Price of gun powder?

BracheteMachete said:
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!!
Click to expand...

If you are referring to shooters south of the border they are paying $41.99USD per lbs for H1000. What is the current exchange rate on that?

Yes it does make it to store shelves.
 
sask378 said:
If you are referring to shooters south of the border they are paying $41.99USD per lbs for H1000. What is the current exchange rate on that?

Yes it does make it to store shelves.
Click to expand...

I agree it may make it to US shelves (I have read that is part of the Canadian shortage problem) but it doesn't make it to my neck of the woods (2 hours north of Toronto) for the last year and a half. Now with CANPAR screwing us all I typically make the decision to buy what I can within driving distance because any savings I would see purchasing across Ontario or even Canada gets drowned in dangerous goods shipping hell :) I do not have enough experience to debate whether this is panic buying or whether this is part of a trend. I am following this discussion to hear from those of you that have been through these situations before. I am new, late to the party and don't have a reloading room with powder from 10-20 years ago. But I love to shoot and I have learned I really like to reload in the winter :) So I will buy when I can!! That is all I am trying to communicate however as mentioned if there are other strategies I am all ears as I am frugal and I am not made of mountains of cash!!
 
BracheteMachete said:
I agree it may make it to US shelves (I have read that is part of the Canadian shortage problem) but it doesn't make it to my neck of the woods (2 hours north of Toronto) for the last year and a half. Now with CANPAR screwing us all I typically make the decision to buy what I can within driving distance because any savings I would see purchasing across Ontario or even Canada gets drowned in dangerous goods shipping hell :) I do not have enough experience to debate whether this is panic buying or whether this is part of a trend. I am following this discussion to hear from those of you that have been through these situations before. I am new, late to the party and don't have a reloading room with powder from 10-20 years ago. But I love to shoot and I have learned I really like to reload in the winter :) So I will buy when I can!! That is all I am trying to communicate however as mentioned if there are other strategies I am all ears as I am frugal and I am not made of mountains of cash!!
Click to expand...

I've been reloading since 1982, in recent 10 years it appears that reloading components are becoming less common. Usually there is a bit of a drought after the hunting season, however, late 2021 this year is the worst I ever experienced. Yes, there are components, but you have to scrounge by conducting inquiries here and there. Alberta is the center of the hub for hand-loaders in western Canada and there isn't much around compared to past years.
Personally, inflation along with supply and demand is another name for "greed". Remotely prices decrease, commonly they increase. Therefore, continue to scrounge and find the best price.
 
Seems in these times if you locate components you need (or want) and the price is not totally unreasonable you better pull the trigger. I procrastinated on some Hornady 9.3x62 brass a while ago and when I got around to ordering it, of course it was gone.
 
slimm said:
Seems in these times if you locate components you need (or want) and the price is not totally unreasonable you better pull the trigger. I procrastinated on some Hornady 9.3x62 brass a while ago and when I got around to ordering it, of course it was gone.
Click to expand...

Hirsch has the good stuff (Lapua) in stock.
 
I’ve been at it for 10-15 years. This is the worst drought and every time there is a drought they get worse. When this is over I will be buying in huge quantities. 8lb jugs, a couple thousand bullets and primers that the particular rifle likes per rifle. I’m in my late 30’s and plan on buying for the rest of my reloading years as supplies get back on the shelves. Rifle powder was half the price 10 years ago. Wages haven’t doubled in 10 years so I think my plan is an investment as much as it is to have a stockpile of things I use. Plus when you keep buying brass and powders and bullets from different lots all the time your loads are never consistent.
 
sharp shooter said:
I’ve been at it for 10-15 years. This is the worst drought and every time there is a drought they get worse. When this is over I will be buying in huge quantities. 8lb jugs, a couple thousand bullets and primers that the particular rifle likes per rifle. I’m in my late 30’s and plan on buying for the rest of my reloading years as supplies get back on the shelves. Rifle powder was half the price 10 years ago. Wages haven’t doubled in 10 years so I think my plan is an investment as much as it is to have a stockpile of things I use. Plus when you keep buying brass and powders and bullets from different lots all the time your loads are never consistent.
Click to expand...

That approach has served me well over the past 40 plus years Ive been at it. If you spot something useful snag it if you can afford it.
 
There seems to be enough powder if you can compromise. Just have to look around and be patient.
 
sharp shooter said:
I’ve been at it for 10-15 years. This is the worst drought and every time there is a drought they get worse. When this is over I will be buying in huge quantities. 8lb jugs, a couple thousand bullets and primers that the particular rifle likes per rifle. I’m in my late 30’s and plan on buying for the rest of my reloading years as supplies get back on the shelves. Rifle powder was half the price 10 years ago. Wages haven’t doubled in 10 years so I think my plan is an investment as much as it is to have a stockpile of things I use. Plus when you keep buying brass and powders and bullets from different lots all the time your loads are never consistent.
Click to expand...

Sharpshooter, there's nothing you can do about different lots of primers, cases or bullets.

Powder is a different story.

Because of my hobby, I often get several different lots of powder with the same designation, such as H4350 as an example

I take all of the H4350 I have on hand and mix it together into one large lot to get ONE large, consistent burning lot of powder.

I have a keg of H4350 that I started blending appx 30 years ago. Whenever I get a single jug or even several jugs from different buys, etc, I just dump them all into that keg and shake it around well, so it's properly mixed.

I have never had to change a load developed out of the powder in that keg.

New manufactured powders are very consistent from lot to lot these days. Still, it's nice to know everything you have on hand is consistent.
 
bearhunter said:
Sharpshooter, there's nothing you can do about different lots of primers, cases or bullets.

Powder is a different story.

Because of my hobby, I often get several different lots of powder with the same designation, such as H4350 as an example

I take all of the H4350 I have on hand and mix it together into one large lot to get ONE large, consistent burning lot of powder.

I have a keg of H4350 that I started blending appx 30 years ago. Whenever I get a single jug or even several jugs from different buys, etc, I just dump them all into that keg and shake it around well, so it's properly mixed.

I have never had to change a load developed out of the powder in that keg.

New manufactured powders are very consistent from lot to lot these days. Still, it's nice to know everything you have on hand is consistent.
Click to expand...

Good idea. Most of my powder is in 1lb jugs though. I'd have to find a larger air tight container. Any recommendations for a container?
 
If you are mixing it, I would put it back into 1lb original containers. Storage regs also change if it’s in one container if I am not mistaken.
 
As long as the supply cannot meet the demand for ammo, and reloading supplies in the US, prices in Canada will be ugly. The US guys are paying crazy prices compared to Canada in a lot of cases. We have known this for a quite a long time now that things down south were getting crazy with prices. Hoarding is alive and well. I think that there is going to be some large estate sales at some point. There are lots with more ammo and supplies than they can use in a couple lifetimes. Many of on here have been stocking up for years. I have found deals here and there for the last few years and acted. I have been able to trade up in value for things I need. Stored well most goods will last for a very long time. We still see the cheap Combloc ammo for sale and this too will pass. Remember the cheap .303 back in the day?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom