SO, just got back from the Missoula Gun Show.
It’s always a good show with lotsa interesting stuff. First thing I want to say is, if I were selling a brick of small pistol primers for $110 I would be ashamed of myself. Yes, I want to make as much money as possible, and I won’t tell you that you’re wrong for doing it…but I couldn’t do it.
For the first time in a couple years I ran into Johnny Trochmann, the in-your-face ‘leader’ of the Militia of Montana back when stuff like that was all over the news. He’s a nice guy, friendly, polite, and waaaaaaay out where the buses don’t run. Conspiracy du jour was blue helmeted UN types being hired for law enforcement roles here in the US. Ok, John….whatever.
However, Johnny T. has always treated me right since we both wear the same brand of tinfoil. (Mine is shiny side out, though.) He had several hundred rounds of once-fired commercial .50 BMG for sale and I got it at a little discount of $0.90 each. Good guy, that Trochmann.
And, by the way, even empty that .50 BMG stuff is heavy. My hands were cramping trying to carry two 100-rd bags of the stuff to the truck.
As for .50 BMG primers….well….I guess $0.80 each is a bargain in some circles these days but my brain could not reconcile paying that kinda money. No doubt I’ll regret this down the line when they either $1.50 each or completely unavailable. A good case for the .338 Lapua whcih does a decent job of being a ballistic Pareto’s Law example compared to the .50.
All in all a good show. Saw some familiar faces, got a deal or two, saw some nice stuff, and didn’t go too overboard on spending. (Although I might go back and pick up a Ruger M77 in 7×57 that looked pretty sweet.)
Still gotta drop the money and get the BMG presd and dies. That Barrett is an expensive mistress.
Ruger M77 – tang safety or bolt wing? I prefer the older tang location,easier to operate. Classic round – a lot of game (and persons in war) were taken out. It sounds like a great show.
Seldom do I see a better deal next visit to the shop or show.
I do however look up prices online before going as there is often very severe markups awaiting the unwary.
i considered the whole reloading of the 50 BMG but with ammo under $4 a round it just didn’t seem worth it, but then again I don’t shoot that much and don’t have much longer anyway! ): UN ammo out of Phoenix had it on sale once for like $330 for 200 rounds so I’m stocked up. Luckygunner is at $3.68.
I miss the good times at Knob Creek when .50 BMG supplies were being given away way below the cost of production. 25 years ago, pulled projectiles without the gouge from demilling, were being sold for 5 to 7 cents per for AP, API, Tracer etc. CCI primers were $75 per 500 and new pulled propellant was $25 – $30 for EIGHT POUNDS. Virgin .50 BMG brass was 10 cents each, once fired 5 cents.
I used to see Randy Weaver, John Ross and a host of others back when that show was fun and not full of ‘opportunists’, thieves and government thugs. John always had a position on the line and was fun to chat with. I would welcome the smell of ass, gun powder and bo to return one more time.
I bought 4 of the 8lb kegs of 50 BMG powder when they were that price plus FREE shipping! Never used any of it but it remains tucked away in the bunker where it is temp/humidity controlled. I would not be opposed to selling or trading it.
A .50BMG press is handy for loading the Hornady 750gr projectiles.
And resizing pulled bullets to round.
Lee’s set up for 50bmg with classic cast press and dies are a cost effective route with a few accessories you’re up and running fast. Just found primers on shelf at local Cabelas for first time in 2 1/2 years with 25+% markup, makes the hazmat mark-up look not too bad
Yeah, if you really want to get into it I can make you a deal on an RCBS kit in the box with dies.
Hmmm. Tell me more.
I’ll ping you at your email.
I’ve considered it but haven’t done it yet; components are enough that I’ve bought loaded ammo instead.
SG Ammo has the best prices I know of, especially since they include free shipping.
Watch online deals – many of them soak you in shipping these days!
My local shows have small pistol primers for $90/1k. Most of the show deals I see are on old stuff.
I guess I bought into .50bmg at the right time – during the COVID panic. While reloading components disappeared, .50bmg stuff was still available. I was able to get primers for less than $0.40 each, pulldown powder for less than $10 per pound, once fired military brass for $0.60 each. It seems that the only thing that hasn’t gone up in those few years since my purchases are the surplus pulled projectiles. You can still find cheap pulled WW2 projectiles in all sorts of flavors for effect – tracer, AP, incendiary, API, APIT. Stock up now before those disappear as well!