Are you ready for the next shortage?

[markm]

Based on reports here, I am interested in using someWolf primers for load development on a precision 5.56 AR rig. Hunting down some Lapua brass for that now.

No need for Lapua Brass in my experience. Maybe if I was going to compete at Camp Perry, I'd spring for it. We have a few hundred pieces, but I never load it since it didn't upgrade the ammo's performance over loose packed 7.62 can, mixed brass OTMs.

The Russian primers are difference makers though.

[Onyx Z]

No need for Lapua Brass in my experience. Maybe if I was going to compete at Camp Perry, I'd spring for it. We have a few hundred pieces, but I never load it since it didn't upgrade the ammo's performance over loose packed 7.62 can, mixed brass OTMs.

The Russian primers are difference makers though.

The Lapua brass that I have been using is on it's last leg, but it still has consistent neck tension when seating bullets. And I'm on load 8 or so on the same brass with no annealing. This stuff is the t!ts!

I can't say the same for any other brand I've tried (LC, PMC, FC, etc.)

[markm]

There's no doubt Lapua makes good brass. I'm just saying it didn't seem to be needed to achieve good results in my process.

I can only speculate the the light crimp I run keeps neck tension reasonably consistent because I know I mix some once fired with multiple fired brass.

[SeriousStudent]

I hope your friends have good timing, seems as soon as PV gets powder in, it's gone within a few hours. I live 3 hours away, but have never made the trip down there and always buy online from them, otherwise I'll miss out. My last haul was 24lbs of TAC, 16lbs of 4064 and 6000 CCI #41 primers, should keep me going for the next few months.

Last I was in Cabelas their primers were over $40+tax, I'm able to get them from GB for less than $30 including delivery (Winchester primers).

Nice haul on the powder.

The last batch of CCI small pistol primers I got at Cabela's were $26/1000 on sale with the coupon I had, so I picked up 5000. They do a lot of local mail flyers with coupons here near the store. I'm also known to wander in and look at the used gun racks o nthe way home from work. I've snagged some very good deals that way. Maybe 1 out of every 200 long guns I look at. But it happens often enough to make it worth while.

A Winchester Model 70 in .223 with a Leupold 3x9 for $200 cash out the door. A Winchester Model 12 shotgun for $300 out the door. It's worth keeping a few Benjamin's in your wallet for cash deals.

[SeriousStudent]

No need for Lapua Brass in my experience. Maybe if I was going to compete at Camp Perry, I'd spring for it. We have a few hundred pieces, but I never load it since it didn't upgrade the ammo's performance over loose packed 7.62 can, mixed brass OTMs.

The Russian primers are difference makers though.

It's honestly more of an experiment than anything else. It seems like it's only about $10 more a box. I'd like to grab 200 or so cases to play with. I'm going to stuff them with those 175-grain SMK's for the .308, and the 77-grain SMK's for the .223.

If you were looking for some virgin factory brass, what would you try instead?

[Ouroborous]

This thread has reminded me to round out my supply with a few odds and ends.

Will be looking to get some different pistol powders to try out for .45 and 9mm since I've only really used AA No.5 for both.

Wouldn't mind a few 8#'ers of 8208xbr and some more TAC.

Never did forgive myself for only picking up a pound ea. from grafs the week before sandy hook--been impossible to find ever since.

As far as being ready for another shortage, I don't think it's possible.

Since you can never really have enough ammo, you can never really have enough reloading supplies.

I'll be content when I can ride out a decade without having to re-supply

[vicious_cb]

Having gobbs of Hollow point pistol makes zero sense to me. Stocking practica ammo? Ok. But if you're needing to shoot THAT much hollow point, you'd have moved to a Rifle anyway.

HP pistol ammo is the lowest priority of all to me. I have like 2 L.E. boxes of Gold dots, and a few mags loaded here and there. That's all.

The problem Ive found is that my favorite defensive loads only come in stock maybe every 6 months and it sells out fast. I like to keep about 1k on hand for rotating out chambered rounds and zero verification.

[markm]

If you were looking for some virgin factory brass, what would you try instead?

Lapua is the only virgin brass I've tried. I really wouldn't buy brass other than Lapua in .223. Most common once fired brass works so well that I don't buy new stuff.

When I'm loading defense ammo, I pull apart some LC with crimped/sealed primers and use that.

[SeriousStudent]

Cool, much appreciated.

[markm]

Pappabear keeps begging me to load up the Lapua brass. (he bought it) But my inner squirrel keeps telling me to save it for something special.