[Jeff Higgins]

Interesting. I had no idea the hobby of reloading was under any threat in California. So, who are "they" who told you reloading equipment is all back ordered? I see it all over the place on retail shelves here in Washington, from "big box" stores like Cabela's to my local gun shop. No shortage at all. Powder and primers are back as well. As a matter of fact, I see the hoarders bringing their stashes to the gun shows and advertising components and .22 ammo in our club news. I hope they wind up selling to the rest of us at pennies on the dollar - that there would be some sweet justice.

As far as the cost of reloading, yes, one can buy surplus ammo for less than one would spend to reload certain calibers. The real savings come when casting one's own bullets. Mine are essentially free, being that my lead comes from the local tire stores who are happy to dispose of their old wheel weights. Bullets are the most expensive component in any reload. Eliminate that expense, and .44 mag can be shot for less money per round than .22 LR. Besides, at least for handguns, we can cast better, more accurate, and more effective bullets than we can buy.