I haven’t reloaded in quite some time and this past weekend I discovered that large rifle primers are the only primers I can’t find. Any idea why it’s only large rifle primers only?

Been like that for a couple years now.
As to why I have no idea.

The Army is getting a new cartridge,6.8 something. It uses a LRP. That's my bet as to where they are going.

The Army generally makes their own primers.

The Army doesn't make anything, they buy things.

400m - There is a free website called - Ammoseek.com that I use when I am looking for primers or unique ammo (subsonic 300 B/O).

When you go to the site in the middle of the page you will see “Reloading”. Click that link and it will provide you with filter options. Once you get the results you want pay close attention to the listed sellers. Some sellers I do not buy from because I do not recognize their name or have never bought from.

You may see Bass Pro, Powder Valley, Graff’s, MidSouth, Natchez, Brownell’s, etc. which are the ones I usually buy from….

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Been like that for a couple years now.
As to why I have no idea.

I saw a story not too long ago that suggested that the issue with the powder shortage was that we've outsourced most of the powder production to China. I wonder if this is not the same story. Perhaps either the production of components or the primers themselves are now done in China.

quote:

Originally posted by gojoe:
The Army doesn't make anything, they buy things.

No, not true. I have been to Lake City AAP and watched them make their own primers.

Powder Valley has been the only place around that does get LRP’s in on a half way regular basis. They just had some in from a new company in Arkansas. White River something or other. Three of us old rifle shooters at my club bought a brick to experiment with. They were getting in Ginex Unis LRP’s from Bosnia for a while. Great primers. Winchester, CCI, Federal, and Remington LRP’s have not been seen in a while. Small pistol and rifle primers are all over the place.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:

quote:

Originally posted by gojoe:
The Army doesn't make anything, they buy things.

No, not true. I have been to Lake City AAP and watched them make their own primers.

6.8x51 is not yet being made by LCAAP. The demand must be huge and if that need is to be met in time for the rifle roll out and national security needs, LRP are not going to be available in any large amount to reloaders.

Actually Lake City is not the Army. It is which ever company has the current contract, It is currently Federal I believe.

I saw CCI 34 available at Powder Valley yesterday. Gone today. If you are/can swing by Denver, I'll sell 1k

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
Actually Lake City is not the Army. It is which ever company has the current contract, It is currently Federal I believe.

No, it is Winchester. It's typically a 10 year contract.

LCAAP is a GOCO plant - Government-owned, contractor operated. The Army/DoD "own" it. It 'is' the Army. It has an Army staff on-site that oversees it's operation thru the Joint Munitions Command. It is funded thru DoD/Army (and other Service) appropriations. Winchester is simply contracted to make the ammunition, et. al., using government equipment on government land.

Funding for the new ammunition production facility at Lake city has been appropriated and the contract to build the facility awarded on March 5, 2024.

LCAAP has been making primers for 5.56, 7.62, and .50 cal ammo for decades.

I have no idea what the fielding plan is for the NexGen Weapons, you certainty don't get 100,000 rifles overnight. Weapons and ammo field together, hopefully. Look in the PAA budget documents if you want for ammo production numbers. I don't think Winchester (who received the contract from the Army for the 6.8 ammo) is buying up primers from Remington, Nosler, Federal, Black Hills, Hornady, etc.

I should have remembered that because Winchester was told they couldn't sell any surplus 5.56 on the civilian market.

My apologies.

Not only is primer availability an issue for the last four to five years, the cost has skyrocketed. Just 4-5 years ago primers ( plenty in stock at multiple local shops) were about $30 per thousand. Now they are about $90