Scheels LIMITS Caps?!?

Bad Karma said:

As far as you know, is anyone investigating the holdup at the border. Is RWS still manufacturing caps but unable for one reason or another able to export into the United States?

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I do not know where the bottleneck is.

But my suspicion is war. I have read a post from a random person online that Germany has less than 1 month of ammunition available. It has been published by reputable news agencies (Newsweek) that Western European nations are rapidly preparing for war, and now that Trump is president-elect, who has discussed in the past pulling out of NATO and force NATO nations to pull more of their own weight, they may be devoting more resources to just that.

When I was digging around to find out what division of MAXAM "went out of business", I discovered that Rheinemetall, a German arms manufacturer, had bought a division of MAXAM. I could not find out if it was the same division or not. But it would make sense to see Germany buying up companies that could manufacture primers and other ammunition components.

To purchase 3000 rounds of percussion black powder ammunition, assuming a 50 grain charge and 500 grain bullet, would cost:

3000 primers @ $.19 each = $570
50 grains powder * 3000 = 150,000 grains = 21 pounds @ $30 per pound = $630
3000 bullets @ 500 grains per bullet = 214 pounds lead @ $1.20 per pound = $256.80

Total: $1,456.80

maillemaker said:

To purchase 3000 rounds of percussion black powder ammunition, assuming a 50 grain charge and 500 grain bullet, would cost:

3000 primers @ $.19 each = $570
50 grains powder * 3000 = 150,000 grains = 21 pounds @ $30 per pound = $630
3000 bullets @ 500 grains per bullet = 214 pounds lead @ $1.20 per pound = $256.80

Total: $1,456.80

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The only thing I take issue with is the 500 grains per bullet. Many of us shoot RB so the lead usage would be less. But all in all it isn't cheap shooting anymore. The up side in a day of shooting you use alot fewer rounds than a day of shooting suppository guns

FishDFly said:

To some folks, your numbers would make sense and to others it would be considering hoarding. Depends on what you want personally.

It all depends on what you personal inventory level is.

My mentor said if you shoot 1 buy 2,if you shoot 2 buy 4, etc.

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However, that can only work in times of plenty, when shelves are stocked.
That method these last five years would leave you on the bench look for someone who prepares ahead.

Have to be prepared.

When I use to go to the Winter Nationals, I would stop at Coonie's on the way home and get a case. When I would go to shoots I would buy a 1,000 caps, even if I did not need them.

Folks at the Sept shoot at Friendship bought up all the Goex powder, they were preparing.

If, you are not preparing, whose fault is it?

SPQR70AD said:

I bought all 20K they had just to show others how smart I am.

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Yep, you're why they are out of stock now.

BTW: I checked all the places that people have mentioned here and they are all out of stock today. I find that to be typical when information is broadcast in mass. I'm thinking the sayings, "keep your powder dry" & "watch your top knot" might have a slightly different meaning than many have come to believe was customary.

flconch53 said:

The only thing I take issue with is the 500 grains per bullet. Many of us shoot RB so the lead usage would be less. But all in all it isn't cheap shooting anymore. The up side in a day of shooting you use alot fewer rounds than a day of shooting suppository guns

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I thought about this when I posted the data. I shoot military muskets, and a traditional "minie ball" is 500+ grains. But actual bullet weights range from round ball to 560 grains, depending on the gun and ammo being used.

I didn't worry about it because the lead is a minor cost consideration at the price point I am able to buy lead at.

Even if you ignore lead altogether, the cost is still $1200.

Of course many people have to buy lead from Rotometals, so the cost of lead would be double what I listed.

The upshot is, it's quite expensive to buy the materials for 3000 black powder shots.

MSmith said:

Yep, you're why they are out of stock now.

BTW: I checked all the places that people have mentioned here and they are all out of stock today. I find that to be typical when information is broadcast in mass. I'm thinking the sayings, "keep your powder dry" & "watch your top knot" might have a slightly different meaning than many have come to believe was customary.

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I have all I need just trying to help out my fellow site members. I shoot mostly flintlock so 3000 caps will last me awhile

MSmith said:

I checked all the places that people have mentioned here and they are all out of stock today.

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Sign up for an email or text notification when the item(s) you are looking for are in stock at various suppliers and then make the decision to purchase or not quickly when you are notified. Doesn’t mean the delivery date or the price will be to your liking, but those are different concerns.

Today is not too early to get started on items needed for next year or even the following year. Waiting until you are on the way to the range or hunting camp to pick up few essential items along the way like caps or powder isn’t a good plan.

SDSmlf said:

Waiting until you are on the way to the range or hunting camp to pick up few essential items along the way like caps or powder isn’t a good plan.

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When I was at the Scheels yesterday, I had to wait to get to the caps because there was a large crowd of people getting their very first muzzleloaders(inlines of course) for our muzzleloader deer season. Which started on the 2nd (ie, 2 days ago) and ends the 11th.

So it's totally possible to be even farther behind!

out of 5 children I only have one that has followed my path as far as supplies for his guns (modern or traditional) if I buy a new suppository rifle once I decide what I'm shooting I buy a case no exceptions I learned over 30 years ago (while working in the ammo industry) to stay accurate you have to shoot the same lot of ammo. when we went through the shortage of caps during Clinton I learned my lesson after shooting almost anything #10's, musket, and even small rifle primers just so I could keep shooting. I started buying in bulk as much as I could afford so I had several years of supplies I still buy all I see in what I consider a good price. I just picked up at a estate sale +/- 1,000 #11's of various manufactures and the same in musket caps I just haven't gotten around to passing them along to my friends

With the Big Stores buy some, leave some is a good practice.
That way we all get some while they are there.

sussexmuzllodr said:

With the Big Stores buy some, leave some is a good practice.
That way we all get some while they are there.

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I disagree with the big stores they buy according to number of turnovers the more they sell the more they buy and when there out become a "squeaky hinge" about them being out of stock.

sussexmuzllodr said:

With the Big Stores buy some, leave some is a good practice.
That way we all get some while they are there.

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I will agree with Both you and Rebel Bull.
I have never been one to empty a shelf just because I could.
At a store such as Scheels I will only buy 3 or maybe 6 tins, even when they brought out a full case and asked "How many you want?". Now that I have my 'supply' I am usually just restocking the top or maybe there for something else and have a few extra $ in my pocket.
For 'Bulk' I made my purchased online for that I'd the only rational way to buy online.

So, while I DO try to leave for others, it is also true that if a product is not selling then the Store (even online store) does Not restock that product...ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S WORLD.
When Order Day comes around, caps are still on the shelf they either:
Do Not Re-Order any at all.
Or they re-order Less.

Now, if I am in Need and all they have on the shelf is 2, 3, 4 - Lucky Me.
But if i am just there for something else then I might grab half and leave half....but those I left are still there when I come around a few weeks later; they are mine, the store Needs to reorder.

But I am not a horrible person;
At the VA I love my toasted begal after my appointment.
One day I had been standing in line, slowly I watched as the last of the bagels vanished one by one, I was three people away, Only One Left and it was my favorite...I noticed this small, frail veteran behind me, he was clearly eyeballing my bagal...two time, three times he peared around me looking right at it....and I was hoping one of these in front of me wasn't going to take it - IT'S MINE, I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL MORNING FOR IT, I HAVE BEEN STANDING IN LINE FOR 20 MINUTES FOR IT!!

It was my turn, the bagel was still there, I glanced back, the old timer was still bending and looking at My Bagal...I asked him "Are you looking at that bagel too?" he said Yes but I am ahead of him if I want it...I told the Berista to give me just a coffee...

I was at scheels where I live and they had tons of cap and no restrictions plus several different types of large rifle primers. I’m always looking for good deals on powder, caps and primers. The other day I was at a pawn shop and bought a tote with around 30 cans of powder for $100. About half was goex and DuPont black powder. It’s out there! I’m not above hog trading either. I think we are about or go into a good run with more availability, be smart if you see a good deal on stuff you are gonna use and have storage for, buy it.

Rebel bull said:

I disagree with the big stores they buy according to number of turnovers the more they sell the more they buy and when there out become a "squeaky hinge" about them being out of stock.

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I’m not sure that applies in every case.
If that were true the big stores would only be out occasionally.
I believe the manufacturers are cutting back production on an ever-shrinking niche market items so they can focus more of their available labor hours and resources on military and law enforcement contracts that have nothing to do with making percussion caps.

smoothshooter said:

I’m not sure that applies in every case.
If that were true the big stores would only be out occasionally.
I believe the manufacturers are cutting back production on an ever-shrinking niche market items so they can focus more of their available labor hours and resources on military and law enforcement contracts.

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Agreed. We are nothing compared to the huge money made from military contracts. I can easily see this becoming worse, especially if the USA gets into a real, major shooting war. I can absolutely see how caps becoming non-available in the future might become a reality.

I say again, if anyone has not already stocked up on enough caps, powder and anything else they think they may need to keep them going for several years, they should seriously consider doing so now.

I was in The Colony TX. Scheels a couple weeks ago and they had PLENTY of #11 caps, CCI both regular and magnum and Remington.
I grabbed a couple tins of the Remington.
Stopped by there again today and still PLENTY... no limit on in store purchase.
Grabbed 2 more tins.
They also had plenty of CCI 4 tab musket caps which I haven't seen anywhere in quite some time.

If you guys only knew just how easy (and gratifying) it is to make your own caps, you'd never worry about finding them again and you'd have an unlimited supply. You all should click on my profile and look up my post of "How I make my caps."

I understand the tap o cap works, but they're ugly and tend to fall off and still cause cap jams. My DIY cap kit solves all of those problems.