Gun newbie-where can I buy 9mm rounds online?

[Rick Lee]

Reloading is only a good deal if you shoot enough of the right calibers for it to pencil out. 1000 rounds of .45ACP, .44mag or .357SIG per month? Yes, reloading will get you a huge savings. 5k rounds of 9mm per year, well, maybe.

I used to reload, but back then I lived walking distance from the NRA HQ range in Fairfax, VA and could buy all the supplies I wanted in local stores for very reasonable money. And if I felt really frugal, I could collect spent brass at the range for free. Those conditions don't exist anymore. Primers and powder don't grow on trees anymore, especially in this environment. Yes, I live a stone's throw from Dillon's HQ in Scottsdale, and their stuff is very common and affordable on the local used market. But I'm just in that loophole between calibers and volume, where reloading doesn't offer a huge savings.

[Jeff Higgins]

Yes, true, for the more common calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP, or even .223 and .308, you won't save much, if any money by reloading. Hell, my son and I compared costs on our choices in .308 ammo (pre hysteria pricing) and I was actually spending more to reload my 168 grain Sierra Match Kings in Lapua brass than he was spending on bulk ammo. So, yes, that can happen. My ammo was, however, far more accurate. If that's important to you then maybe it's still "worth it".

As you guys know, I reload for a lot of oddball calibers, which is really the only way to make them shoot. That's not really what we are discussing here, though, but it is a big deal to me. Beyond that, I cast bullets for every straight cased caliber I shoot, be it rifle or handgun. And that's where the real savings come from - free bullets. I simply pick up discarded wheel weights from the local tire shops - it's cheaper for them to just give them to me than to pay the disposal fees.

And, again, it seems component availability remains good long after all the loaded ammo is gone from the shelves. While I do keep eight pound kegs of my favorite powders on hand, and several 1,000 count bricks of each primer size and type on hand, the only real shortages I have seen were when Obama first got elected. These components are all readily available right now from a number on on line sources, where, as you all know, loaded ammo is not and, when found, is pretty expensive. That hasn't hit the component market this time around. So, even if the economics don't work out for the more common calibers, the availability does. It is a good option as a "back up plan".

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Reloading is only a good deal if you shoot enough of the right calibers for it to pencil out. 1000 rounds of .45ACP, .44mag or .357SIG per month? Yes, reloading will get you a huge savings. 5k rounds of 9mm per year, well, maybe.

I used to reload, but back then I lived walking distance from the NRA HQ range in Fairfax, VA and could buy all the supplies I wanted in local stores for very reasonable money. And if I felt really frugal, I could collect spent brass at the range for free. Those conditions don't exist anymore. Primers and powder don't grow on trees anymore, especially in this environment. Yes, I live a stone's throw from Dillon's HQ in Scottsdale, and their stuff is very common and affordable on the local used market. But I'm just in that loophole between calibers and volume, where reloading doesn't offer a huge savings.

If you can find the ammo cheap enough it doesn't pay off. At .25/round or more, based on current prices, I can reload for less. Plus I get the benefit of playing around and loading my own rounds. While I'm not going for 200 yard plus tight groups, it's still a fun hobby to go along with shooting. And as long as I have bullets, brass, primers and powder, I have ammo at my disposal rather than having to hope someone has it in stock.

[Danimal16]

I reload because I get a better round. Bulk ammo in .308 can't compete, nor can bulk ammo in .45 for accuracy and consistency. As Jeff and Rick point out some calipers are really a wash on cost for comparable accuracy, like 9mm and .223. Until you can't find that ammo.

As for reloading .45 and 9mm with range brass, you have to consider additional steps in prepping those cases. Glocks are notorious for "bulging" the base of the cases. There are methods to remove that bulge so you avoid chambering problems. I segregate my brass by pistol and reload that ammo for that pistol. It is all part of the hobby. I enjoy creating the ammo and I can knock out 1000 rounds over the course of a couple of evenings.

Finding primers can be a problem, so if you reload make sure you buy 'em when you find 'em. 5000 at a time.

[cabmandone]

^^^
Affirmative on the primers. My friend loves to run BR2's in his varmint guns but those aren't around, or at least not where we're shopping anyhow.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

And, again, it seems component availability remains good long after all the loaded ammo is gone from the shelves. .

Do you have a current source you don't mind sharing?

Just thought of another question if you don't mind.

I'm waiting on my papers for the SW 686. I can get SW .38 but not .38 Special. I see that there is a case size difference. I'd think that the 686 can handle the pressure of the SW .38 but unsure of the case size difference. What do you think?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

I reload because I get a better round. Bulk ammo in .308 can't compete, nor can bulk ammo in .45 for accuracy and consistency. As Jeff and Rick point out some calipers are really a wash on cost for comparable accuracy, like 9mm and .223. Until you can't find that ammo.

As for reloading .45 and 9mm with range brass, you have to consider additional steps in prepping those cases.

We collect most or our brass in all calibers, rifle and pistol. It can be a bit of a pain since the range grass tends to hide them. I do mow short, however. The brass that makes it into the tress line wins immunity.

I had thousand and thousand of brass casings, sorted, and figured I take them to the local yearly Mennonite Auction rather than re-cycle.

I did a lot better than I thought I would

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Do you have a current source you don't mind sharing?

Just the usual suspects - Midway, Brownell's, Natchez, etc. I haven't check in a few weeks, but I did just receive an order with several thousand large pistol primers and a couple eight pound kegs each of different rifle and pistol powders.

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Just thought of another question if you don't mind.

I'm waiting on my papers for the SW 686. I can get SW .38 but not .38 Special. I see that there is a case size difference. I'd think that the 686 can handle the pressure of the SW .38 but unsure of the case size difference. What do you think?

Sorry, you are out of luck. The old .38 S&W is a real oddball. It uses a larger diameter bullet than any other ".38" or ".357" caliber cartridge. Bullets go .361" dia for it while all of the others go .357"-358" dia. The case has really weird dimensions as well. I'm actually surprised anyone still offers it as loaded ammunition.

[flatbutt]

Midway, Brownells, Natchez all out of stock for small pistol primers etc. Amazing

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Midway, Brownells, Natchez all out of stock for small pistol primers etc. Amazing

That actually is amazing... I'm surprised to hear that. I would just check back in a week or so and see what they have. I've had no problems buying reloading components yet this year, either on line or locally. I would be surprised if they remain out of stock for long.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Midway, Brownells, Natchez all out of stock for small pistol primers etc. Amazing

After my search for a pistol and then my search for ammo, I'm really not amazed they're out of some reloading supplies. Things that go bang and the things that make them go bang are almost as scarce as TP and hand sanitizer were back in March/April

Do you know exactly what primer you're looking for? I'm going to try to make a run up to a small local gun shop in Defiance Ohio soon. I can check to see if he has them. There's another shop in Ottawa Ohio that has a good selection of reloading supplies that I can check with as well.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

That actually is amazing... I'm surprised to hear that. I would just check back in a week or so and see what they have. I've had no problems buying reloading components yet this year, either on line or locally. I would be surprised if they remain out of stock for long.

Back in the day when we were shooting A LOT! My Dad told us, whenever you get below 5000 for pistol primers order another 5000!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

Back in the day when we were shooting A LOT! My Dad told us, whenever you get below 5000 for pistol primers order another 5000!

Yup, that's pretty much how I approach it. A brick of 1,000 is about the same size as a box of 50 .45 ACP's, so they are really easy to store in quantity.

So, another completely tangential tact regarding times like these - air guns. I have never seen a shortage of airgun pellets. With a quality bullet/pellet trap, most of us can even shoot in our own backyards or, if worse comes to worse, even in our own homes.

I guarantee that even as little as ten rounds per day will soon result in dramatic improvement to your shooting. It's actually more important to practice frequently than it is to infrequently shoot a large number of rounds. Most folks start to lose their concentration after a surprisingly few cylinders or magazines full, but we tend to keep on shooting because we paid for the range time. This approach is actually pretty counter productive - shooting those ten rounds a day, at home, from an air gun is far better practice.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by cabmando

After my search for a pistol and then my search for ammo, I'm really not amazed they're out of some reloading supplies. Things that go bang and the things that make them go bang are almost as scarce as TP and hand sanitizer were back in March/April

Do you know exactly what primer you're looking for? I'm going to try to make a run up to a small local gun shop in Defiance Ohio soon. I can check to see if he has them. There's another shop in Ottawa Ohio that has a good selection of reloading supplies that I can check with as well.

small pistol, for the 9mm and .38 special.

[cabmandone]

OOF! Looking for hollow point bullets to load and they look scarce too. FMJ's are pretty easy to find but all things hollow point for a reasonable price doesn't look good. Round nose and flat points seem easy to find.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

small pistol, for the 9mm and .38 special.

I'll see what the two locals have. There's another place in Defiance that sells reloading supplies. I'll check around for ya!

If I find em, how many you want?

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Yes, true, for the more common calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP, or even .223 and .308, you won't save much, if any money by reloading. Hell, my son and I compared costs on our choices in .308 ammo (pre hysteria pricing) and I was actually spending more to reload my 168 grain Sierra Match Kings in Lapua brass than he was spending on bulk ammo. So, yes, that can happen. My ammo was, however, far more accurate. If that's important to you then maybe it's still "worth it".

As you guys know, I reload for a lot of oddball calibers, which is really the only way to make them shoot. That's not really what we are discussing here, though, but it is a big deal to me. Beyond that, I cast bullets for every straight cased caliber I shoot, be it rifle or handgun. And that's where the real savings come from - free bullets. I simply pick up discarded wheel weights from the local tire shops - it's cheaper for them to just give them to me than to pay the disposal fees.

And, again, it seems component availability remains good long after all the loaded ammo is gone from the shelves. While I do keep eight pound kegs of my favorite powders on hand, and several 1,000 count bricks of each primer size and type on hand, the only real shortages I have seen were when Obama first got elected. These components are all readily available right now from a number on on line sources, where, as you all know, loaded ammo is not and, when found, is pretty expensive. That hasn't hit the component market this time around. So, even if the economics don't work out for the more common calibers, the availability does. It is a good option as a "back up plan".

only reason to reload is for accuracy..centerfire match ammo made is way better then even match ammo bought..
the cost in time, tools and consumables is nucking futs tho..
weigh all cases
weigh all heads
measure all necks and sort em
use S dies
hand weigh all charges
shoot and keep all ammo in batches
clean all cases like nuts
polish all necks

But hey, you won't shoot consistent half moa or less with factory chiiiiiiit if you don't
hell even Lapua 308 same batch new brass has decent weight variations in it..

Then you get these yokels asking "what loads do you use"
I use the right load for my rifle, you need to build your own loads.

Then they look all confused.
Drove me nuts at the gun club.. especially the old timers couldn't grasp the concept that my load is mine for my gun.
hell , i had different loads for each of my rifles.. even same caliber ones..

Then they shoot all day till suddenly they manage a 1/4 moa group of 3 at 100 yds
And then it's off to the pub.. all happy that they have a 1/4 moa group , and now their rifle must be 1/4 moa, right?

that's not a group
that's getting lucky on all the variables.

[fred cook]

Another way to "shoot" when ammo is scarce is to hand load a .22 pellet into the chamber followed by a Ramset (construction nail setter) .22 blank load. Not very elegant and can only be done single shot but this combo will kill small varmints pretty efficiently! The ramset loads can be found at most any Loews or Home Depot.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I'll see what the two locals have. There's another place in Defiance that sells reloading supplies. I'll check around for ya!

If I find em, how many you want?

I don't want to impose too much but a bunch. Let's PM the details.

Many thanks for the offer.

[flatbutt]

$1.72!!!

https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/447-hornady-9mm-115-grain-jhp.html?unit_type=21