Powder getting scarce

[Ron IL]

I was watching the news a few days ago and the financial guy said that gun powder would be getting scarce soon because of all the wars we are supplying ammo to.  I recently started using Power Pistol for my 9mm.  I bought a new pound a month ago and thought I would go see what the store had.  The store guy said he also heard that too.  I bought a new pound today for $40.  It was the same as last time.  But there was a new batch that came in and are $58.  There were two $40 still in the back of the shelf so I got one.  The next time I go there if the other one is still there I will buy it.  I won't pay $58 for it.  When a new price comes in they never change old stock.  Always check at the back of the shelf.

[jwc007]

Contributing to this mess, there is also now a shortage of GunCotton/Nitrocellulose , used for making Powder, because China has now stopped sales of it to the USA.

There are few, if any, domestic USA manufacturers left.


https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/courage-strength-optimism/3002007/arsenal-of-democracy-running-low-on-gunpowder/


I still have a good stock of reloading supplies that should last for the foreseeable future.  Just need more time to actually load and shoot.

[m1a_scoutguy]

1st off ya need to stop buying one lb at a time,LOL, that's why they make 8lb jugs! Anyway, just busting on ya a bit. I have read and heard the same thing but still seem to find most of the things I need. A good suggestion would be if you have any buddies that reload, ya need to get together find an online vendor (there are many) and put together a BIG order, you can spread the hazmat/shipping out over a couple of buddies and it's not as painful! Many are doing free shipping, and free hazmat if you spend so much. A couple of weeks ago I bought a 4lb jug of Power Pistol, $205,1K small rifle primers, $85ish I think, and a couple of boxes of bullets, you had to be over $249 for both FREE shipping and NO Hazmat, total order was $341.02 As they say, prepare for the worst & hope for the best. If ya need some suggestions for online vendors let me know,or just ask in the thread most members have a couple that they use. Good luck and let us know how ya make out.

[M1A4ME]

Availability and price goes up/down every so often.  How long the lean times last varies as well.

I have two pieces of advice.

1st is, when you can get different components buy some and experiment so that you have more than one good, accurate, reliable load for your favorite shooting/carrying guns. 

2nd is, don't wait till you need something to buy it.  If you see a price you're willing to pay, buy it.  Put it away.  Store it right and it won't go bad before you can use it.  I've used 30 year old primers and powder and there was nothing at all wrong with them.  I'm sure others have used components older than that.

Right now I've got multiple old powders I know will work in my handguns.  Red Dot, Green Dot, Herco (yeah, all shotgun powders, too).  I have good accurate loads developed for my .223 with BLC2, IMR4198 and H335.  Have good accurate loads for the .30-06 with IMR4895 and TAC. 

Working on handgun loads with Win 572.  Have some Shooter's World powder and just bought some Vihtavouri powder to try as well.  We all know what works well in our guns but we should be testing out other components when we can.

Who knows, you might find something that works better than your old favorites.

[cracker57]

I used to use a few different powders for my pistols, now I only use two W231 and HP38. (I know they are the same). Because I am a poor man, I look at reloading as buying ammo on terms. what I mean by this is I can spend $100 bucks today for bullets, next time I see powder I buy a pound or 2. When I see primers for a price I am willing to pay I buy a couple thousand. This spreads the cost out like paying off a loan.
 My cabinet always is full and I never really need to go on the hunt for components.
 Buy it when you find it for a price you are willing to pay even if you don't NEED it.

[Ron IL]

I did go back yesterday and bought the other cheap one.  Only about 4 left on  the shelf and at $58.

[m1a_scoutguy]

I did go back yesterday and bought the other cheap one.  Only about 4 left on  the shelf and at $58.

I was @ a local sporting goods place yesterday and inquired about powder, they had a fair amount of good items H4350/IMR4895/Varget, etc, but yup they were $55/$60 per pound, no thanks. I have been using H4350 in my 6.5 Creed but still have about 5lbs so I passed @ $60+ tax. If ya can swing it there are still better deals online even with Haz/tax/shipping. I was looking @ VV N140 8lbs and it was around $47 shipped, which I can live with! Keep plugging away and get it while ya can.

[FireMoose]

I was just at my local reloading supplier looking to get some 4227. He said IMR powders are no where to be found. Also mentioned that he'd be surprised if he'd be getting any more powder this year. I grabbed a lb of N340 so now I've got 3 powders to try out with .44 mag.