Local stores to buy primers/powder?

[jasonallen127]

Are there any stores in or near Northern VA that sell powder & primers? I'm looking to save on shipping costs & hazmat shipping fees by buying smaller quantities of a variety of powders locally until I find a powder/primer combo for .357 that works best for me (which I can then order in bulk online). Thanks in advance for the tips, guys!

[jdonovan]

guns and ammo in manassas
clark brothers in warrenton
Mac's is usually at the gun shows.

[jdonovan]

until I find a powder/primer combo for .357 that works best for me (which I can then order in bulk online).

I'll save you some time.... =)

if you want full power loads.... magnum primers +
H110/W296/Lilgun/Ramshot Enforcer

the H110/W296 ( same powder) has been a staple of the magnum revolver world for a long time.

I have moved to Enforcer due to some trouble getting H110 to light with some primers.

I like lilgun when you get to the heavy-er projectiles, like 158, 180's.

[jasonallen127]

jdonovan, thanks for the tip on the Manassas location and recommendation on powders! I'm looking to do some full power as well as some powderpuff loads... does H110/W296 load warm, or just "hair-on-fire hot"? I really do need to get a reloading book before I start making things that go bang at the range... lol

[jdonovan]

does H110/W296 load warm, or just "hair-on-fire hot"?

H110 - warm all the way to crack your cylinder.

my go to light-er load powder is tightgroup. Works for almost all the standard pressure handgun cartridges.

[arkypete]

I've used 4.5 grains of Bullseye powder in a 357 case with a 140 grain cast slug for a whole lot of years. If you can get cast bullets sized .3585- to .359 to fit your cyclinder throats. Used this as my load for Bullseye matches and plinking for several decades.
If I need a more hairy legged load I go up to 45 Colt.

Jim

[Rualert]

Not to jack your thread, but I am also looking for a local source in the Richmond/Chesterfield area for cast bullets, jacketed, powder, and primers. Found a box of Winchester large pistol I still had from prior loading, but have no idea where to look locally.

Thanks all.

[jasonallen127]

Thanks for the tips guys! Here's my plan:

I'm avoiding cast bullets for now as I'm primarily shooting at Blue Ridge Arsenal and Sharpshooters range, both indoor ranges requiring jacketed lead.

I ordered a 1000 pack of 125 grain FMJ Round Nose bullets a while back, and they look great. I just finished setting up my Lee Pacesetter quick-change dies for the correct flare, correct bullet seating depth, and correct crimp.

I was going to get Montana Gold 125 grain JHPs but I found Armscor bullets cheaper by 30% (works out to $0.09 per bullet, $0.15 per loaded cartridge across the 1000 rounds if I'm buying 4 lbs of H110 and 1000 small pistol CCI primers locally with tax at Clark Brothers).

I am about to order some loading manuals and a digital scale. I'm going to hold off on reloading .357 for the next few weeks until I get a chance to burn through the 350 rounds of .357 my girlfriend bought me for Christmas.

[jdonovan]

if you want lower cost you can look at plated bullets vs. cast. You'll find they are priced mid way between cast and jacketed.

[jasonallen127]

I had considered plated bullets, as they are quite cheap compared to jacketed (marginally more than cast lead)... but I was advised against plated for magnum velocities as the plating can separate from the lead at those velocities. Most plated projectiles advise using cast bullet loading data in .357.

Also, .357 should be at minimum taper crimped if not roll crimped (to prevent neighboring bullets in your cylinders from getting unseated by the recoil). Crimping cheaper plated bullets that lack a crimp canneleur will often cause jacket separation at .38 +P velocities according to most reloading sources I've read.

I might experiment with a small batch (if I can find a baggie of 100 plated bullets) to see how they do down the road, but for now I'm looking at hot reloads for .357 magnum practice.

[jdonovan]

I had considered plated bullets, as they are quite cheap compared to jacketed (marginally more than cast lead)... but I was advised against plated for magnum velocities as the plating can separate from the lead at those velocities. Most plated projectiles advise using cast bullet loading data in .357.

Ya plated are more like medium cast. They really are not good for heavy loadings.

[Doyle]

Supplies at a reasonable cost (much better than Guns and Ammo Warehouse) in the Manassas area are also available at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club . Its a little hard to find, the hours are a little bit squirrely and the people at the gun club are your typical Fairfax shitheads but the little gun shop is pretty good and the guys in there are nice. Give it a try.

[Purdune]

Dawson's on Rt. 1 in Woodbridge has the full range of loading supplies.

http://dawsonssmallarms.com/index.htm

[Doyle]

Be careful with Dawson's they are grossly over priced on most of there reloading supplies. And on occasion they can have a bit of an attitude. I used to work out that way and would stop in there maybe every week or two. Hardly ever bought anything because of the prices but it was still fun to look.

[Purdune]

I agree Doyle that they are slightly over priced. In my beginner experience they aren't really out of whack nor trying to price gouge. They are under on powder and such when you figure the addition of HAZMAT shipping. I live a couple miles from them and am willing to spend a little bit more to purchase from a local, independent shop.

There are one or two knuckle heads but there are more smiling, knowledgeable people there too. Never shot a black powder pistol. I took my .36 Italian colt knock off in to them. They told me what to do, what to buy, and what to be careful of. They didn't load me up with unneeded stuff nor overpriced stuff. Plus they took their time in talking with me.

So yes look at the prices, but I would ask you to factor in shipping and the thought of supporting local small stores.

[GeneFrenkle]

Don't forget to include tax in the cost comparison.

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[Doyle]

Well every ones experiences are different. In a pinch I would buy from Dawson's. I like the idea of buying local when I can. But the bottom line is the bottom line. When I can get the same products for less money I am going to do it within reason. Typically because of price I use Fairfax Rod and Gun when I have a reloading emergency and if I have time to wait I buy from T&S at the Chantilly show. Some times I will buy from Tom Drinkwater, also.

[Trakehner]

I was at Loudoun Guns in Leesburg (yeah, I know, expensive). Anyway, when I was there they'd just gotten in a supply of powder and primers (I don't need either but picked up powder for a friend just getting into reloading).

Bought 4024 (4064?)...whatever for .223 at $26-28/lb and Clays for .45 ACP reloading at the same price.

At least they had the stuff.

Once you get out of this Northern VA area, supplies seem to open up.

[Hocktl]

Jump on 95 south to Ashland and go to Green Top.

[HighExpert]

I was in Bob Moat's shop on Hull Street the other day and he had some powder. Not what I was looking for but there might be some you are. No primers btw.