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Hi after 50 years of factory ammo I have just started reloading. as a mate said its a rabbit hole you fall down.My query is can anyone give me a rundown on powder availability in NZ and the outlook as I struggled to get powder before lockdown (Im in Tasman) Cheers Ross
It's not just powder. 99% of the components are made overseas. Shipments are arriving sporadically and manufacturers are focusing on their most popular lines.
The last container had a few types of Hornady 6.5 and 7mm projectiles. Not much else.
The last powder drop was a few months ago. Didn't contain everything.
A large portion of stuff coming in is going towards fulfilling backorders.
cheers bet place an order then...
As mentioned above there’s a bit of a squeeze with supply around the world as there’s been a huge demand within the US with 10 million new shooters since the US elections last year.
Reloading is certainly a rabbit hole but it’s very rewarding.
If your ordering powder, projectiles in the South Island a great supplier and prompt delivery is Canterbury Gunworks as they can send powder within the south, not so for the north island unless they’ve since got that sorted.
Check there website for availability or just give them a call as their service is top notch.
Yes, have a chat with your nearest shop and put yourself down for whatever bits you require. Be prepared to wait or settle for for alternatives. Prices are going up. Now's not a bad time to own a 270 or a 25-06, since they're among the least popular calibres these days.
What's happened is: US election came up -> Democratic candidate won -> People panicked and ran out and bought all the guns -> All the new gun owners (vast majority of whom do not reload) bought up all the ammo -> Existing reloaders chuckled to themselves for about 5 minutes -> Gun owners started buying presses and started reloading -> Supplies dried up quicker than the existing reloaders could say "oh shit" -> Supply and demand causing prices to skyrocketing, aided by fkn scalpers -> Manufacturers aim to satisfy increased local demand first and exports slow -> Our supplies dried up -> Here we are.
This happens every election in the states but the pandemic has compounded the idiocy and made things 5x worse. Things are only VERY slowly calming down.
We're an afterthought for ADI who makes most of our powder too. Most of that's still heading to the US or for military contracts.
Next ADI powder shipment is planned for October (doesn’t guarantee it will happen then though).
I think I read somewhere that the last shipment only filled about 40% of back orders?
Thanks guys ,its bloody hard to figure out where I am online so this has cleared it up....while I'm online I m looking to reload grandkids 243 and my 7mm08 with one powder any recommendations, was thinking AR2209 but I gather that's beyond gold as well!
It's probably closer to platinum.Quote:
Originally Posted by fosfitz
Last ADI shipment was almost 12 months late. Don't put a certainty on an October delivery.
As advised, put in a preorder somewhere and order more than you think you will need. They will knock you back if you're gready :P
Primers should be stocked up on. There are dribbles coming thru but blood curdling prices for the likes of CCI BR2 and BR4.
Even the good alternatives ex Europe like Fiocchi and RWS have virtually disappeared.
Add in a shortage of some dies as well.
Not many powders suitable for both calibres I use AR2206H as my all round powder works well in the .308 case which the .243 and 7mm08 are based on
Winchester has a new powder out that will work in both called StaBALL 6.5 there is a small supply at the Wholesaler your local gunshop should have no trouble
ordering some.
For those cals your probably better with 2208/Varget or 2206H/H4895. 2209 is a slower burning powder more suited to 30-06, 270 etc.
As BSA said im using 2208 for my 243 and 708 loads
2209 was often hard to get hold of before all the recent supply issues, but does work well in the 243.
2209 is gold in 243 and 708. Too hard to find now though
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Hbwanderer
Cant speak for 2209 but 2208 was gold in my 243 95gr and under
2208 is awesome in 7mm08, 2206h, Pretty much anything in that burn rate.
Another one to look out for is w760 or h414, they will go well in both calibers as well.
I'm currently messing around with imr4895 in the 7mm08 with 120 v max bullets. Pretty promising so far.
I was going to recommend this too - got good results in the .243 and have a ladder loaded in the 7WSM waiting for level 3Quote:
Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum
How does 2206H go in a 243? 95 grain bullets. I have heard that 2209 is the go to but I only have 2206H
I haven't tried 2206h but its getting pretty quick in burnrate for 95gr....really better suited to light for caliber bullets.
That said adi list a start of 33 and a max of 35 with 95gr
The use of one powder for all your reloading is a pipe dream but some compromise is possible among similar calibers and case capacities.
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My pet hate is the word Hoarder for people who buy in bulk to save money and are then expected to on sell at discounted prices to those who did not buy when available.Those selling powder and components at any price are supplying service whether we agree or not and buying is not compulsory. The words Rip off or Scalper seem to appear regularly.
I've managed your pipe dream by only loading for 2 calibres - .223 and .308.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tedz50
Only use ADI2208 and Federal GM205M small rifle primers.
80 gr projectiles for the .233 and 155 gr & 185 gr for the .308.
I agree with you @Tedz50 regarding the description of organised people as Hoarders.
I buy in bulk for price and to guarantee that I'll be able to complete the next season's competition without running out.
(When I first starting loading I ran out of projectiles mid-season as there were none of my preference in NZ.)
I have and will share with club members who are short.
It's what I learnt in scouts "be prepared."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyclops
Perhaps I should clarify my statement as I use 2208 in 308 and 303.. 2209 in 243 and 260.. AP70 in 44/40 38/40 357 45colt 44mag and 32/20 .I use trail boss in a myriad of calibers as well. What I was trying to say is if there is a better powder or more efficient I will usually buy it rather than use what ever is sitting in the cupboard.I use US869 in the 50 cal but would not try to make it work in anything else.
What about black powder and cast projectiles?
They would not be very difficult for someone to make in NZ .
I am far from an expert but have read that BP and cast projectiles can be used in many cartridges as long as cases are well filled up.
I recently got a 45 cal Kentucky rifle and it's great fun to shoot.
Fouling in smaller calibres is an issue that running a patch through seems to deal with quite easily.
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Rarely a bad idea to diversify ones portfolio.
If you are having to shoehorn one powder into mutliple rifles (like 2206H into a 243) a) it's likely a jack of all trades, master of none b) if there's a shortage or it's discontinued, you've got multiple rifles to find alternatives for.
Also from a cost perspective, if you shoot through two or more tubs of powder a year, the cost of 2x one type is the same as 1x two types, so the idea you're saving money becomes questionable.
On the other hand if one only uses one powder then one will never reload with the wrong powder.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pommy
I agree that using the best powder for your calibre and load is important, but sometimes one powder is the answer.
If one loads 10-15kg of powder a year purchasing in bulk, in advance makes sense.
I'm all about diversification :D tutu fingers is another way of putting it lol
Finding two or three powders that work with your bullet of choice is always good. Even finding different bullets that work in your rifle is good too. Somebody said it a while ago, the theory was if you find an accuracy node velocity wise with a certain bullet/powder combo in your rifle, chances are most other powders will give the same or very similar results at the same velocity. I'm definitely para phrasing but that was the gist of it
I have a combination that works across all three of my similar but not identical .308 target rifles.
155 gr projectile, 2208 in Lapua Palma cases. Competitive in TR and FTR in all three rifles.
Then I have more specialised loads around Berger Hybrid Projectiles customised for each rifle.
