Yet another installment of...."As Rich's Reloading World Turns"...
I was at Cabella's in Gainesville yesterday for the first time in more than a year and only the second time ever. I was in the area so decided to drop in. Wandered around the gun area for a while, perusing the reloading section. I was surprised they did have some reloading stuff. No powder or primers, but they did have quite a few dies, some actual presses (Lee & Hornady single stagers), quite a few bullets, lots of accessories. They actually had a box of genuine .338 Lapua brass (of which I have no need). But....it cost $329 for a box of 100 shells. For crimany sakes man!
Another shopper walked by and asked "Any Primers?. Yeah right buddy. Then a clerk walked up and asked what were looking for and the other shopper said shotgun primers. Clerk said "I just got some in", so I asked about Rifle primers and he asked if I were psychic because they just were unloading a truck outback that had the first rifle primers of any kind he's seen in 9 months.
They only had Federal Large Rifle Magnum, but I bought a brick for $73. They limited me to just one, but I would have only bought one, cause other folks need them just as bad as I do, and I don't shoot as much big uns as I do the little uns.
I then asked if they had any rifle powder and the guy says "What are you, psychic?" Just got some in....SO, I bought 2 pounds of CFE223 which is the only rifle powder they had and limit to 2 pounds. Never used the CFE before. I asked why they didn't have it on the shelf and he said it never makes it to the shelf - they get it off the truck and don't even get it unpacked before people start asking about it. I guess my "twinge" to go in that day was a good one.
Went home and loaded up 10 rounds of 26gr of the CFE (on the lower end of the data). My press is still set up for 223 so only had to adjust the powder drop. Test fired those ten - all fired well.
Bumped to 26.5 and loaded 25 more. Test fired in two guns all flawless. Went back and loaded about 200 more.
Twas a good day in the reloading world.