than they were pre-COVID. A G17/19 still sits at $409-419usd. Blue states are commonly asking $700-1100usd currently. That lets you know just how much people are price-gouging... A good store will still have your favorites within reason. (Low-mid $500 usd).

[@supertruckertom]

Thanks. So Blue Label , GSSF prices are similar to wholesale.

[@Toysrme]

@@supertruckertom No, distributor "Blue Label" pricing simply means no taxes are paid on the transactions (OEM->Distributor->LGS->Purchaser); which is why they are cheaper. The actual wholesale cost is the same. Great question tho!

[@supertruckertom]

@@Toysrme I recently joined GSSF and used my coupon to get a 17L for $502+$27+ local sales tax for $564 OTD. Got a G44 for $399 plus tax at a non LEO LGS in July also.

[@GreatGrumpyGrandpa]

If you find some primers call your reloading friends and let them know where to get them . Let's help out our fellow reloaders

[@shane99ca]

I would, but my shooting partner doesn't reload. He should, though, considering he bought a .450 Marlin. I bought the .45-70 version myself, and even though I reload for it, it's much less essential for me than for him at this point. You can hardly find .450 Marlin now, and if you can, only Hornady loads for it and it's $60 a box of 20. Ouch. It would almost be cheaper to shoot .450 Nitro.

[@michaelhennegan9637]

Just stop buying them.

[@RadDadisRad]

Thanks Gavin. I was just looking through my notebook at what I had for specific prices on particular ammo that I shoot. It’s ridiculous how high these prices are.

[@mikemcallister9091]

Great video! LOL I got into reloading due to watching your channel. Yup no primers. But I got lucky and found a few Winchester small rifle in the early fall to at least get familiar with my Hornady LNL.. I was shocked to see the prices on Gun Broker and that people are paying that price! More then factory ammo.. Hey thanks for all you do. I have learned tons from your channel. Oh and spent lots

[@brendanb1541]

I remember The Great Primer Famine of '94. Lessons learned.

[@ngirardo86]

Here's a hoarder here^^^^

[@long-dongvonbraun501]

B Berthold what about the 94 "assault weapon" ban? History repeats itself

[@mo30284]

i still have primers leftover from that time peroid

[@keithcox3350]

Good call and Thanks!

[@stevelamperta865]

I am so glad I didn't wait to stock up on ammo and other supplies... I took care of this 10 years ago.

[@johnknierim9017]

Cheaper that dirt is also will screw u on freight charges as well. I don’t buy anything from cheaper than dirt

[@coopermcwhirter3523]

Wise advice in all aspects of “supply and demand.” Besides Midsouth I would add Midway USA and Brownells. Have a care, Cooper

[@nc_classics9767]

Yes they have large primers and shotgun primers

[@rodneyjones3547]

Was at Sportsmans Warehouse in Las Vegas yesterday, They are out of primers but are not price gouging, their powder supplies are limited but the prices are same as before the shortages. Kudos to them for their integrity! Crossroads and SAR show in Phoenix at beginning of December was a nightmare when you look at primer and powder prices. Primers were average $130 / K. BOO-HISS!

[@sethbaker7605]

I never thought I could drool over primers but there's a puddle on my lap watching this video and looking at those

[@xtremehunter8597]

Sorry, I think I bought most of the stock. I've found many deals in the last while from other shooters. Good luck to all looking for supplies. Be patient.

[@mariodesmo]

I got my reloading equipment out of moth balls two years ago, and spent the winter reloading. Then I bought second progressive press and kept on reloading... My interest in reloading again is all due to Gavin's shenanigans! lol

[@jonc526]

Gavin with the sage advice, as always.

[@GBCR]

Thanks for the video, Gavin! Bayou Bullets is another honest and upstanding vendor. I've been doing business with them for years now, and they are always clear and transparent with their inventory, prices, shipping times, & policies, and the product is always very good & well priced. They're owned & ran by Donnie Miculek, Jerry's brother.

[@2pugman]

After the last shortage I started buying all my reloading components and sealed the primers in vacuumed sealed packages.

[@GlennAycock]

Mylar...

[@Euragone68]

There are people out buying anything Ammo, Powder, Primers and Brass just to resale it!

[@bocephussmith7858]

Eeeeeeeeeevil citizens utilizing their capital in a manner they see fit, in the pursuit of happiness and generation of income! #Reeeeeeee

[@Euragone68]

@@bocephussmith7858 just remember what goes around comes around! Karma is a bitch!

[@jameshitchens9045]

Thanks for the advice. Every little bit helps.

[@peeblood]

It sucks that I'm just getting into reloading, and a lot of the components I need are unobtainable. Luckily I found some honest retailers and other shooting enthusiasts that have stuff to offer at reasonable pre-panic prices. Granted, I'm focusing on straight walled, less common use cartridges. By the way, I've found your content invaluable. Your videos are an important resource. Thank you for the info!

[@gottafly2day]

Gavin, I love your channel. I've learned a lot from you. Thank you for that. But I must ask...What price would you be willing to sell those primers on your bench? Would you be willing to sell them at standard retail prices? No? Well then what price can I offer you that will make it worth it to you? I hope you get my point.

[@icanspelle6050]

I honestly lost alot of respect for what he said in this video it must hurt to not understand why suppliers raise prices.

[@joedombek4985]

@@icanspelle6050 The esteemed Dr. Walter Williams professor of economics had an article on supply and demand, as well as "price gouging". He as well as John Stossel say there is no such thing.

[@dinohudson1432]

How long was it "last time" when the primers started showing up on the shelves again? Tku.

[@89tonstar]

Primers are actually really easy to manufacture, it's about a 20 minute process to make a thousand and federal at least, has an entire sections of their factories dedicated to making primers. They (federal gold medal match) came back in stock on brownells last monday and were literally out of stock within about an hour.

[@boostismagic]

I read on AR15.com that it was around June after your boy Barry was crowned...

[@archangel20031]

Primers are in stock, 6 hours away from me, in Canada! There are only 2 sizes of primers, small and large, the rifle ones use a sightly thicker cup than the pistol but can be used in pistol rounds. Almost everyone has the 209's though.

[@kagyu1]

I’m just so grateful my gun club had massive amounts of loading components stockpiled. You are limited in what you can buy weekly/ monthly , but prices are normal. By cutting back on shooting I’ll have enough for two years. We even have a mountain of bullets so I’m set. Grateful for this channel .

[@halfdollar86]

How is your clubs stock 1 year later? Just curious

[@kagyu1]

@@halfdollar86 we ran dry of SPP and LPP 2 months ago. Natchez and Midway have been pretty regular .

[@williamadamysr2597]

I am a die hard customer of yours after the way you guys treated me on an order for my reloading stand. It is nice to see integrity still exists out here.

[@anthonyz.4560]

I just set up my first press and have not been able to load anything, because I have not been able to find primers.

[@thomasdawson1029]

Same man 🤦‍♂️

[@shane99ca]

Well, you can decap, size, and expand so that you have a bunch of prepped brass when the opportunity finally arrives. Then just prime it, charge it, seat it, crimp it, and shoot it. :)

[@leandroogavadepaulasouza5012]

Outstanding vid!

[@plaid-n-ammo]

Jumping into reloading myself. I had a hell of a time finding a 9 mm die set. Other calibers were also moving quickly.

[@versa55]

I don't know how I feel about it but I spent a bunch of money on reloading stuff. My neighbor got some apple stock his doubled but I have to sell my primers to him at cost just thinking

[@shane99ca]

Why do you need to sell them to him at all?

[@AtlasRonin]

Private sellers may sell THEIR private property for what ever price they want to ask and/or any buyer is willing to pay. Retailers and wholesalers are different. People who panic buy are the issue more than anything. Supply/Demand always works until someone fucks with it. Like price floors/ceilings.

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

This Shortage isn't going away anytime soon and with the Chance of Biden winning it might be a very long time..

[@harryrainey6212]

I just bought a 1,000 Tulammo LP primers for $10.90/100. Everything else is as you quoted $300-500, it’s nuts. I was buying 9mm a year ago, FMJ Target for $15. It’s $30/50 rounds, defense rounds are $50/20 rounds. If I can get a box of 9mm, it will be to reload my magazines. The LP is for my .45 Colt, 1858 Remington Revolving carbine with the conversion cylinder, later I will get a cylinder for the revolver version and one for my Roger&Spencer revolver. Fortunately I bought 100 new .45 Colt cartridge cases and the bullet molds. Powder can still be bought from Hodgen Powder Co. I just check on reliability of Tulammo, maybe 2% misfire. Beggars cannot be choosers. Great video.

[@petegrunert9230]

New to reloading just purchased a lineman 8 press ,everything I need to start with 38 special, everything but the primers, I check every day. When they’re available I will buy but not at any marked up price, always wanted to get into reloading just got in at the wrong time at least now I’m in.

[@le3045acp]

and yes i give friends what they need with the understanding that when they are more affordable they will replace them

[@mo30284]

that's what i did also

[@DimaProk]

I feel so blessed, I picked up about 23k of primers this summer from local guy @ $26 per brick! Now I am thinking I should have got more than 1k of large rifle primers :)

[@Ultimatereloader]

Awesome- please consider sharing if people you know are in need.

[@DimaProk]

@@Ultimatereloader Sad thing, I don't know anyone who actually reloads locally, but I help my friends with the ammo and they are happy :)

[@halfdollar86]

Don’t panic about large rifle primers. They will be the first to come back. We still have them local here. Small pistol and small rifle are out of course.

[@richharris9036]

Maybe you could tell me. Do you know how to go about shipping primers and powder to someone in need if you have it on hand.

[@stetsonspurs4680]

Love the videos as always. Not sure if you already have, But can you also do a video comparing quality bore sighters. I've recently been looking at the Wheeler Engineering magnetic bore sight, but your in depth reviews would certainly help. Thanks again, and keep up the good work.

[@rutrose2000]

Tell me about it. I sure picked the wrong time to try to get into reloading.

[@DookyShoes1]

You and me both! Didn't know there was such a shortage when I decided to.get started. I just thought it would be cool to do while stuck at home and would let me shoot more for less

[@shane99ca]

@@DookyShoes1 You guys could try cap and ball revolvers for now...

[@TTiger86268]

I SHOULD NOT say this but, Sportsmans Warehouse has them in stock with limits.

[@manoli.k]

And they’ve continued to keep their sale prices, which is very commendable. Around $23-$24 per 1,000 for the basic small and large pistol CCI, Winchester, and Federal.

[@danielgiles5420]

Excellent video great advice good day to you Brother

[@Lukaslevanen1435]

I bought my hornady progressive reloading press from mid south shooters love those guys. Awesome company

[@scottlamp3097]

Solid advise. I can share my recent experience. I was down to my last 3 sleeves of small rifle primers, so I started waiting on Saturday and Wednesday mornings at my local Bass Pro Shops. They haven’t run up their prices much if at all granted they were already a little high in general. I think it was the third Saturday I looked for primers and low and behold there were 3 bricks of CCI 400s I grabbed all three bricks but just a couple seconds later, a guy came looking for the same stuff and noticed I had them. I know I’m patting myself on the back a little bit, but without hesitation I gave him one of “my” boxes. For the most part, gun people are really great people and reloaders might be even more so. It just feels better to be good to each other.

[@chasedean4032]

It's simple economics the supply is low the demand is high so they will cost more

[@lewisgarland4128]

true sir and i am also just wanting to reload for my 6.5 creedmore . what would you suggest a good press to start out ? Thanks

[@christopherrobin9472]

Great advice!

[@allenwatkins4972]

If you didn't stock up when they were available...You weren't thinking.

[@machinist7230]

The same thing happened during the great primer shortage of 94 - anytime theres a scare, the first thing to disappear, and the last to go back to normal are reloading components, particularly primers, beacuse the manufacturers shift focus primarily to ammunition. This is why you should have enough components to last you through several years. After the 94 shortage, i know several people who went out and bought tens of thousands, in at least one case, 100k+, and several of them are still using them up nearly 3 decades later..

[@sneakytails1724]

How do you safely store that much? Most of the reloading books say 5k-10k max.

[@atypical_moto]

They obviously don't shoot much if it lasted them decades. My problem is that I can shoot through any amount of ammo very fast. I put 25k rounds through a single pistol last year. Hoarding ammo is basically practice sitting on a shelf. Why hold onto it for later, when I can use it to get better right now?

[@machinist7230]

@@atypical_moto Who said they were pistol shooters? Most of them were silloette shooters, who probably went through less than 3000 RDS a year of 308 sized ammo - high volume is sure recipe for a permanent flinch. And I do know some amateur competitive pistol shooters that shoot in volume(they were part of a bulk order from Meister for half a million bullets), but even they don't shoot that much - time(both shooting and loading) and money preclude it.

[@machinist7230]

@@sneakytails1724 they break it up and don't store it all in one place. I don't know what Batfe has to say about it, but the NFPA( the people who write guidelines for ins co regarding fire hazards) recommends no more 10k per residence. Storing more may get a claim denied, regardless of legality. I will say that at least one guy I know built a mini "igloo" complete with berms just like the army uses for ammo storage to store his primers and powder. No electrical, or combustible mark outside the primers and powder.

[@markthrasher2916]

Good info!

[@rogermays3136]

Great speach. And ty for the info

[@mykemcc1]

In my area, several stores have PLENTY of Large Magnum Rifle primers :(

[@shane99ca]

You can use magnum primers in standard cases like the .308. But you will need to reduce your powder charge accordingly. You would need to work up your target load again but accuracy will not be affected enough to make a difference in your typical "Aw, shit" moment.

[@mykemcc1]

@@shane99ca Thank you. It was satiar cause everyone is looking for small rifle primers.

[@shane99ca]

@@mykemcc1 That’s ’cause everyone these days shoots mouse guns. Me, .45-70 Government.

[@mcyg123]

@@shane99ca lol good luck with that

[@shane99ca]

@@mcyg123 Luck with what?

[@Qpoueoor]

This happens. This is also why I buy primers I don’t need when they are available.

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

My uncle has been a hand loader for decades. He's been after me for several years to get into it. Last week he bought me a Lee starter set. Ok, very nice. I'll give it a try! So I ordered bullets and powder and even casings. A caliper and shellholders. Then die sets for one of my pistols and one of my rifles. Very exciting! And now I can't get my hands on small rifle primers to save my life. I've spent over $300, not including the Lee kit, and still can't make a cartridge yet.

[@thetobaccoguy1751]

Sportsmans Warehouse. I've found primers there twice recently. Along with .22, 9mm, and 5.56 ammo. They've had Varget to. I have no idea why, but they have all the stuff.

[@lyfandeth]

Depending on the state the seller is in, price goudging during a declared state of emergency IS a crime that will be prosecuted if reported to state authorities.

[@ricksanchez7459]

This makes shortages worse because people are scared to sell off their extra stuff when people come with hands out. I've seen stuff(household items still usable but not needed, also anything with scrap value)thrown away because guys don't want to deal with mouth breathing craigslisters, throw in a chance at being at odds with the law and alot of people aren't worried about the "community's" needs anymore...

[@OFFICIALUND]

You obviously don't understand price gouging laws. Even where they exist, they are limited to very specific things that are NECESSITIES (like gasoline, food, building materials etc.) Even if read broadly to include ammo, there's no way that they would be read to include ammunition primers.

[@lyfandeth]

@@OFFICIALUND gun and ammostores were/are allowed to remain open during the quarantine closures, because they sell essential goods. That will vary across the 50 states, DC, and the 11 insular possessions. But if you tell a judge "they are open because they sell essential goods and they raised the price more than twice MSRP...." yeah, I think you'd have a case. Ammo, guns, and ammo components *were* all deemed essential. S&W baseball caps, not so much.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

"Goddamn gubbmint is gonna take my guns!" "Hello gubbmint? Some meanie online is selling overpriced primers and I need to narc on them!"

[@rickstarr9498]

Hi Gavin, I am completely out of primers and it sounds like you have a lot of them. Would you consider sharing some of your stock pile with a dedicated follower? LOL Thanks for all the great videos, keep up the good work.

[@davidbutler1825]

Me too, Gavin. I'd be willing to pay you 5% more than you paid for them. I know you wouldn't want to gouge me. Oh, 10% you say? Well, that still sounds fair. The line must be drawn somewhere. At a low price, you will say, "Naw. I think I'll just keep mine." But with enough people banging on your door, BEGGING to pay you 20% more, 30% more, 50% more than you paid, you are actually doing them the favor. The guy willing to pay 50% more, wants them VERY badly, and would be angry at you if you sold them to somebody else for only a 5% markup, and left him with no primers. You think you're "taking the high road" by saying to him, "No. You don't get any." Very interesting!

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

Yep. Nice theory. I wish he'd prove it by putting it into practice. So, where is the line where those "with" says they cannot give/supply/help?? Careful. Gavin, that pulpit you're pounding is a high, little dry rotted & will fall apart on ya. Will you please practice what you preach? (Asking for a friend 🥴😉) Lots of new reloaders out there. How many has Gavin helped out with primers in the past few months?? (waiting)

[@stevetaylor2842]

Can I substitute small rifle primer for small pistol primer to reload 9mm Luger? If not can you please explain why?

[@chris.eskimo]

The 'email when in shock ' option is not available at midsouth on Winchester primers now

[@charleygreycat3352]

I have watched many of your re-loading videos with great pleasure -- they were/are most informative. In regards to the primer shortage, "price gouging" does not apply. "Price Gouging" pertains to items essential to preserve life -- things like food, water, clothing, medicines, shelter, and fuel. It might be better to call out the "gougers" as "Speculators." When the shortage ends, as it always has, the "Speculators" will be stuck with tons of product that they cannot sell for what they bought it. That is the "Boom-Bust" cycle of classical free market economies. I am still sitting pretty on primers I bought before the 1994 shortage, and they still light the fire! I have also noticed that the "Gun Community" is not as unified as it was in decades past. That is principally the result of the psychological warfare the left waged on the "Gun Community." Now, it is every man for himself. Be well.

[@chronic2001n]

I restocked in February of 2020. I wasn't about to get left high and dry during this shortage. But man, I can't wait for the "bust" cycle. Though I don't think it will happen until at least 2023.

[@johncashwell1024]

Thanks for the info, I am on on board with the "Think ahead" plan. I will be shopping at Mid-South Shooter's Supply as well.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Right on!

[@kensnyder9372]

Thanks for the up date on primers . I'am thinking this summer , well maybe . So gone to the range has stopped for now..................................

[@MegaRiffraff]

I was at a large gun store in Kentucky New Year's Eve, they had small pistol primers and shotgun primers and powder with no limits , but no large rifle primers and very little rifle powder .

[@Randy_84]

Its capitalism.. do I like the gouging, no. But no one has to pay their price either. 🤷‍♂️

[@ak6143]

Theres no such thing as price gauging. Theres just a price youre willing to pay or not. Its not like primers are a life necessity. Now having said that Ide love to find sm rifle primers.

[@The_Ballo]

@@ak6143 Yeah, if you get rid of gouging there is no incentive to alleviate the shortage. The Hillary gun grab scare caused a shortage but led to an unprecedented supply.

[@pacman10182]

@@ak6143 all I can find is CCI BR for $6 a tray

[@joeashbubemma]

What exactly is "gouging"? Price is only relative when there are competitors in the market. It's amazing that NO ONE is accusing Tesla of "gouging" when their cars SHOULD be selling at HALF the price.

[@Randy_84]

@@joeashbubemma why should they be selling for half? Can't wait to hear this...

[@biggs8729]

So reading a lot of comments, I've come to discover that price gougers don't like to be called out for price gouging. A lot of people calling Gavin a communist for taking a public stand against price gouging. Thanks for being you Gavin and giving a voice to something that's a real problem in the industry.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

I figure if I burn through all I've got in a short period of time, the situation will be such that there will be plenty lying around to pick up. Really hope it doesn't come to that, but I think we're in for a bumpy ride.

[@steveshipley4383]

Thanks Gavin. Midsouth shooters are not price gouging on primers. But you have to be quick when they announce that they’re in stock. I missed out on the last orders, but will try again.