Ordering Powder...Any Problems Getting It Shipped?

X-man

X-man

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Hi Guys,

I'm just wondering if anyone has recently ordered smokeless powder for reloading purposes? Has anyone had any problems getting courier/trucking companies to ship it?

The reason I ask is that I stopped by my favorite gun store this afternoon in St. John's and the owner informed me that he has been unable to restock his powder supply as all the courier/truking companies are now refusing to carry it! He mentioned something about smokeless powder being a "Class 1.4" product, which they won't carry anymore. However, they will happily carry primers, as they're a "Class 1.3" product????

Is this isolated to just Newfoundland, or has anyone else run into this problem? To say the least, such a development is going to drive already high powder prices through the roof down here on the Rock!:mad:

Has anyone else heard about such a development? Anyone in the know care to explain this classification system? To my mind, smokeless powder, as a flamable solid and NOT an explosive, is actually much safer to transport...comparatively speaking, than primers. Although, when shipped in their factory packaging, primers are completely safe to ship as well.

The NFA has already been contacted on this matter, just wondering if anyone else has anything to add??? In the case of national courier chains, if they continue to carry & deliver powder to other parts of the country, I cannot see how they can refuse to ship the exact same product to Newfoundland? Certainly seems like a case of discrimination, should this be proven true. Please feel free to jump in here with any constructive comments, etc...you might have.
 
CanAm said:
Powder is 1.3C, Primers are 1.4S in most cases.

DHL should have no problems. Call Higginson's, they will know for sure.
Click to expand...

Yes, contact Higginson's Powders.They ship powder all over the country.My supplier gets his powder from there and has no problems getting it shipped out West.

I found Gunpowder/Blackpowder classed as 1.1D Explosives on the Transport Canada Website:

54​
(300)​
Black powder or Gunpowder granular or as a meal​
1.1D​
UN0027​
3​
102​
10​
P​
75​
2 000​
20 000​
55​
(301)​
Black powder or Gunpowder, compressed or Black powder or Gunpowder, in pellets​
1.1D​
UN0028​
3​
102​
10​
P​
75​
2 000​
20 000​



Here is a link to the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/t/tdg/repealed/tdg001/part-i.html

SKBY.
 
Shipping

6gm6 said:
Sorry for the Hijack, but what did you pay for shipping?
Click to expand...

Shipping is by weight and volume, on top is a Hazardous Materials fee $15 last time I shipped, powder and primers are shipped separately, hence 2 HazMat fees.

With Higginsons I try to pool an order with friends as they waive shipping on orders over 21lbs, you only pay a hazmat fee
 
Blackowder is 1.1D, same as TNT.

I have a hunch this is an issue with the trucking co's or ferries to NL or some such.
 
Last edited:
Actually, the gun store in question attempted to place an order for smokeless powder. Not blackpowder. To the best of my knowledge they've never carried BP. They did have a limited stock of Pyrodex. However, this order was for your basic IMR, Aliant, Hodgdon powder order. I'm going to give Higginson's a call tomorrow to see if they've heard anything different. I try to support local dealers where and when I can, so I've been buying my powder "locally" at this shop, even though its more expensive. However, once you figure in hazmat fees and the cost of shipping, unless you're purchasing powder in 30-50lb lots, you aren't saving too much.
 
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