why is gunpowder so expensive?

K

Kryogen

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Quebec
why is gunpowder so expensive? large rifle powders at like almost 30$ per pound. I just wonder why it costs so much, as opposed to 5-6$/pound.
 
Kryogen said:
why is gunpowder so expensive? large rifle powders at like almost 30$ per pound. I just wonder why it costs so much, as opposed to 5-6$/pound.
Click to expand...

Partly because between the factory that makes it and you the consumer there are several other people that handle it, from packagers, distributors, customs brokers retailers etc etc... Everyone wants a piece.
 
Kryogen said:
why is gunpowder so expensive? large rifle powders at like almost 30$ per pound. I just wonder why it costs so much, as opposed to 5-6$/pound.
Click to expand...


Expensive because it is made in Canada then shipped to the Usa then shipped back to Canada. Plus we don't have nearly as many users here in Canada as they do in the US, where powder prices are down right cheap compared to here. FS
 
Like other commodities, Smokeless powder has risen in price steadily over the years.
In the 50's, one could buy surplus powders from Hodgdon for under $1.00/lb, while canister grades generally fetched $2-3/lb.
I can remember buying Norma 205 for $3.80/lb [should have borrowed money and bought a ton, lol.]
But in 1963, my wages were $1.75/hr, so it puts things in perspective.
So I make 28x the money I made in 1963
But I pay 12x the price of powder that I did then.
Pretty good deal, I would say.
Gasoline has increased by 17x in the same time period.
I still think our hobby is a practical and enjoyable one, without any real exorbitant costs.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
Eagleye said:
Like other commodities, Smokeless powder has risen in price steadily over the years.
In the 50's, one could buy surplus powders from Hodgdon for under $1.00/lb, while canister grades generally fetched $2-3/lb.
I can remember buying Norma 205 for $3.80/lb [should have borrowed money and bought a ton, lol.]
But in 1963, my wages were $1.75/hr, so it puts things in perspective.
So I make 28x the money I made in 1963
But I pay 12x the price of powder that I did then.
Pretty good deal, I would say.
Gasoline has increased by 17x in the same time period.
I still think our hobby is a practical and enjoyable one, without any real exorbitant costs.
Regards, Eagleye.
Click to expand...

If I were makeing 49bucks an hour I would not complain either, here in ns powder goes for 38-41 bucks a pound and I have to work almost 3 hours to earn one of those pounds. Man I need to find a better job.
 
Federal law doesn't allow stores to keep very much on hand. Therefore, they can't get the bulk discounts that our US friends can. Just talk to your MP; I'm sure he'll figure out a way to make it even more expensive.
 
I pay 39.99 plus tax for IMR and hodgdon locally, so don't feel too bad. I'd love to pay almost 30 bucks a lb.
 
i've been using 30 bucks a pound for a hallmark for quite a while now- if you want to save money, buy 8 or 20 pound kegs- other than that, it's whatever the market will bear- a good deal of that comes from the idea is that it's an explosive, and MUST be carried by "special " carrier, or so the agent tells me-
 
bobc said:
If I were makeing 49bucks an hour I would not complain either, here in ns powder goes for 38-41 bucks a pound and I have to work almost 3 hours to earn one of those pounds. Man I need to find a better job.
Click to expand...

It is really not that different than it was 30-40 years ago. I have a can still that I bought in the mid 70's sticker says 5.99/ pound but I was making like $2.00 a hour then also. It hurt then and it hurts now.:mad:
 
why is powder so expensive? cuz the angels that sh*t it are presently endangered.

really, why are car tires so expensive? do you want some half baked dumb@ss making them?
do you want some powder manufacturers not spending the time and ensuring quality?
Everyone along the supply chain has their fingers in the pie, and rightly so, it costs money to move stuff around.
if we could go manufacturer-consumer then everyone would be happy, but we can't.
 
Fassteel said:
Expensive because it is made in Canada then shipped to the Usa then shipped back to Canada. Plus we don't have nearly as many users here in Canada as they do in the US, where powder prices are down right cheap compared to here. FS
Click to expand...

For sure while reading this I was talking to my brother state side and he checked for me. IMR4350 he paid 21.50 last week and I paid $33.00 a pound.
 
I just paid $55+ tax for 1lb of VV 3N38

Silly thing is my end results were better with Alliant power pistol at $25LB

Also I have 1LB of Reloader 22 I just bought last weekend for $33.99

I guess one should better define "expensive"... For plinking pistol ammo it's cheaper to buy loaded rounds or cheaper powders... When you look at buying loaded Hornady 10mm XTP ammo suddenly expensive powder is cheap!... Same with magnum rifle rounds... Same with .223... If you want the best you pay the premium I guess.
 
Kryogen said:
why is gunpowder so expensive? large rifle powders at like almost 30$ per pound. I just wonder why it costs so much, as opposed to 5-6$/pound.
Click to expand...

My father used to tell me about the days when a buck would get you a glass of beer, gallon of gas and a pack of smokes, and enough left for the matches. When you find the answer why these cost what they do, you will have your answer. 5$ -6$ a pound, seriously:confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom