Cabela's in Barrie, ON - I was disappointed - 10/01/14
The place has been open for a few months now and the newness has worn off. Generally speaking, Canadians have few outdoor hunting/shooting stores, so anything is welcome.
Today, I drove to Barrie on business and stopped in Cabelas. The store smelled like fresh roasted, candy covered peanuts (on purpose, I suspect). The place was overrun with employees too. That can be helpful.
There were lots of clothes, archery stuff, optics, BP stuff, rifles and handguns. The accessory shelves were full with gun cases, cleaning supplies, doggie training stuff, rifle rests, bipods, etc., but...
As is my wont, I wandered down the reloading aisles. Lots of empty space! Oh my! A smattering of bullets, mostly Hornady. There were one or two bullet boxes in most of the popular calibres. 90% of the shelf was empty, as in no merchandise. And virtually no brass either!!
They had three or four bags of handgun cases and one bag of Winchester 223. There was a small selection of Nosler brass, but it was overpriced. That's probably why it's still there. I didn't see any cast bullets either. Hmmm.
I know it's hunting season, but there were piles of factory loaded ammunition there - individual boxes and cases as well. Where were all the reloading components?
I can only conclude that not too many people handload anymore. Tons of reloading presses, dies, scales, powder throwers, etc. Prices were okay I guess. Looks like I'll just mail order stuff in, as per normal.
I was in a rush, so I did not talk with any employees. I wanted to ask where all the Rem/Win/Lapua brass was. Next time.
The highlight of the trip was stopping at A&W for a Teenburger, onion rings and a root beer.
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And sousaphones have nothing to do with my Cabela's visit, or this post. I just like the picture.
Today, I drove to Barrie on business and stopped in Cabelas. The store smelled like fresh roasted, candy covered peanuts (on purpose, I suspect). The place was overrun with employees too. That can be helpful.
There were lots of clothes, archery stuff, optics, BP stuff, rifles and handguns. The accessory shelves were full with gun cases, cleaning supplies, doggie training stuff, rifle rests, bipods, etc., but...
As is my wont, I wandered down the reloading aisles. Lots of empty space! Oh my! A smattering of bullets, mostly Hornady. There were one or two bullet boxes in most of the popular calibres. 90% of the shelf was empty, as in no merchandise. And virtually no brass either!!
They had three or four bags of handgun cases and one bag of Winchester 223. There was a small selection of Nosler brass, but it was overpriced. That's probably why it's still there. I didn't see any cast bullets either. Hmmm.
I know it's hunting season, but there were piles of factory loaded ammunition there - individual boxes and cases as well. Where were all the reloading components?
I can only conclude that not too many people handload anymore. Tons of reloading presses, dies, scales, powder throwers, etc. Prices were okay I guess. Looks like I'll just mail order stuff in, as per normal.
I was in a rush, so I did not talk with any employees. I wanted to ask where all the Rem/Win/Lapua brass was. Next time.
The highlight of the trip was stopping at A&W for a Teenburger, onion rings and a root beer.
---
And sousaphones have nothing to do with my Cabela's visit, or this post. I just like the picture.