Reloading consumables etc..

[The Raven]

I managed to knock off work a bit earlier than normal and decided to visit the LGS to see what reloading gear and supplies they had on offer. To be honest, beyond a few starter kits and a rack of stuff they knew you'd need to add to the kits they had very little on offer.

Looking for consumables etc. I found all the projectiles on the shelves but no powder or primers, I suspect those are 'secured' somewhere else. Prices seemed "hmmm, OK" but not as cheap as online etc.

Overall I suspect this LGS carries a limited range of starter kits and ongoing consumables because they need to have something on the shelf but they otherwise aren't catering to reloading. I can understand that proportional to their other stock (eg. rifles) that reloading margins are pretty slim. Is that typical of most LGS's or are my expectations out of whack?

Anyhow...

What do most of the reloaders do here? Do you buy most of your gear online and then find a LGS with a decent range of consumables? How do you source most of your reloading bits and pieces?

I'd like to support my LGS if possible but the cost savings of going online seem a better prospect. On consumables, I obviously need a local supply but I'd also like to have more than one choice of LGS.

PS. Thanks to those who have offered/provided assistance. Much appreciate it as this reloading stuff has quite a learning curve.

[mick_762]

Powder and primers, pick a LGS that you like / could spend time in / has a person behind the counter thats helpful.

You cant ship powder or primers, so you might as well enjoy being bent over by the prices.

Projectiles and brass, find what you want online and see what your shop charges vs postage.

[bimbo]

Powder and primers obviously have to come from local guys - we have 2 shops and both are generally the same price on powder but seem to carry a different range of primers so I have a bit of a choice in a pinch (actually looking at putting coin aside for a case of small and large rifle primers in my choice as they wont ever go back down in price )

Projectiles I do a bit of a mix of local and online - once you add postage unless you are buying a few boxes then the lower price online might not look so appealing but I did just buy a few boxes of projectiles from magnum sports as I was buying a scope and if you spent over a certain dollar value it was free freight.

Most of my reloading, case prep and cleaning gear I buy from BRT - have also bought a bit of stuff from sinclair international but now the way the dollar is it might not be worth it from them

[The Raven]

Powder and primers, pick a LGS that you like / could spend time in / has a person behind the counter thats helpful.

You cant ship powder or primers, so you might as well enjoy being bent over by the prices.

Projectiles and brass, find what you want online and see what your shop charges vs postage.

Yep, gonna have to check out a range of shops. The LGS is good on rifles but I've never felt they are really keen on the 'helpful' bit. They are nice but there's little connection with their customers.

I understand the powder/primer thing...

Brass I've got enough of (for the moment)...THLD provided more than enough projectiles to get me started

[The Raven]

Powder and primers obviously have to come from local guys - we have 2 shops and both are generally the same price on powder but seem to carry a different range of primers so I have a bit of a choice in a pinch (actually looking at putting coin aside for a case of small and large rifle primers in my choice as they wont ever go back down in price )

Projectiles I do a bit of a mix of local and online - once you add postage unless you are buying a few boxes then the lower price online might not look so appealing but I did just buy a few boxes of projectiles from magnum sports as I was buying a scope and if you spent over a certain dollar value it was free freight.

Most of my reloading, case prep and cleaning gear I buy from BRT - have also bought a bit of stuff from sinclair international but now the way the dollar is it might not be worth it from them

I haven't looked much beyond the closest LGS but feel it may be worth the 'research' to see what each offers.

Shipping costs can bite into any 'savings'. I've learnt that the hard way. It's always worth reading all the fineprint etc.

[Camel]

My nearest gunshop is 110km away, don't even bother walking in the door these days as the arrogant prick who runs it is only interested in gouging the last red cent out of anyone who walks in the door. For powder and primers I usually ring a couple of places and if they have the stuff I want at a reasonable price I will pay for what I want and then pick it up either in person of using someone who I know goes there, at a later date, I have don't this a bit with Chappos old shop in Wagga. Missed has grabbed me stuff on his travels and I pick it up next time I am down that way.
I make sure that when I do go to a reasonable shop I get enough to last me a fair while, get bulk discounts that sort of thing. Primers I will grab a 1000 pack most times I go past a gunshop. Projectiles, I will buy bulk on line, just had my 1000 50gn Zmax turn up today from Western firearms.
Got another 600 pack of those Hornady 55gn soft points if you find they work for you and you want them.

[DSD]

You cant ship powder or primers, so you might as well enjoy being bent over by the prices.

So going by the might as well enjoy it theory,

You would expect a reach around if you were being raped then?

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[B4408]

Raven, once you get past the initial testing and decide on the consumables you will use buy in bulk and keep at least a years supply on hand. Then buy when the opportunity arises or a good deal comes up.
If you need some more projectiles to try there is a thread here. Everyone helped me out when I started.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1377&start=525

Bruce

[trevort]

Yeah Bruce that's a really awesome thread. Really good idea that one [FACE WITH STUCK-OUT TONGUE AND WINKING EYE]

Dave when you come round and talk about what you are going to load I'm happy for you to use my powder and primers to try some test loads. If you find what your rifle likes then buy in bulk.

I buy powder in 4kg tubs and if I see someone selling a small tub at a good price I top up my big tub.

I've ordered tools from Sinclair international and recently seem to find magnum sports to be my choice for projies.


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[Ned Kelly]

G'day All,
don't be put off from buying from Sinclair's or others in the US, I try and buy other stuff like bronze brushes or solvent bottles as they weigh nothing, are much cheaper than buying in AusT i.e. Brushes $12-$13US per Doz where you buy her at 4-5 bucks ea.
It pays to know the local prices here vs US and then there is any wholesale/retailer mark up it can work out cheaper if the Aussie $ is $0.70US or better and the US delivery used to take about 10-14days but not sure how much worse it is now due to Auspost.
Food for thought and a trusty calculator!
Cheerio Ned aka Geoff

[The Raven]

That's all good advice guys.

I'm off to check some other LGS's to see what they carry. Call it research...

[mick_762]

You cant ship powder or primers, so you might as well enjoy being bent over by the prices.

So going by the might as well enjoy it theory,

You would expect a reach around if you were being raped then?

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Try reading it in context next time.

[stinkitup]

Good places for primers & powders are your local rifle association store....don't have one in Newcastle but when low while in Sydney for a job I resupply on what I need usually. Often have cases as well. Volume wise they are up there so prices are pretty respectable too if not the cheapest I can find.

Ryan

[justjeff]

Guys,

I am spoilt for choice, I have about 9 LGS in my territory. I mainly buy out of the Mareeba shop, even though I live 400k away, I go past it every two or three weeks. I will buy gear for Jacko Bending and Sir Saligari, and take it to Narromine, or get John Maquire to drop it to them, We have plenty of cheap RL powder and a good supply of primers at reasonable prices too.
I recently imported 1600 projectiles from the USA, and if I look to get some more projectiles for my light gun I will probably go that way again. I can get them in for significantly cheaper than you will buy them in any LGS, even after paying GST and Duty. I have a good link with a guy in the US who has an export permit. He buys said pills, or cases, then I buy them off him. Gets around any 'we won't sell that to you in Aus' arguments, and he doesn't gouge me too much.

Jeff