Primers
 

Not sure if anyone is interested, but Ballistic products is booking back orders for Cheddite primers due in late March, early April. They will notify when in stock and then ship. I asked about Winchesters and others. They said they do not expect any other brand for eight months or more.

Yep, I'm waiting on the box that I ordered from them a month ago. Would greatly prefer Federal's but this will do OK. It will be interesting to see how this all ends up when the shortage is over -- what will they be saying on the news?

I put my name on the list. Thanks for the head's up!

I should feel lucky. I ordered 2 boxes of Cheddite primers on 1/25 and they showed up today.

Ken

WOW! You shoulda' bought lottery tickets too!

I have been on a notification list with four different suppliers, Ballistic Products is one, since the end of October and have not heard a word. Thank God my club was able to obtain Cheddite primers last month and I was fortunate to purchase some. Some much for being on a list.

Had you actually placed an order and given a CC at Ballistic?

It appears that handloading is playing second fiddle to factory ammunition. Until the factory ammo shelves are full, we're not going to get much

My impression has been that the component business is basically over capacity with the majors. I'm sure the margins on loaded ammo is better than the component end so you are most likely correct.

Mine arrived today. My complaint is over. Ordered about 1 month ago, and probably the most expensive components I'll ever buy. Shipping was almost 2x the sale price.

A shooting buddy ordered 5000 four weeks ago via CC and they arrived yesterday, not cheap by any means but he needed them for ATA trap shooting next month. I hope those I ordered yesterday arrive late March-early April in time for the Southern. Fingers crossed.

I haven't reloaded in years, so am completely out of step with prices for components these days. I've heard some outrageous quotes for 25-lb. bags of lead shot ($60-65 !!), but what are primers going for these days that there almost unobtainable?

Kevin,

I paid $28 for a 1000 cheddite primers. Winchester 209s are going for about $38 per 1000. Prices are up, but not like other ammo. The biggest issue is the HAZMAT fee and shipping. However, my gun club doesn't carry cheddite primers and I use them for 2.5" reloads.

Ken

You can use any primer for 2 1/2" reloads. I feel very lucky. The other day I found a second five thousand Win primers. I knew I had one and then over in the corner the second one appeared. My problem now is if I help out a friend, what do I charge ? What I paid [ 135/5000 ] or the newer prices ? I don't want to rip anyone off, and yet what if I run out and have to buy some myself at the new inflated prices.

I would keep them paul...charlie

Just got 2K from BP. They are "trickling" them out I guess.

my local dealer only has 209M primers. Can these be used in these vintage guns? I load reloads at 1150 fps or less in my sxs's.

Does anyone know where you can order them back ordered? I know that's not a solution, but it's less frustrating than not being able to order or get in line anyways. I ordered some from BP and when I called to ask why my card was charged before shipment, he said "We're expecting some in April to June..." That's quite a window!

Interesting. I did the same, was charged the Haxmat and freight but no merchandise. When I called I told the fellow I talked to that is was not common practice to charge freight on something not shipped. They mysteriously "found" a couple of boxes of 1K and immediately shipped them.

I would not unless you can find a published load to your specs that use them. If i recall correctly the M is for magnum and they are hotter and should only be used where called for in reliable data.

It is generally possible to reduce your powder charge by .5 to a full grain of powder and use a "magnum" primer. The lower charge is offset by the hotter flash. In times such as these, you'd be foolish to pass up ANY 209 size primers. If they're CCI primers, why not give CCI a call to get their advice.

I think I would just keep them Paul.

John, I'm using 209m primers right now and followed your advice above. No discernible difference in shooting with these primers.

If you are using Alliant or Hodgdon power for 12 ga. you have lots of data for different primers. Look for loads you have components for that have low pressures. I asked Alliant about substituting Fed 209A primers in their 20 & 28 gauge receipts. Here is what they said:

At this time we are working off from two independent studies where only primers were changed in load data. From these studies, swings in pressure by as much as 2500 PSI were noted. Based on this we are using the guideline that if pressures fall between 6500 - 8500 PSI, a primer swap is allowed.
Looking at our load data and using your components (Remington hull, CB1034-20, Remington 209P primers (used in testing) and velocities between 1200 -1250 FPS, the charges of 20/28 propellant would be 14.4 - 15.4 grains. The pressures for these loads are 7200 - 8200 PSI. So in this case yes you could use the Federal 209A primer.
Thanks,
Duane V. /Technical Service Representative

Here is what he said for 28 gauge loads and Fed 209A primers.
In this case, based on the same information I relayed to you on the 20 gauge loads, you would not be able to use the Federal primers. The one load we have for your components has a pressure in exess of 11670 PSI. This is well beyond the window mentioned in the earlier email.
Shotshell -
Gauge: 28
Hull Length: 2 3/4
Hull Brand: Win AA
Primer Brand: Fed 209A
Shot Type: 8 magnum
Shot Weight (oz.): 3/4
Wad Make/Model: Win AA HS
Desired Velocity: 1200-1250
Powder: 20/28

Things May Be Looking Better
 

A small local gun shop received a shipment of Win 209 primers on Friday, 3/26. Not many but at least some. Charging $45/1000.

A friend attended a small gun show in Northern Indiana yesterday. He stated that venders were asking $150 a thousand for shotgun primers. Rifle primers were higher.

I am hearing reports of $200/1000 from a local ammunition shop. And people paying it! Unreal.

At a small gun show in Gettysburg PA yesterday, $150 per thousand was the universal price on most tables for rifle & pistol primers. Shotshell primers were virtually unobtainable; I saw a partial brick (600) W209 primers sell for $40. The more common powders were going for $ 30 per pound; bags of wads at 250 count were bringing $ 10 apiece. Standard trap and skeet loads for 12 and 20 gauge were routinely hawked at $15 per box of 25 with very few dealer's exceptions. Identical situation at the VA Gun Collectors Spring Show today in Manassas VA. NO slack anywhere!

Fifteen minutes from me a shop is getting some, and limits them to 300 per person, at $4.50 (roughly) per 100 for 209's. He said, "You can come back tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after, and get 300 each day, but no more." I can't really argue with that as he's got pressure to sell. And he's not gouging. He had some rifle powders on the shelf at $35 per pound, nothing most folks would use and I will continue to support those who don't gouge.

If you keep telling guys where the primers are they will be gone again!! Kind of like what happens when you find a good gunsmith/stocker and let others know, your projects go from a few weeks to 1 1/2 years!! :shock:

Tee hee Mike, I don't think I mentioned where this shop is. Fifteen minutes from me could be 75 minutes from YOU. I'm watching you big fella... : )

I just noticed that a great supplier I used to patronize in NE Ohio got a shipment of Cheddite 209s in on the 27th. At a limit of 1000 per customer, they were sold out in less than 24 hrs.!

What in the world would cause such a panic...?

I’m set with primers. If I told you how many I have you’d cry!! :rotf:

You're probably right! I saw your reloading "room." Bigger than my house :bowdown: