More reflections on reloading –

Now that powder is hard to find and double the cost it was when I started reloading, I am thinking a little harder about my reloading options.

Once you decide that you are in the reloading hobby for the long term you quit buying your primers buy the 100 pack and save a few dollars by buying primers by the 1,000 count “brick” (ten packs of 100). Bullet casters making their own projectiles from lead buy gas checks in 1,000 count packages. Jacketed projectiles are often bought in bulk by the 500 count box, or sometimes 1,000 count packages. But powder is usually bought in one pound increments or at most the increasingly rare 8 pound kegs. The end result is that reloaders often have several thousand primers, gas checks, and projectiles on hand. Which when combined with the re-useable brass from their cartridges produce loads ready to be fired again with the exception of powder.

Lately – gun shops don’t even have powder on hand let alone at reasonable prices. While I have been waiting for the prices to settle back into the reasonable level I have loaded myself nearly out of much of my powder reserve. When powder is up to $30 a pound I need to be choosey about what I buy.

To better plan ahead let’s take a look at what we need on hand to make use of the materials on hand. As with all things related to reloading, consult your reloading manuals and start at the book minimum load. The following is based on the powders and loads that I use and will differ slightly from the powder charges appropriate for the loads you develop for your rifles.

A pound of powder weighs 7,000 grains. A 70 grain big game load of a slow burning powder uses up a pound of powder with just 100 cartridges.

My 308 load for hunting mid sized game calls for 43.5 grains of a popular powder with a moderate burn rate. That uses powder at rate of 160 cartridges per pound. So loading 1,000 cartridges would require storing 6.25 lbs of powder.

My 7.62x39 load calls for about half that amount of powder. A 20 grain charge lets me fill 350 cartridges before using a pound of powder. That means that less than 3 pounds of powder are needed to load a full thousand cartridges.

You can see the trend. If you are storing reloading supplies for a time when resupply may not be an option – you are far better off to use smaller amount of faster burning powder if it will meet your needs for hunting and defense.

In my case, the +/- 100 yard ranges that I hunt at are equally well served by 7.62x39, 308, or 30-06; so I would be well served to save my primers for reloading 7.62x39 because the same amount of powder will give me almost twice as many shots.

Similarly my load for my 9mm carbine with fast burning handgun powder calls for just 4 grains of powder. In this case – the same $30 could by a pound of slow burning rifle powder to fill just 100 375 H&H cartridges, or a full 1,750 9mm cartridges. There are times when NEED a 375 H&H, but use your resources wisely 1,750 shots vs. just 100 is quite a difference. So if you are reloading for plinking or hunting small – mid sized game – you probably want to avoid the big bores.

With limited resources to spend, and limited capacity to legally store smokeless powder – I will be giving preference to powders that deliver more per pound than their equally expensive cousins. The first pound in storage will be for my 9mm load. It will serve for self defense and close range (under 100 yard) survival hunting. The next pound will be suitable for 7.62x39 for the same reasons in preference to the 308 load. Only after that will any consideration be given for storing the powders for the big bores.

YMMMV (your mileage may vary) but you may want to consider a similar analysis before stocking up on powder.

Hey Mike, Where are you from? I have had no issues finding most powders around here. I have been having trouble getting primers and affordable bullets. Most of the shops around here regularly stock powder in 8lb kegs, and that is the only way I buy it. I admit I am lucky to live close to Camp Perry, and I get most of my powder when the matches are winding down. Last summer I got an 8 lb keg of varget for $119, and an 8 lb keg of Titegroup for $89. Now these prices are lowered a little because the vendors don't want to haul everything home, but I think they are great. I do this every year for whatever powder I need.

These two powders cover everything I reload right now, so they are all I am stocking. For your 9MM carbine, or pistol rounds, you can even try shotgun powder. Universal Clays seemsa to work very well for them and is very inexpensive. I have some friends that swear by it because they load their shotgun shells with it also.

Another option for getting powder is mail order off the internet. Many places charge one shipping and hazardous material fee for up to a certain amount. If you choose wisely, you can get a lot of powder at a good price in this manner. I know people who buy theirs this way. Like I said, I get a bunch every year at Camp Perry and stock it in case I need it.

I try to keep enough supplies on hand to load 5,000 rounds per caliber, per gun, as I have multiple guns that take the same rounds. I also keep 1,000 rounds per caliber, per gun ready to go at all times. If I decide to go to a shoot or class where I will need a lot of ammo, I normally don't have to rush to load some up so I can go. When I do reaload, I use my stock, rotating it as I go, and then buy to replace it. This keeps me going when I need ammo for a shoot, and I am well prepared for a SHTF scenario also.

If you need more info on locating powder, let me know. I will see what I can find for you.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

I'm in NY. Everyone seems to have primers and projectiles if you can afford them (I started casting my own) but no one has powder lately - its "on order"

Do you have a Cabelas or anything like that near by? They are a little pricey when compared to other places around here, but their shelves are always full.

Like I said before, primers are the problem here, but they are starting to loosen up a little now.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

Nearest Cabela's is about 200 miles, nearest Bass Pro-shop is about double that.

There are a half a dozen local gunshops within 50 miles, but the only oen that ahs powder wants $30 per pound. For that price, I'll order it myself!

If you do order it yourself, save up the money so you can max out the quantity on the hazmat fee. If you plan right you can save yourself a lot of money.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran