What & Where are you buying?

[bboswell]

Please help a newbie reloader with sources.

I was in a panic trying to come up with ANY 45 bullets to load before Badlands and it showed. Multiple issues since I had no time to test and perfect.

The Bayou Bullets I ordered more than 6 weeks ago still haven't shown. First foray into Precision Bullets, the moly coated variety, came in but my gun will not digest them. During a level 2 match isn't where you want to discover this. Precision Delta gave best result, bought those from Dongs and cant afford to pay their $40/250 pricing.

Brands from the usual sources, such as Zero or Berry's from Powder Valley continue to be out of stock. Last night I searched Graf & Sons for some 40S&W and found most of the large quanities out of stock for the brands affordable to shoot in the pistol game quantities. Everywhere I went seemed to have resulted in an "Out of Stock" or "Currently on Backorder" result.

So back to my question.

What and Where are you buying your reloading supplies for the pistol games? I just bought my first .40 S&W gun this week and want to start working up a load, but I cant find affordable bullets.

Have I finally come to the point where I have to accept I will be loading unplated or jacketed lead? Will it be the only option unless the braintrust that is Boomer Shooter educates me.

I know those guys at J&K are terrific, but I would prefer to use something jacketed or coated, but am beginning to realize that beggers can't be too choosy. Please weigh in on this topic.

 

[technetium-99m]

Shooters connection has 180gr JHP's from Zero in stock right now for like $250/2000 shipped. Montana gold has always shipped within a week for me as well.

You're always going to pay around $150/K or so for jacketed 45 though.

Just checked again and its the FMJ's that they have for $245.77/2K shipped. They also have 230gr 45 for around the same price, very good deal for jacketed 45 bullets.

 

[Iggie]

J&k usually has some plated bullets. Not exactly lead or jackeded.

 

[nikatkimber]

Powder Valley and Montana Gold for bulk stuff.

I've bought locally on different low volume stuff. .243 bullets, Gold Dot bullets, large rifle powders and such.

 

[mike cyrwus]

I symphethize with you, cause Im paying those prices too. but, bullets cost money, if its a big deal with what they cost, then you shouldnt be shooting 45.

 

[michaelclm]

Some of the best prices out there: http://www.natchezss.com/

Brass Man Brass has really good prices, too.

 

[bboswell]

I symphethize with you, cause Im paying those prices too. but, bullets cost money, if its a big deal with what they cost, then you shouldnt be shooting 45.

Big Mike, not sure you were picking up what I was laying down. Yes, I hate having to pay the price, but I realize nobody is going to let me shoot for free. What I was trying to communicate was that at the moment, so few distributors/manufacturers have actual stock.

I am working thru a case of MG 9mm now, which are Premium bullets at a Premium Price. I wish I could buy every gun I shoot from you as you build great stuff (I'm still fighting the chubb from simply handling your recent build for Boom Boom Cannon), but I simply can't afford your quality at this time. Same logic applies to shooting supplies. I just want the best value for what is important to me.

Just wondering, for those in a similar situation, who cannot outshoot their guns or bullets, so are looking to find that happy medium between cost effective and accuracy, ease to load while keeping gun maintenance to a minimum by preferring something other than straight cast lead, who are seem to be getting around the more recent hurdle of trying to find inventory on the shelf which can actually be shipped within a day or two of placing an order.

Taking several recomendations on BS and OKS for Bayou Bullets so I ordered some two weeks befores Badlands. Then he sent me an email four days later that they couldn't ship for another 4-6 weeks. Oh sh*%. Should I have ordered MG instead? In hindsight, that would have been a 30-40% additional cost but about a 96% greater likelihood that those projectiles would have been available to load before the match.

Oh well, live and learn. Just wondering where others are finding on hand stock today at reasonable prices. I cant afford Hornady. Would prefer not to pay MG prices either. But cant seem to find on hand inventory of Zero or Berrys in 40 or 45 from the distributors who usually have prefered pricing. But no doubt, cost not being a factor, something is always available somewhere. I would like to buy as much local or in the region as possible, so any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Wall]

I use Bayou Bullets.
I just always order in a time frame that I won't run out before my next batch arrives.

 

[bboswell]

I wish I could plan well enough to always order before running out. Unfortunately, with three expensive teenagers at home, and the son deciding recently that he wanted to shoot a couple of matches in CDP (he beat me of course before I banished him back to SSP/Production), the on hand inventory suddenly disappeared faster than anticipated. As soon as I start playing the Lottery I hope to win, in which case I will be hoarding supplies in an effort to never run again. Until then, will keep trying to buy what I can when I can.

Glocktogo let me try a couple of his Zero 230 gr JHP which were excellent, except everyone seems to be out of inventory, including Powder Valley. I finished loading the balance of the Precison molly RFP which my 1911 chokes on, but appear to cycle in Jr's gun, so he is good shape for a few matches at least, so guess I will lift the ban until he runs out, then back to shooting cheaper stuff. Still have a few of the Precision Delta's on hand so loaded those, but that will only last one club match, perhaps two.

Looking forward to trying the Bayou Bullets which I ordered .45 230 gr and some 9mm 160 gr to experiment with.

The Precision Bullets are a good price, but the flat point will not feed in my gun. Too bad, as BBI were a wonderful bullet before their demise, although a recent email from the new owner indicates BBI may be back from the dead in the not so distant future. Until then, I may give them a try to see if my new CZ 75 in 40S&W and my M&P in 9mm likes them.

Precision Delta in 45 yeilded average accuracy for me out the most accurate gun I own, but I haven't had time to perfect the load. Still, doesn't seem like many of you are going out of your way to make a point of declaring unyeilding devotion to PD. When in stock at a couple of outlets, the price is right, but is anyone an avid fan of PD? If so, whats your load data that you are so happy with?

I just never tried Zero in the past, but Glocktogo has convinced me that when properly loaded, sure its true of the entire line, but in particular the 230 gr. JHP can be an outstanding load, but he is also a meticulous reloader and likely gets the best performance out of whatever he reloads.

Mr. Cyrus is right, the price of shooting 45 is getting more difficult to swallow. Perhaps its time to relegate all but a few special matches to 9mm until price gets better (about a 0.0000002% chance of that happening in the remainder of my lifetime) or the economy and my business continue to improve to where my disposable income can better accomodate the cost of shooting the big boy calibers.

Appreciate your input as I try to build a better war chest of resources for quality shooting supplies, and hope it benefits others as well who may not be familar with the other brands or distributors who are worthy of our $$$$.

 

[Jeremy Moore]

http://shop.theshooterssource.com/Reloading_c10.htm

Looks like I'm heading to Pryor, OK, by way of OKC next weekend and can bring stuff with me to save on shipping

 

[technetium-99m]

What I was trying to communicate was that at the moment, so few distributors/manufacturers have actual stock.

See above. Shooters Connection has Zeros right now ready to ship at a very reasonable $124/K to your door. The 45's aren't much more expensive. That's just the cost of jacketed right now. The best availability in jacketed bullets will always be Montana Gold, even during the last primer shortage orders were still shipping within a week or two, and prices are excellent, they aren't a premium bullet like the Hornady HAP or something.

Bayous are made in a one man shop and they have gotten very popular lately. I worry that his lead times will continue to go up and they will become unobtainable, shooters know a good product when they see it.

The coated bullets are a good value, with the current suppliers though you need to keep on top of it. Just my thoughts, but one thing we all agree with is buying bullets sucks!

 

[mike cyrwus]

My brevity wasnt meant as being unthoughful, I hear and feel your pain.
My ammo woes ended when I decided to think of ammo and components as a basic necessity; like air; I need them, and i buy them whenever Im out, or close to being out. Im certainly not rich, so ill spend 15min looking for the best in stock prices, then i find my credit card.it is what it is; and honestly, threads like this only contribute to the fervor. I will say, that if I were to shoot lead, and I hate lead for the most part; It shoot it in 45acp. the smoke and pressure isnt nearly as bad as 9 or 40 lead pills. thanks for the kind words about boom boom's gun. I trust it will serve him well for years; if only as something to keep a beer bottle out of one of his hands!

 

[drmitchgibson]

Precision Delta in 45 yeilded average accuracy for me out the most accurate gun I own, but I haven't had time to perfect the load. Still, doesn't seem like many of you are going out of your way to make a point of declaring unyeilding devotion to PD. When in stock at a couple of outlets, the price is right, but is anyone an avid fan of PD? If so, whats your load data that you are so happy with?

I shot 9mm Precision Deltas for a little over a year, and was very happy with them. And so was my brother, since I had to lend and sell him bullets a few times. They were always available, and a very competitive price which included shipping, very fast shipping, FMJ, and shot like a laser when I did my part. I'd still use them if I had a minor caliber gun.

I'm using Bayou Bullets right now, and was also alarmed at the lead time, but it happened to exactly coincide with the lead time on the Limited gun. The reasons I chose Bayou Bullets are cost, cleanliness, and the coating. If I couldn't get Bayou I'd go PDC, because the smoke from lead is bad, and I'm paranoiac about it's toxicity. FWIW, I'm also pretty new to reloading.

 

[mike cyrwus]

precision delta never leaves me unsatisfied

 

[OkPatriotSupply]

I dont reload for 45 but ive been using J&K lead for my 147gr 9mm loads for a few years now with good results and a friend uses them for 45 loads and he is happy with them as well.

 

[aeropb]

I go for lead because I'm cheap and broke.

 

[dennishoddy]

At USPSA outdoor ranges lead works fine.

 

[Deathtrap]

To me it's worth it to get the stuff that works and to this point has always been in stock. Thats why montana golds are worth the extra money IMO