What is your powder $ spending breaking point?

[Shooter13]

I bought 2 lifetimes worth of stuff many years ago so I'm good till I'm on the wrong side of the dirt. This components stuff is dirt cheap compared to my new car hobby.

I told you ............. but you already knew!!

 

[Shooter13]

Did you see the "grain of salt sized handbag" that sold for $63,000? Powder is cheap! LOL

 

[Mr Wick]

Don't care about the price. Sportman's Warehouse jacked the price of IMR up to over $60 after taxes. I bought 12lbs, which was every single one they had. Guy was selling CCI 200 Primers for $120 per 1,000. Bought 5k.

It's a hobby. I'm not going to let money stand in the way of my experience. Life is too short.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Don't care about the price. Sportman's Warehouse jacked the price of IMR up to over $60 after taxes. I bought 12lbs, which was every single one they had. Guy was selling CCI 200 Primers for $120 per 1,000. Bought 5k.

It's a hobby. I'm not going to let money stand in the way of my experience. Life is too short.

At some point money is going to stand in everyone’s way. Let’s not let them force out the ones now that are close to being in that position.

 

[Ccrider]

At some point money is going to stand in everyone’s way. Let’s not let them force out the ones now that are close to being in that position.

This is true. Problem is, for better or worse, I do not see this turning around much until there is political change.

 

[argrendel]

I compare powder brands to looking for booze in the liquor store. Vodka, you have bottom shelf brands and the quality increases all the way to top shelf. For me that’s Grey Goose. If the bottom shelf booze prices approach G.G price, I will buy G.G. every time! VV powder is my Grey Goose! I have always paid a little more, but felt I was getting a higher quality. Now that other brand prices exceeded that of VV, I’ll remember them for not taking advantage of its customers.
So, for me, my buying backs off when primer prices reach $60 per 1000, and non VV powders are over $300 per 8#.
I started using Lapua brass years ago because I’m lazy. Hate brass prep. Don’t shoot magnums, so brass lasts a very long time! Now I see other brands exceed Lapua prices.

Last, I have LGSs that have outrageous powder and primer prices. But there’s are two that are not. One I feel is fair for the times, and the other has outstanding prices, and had them right along! Sadly, he is 40 miles away and has quantity limits.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I compare powder brands to looking for booze in the liquor store. Vodka, you have bottom shelf brands and the quality increases all the way to top shelf. For me that’s Grey Goose. If the bottom shelf booze prices approach G.G price, I will buy G.G. every time! VV powder is my Grey Goose! I have always paid a little more, but felt I was getting a higher quality. Now that other brand prices exceeded that of VV, I’ll remember them for not taking advantage of its customers.
So, for me, my buying backs off when primer prices reach $60 per 1000, and non VV powders are over $300 per 8#.
I started using Lapua brass years ago because I’m lazy. Hate brass prep. Don’t shoot magnums, so brass lasts a very long time! Now I see other brands exceed Lapua prices.

Last, I have LGSs that have outrageous powder and primer prices. But there’s are two that are not. One I feel is fair for the times, and the other has outstanding prices, and had them right along! Sadly, he is 40 miles away and has quantity limits.

Very well said and I completely agree. I no longer buy online. I found a place within 40 miles with excellent prices on VV. Cheap enough to make the drive worthwhile by saving hazmat and shipping. In process of reworking loads in all guns for VV powder and some great results.

 

[oldmarine69]

At what dollar amount would it take for you to stop buying powder on line to load with? $100.00 + all the fees or higher still?

Bill

I will no longer buy online. With powder at, or nearing 50 bucks a pound, plus haz-mat fees, they've taken me out of the online game.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I will no longer buy online. With powder at, or nearing 50 bucks a pound, plus haz-mat fees, they've taken me out of the online game.

Graf’s has free shipping and Haz at the moment.
Brownell’s has a $30 dollar off code and free shipping at the moment.
Midsouth has Powder on sale.

 

[Mr Wick]

They are completely gouging our pockets. I wish I could just say screw it. But I have to shoot. It's my therapy. So, just like taxes. You got to pay The Man.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

They are completely gouging our pockets. I wish I could just say screw it. But I have to shoot. It's my therapy. So, just like taxes. You got to pay The Man.

Yep and some of us are starting to age and just now finding the time to do it.

 

[jds holler]

I was raised up by frugal folks who knew how to save their money, and when to spend it. The financial philosophy I came away with could be boiled down to this.

"Don't piss your money away on stupid crap that isn't really important to you, and you will have money to spend on stupid crap that IS important to you."

I've had enough money to afford everything I needed to support my shooting -- and everything else through these times, and I've paid some pretty healthy prices for powder and primers. However I DON"T spend much on fast food, or Dutch Bros. coffee, or most other stuff that is an out-right waste of money.

I truly believe that if you give enough to the Lord, he'll make what you keep for yourself go further and last longer. jd

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

30k is cheap. I paid 2x that years ago for my 21 foot fully rigged out Basscat. You are talking 80k now. Since I fail down this benchrest reloading rabbit hole, my boat has been neglected.

Go buy a Stella spinning reel, you drop 600 bucks. Buy a top line rod, another 600 bucks. You need at least 5 rod and reel setups.

You can fish on the cheap, but if you like to play with nice toys, it is much cheaper to shoot, even at today’s component prices. I can’t say I would not pay 60 a pound for H4895 if I needed it. I would pay it if I could afford it and not give it much thought.

If I could not afford it, I would go fishing, maybe on the cheap with some red worms and A zebco 202 and still have a ball. And maybe get some good eating food to boot!View attachment 1454505View attachment 1454509

View attachment 1454511View attachment 1454512
My Dad use to quote Philippians 4:11: I have learned to be content in any circumstances in which I find myself.
Glad to be living.

This is true. Problem is, for better or worse, I do not see this turning around much until there is political change.

Speaking of Alliant, a buddy of mine hasn't been able to find RL-16 at any price, for more than two years now. They come available now and then, sure, but then poof! they're gone. Prior to Covid, he occasionally picked up the big 8# jugs for under $30/lb. Nowadays, one is lucky to end up with a jug at less than $500 shipped (more than $60/lb).

A small nearby shop does occasionally have the stuff, but it's rarer than "hens' teeth" as the saying goes. Closer to $45/lb.

I figure they've got some larger contracts and are sending most of these powders elsewhere. 'Cause it sure isn't showing up regularly on shelves in America.

110%. Like you said, I think there is some enormous Govt. buying around the globe. I am guessing that powder producers have to shut down some lines to make 308, 556, some of the military new powder for 270 rounds?

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Very well said and I completely agree. I no longer buy online. I found a place within 40 miles with excellent prices on VV. Cheap enough to make the drive worthwhile by saving hazmat and shipping. In process of reworking loads in all guns for VV powder and some great results.

agree 100%. shipping and hazmat fees really add to cost. Swap meets anyone?

 

[Taildrag15X]

At what dollar amount would it take for you to stop buying powder on line to load with? $100.00 + all the fees or higher still?

Bill

Paid $112.98 plus NYS Sales Tax and 3.7% non cash payment fee for 1 pound of Varget last week at the only Shop that has had any powder. And there is a limit of 1 pound, per month, if it lasts that long, plus you get to leave a copy of your Drivers License and "sign the paper" that it's for you.

I really hate paying that for it, just trying to replace what I've used, and shared with a couple of friends.

 

[nakneker]

Hard question to answer, half the answers given will change next week and then again in another week. It’s a classic supply and demand issue, that and the politics right now make for a crappy environment for guys and gals buying powder. I try and buy when I see a good deal, today’s “good deal” is much different than pre Covid good deals but I’ll still buy. If it’s something I know I want and I know I’m low on I’ll pay more if that’s what it takes to enjoy. I bought heavy back in the Obama years, still shooting primers from those years and have many more to go but if I see a good deal on primers I’ll try and replace what I’ve used.

The good news is many powders are showing up and the price keeps coming down a bit. Local gun stores have primers and powder sitting for weeks at a time now and their price keeps coming down. Online guys are running more sales and pricing incentives. They still have a long ways to go but at least it’s a start.

I wish I knew how much wholesale prices have changed, I’m sure they risen but I doubt they rose as much as the retail market reflects.

Bottom line is I’ll do what I need to enjoy the hobby, I won’t let politics and corporate greed price me out of what I love. I’ll try and be smart about it but if I need it I’ll get it and if that means an occasional high price so be it, I’ll tack that on my next change order or bid and try even it out that way.

 

[coldboreshot]

You think powder sellers are watching this thread and will adjust prices according to what is posted here lol

Do you think cigarette vendors lower their selling prices knowing the product is hazardous to health? As long as there is demand (in this case some hoarding), supply will always follow demand at any price.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Do you think cigarette vendors lower their selling prices knowing the product is hazardous to health? As long as there is demand (in this case some hoarding), supply will always follow demand at any price.

I feel like the Prep-per demand probably out weighs the sporting and hunting aspect of it all too.

 

[209jones]

I planned for my retirement over the 10-15yrs before it, acquiring guns, tools, shooting supplies to keep me going after retirement. I bought enough different powders that if I ran out of one, I'd have another, along with bullets, can't get that stuff or can't afford to replace it? I'll have a sub that will work. I'm not likely to be doing any comps anymore, so massive supplies aren't necessary, and I can sell off some stuff to fund others if neccessary Reaching the point where hunting is getting so that all I'll do is easy deer hunts, only need two guns around for that, not hauling moose & elk out anymore, or hiking the hills for them. So, I can sell a few of the hunting guns to fund a range gun, for which I have the supplies for already. I stuck to a min number of calibers, with cartridges that used powders that were versatile with those sizes of case, and some larger or smaller as well. Versatility of the supplies on hand was definitely considered.

As to the going fishing, that stuff is all in place too. Fly tying is a vice, walking into a store and buying one of each colour of a material I like is hazardous to the pocket book over time, new style of hook is a bad one too. But, I have more flies tied and more material and hooks than I'll ever use up now.

 

[bozo699]

I feel like the Prep-per demand probably out weighs the sporting and hunting aspect of it all too.

Do you think cigarette vendors lower their selling prices knowing the product is hazardous to health? As long as there is demand (in this case some hoarding), supply will always follow demand at any price.

Prepper often gets confused for hoarding!….
Hoarding is buying even though you have no use for it and no plans to use it!… you just want it!…. Prepping is what 99.998759% of the people on this forum are doing when buying large quantities of components like I do!…NOT HOARDING!… I actually HATE that word!… just for hearing it I’m going to stop off at my lgs tonight and buy up all there Varget and 4350 because I can