Price of gun powder?

This past Saturday I attended the Lethbridge Gun Show, looking for a gun that I really didn't need. I did notice that there were primers for sale, however I never bothered to inquire about the price. I'd have to say that I really enjoyed the show, (haven't been to one in about 2.5 years),to have conversations with old and new faces. Therefore, check-out gun shows, a good source for reloading components. Lots of powder and brass cases as well.
 
Current auction that I watched had old and I mean old H322 powder. I do not what the final price was per lot. Some were 3 lb lots and there were a few 5lb lots. Issue is, is it any good still bidding on a online estate sale????

Primers were going average over 100.00 per thousand. Those were old federal and remington as well. Are they any good? Likely for the gopher patch. I would not want to bet my life on it for a match load. Lapua 220 Russian brass went for almost as much as what you can buy it today. Only thing saved is tax. Amazing what guys will pay to shoot.

A friend of mine bought all the Remington 7-1/2 primers @ $90 a thousand. Cheap primers in these times.
 
I don't care what anyone says or thinks. The price will never go down.

I don't care what anyone says or thinks, the price will be set by market demand. If people are happy to pay $220/lb that's what they will sell it for... if people won't pay more than $50/lb then that's what they will sell it for.
 
There is no need to pay stupid price. There is always options - choice of different powder that will do the job.
I switched to VV powder since they are avail at a reasonable price and perform better than most.
At one point, it’s the economics of it…your reload end up costing more than factory ammo..might be time to reconsider for some caliber..
 
There is no need to pay stupid price. There is always options - choice of different powder that will do the job.
I switched to VV powder since they are avail at a reasonable price and perform better than most.
At one point, it’s the economics of it…your reload end up costing more than factory ammo..might be time to reconsider for some caliber..

Yeah, I noticed when on a hunt for my favorite powders, which were all bought at reasonable prices, that VV powders are widely available.
 
Man seeing all these depressing threads makes me glad I bought dozens of pounds of my favourite (only) powder I use last year,
Paid 44.99 per lb now it retails for like 80 if you can find it and auctions for 100+ per pound lol

Thankfully the amount I shoot this will last me a life time.
 
I don't care what anyone says or thinks, the price will be set by market demand. If people are happy to pay $220/lb that's what they will sell it for... if people won't pay more than $50/lb then that's what they will sell it for.

Not if it's costing more than $50/lb to bring it in
 
Not if it's costing more than $50/lb to bring it in

If buyers won't pay more than $50/lb in 2022 and it costs more than $50 to produce, then the market ends and the product will no longer be produced. You can't get around supply and demand at the retail level or the manufacturing level.
 
I don't care what anyone says or thinks, the price will be set by market demand. If people are happy to pay $220/lb that's what they will sell it for... if people won't pay more than $50/lb then that's what they will sell it for.

I think hoytcanon has it correct. Consumers will not like to hear so, but by their collective purchasing actions, they set the price. A seller is motivated to maximize his revenue / profit - whatever combination of volume and price he can make work. If his costs rise, then he falls to a competitor who figured out how to reduce his costs. But in the end, what a buyer with money is prepared to pay, sets the price that is charged for the product. Most modern customers would like to "blame" the seller as "gouging", or the government for "taxing", but by and large is done to themselves - collectively.
 
I think hoytcanon has it correct. Consumers will not like to hear so, but by their collective purchasing actions, they set the price. A seller is motivated to maximize his revenue / profit - whatever combination of volume and price he can make work. If his costs rise, then he falls to a competitor who figured out how to reduce his costs. But in the end, what a buyer with money is prepared to pay, sets the price that is charged for the product. Most modern customers would like to "blame" the seller as "gouging", or the government for "taxing", but by and large is done to themselves - collectively.

And how much would you be willing to pay for a pound of potatoes if you were starving?

A seller without a conscience could price them at 500.00 and someone wealthy would pay it...not exactly setting consumer collective supply and demand pricing.

There comes a point were it actually is price gouging.... not supply and demand, but controlling the commodity and cashing in on it!

Are the north american powder producers controlled by the same board of directors?

Just some random quick search headlines listed below;

Hodgdon Buys Western Powders

Breaking: Hodgdon Powder Company Acquires Multiple Brands

Hodgdon was already a major player when it comes to powders, with such brands as Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester in its stable, and the company announced today it was purchasing Western Powders.

^^ Kinda makes you go hmmmmm??

I guess if you want to play, you gotta pay!
 
I'm using IMR 7828 from 1990 for fireforming brass, it was $33.98, in today's dollar ~$62.50.

At the same time primers , only allowed 200 from local retailer, were $3.49/100 or $6.42 today.

So prices are up but not by a huge percentage comparably, but that may change as availability does.
 
And how much would you be willing to pay for a pound of potatoes if you were starving?

"Willing" to pay does not cut it - "able" to pay does

A seller without a conscience could price them at 500.00 and someone wealthy would pay it...not exactly setting consumer collective supply and demand pricing.

Is exactly the "consumer" setting the price - how much is next bag going to sell for - who will buy at that price?

There comes a point were it actually is price gouging.... not supply and demand, but controlling the commodity and cashing in on it!

Yes. I learned about that in a Liberal Arts university class in mid 1970's - is called "interlocking directorships" - perhaps might take a read through John Porter "Vertical Mosaic", although likely 50 or more years out of vogue.

Are the north american powder producers controlled by the same board of directors?

Just some random quick search headlines listed below;

Hodgdon Buys Western Powders

Breaking: Hodgdon Powder Company Acquires Multiple Brands

Hodgdon was already a major player when it comes to powders, with such brands as Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester in its stable, and the company announced today it was purchasing Western Powders.

^^ Kinda makes you go hmmmmm??

I guess if you want to play, you gotta pay!

Yes - it works for labour or most other commodities - if you are trying to sell, you want most that you can get for it. Why you do not find electricians or plumbers working for $7 per hour - we used to. Why we no longer pay $2,500 for a new car - we used to. Unless you want to live in a fully "planned and controlled" economy - someone (government) decides prices of all commodities, rates of production, etc. - that includes the wage that you earn and the rent you will pay and the cost of groceries that you will buy. Some folk want that. Many of us do not.
 
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If buyers won't pay more than $50/lb in 2022 and it costs more than $50 to produce, then the market ends and the product will no longer be produced. You can't get around supply and demand at the retail level or the manufacturing level.

Not likely.

Only a foolish vendor would bring it in to lose money on. It's pretty basic, no matter how much you dislike it.

I keep hearing old guys telling me they never paid more than $25 for any Lee Enfield and wouldn't pay more than that today.

I just tell, to buy up all they can find at $25.
 
Not likely.

Only a foolish vendor would bring it in to lose money on. It's pretty basic, no matter how much you dislike it.

I keep hearing old guys telling me they never paid more than $25 for any Lee Enfield and wouldn't pay more than that today.

I just tell, to buy up all they can find at $25.

You clearly don't understand the concept I am referring to... I am not talking about a specific price at a specific time period. I only threw in the "2022" date because you missed the concept the first time. Of course, we all live with inflation, we already pay more than $50/lb... that number was arbitrary. My point is, that at the point where consumers stop buying, retailers stop retailing, distributors stop distributing and manufacturers stop manufacturing. So who has the real power here. Supply and demand, my friend... it sets the market at every level... they will seek to lighten our wallets right to the point where we say; " Nah, I can live without that."
 
You clearly don't understand the concept I am referring to... I am not talking about a specific price at a specific time period. I only threw in the "2022" date because you missed the concept the first time. Of course, we all live with inflation, we already pay more than $50/lb... that number was arbitrary. My point is, that at the point where consumers stop buying, retailers stop retailing, distributors stop distributing and manufacturers stop manufacturing. So who has the real power here. Supply and demand, my friend... it sets the market at every level... they will seek to lighten our wallets right to the point where we say; " Nah, I can live without that."

I didn't miss your concept. If a seller has to pay more for a product and has to maintain overhead, they're going to charge a certain percentage on top of what they pay to get it to the till and out the door. It's simple economics.

If their prices go down, like they did when there was the shortage of 22rf ammo a few years back, then they should cut their prices accordingly, like most did, without being forced to do so.

With Hogdon's buying up most of the producers recently, that's going to create a shortage, if they try to amalgamate the facilities by closing some and expanding others. This will create a relatively long term shortage, similar to what we're seeing in the price of oil and NG.

When they start producing again, will they limit their output to keep prices higher???? Maybe.

If the world looks like it's going to get into a shooting war in Europe, over Ukraine????? Then expect this drought to continue or even get worse until a few years after the conflict is settled.

Last week, I had ten pounds of powder that became surplus to my needs. I phoned a couple of friends to see if any of them wanted it at $40/lb, which is what I paid for it.

It was all Enduron powders 4166/4451, five pounds of each.

One fellow, very generously turned it down, because he felt he was OK for a while and someone else would appreciate it more.

In all, I phone three people and between them they took it all. They're all what I would term "moderate" shooters and the powder will likely last them for a couple of years. One took all of the 4451 and the other two split the 4166.

It was a blessing for all three of them, as they all have families that come first and they were out of powder, but didn't want to pay the $75-$85 rates at the local stores, if they had it.

No, I don't have any left.

For the next two days, I kept getting phone calls from different people, most of whom I had never heard of, wanting to buy that powder and some were offering $80/pound.

The fellows I sold it to, just had to brag about the "deal" they just scored. Go figure.
 
I just paid $78 plus tax per pound for a couple of pounds of Varget at Ellwood Epps. (as of the time of the post they had 17 left if anyone is looking and willing to pay an elevated price) I tried to get 8lbs for $549 which is 68 per pound plus tax but it was gone before I could click purchase. (They had 1 left...:) I agree with being flexible with what powder you can acquire and not paying outrageous prices however inflation is crazy across the board right now, Us shooters will pay whatever price they can to acquire these powders and globally there are 2 major wars that may or may not be on the horizon. IMO I will continue to buy what I can within my personal financial plan and choose not to complain about prices of powder I can't even get right now. I have zero control over it and I wasn't reloading when Varget or H1000 was 30 bucks a pound!!
 
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