Powder and even primers seem more available (except large rifle primers). Now is time to stock up before the next election cycle, plant fire, COVID part 2, etc. Even seem some primers starting to get marked down.
I used to get some buddies together and order in bulk then we would split it...
I bought a fair amount of powder at TruPrep and Cherokee Gun and Pawn when I was in Canton.
Bass and Antler have surprisingly good selection of powders in Milledgeville. Bought 8lb jug of Varget a few months ago (score!) and recently got some H4831SC and H1000.
Brunos just had a deal if you buy 10lbs of Varget and get free HAZMAT. Powder Valley has something similar. That is a clue that powder supply chain may be caught up.
Buying powder, primers, and bullets = buy in bulk. If you can't use bulk quantities need to make friends and split up order to make HAZMAT and shipping less painful. If you buy reloading supplies in small quantities, then maybe just buy factory ammo.
Not if you use the specific rice I linked. Something about its size properties. No more issues than walnut/corn - maybe less issues with primer pockets. In 100 6BR cases I might have one rice kernel wedged in a primer pocket where walnut might be five.
As stated above, small primer brass supposed to take pressure better. Large rifle primers seem to be harder to get than small rifle primers. Peterson great brass.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NRLAVY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Seriously. This is great and no dust. I used corn and walnut in past nut this is all I use now.
Hodgdon has announced some more STABALL powders - hope they may be a "Varget" alternative (faster than STABALL 65?) and a "R26" alternative (slower than STABALL 65?)
R26, H4895, XBR8208, ARCOMP, and of course Varget seem hardest to find. Followed by H4350. I think Varget is just so popular that it gets snatched up as fast as it arrives.
H4350 has been popping up more often for sure on the big internet sellers and saw some locally in Milledgeville for $419 for 8lb. 65 Staball may be a good alternative to H4350 and seems more available and cheaper (temp stable ball powder). I am using 65Staball for 65CM loads.
One difference is the major retailers limit purchase amounts so more get a chance at powder (I don't disagree) but then hazmat/shipping really hurts for a few lbs of powder or 1000 primers. Once quantities more available and purchase limits lifted, that will be a big help.
Powder is definitely more available right now. Primers showing up but at high prices. Good to see improved availability but doubt prices are ever "reasonable" again.
H4350 seems be THE powder for 6.5 Creedmoor but there are lots of other options in that cartridge. Look at reloading manuals, webpages, etc. and you will see some options. Check Hogdon's own internet page for options. Should be able to find some once-fires 6.5CM brass too. Check Nosler's...