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9/14/2009 1:57:08 AM EDT
Since I'm going to start reloading, I've been trying to get primers.

You guys are right.  I simply cannot find them anywhere!!

Went to a gun show yesterday and no one had them.  One vendor stated he has had one-half million on backorder for over 6 months and another said he has alot on backorder for almost one year.  Another vendor stated no one at any of the gunshows he does business at has had them for months.  (The last vendor said he is in danger of losing his livelihood due to his inability to stay in the reloading ammunition business.)

I also went to five gun shops over the last few days and none of them had any of their orders received in over 5 months.

I had heard it was bad but I had no idea it was THIS bad!!

(I do have an order for Wolf primers on backorder but have no idea when those will be coming in.)

Looks like I have a long wait before I can reload any of the pistol ammo I want to reload.

ETA:  Brass and bullets were "a plenty" but absolutely no primers to be had here in SE Michigan.
9/14/2009 2:01:29 AM EDT
[#1]
Check Widener's, daily.They have SRM Primers now.You didnt say what you were looking for.
9/14/2009 2:03:12 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Check Widener's, daily.They have SRM Primers now.You didnt say what you were looking for.


Thanks, I edited the post above to say I wanted large and small pistol primers.

Thanks again!

Can I substitute any of the available Wolf primers for pistol primers?

9/14/2009 3:34:45 AM EDT
[#3]
Try powder valley, I was checking out thier site last nite and they had wolfe SMR primers.
9/14/2009 5:03:42 AM EDT
[#4]
I placed an order with Powder Valley a couple months ago for 4K CCI-#41 primers and only had to wait about a month & 1/2 for my order to be received, so I suggest just getting on a back order list now and hope for the best. Small pistol & some other primers are available in my area if you need some right now, just IM me and we can work something out I bet.
9/14/2009 7:36:32 AM EDT
[#5]
At Medina,OH gunshow,9-12&13th-plenty of primers for sale at $30 to $54 per thousand!!

I'll wait till the market floods again, and buy at $22 per K.
9/14/2009 9:33:07 AM EDT
[#6]
Regular primers are running around $30 and Benchrest are around $40 around here, but are available if needed.
9/14/2009 9:51:48 AM EDT
[#7]
We seem to have SR, LP, and LR primers somewhat available here in central Alabama.  Places like Bass Pro and Hoover Tactical are getting them in at

at $30.00 to $35.00 per thousand. I have not checked in the last week or so but have been able to stock up and keep loading.
9/14/2009 9:57:08 AM EDT
[#8]
Wideners shows wolf 223 primers in stock now.
9/15/2009 12:36:23 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I placed an order with Powder Valley a couple months ago for 4K CCI-#41 primers and only had to wait about a month & 1/2 for my order to be received, so I suggest just getting on a back order list now and hope for the best. Small pistol & some other primers are available in my area if you need some right now, just IM me and we can work something out I bet.


Yes, I have a large order from them.  Hope it comes in a month or two.

9/15/2009 1:01:31 AM EDT
[#10]
I just scored 5k CCI spm from Grafs. Been waiting the entire summer for some to show up.
9/15/2009 2:41:07 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
I just scored 5k CCI spm from Grafs. Been waiting the entire summer for some to show up.


Sir, FWIW my primer order from Cabelas arrived this past Saturday.  I placed the order in March.  7zero1, out.

9/15/2009 2:46:58 AM EDT
[#12]
Widener's has Wolf LPM in stock.
9/15/2009 7:16:53 AM EDT
[#13]
Primers have been slowly showing up in Iowa.  You need to be persistent.  Lots of places limit the amount you can buy.  And some places definitely have a "friends" list (which I think is the source of much of the six month backorder talk).  But the situation is improving.  Expect to pay at least $30, and higher prices are not unusual.
9/15/2009 10:17:43 AM EDT
[#14]
First of all, thank you to everyone who posts "primers in stock" alerts. I've been keeping my eye on this forum and, because of these kind notices, just received 5K small pistol primers from Graf's and 2K small rifle primers from Widener's. That should keep me busy for a while.

Last I looked (last Friday), Graf's and Widener's still has Wolf primers in stock.
9/15/2009 10:36:16 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
First of all, thank you to everyone who posts "primers in stock" alerts. I've been keeping my eye on this forum and, because of these kind notices, just received 5K small pistol primers from Graf's and 2K small rifle primers from Widener's. That should keep me busy for a while.

Last I looked (last Friday), Graf's and Widener's still has Wolf primers in stock.


Ditto on the appreciation for those posting the alerts.  However, I am officially OUT of small pistol primers now. Son-of-a .............

Wideners is tapped dry too. I can't find any at all.
9/15/2009 4:32:47 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Check Widener's, daily.They have SRM Primers now.You didnt say what you were looking for.


Thanks, I edited the post above to say I wanted large and small pistol primers.

Thanks again!

Can I substitute any of the available Wolf primers for pistol primers?



You can substitute small rifle primers for small pistol- just start your loads at the bottom of the scale. Unfortunately, the same doesn't apply to LARGE pistol and rifle... you gotta use the large version of each due to length differences; the LR will stick out of a pistol case and a LP will be way below flush and if it DID go bang, the primer would likely pierce.

9/16/2009 2:31:30 AM EDT
[#17]
Thank you FB41!!  And thank you to all you guys helping out with alerts, etc.!!

I'm ordering from various places.  When they come in, I'll probably have enough primers to last a few years!!
9/16/2009 3:25:57 AM EDT
[#18]
Cabelas in Hamburg PA had some CCI 400 SRP in stock yesterday.   I got me some, little left, if any.  Good news is they are showing up     Billyboy
9/16/2009 5:51:33 AM EDT
[#19]
Use the tacked thread for alerts about component availability.
9/16/2009 5:52:43 AM EDT
[#20]
Shoot!  If you lived in AZ, I'd front you some primers.
9/27/2009 8:26:01 PM EDT
[#21]
I just ordered 5,000 Magtech Magnum Small Pistol Primers from Graf's.  Delivered for $156 - they also have Federal Small Pistol Match Primers in stock too for $30 more. You can find them here:

Graf's - Primers
9/27/2009 8:32:33 PM EDT
[#22]
Is there a Cabelas near you?  Cabelas Boise got a bunch of CCI 450 Small Rifle Magnum primers in this week.  Joy!  Another local shop had a bunch, too.  I use the 450 with H335.  Good combo. (Speer recommends the 450 with H335.)
9/28/2009 2:20:13 AM EDT
[#23]
Powder Valley has had CCI #41 primers($29K) in stock all weekend, I guess none of you need any. I posted in on the 68forum but figured you guys would have already had three post going saying they were in stock and how you bought 20K even though you have 50K already.

Just a heads up to those that need.

EWP
9/28/2009 4:14:18 AM EDT
[#24]
I wish someone had small rifle mag. AND small pistol.

I know small rifle/pitol are interchangabel, but what about small rifle magnum?
9/28/2009 6:38:29 AM EDT
[#25]
FOLKS...............it is NOT GERNERALLY GOOD ADVICE to just substitute components from that given in your reloading manual.

Yes, some have substituted SR primers for SP primers BUT it is NOT the norm.  Then some have also run into problems by doing so.

For the SAKE of SAFETY, new reloaders should follow what the BOOK recommends.  Also note that there are OTHER WARNINGS in the book, that also should be read and adhered to.

AFTER, one has enough time and experience...........one can choose to EXPERIMENT.   But, it's at your risk.

To just as a general recommendation...........suggest switching around components without adequate warnings...........is IMHO, dangerous.

NOTE:

How do changing various components affect chamber pressure and velocity?

http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscelld.htm#components

And for liability reasons, I'll add..............


Never mix or substitute components.
Every lot of powder, primers, bullets, brass, and any other components can differ significantly. Different manufacturer's components differ substantially. For example, never substitute Federal brand primers for Magtech, and expect the same results. One primer may be fine with your load, but another brand may cause extreme pressures with the same load. Don't substitute magnum primers for standard primers for the same reason. Just because two brands of powder have similar characteristics, that does not mean they are interchangeable or mixable. Every time you finish with a lot of a component, you will have to back off the load slightly and start over, checking for overpressure signs, just as you did when you first worked the load up. You are in essence working up a brand new load.


Taken from the Magtech web site.

and,


IMPORTANT NOTE: Reloading data published by SPEER are for SPEER bullets. Many of our bullets are of unique construction; there is no such thing as "generic loading data" any more. Other bullet makes may produce significantly different pressures and velocities. We make no warranty that our published loads are safe with another make of bullet. You, the reloader, bear the ultimate responsibility for knowing your firearm, loading equipment, and techniques.



IF.....you elect to EXPERIMENT and/or change any component (from the BOOK)........the standard recommendation is to: Start low and work your way up. Watching for the classic signs of overpressure.

And....with some rifles (especially the M1 Garand)......burning rate/powder selection is critical.

Use the powder that the BOOK recommends.

IF _______ Powder is not on the list, it may not be suitable. So, you may have to research other re-loading manuals. Or, just change your powder selection.

And, you probably won't get the exact same results by switching brand for brand just cause the numbers are the same (IMR 4895 is NOT the exact same thing as H4895).

Which brings us to Lot Numbers.........YMWV, lot to lot. Sometimes you see it and sometimes you don't.


Aloha, Mark

9/28/2009 7:26:56 AM EDT
[#26]
Primers and powder are finally starting to trickle in here also.  Not in huge quantities yet, but you can find limited quantities at almost every shop in town.  Looks like prices are starting to get close to what they use to be also.  We're not there yet, but it's getting better.
9/28/2009 8:41:49 AM EDT
[#27]




Quoted:

First of all, thank you to everyone who posts "primers in stock" alerts. I've been keeping my eye on this forum and, because of these kind notices, just received 5K small pistol primers from Graf's and 2K small rifle primers from Widener's. That should keep me busy for a while.



Last I looked (last Friday), Graf's and Widener's still has Wolf primers in stock.

Yes, thanks.  I just picked up 5K of Wolf 5.56 primers from widners a sec ago.  



10/2/2009 11:14:26 AM EDT
[#28]
I finally got my butt to the range today to load test the Federal Magnum Pistol Primers out of my G17 (using a Lone Wolf standard length barrel). I ran five shot strings through my chrony from a distance of 5 feet.  Humidity at 100% and 47 degrees.

Components:

Winchester Brass
Federal Magnum Pistol Primers
Hornady 115 gr. TMJ bullets
Win231 Powder
OAL = 1.100"

4.2 grains
Spread of 1039 fps to 1066 fps
Average = 1051.8 fps
Standard Deviation = 11.58
Function: No FTF or FTE
Ejection: 1-2' right

4.4 grains
Spread of 1072 fps to1098 fps
Average = 1082 fps
Standard Deviation = 10.23
Function: No FTF or FTE
Ejection: 1-2' right

4.6 grains
Spread of 1078 fps to 1119 fps
Average = 1102 .6 fps
Standard Deviation = 16.62
Function: No FTF or FTE
Ejection: 2-3 ' right and rear

4.8 grains
Spread of 1128 fps to 1187 fps
Average = 1159.8 fps
Standard Deviation: 21.60
Function: No FTF or FTE
Ejection: 3'+ rear and right

No signs of pressure observed in the primers or casings.

The results for the 4.8 grain loads (with magnum primers) were very similar to my 4.9 grain loads I worked up using WSP regular primers.  So, with this blend of components and conditions, a charge reduction in 0.1 grains was necessary to replicate my non-magnum primers loads. BTW - the 4.8 grain data is just slightly under the results I obtained for my Speer Gold Dot 9mm+P carry ammo.

For what it's worth.......
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