Where, oh were has all the powder gone?

[medic727]

I started thinking about where all the powder has gone. Or, as I now think, WHERE is the powder? Yes there's hoarding. I've since found out that a large percentage of the powder we use is imported. And, the USA is probably the largest consumer. A good guess is that it is in a container on a dock somewhere, on a container ship or stuck in customs inbound and/or outbound. BTW customs for overseas shipments is nothing like getting by customs at an airport. It can take 3-4 weeks easily. US customs is HUGELY concerned about cutting off supplies for terrorists and/or WMD's. Smokeless powder must get a huge stink eye becauase of its' chemical signature. Customs also has to worry about the chemical signature hiding or masking possible contraband. It wouldn't surprise if each container was gone through item by item. I'm not thinking case by case, but bulk containers that are then re-packaged into 1# to 8# containers.

So, now the offshore manufacturers not only have to refill the pipeline, but they also have to have backstock to replenish what will be sold.

 

[tonedaddy]

I started "hoarding" years before this shortage as it just keeps getting more expensive all the time!

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I started "hoarding" years before this shortage as it just keeps getting more expensive all the time!

I think that is more commonly expressed as planning ahead. Not the oh I need Varget next weekend LOL.

 

[lal357]

its still bad anound here went to a local gun showw that a supplier for us f class and benchrest shooters use wife sent me in with a 700.00 limit (most would be for her rifle). got there 1 hour early just so i can get to the table before the other guys to get what i needed 1 hour later out i go with 35.00 dollars spent some primers for plinking. everything one the list was a nogo. i have really had to adjust my practicing use to every other weekend and take 3-4 rifles shooting 50-100 rnds each to 25 rnds and only what i'm shooitng in the next match.

 

[amlevin]

its still bad anound here went to a local gun showw that a supplier for us f class and benchrest shooters use wife sent me in with a 700.00 limit (most would be for her rifle). got there 1 hour early just so i can get to the table before the other guys to get what i needed 1 hour later out i go with 35.00 dollars spent some primers for plinking. everything one the list was a nogo. i have really had to adjust my practicing use to every other weekend and take 3-4 rifles shooting 50-100 rnds each to 25 rnds and only what i'm shooitng in the next match.

Gun Shows around here don't sell powder.

I just make the rounds on my keyboard and shop for "Next Years" supplies. Until you can walk into a local gun store and see full shelves of powder, etc, your best bet is to "hit the net" and pick up a years supply when you find it. The days of just buying a pound of powder for the next weekends shooting are gone and may never return soon. As an old guy I used to work with was always saying 'I don't write the rules, that's just the way it is".

 

[chevytruck_83]

For me this really makes barrel life that much more important. A lot of us end up developing loads with whatever we can get that's close to what we really want to run..

 

[Milo 2.0]

For me this really makes barrel life that much more important. A lot of us end up developing loads with whatever we can get that's close to what we really want to run..

This powder situation blows.

I really like your sig line ;D I'll be beside you.

 

[Shynloco]

I started "hoarding" years before this shortage as it just keeps getting more expensive all the time!

I think that is more commonly expressed as planning ahead. Not the oh I need Varget next weekend LOL.

I think you nailed it. Unfortunately, too many don't do that and hence they face your Varget scenario.

 

[SS427]

Check gunbot.net. All sorts of powders in stock at various retailers and gunbot helps you find it. If looking you need to check several times a day. And can come in stock and be sold out the same day.

 

[rvn1968]

That's how I bought 3lbs of Varget 6-7 weeks ago. they said they had 40 lbs. I could have bought it all and paid for my next rifle by reselling but I just can't do that.

 

[CJ6]

Have you noticed the number of NEW (start up) ammo makers out there ? I've been looking at ads and online sites and cataloges . One magazine had 12 NEW manufacturers (I'd never heard of) from the USA . There's money to be made in ammo/guns and people(manufacturers) are making it.

 

[dkhunt14]

We must be lucky because all our gunshops I have been in; have powder and primers. Prices are about the same as they were. We have a million hunters and a lot of shooters and reloaders. Some towns even have more than one gunshop. I live within 20 miles of at least 7 shops. Matt