Primer manufacturing- Why not ?

[Bill H]

In a relatively short time, primers will be showing up at discount prices. As the demand slackens, and some of the primers now in stock are put on the market, not only will they be readily available, but at discount prices.

If you remember the primer shortage a few years ago, this very thing happened. I still have thousands of pistol primers I bought at about $5.00 per thousand when the supply overwhelmed the demand.

[jamie5070]

Reminded me of three "idiots" in Arizona many years ago.
To set the scene, Open pit Copper mines use a LOT of explosives and it is stored in bunkers away from the site. Now the bunker is secured by a locked steel door marked appropriately.

These three idiots had an 03 springfield and some AP ammo that they wanted to test. Guess what they used as a target!
Two of them got behind a large rock while the third "tested" his ammo on the door. The bunker contained FIVE tons of dynamite and another five tons of blasting powder.

The shooter had an arm blown off, one of the others was reduced to incoherence from the shock, and the third was only deafend.

John S., Was that the shack at the base of push peak in the mid '70s?
john

[M1Riflenut]

Local dealers are getting more stuff in now,including primers(again) just this past week. This is the third week in a row I've seen primers on the shelf. Racks are full of black guns again,and lots of them,and primers are not selling out daily as they have posted a 1 box limit per customer for each primer type. Cheap loaded ammo still seems thin pickins but is slowly improving. I think the panic buying is slowing a bit.

[JGaynor]

the simpler and cheaper the end product often it is hardest or most complicated to manufacture (and make a profit).

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Agreed,

I believe much of this situation was caused by 'panic buying' -
It's been all over the internet that supplies are short --
Threads and more threads about it.
Then even more panic buying and hording. Prices went WAY up because of this short term (for them) lack of sufficient production to fill the demand they couldn't keep up with. Hopefully the horders haven't caused a situation where the prices will not go back down, but they should decrease when supply catches back up. And it will.

It would be irresponsible financially for manufacturers to produce a much larger volume of ammo for a short term hording situation crated by panic. They can't expand manufacturing facilities, buy a larger fleet, and hire a much larger workforce to produce higher volumes of special ammo like .30 carbine when supply will eventually catch up with demand once the horders have enough ammo they purchased at these inflated prices.

If there was actually a demand that would be permanent you can be assured they'd expand facilities and make more ammo. Especially at the prices they're getting presently! JMO

[KarlKW]

I believe much of this situation was caused by 'panic buying' - It's been all over the internet that supplies are short -- Threads and more threads about it. Then even more panic buying and hording. Prices went WAY up because of this short term (for them) lack of sufficient production to fill the demand they couldn't keep up with. Hopefully the horders haven't caused a situation where the prices will not go back down, but they should decrease when supply catches back up. And it will.

Well, if the skyrocketing prices for ammunition were only for those calibers in high demand, such as 5.56 (.223), 7.62x51 (.308), 7.62x39mm, and 9mm, I would agree with your contentions. I can even see how closing the Federal ammunition plants by Congress increased the pressure on commercial manufacturers for these calibers. However, I just priced out some .45-70 hunting ammunition (Remington soft points, 405 grain) and it now sells for about $2.00 per round! This is a result of panic buying of .45-70? I don't think so. .380 ACP isn't used by the military, but it is very hard to find, at any price. Recently I saw a 50 round box of .357 priced at $99.00 at a Gander Mountain store near me... Prices are going into orbit for calibers that are NOT in high demand. There is more to this ammunition shortage/reloading supply shortage/price hike than simple supply and demand. There is an "invisible hand" at work here, and it's not Adam Smith's. KarlKW

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I think when the ammo companies were able to raise prices to ridiculous levels because of panic and they were still selling they have raised their prices across the board. They are no different than the oil companies gouging. The retail stores see whats going on and they are gouging as well.
As I said, it's JMO

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

John S., Was that the shack at the base of push peak in the mid '70s?
john

I really don't remember, I only read an article about it. Just proves ya can't fix stupid! Firing AP rounds through the door of a powder magazine is NOT even at idiot level of behaviour

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

On ammo prices. It's not that the factories are gouging you on the price of other than military style rifle and pistol ammo. It's the fact that making other calibres still ties up the basic somponents, ie; brass, primers, powder and the machinery to make it. When the supply of stuff like .308, .5.56 .45ACP, finaly catches up, the price on other calibres is going to drop as well.

In any case, the current price of ammo is an excellent reason to start reloading.
Lots of folks complain about the initial cost, but forget that once you have the basics, loading for other calibres is simply a matter of changing dies.

Oh by the way, if you are just dumping that 45-70 brass instead of reloading it, I would be happy to pay the postage if you want to send it to me

[mhb]

have already been covered quite well. But there are at least two good reference books available which have more specific information useful to anyone contemplating such a venture:
"Principles and Practice of Loading Ammunition" , by Earl Naramore, and;
"Making Ammunition", which was and may still be available from the NRA Publications folks.
It is not a kitchen chemistry project. And your insurance company would certainly not be amused.
mhb - Mike