It sometimes seems like the powder crisis will never end. As a retailer, we feel your frustration on a whole different level. We feel bad that we can’t get you the items you need. We feel worse that we don’t have the items available to sell. We feel even worse that our excuse is simply, “We don’t have it, and we haven’t gotten word as to when it will come in.”
It’s critical for any reloader to follow their recipe to develop an accurate load that works for them 99.99999% of the time, especially for distance or competition shooters. For those of us that bulk load for fun and frugality, the MOA accuracy isn’t as crucial, but by the very nature of reloading, we tend to develop more consistent ammo than what a factory can provide. Beyond that, reloading is exciting! You are working with a products that require care when handling, to create a piece of ammunition that can be used to train your skills, destroy varmints, or put food on the table. That’s incredibly satisfying, and warrants the attention to details that reloading deserves beyond most hobbies.
If this powder crisis has taught us anything, it’s how to develop a new recipe for our existing loads. As a community, we never shy away from doing research, keeping records, and paying special attention to detail. That being said, you don’t want to have to delve into your stacks of reloading manuals every time you want to load the same cartridge you’ve been loading for years. With the advent of Hodgdon’s newly revamped load data center, that process has become much easier. With just a few clicks, you can search for a powder that will replace your current powder, and check it’s availability at Midsouth Shooters Supply.
Let’s say, for example, you’re loading 300 AAC Blackout because factory ammo is expensive, and a little hard to come by at times. You’ve been using H110 for over a year, but it’s constantly out of stock. Thanks for the fine folks at Hodgdon, you have new options at your fingertips.
So, you just bought the Federal American Eagle 300 Blackout New Primed Brass, and a box of the Nosler 30 Caliber Custom Competition 220 Grain Hollow Point Bullets for a nice subsonic load, but you’re out of powder. According to Hodgdon, you can start using Lil’ Gun, a trusted powder that’s been used for years. That’s not your only option, but with the supply chain constantly being limited, it’s great to have any option.
Once you press “Get Data” you’re off to the races. Below, you can see that your options for starting, and maximum loads populate, as well as recommended primers, rifle specs for use, and other helpful pieces of information.
Using the data center, and cross-referencing Midsouth Shooters Supply’s In-Stock powder listing, you can get back to loading as soon as we deliver your powder, which we try to do as quickly as possible. Midsouth also has one of the lowest hazard fees around, but that’s a whole different article.
Have you used the data center to work up a new load due to powder unavailability? Have you noticed more of your favorite powders coming into stock lately?
