Anyone else frustrated by powder supply?

Z

zanemoseley

New member
I got pretty lucky last year and bought a 8 pound jug of Varget for my 308 and 6 pounds of WST for my competition 45 loads however I'm still having issues finding what I need. I just built a 6mm Fat Rat AR that I just worked up a good load using RL15. I found 2 pounds but I see that getting burnt up quick. Anyone else getting frustrated not being able to just go to the store and buy what you want? Any guesses how long till the powder manufacturers "catch up", I'm guessing a couple years.
 
I have not bought powder in over a year, but it seems like it has been steadily returning. it is certainly nothing like it was at the height of the shortage.
 
Powder is so plentiful nowadays that it can now be found on promotional discount.

There are multiple powders on sale at Wideners.

https://www.wideners.com/reloading-...2a4-67083605#winchester-powder-autocomp-8-lbs

People get bummed out about the Haz Mat fee and shipping, but powder is much cheaper when purchased in 48 pound increments online. And remember, if it's out of state, there is no sales tax, which more than offsets the haz mat and shipping fee.

The LGS here in Austin has lots of powder. Also, Cabelas and Bass Pro have lots of powder at absurd prices. Like $30+ per pound. Ridiculous.
 
lol, wish I had the scratch to buy powder in 48lb increments!

for the rest of us, sometimes if you have local reloading buddies, everyone can buy 8lb and split the hazmat and shipping. I've done that before.
 
No problems with most all powders out my way. Been in great supply for the past year and a half. Alliant as usuall is very spotty and inconsistent as far as supply in peticular Unique pistol is impossible to find. H1000 was also a bit spotty last year but now i'm seeing a good supply.
 
Powder availability has improved out here in the usual sunny southland. Last time in my LGS grabbed a five lb can of Trail Boss and before that several nine ounce cans. Shelves are always stocked with a multitude of other powders. Perhaps the famine is over for a while.
 
Well, on my stretch of the Oregon coast pistol powder is still very rare. IMR and Hogdon rifle powders are showing up and my favorites are on the shelf (IMR 4064 and 4895). I worked with Hazmat materials with the City of LA, and truely believe the Hazmat "fees" charged by vendors/shippers is a total rip-off so I don't partake in that scam. Mebbe I could get pistol powders on line, but I'm not in such a need of powder to pay Hazmat fees...:mad:
 
I still have not seen any Winchester W-231 or Aliant Unique since I bought a bunch of it after the Sandy Hook and last Presidential election. I still have over 8 lbs. of each, but it is beginning to worry me. :(
 
I am set for a few years, but I do like to test new powders. For example, I'd like to get my hands on a pound of BE-86. Nowhere to be found. As for normal powders, Unique is still not found, but Universal is in good supply. The dots are rare too. Finally ran onto some True Blue, but didn't see any bulk jugs of it. Pistol/Revolver powder is coming back I think, just not as fast or as low priced as we would like to see. Bulk .22 on the other hand is still no where to be found at 'reasonable' prices.
 
I had to stop going to Cabela's they have a lot of powders and they are on sale. Last time I spent over $300. on primers and powders. I have about 5 different new powders to try
 
No problem here. I always seem to have enough to get by on.

Anyone else getting frustrated not being able to just go to the store and buy what you want?
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Nope. There are alternatives.

Any guesses how long till the powder manufacturers "catch up", I'm guessing a couple years.
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Catch up to what? Years past. What you see today is what you'll experience tomorrow and the day after and likely into in the future.

Excuses for and opinions about said component shortages seldom have merit over time no matter who makes em. As its said: Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.
 
I am curious, are you buying local or online. Lately I have had no trouble atocking up with 8 lb kegs of unique, hp38, win296 and 2400 which locally were not in existence.
 
This started 6 months before the first time the Obama got elected. First all the ammo went, then the newbies bought all the re-loaders, then primers, then powder. The stock pile has still not yet returned to full levels, with regular discounts. And if Honey Bunny gets in, it will go dry again. You have to be vigilant to get powder, and not all powders are as available as others, but they are there. I just bought 10K of S&B primers for $18 per thousand, free shipping.

Powder Valley has TiteGroup, CFE and Universal Clays in stock.
 
Here in central PA there is a fair amount of powder available.

It's when I'm looking for a certain thing, that it seems problematic.
aka Alliant 300MP, Clays, or Clay Dot, RL23, any of the 4350's is hit or miss.

Finally found a supplier with Federal Large Rifle Match primers... (bought 2 boxes)...

Different bullets are sometimes hard to find. Sierra 185gr. Tournament Master for 45. Nosler ABLR..

22 Mag is like hitting the lottery, and hopefully you won the lottery to pay for a box. Found 2 boxes on Sat. $16 each...:eek:
 
Definitely stock up now before the election. I got into reloading right after Sandy hook... terrible timing. I couldn't find any powders for a long time. My first can of powder I got one pound and I had to drive 1.5 hours to get it.
 
Powder supply is best I've seen in a few years--but I still can't find Exterminator anywhere. Haven't seen .410 gold dots in a long time either.
 
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