Component Availability

New to Bullseye and pistol reloading.  I've reloaded bottle neck rifle cartridges for years and only use about 4 powders and a primer brands, all for rifle.  Most of those are the more popular things like H4350, IMR4064, CCI primers, etc.  Hard to find any of those right now.  

I want to get into pistol loading, specifically for 45 ACP, but am curious about availability of components. I know components as a whole have been in short supply over the past 2 years but I haven't paid a lot of attention to pistol components.  What I have typically seen in gun stores seems like mostly pistol stuff (which I normally gloss over) so I'm curious if that stuff has thawed more than the rifle components or... are they just as hard to get.  

At this point, I think I want to try Vihtavuori N310 and some Nosler and Seirra jacketed bullets... 185gr and 200gr.  N310 seems like it can be obtained online.  Nosler and Seirra bullets for rifle have been hard to find online but I've had more success in stores.

Most Bullseye shooting is done with Lead bullets.

The indoor ranges I shoot specifically prohibit jacketed bullets.

Zero and Mastercast bullets are readily available the last I checked.

As far as primers, that's another story.

Primers are the hardest component to find right now.  Here in California, we have a website, Calguns.net, they have a forum where you can buy/trade reloading components.  If you have something like that where you live, you might find some at a reasonable price.

Otherwise, Targetsportsusa.com has large pistol primers, $600 for 5000.  The LPP's they currently have are CCI magnum pistol primers, which I have not tried.  I have used Federal mag LPP's in my 45 target loads, and they work o.k.

Be aware that some 45 Auto cases are loaded with SMALL pistol primers,
I bought some Federal Champion 230 FMJ rounds that are small primer cases.

Fin Feather Fur Outfitters has some 45 cal 185 gr Nosler Custom Competition bullets in stock.

I've seen the 185 gr Sierra Sport Master bullets recently at Midway.
(Midway  also has 1 LB and 4 Lb N310 in stock)

Brownell's has had primers sporadically.

The Hornady XTP or HAP bullets are workable as well for at least 25 yards, and often easier to find.
If 310 is unobtainable, there are alternatives (bullseye, 700x, WST and a couple more)
Primers are still the most scare component

45’s are probably the least finicky pistols to load for. You’ll get satisfactory results with any appropriate powder. 
Lead bullets are less expensive and perform just as well in most pistols assuming we’re talking about 1911’s. 
Primers are the problem right now. Prices have more than doubled if you can find any at all. 
Good luck!

JKR

Thanks everyone!

You can get components if you check regularly, or set up email notification with all the reloading suppliers. I have been able to buy all powder, primers and projectiles I have needed and then some for Long range rifle, pistol I have plenty of everything to last a while.

VV N310 available at MWUSA at time of this writing

Thank you