KinleyWater
Handloader
- Jun 15, 2019
- 1,079
- 1,441
This may come across as a bit of a rant, and that is not intended, but here goes:
I am a little miffed about the introduction of 30 Super Carry. I am NOT trying to debate the relative strengths of the round, or if a need for it exists, but rather say that with the shortage of components at the moment, that those primers could have been put to better use either in more established loadings (9x19, .380, 38SPL, etc.) or in direct to the hand load market.
The intellectual side of me understands that the development of this new cartridge likely took many years and preceded the current scarcity, and that contractual obligations, and the budgeted ROI probably drive the timing of the introduction (after all, new ammunition does no good without new firearms to use it in and vice versa). The intellectual side of me also understands that while marketed to the consumer as more rounds=better (and there is some merit to that argument), the reality is that a slightly smaller diameter bullet uses less lead, less copper jacketing material, less brass, and is propelled by less powder. That means lower cost to manufacture (once R&D costs are figured in), and a higher profit margin.
To that end, I looked at MidWay (not an endorsement) and found that (out of stock) Federal American Eagle 30 SC 100gr FMJ costs $34.49/ box of 50, while Federal AE 9x19 115gr FMJ was $22.99/ box of 50. Admittedly, this is a sample size of 1, but I have complete confidence that it is reflective of the overall market. In the end, I worry that this is a trend we will see more of: the pursuit of highly polished mediocrity to maximize profits in the face of long-term dwindling supply.
Okay, off the soapbox, my feet are tired.
I am a little miffed about the introduction of 30 Super Carry. I am NOT trying to debate the relative strengths of the round, or if a need for it exists, but rather say that with the shortage of components at the moment, that those primers could have been put to better use either in more established loadings (9x19, .380, 38SPL, etc.) or in direct to the hand load market.
The intellectual side of me understands that the development of this new cartridge likely took many years and preceded the current scarcity, and that contractual obligations, and the budgeted ROI probably drive the timing of the introduction (after all, new ammunition does no good without new firearms to use it in and vice versa). The intellectual side of me also understands that while marketed to the consumer as more rounds=better (and there is some merit to that argument), the reality is that a slightly smaller diameter bullet uses less lead, less copper jacketing material, less brass, and is propelled by less powder. That means lower cost to manufacture (once R&D costs are figured in), and a higher profit margin.
To that end, I looked at MidWay (not an endorsement) and found that (out of stock) Federal American Eagle 30 SC 100gr FMJ costs $34.49/ box of 50, while Federal AE 9x19 115gr FMJ was $22.99/ box of 50. Admittedly, this is a sample size of 1, but I have complete confidence that it is reflective of the overall market. In the end, I worry that this is a trend we will see more of: the pursuit of highly polished mediocrity to maximize profits in the face of long-term dwindling supply.
Okay, off the soapbox, my feet are tired.
