sawdustdad
New member
Haven't seen a "Where's the powder?" rant in a while. That's a good sign! In central Virginia, there is an assortment of pistol powder on the shelf in most LGS's now.
Where have the "Where's all the Pistol Powder" Threads Gone?
- Thread starter sawdustdad
- Start date
It comes and goes...with long dry spells for certain powders, fairly long duration availability for others.
You should only have to wait until shortly after the next elections to find the supply dried up permanently, I'd expect.
What surprises me is that certain classic magnum powders such as H110 and W296 just don't seem to pop up, at least where I'm looking. I'd think these would not be in huge demand way above normal. A few I've been waiting for over 2 years to see...Power Pistol and BE-86, I have never seen at all.
I feel hugely fortunate to be able to get AA5, AA9, 300-MP and 4227 with little trouble, for now. So I'm good with the bigger calibers such as 10mm Auto, 45 Win Mag and 44 Mag. To load 45 Auto and 40SW, I'll have to dip into my reserves or step outside the powders I'm used to.
You should only have to wait until shortly after the next elections to find the supply dried up permanently, I'd expect.
What surprises me is that certain classic magnum powders such as H110 and W296 just don't seem to pop up, at least where I'm looking. I'd think these would not be in huge demand way above normal. A few I've been waiting for over 2 years to see...Power Pistol and BE-86, I have never seen at all.
I feel hugely fortunate to be able to get AA5, AA9, 300-MP and 4227 with little trouble, for now. So I'm good with the bigger calibers such as 10mm Auto, 45 Win Mag and 44 Mag. To load 45 Auto and 40SW, I'll have to dip into my reserves or step outside the powders I'm used to.
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Everyone's bunker is full to the brim...
After a couple of years of searching I've filled my needs pretty well and haven't checked any of the local place I used to call weekly/monthly.
Hopefully the 22lr madness will also die off shortly.
Once people know they can walk into a local store and buy something anytime they want it's not necessary to buy everything that you can find. I know multiple people that don't reload but have stock piled pistol powder because they had a chance to buy some and figured they better buy it now because they may not be able to find any later.
Same with 22lr. People don't even shoot in any more because it's "so scare" yet everyone I know has a larger stash then they have ever had before.
After a couple of years of searching I've filled my needs pretty well and haven't checked any of the local place I used to call weekly/monthly.
Hopefully the 22lr madness will also die off shortly.
Once people know they can walk into a local store and buy something anytime they want it's not necessary to buy everything that you can find. I know multiple people that don't reload but have stock piled pistol powder because they had a chance to buy some and figured they better buy it now because they may not be able to find any later.
Same with 22lr. People don't even shoot in any more because it's "so scare" yet everyone I know has a larger stash then they have ever had before.
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m&p45acp10+1
New member
The local store here has a bit on shelves now. My guess is supplies will hold for a while, as Christmas shopping is tightening budgets up. The only thing not in stock is Trai Boss, I have 3 cans on hand of it, as I use it for several loads.
I pick up what I can when I can now. I try to keep enogh of a reserve I can make it through a shortage without having to go without. My main buys as of late are powder, and primers. My last loading session ate up enough rifle powder I am going to have to pick up some more on pay day.
I pick up what I can when I can now. I try to keep enogh of a reserve I can make it through a shortage without having to go without. My main buys as of late are powder, and primers. My last loading session ate up enough rifle powder I am going to have to pick up some more on pay day.
sawdustdad
New member
Of course my OP was penned with tongue fully in cheek.
I have about a 3+ year supply of powder. Primers almost as much. So I'm doing okay. But I still visit my LGS' so see how the shelves look.
Here in No. California, the store shelves are still pretty bare of both. Small amounts pop up, but don't stick around long.
I've just stopped ranting about it
Here in No. California, the store shelves are still pretty bare of both. Small amounts pop up, but don't stick around long.
I've just stopped ranting about it
I've always liked shelves stacked with little uniform boxes of things--office supplies, nuts, bolts, etc. As a kid I even had dreams of finding such treasures...very, very weird but I'm sure explainable.
So yes, those hundreds of colorful little boxes of .22 LR just make me feel all warm inside...even though I have no desire to shoot .22 whatsoever.
Stacks and stacks of primers all neatly organized makes me just feel downright euphoric. From time to time when I'm feeling particularly positive, I might just go into the garage and do a 'spot check' to make sure I still have this many of this and that many of that...like a miser counting coins. While I freely admit to myself I could use professional help, I figure handloading a bunch of ammo is the best cure.
So yes, those hundreds of colorful little boxes of .22 LR just make me feel all warm inside...even though I have no desire to shoot .22 whatsoever.
Stacks and stacks of primers all neatly organized makes me just feel downright euphoric. From time to time when I'm feeling particularly positive, I might just go into the garage and do a 'spot check' to make sure I still have this many of this and that many of that...like a miser counting coins. While I freely admit to myself I could use professional help, I figure handloading a bunch of ammo is the best cure.
Not to rub salt in the wounds, but since I live within bicycling distance of Graf's, and have a friend that works there, I usually get a text when a powder shows up that I'm looking for.................
I still have problems on occasion with some stuff I like, but I make do.
I still have problems on occasion with some stuff I like, but I make do.
Depends on who manufactures the powder.
I see quite a bit of Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester powder on the shelves, even the 4895s other powders that are especially suited for service rifles (those seem to disappear first, around here).
I've seen dribs and drabs of Alliant powders (Unique, Blue Dot, Reloader 7) but not in shelf-filling quantities.
I've seen ZERO new Accurate powders. Don't know what to think about that.
I see quite a bit of Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester powder on the shelves, even the 4895s other powders that are especially suited for service rifles (those seem to disappear first, around here).
I've seen dribs and drabs of Alliant powders (Unique, Blue Dot, Reloader 7) but not in shelf-filling quantities.
I've seen ZERO new Accurate powders. Don't know what to think about that.
Just finished a # of Bullseye
I was doing some loading today and finished off a pound of Bullseye.
When I buy powder, I affix a label with the date I purchased it, and its weight (in grams) before I open it. When I start using it, I record that date. When I finish, I record the date, and re-weigh it as well - and keep the empty container. But maybe that logic is for another post.
Anyway, I opened this last pound on 7/4 this year; and finished it today - exactly five months.
I probably use more Bullseye than any other powder; and this summer, I shot a lot. Being winter, this next pound - which is also my last pound - will last longer.
And being down to my last pound is the thrust of this meandering post: I'm a little concerned that I will run out of Bullseye before I see it on line or at an LGS again. Point is (finally!), the shortage is still going strong, as far as I'm concerned.
For the record, I'm only worried about running out of Bullseye specifically. But I also have a lot of Nitro 100, HP-38, VV N-310, and TiteGroup. So I have tons of fast stuff capable of substitution. But I do like my Bullseye
I was doing some loading today and finished off a pound of Bullseye.
When I buy powder, I affix a label with the date I purchased it, and its weight (in grams) before I open it. When I start using it, I record that date. When I finish, I record the date, and re-weigh it as well - and keep the empty container. But maybe that logic is for another post
.Anyway, I opened this last pound on 7/4 this year; and finished it today - exactly five months.
I probably use more Bullseye than any other powder; and this summer, I shot a lot. Being winter, this next pound - which is also my last pound - will last longer.
And being down to my last pound is the thrust of this meandering post: I'm a little concerned that I will run out of Bullseye before I see it on line or at an LGS again. Point is (finally!
), the shortage is still going strong, as far as I'm concerned.For the record, I'm only worried about running out of Bullseye specifically. But I also have a lot of Nitro 100, HP-38, VV N-310, and TiteGroup. So I have tons of fast stuff capable of substitution. But I do like my Bullseye
I have a jug of Bullseye but have never loaded with that powder--but I'm thinking you would find Nitro 100 a pretty good substitute for a lot of loads, I don't know. I found it to be good stuff for 40SW and not too darn bad in 45 Auto, either. There was a period where you could buy just about all you wanted, or so it seemed.
Kind of a funny story--when I ordered my first 8 lb jug of Nitro 100, the description in the product said "great for handgun loads" or some such. It was the original Nitro 100 product description. When the jug arrived from Midway, it was the 'New Formulation' product, with stickers all over the jug "Not for Use in Handgun Loads".
So I called Midway and said hey what the heck--this was advertised as a handgun product and that's what I needed it for, what do I do? They said "Sorry!", told me to destroy the product and refunded me the purchase price.
I then started researching the online loads published for the old product and the new formulation for shotgun, and found them identical--not similar, but absolutely identical in every way. So I figured, no way am I throwing out 8 lbs of powder, I bet they just haven't done any load workups with the new product. So I started loading it in 40SW and then in 45, and didn't see any issues.
Several months later, of course, handgun load data for the NF product started getting published, and since then a lot have been added. Sure glad I hung on to that freebie.
As for Accurate powder, I've seen No 9 and No 5 at Midsouth, and in fact I think they have AA5 right now.
Kind of a funny story--when I ordered my first 8 lb jug of Nitro 100, the description in the product said "great for handgun loads" or some such. It was the original Nitro 100 product description. When the jug arrived from Midway, it was the 'New Formulation' product, with stickers all over the jug "Not for Use in Handgun Loads".
So I called Midway and said hey what the heck--this was advertised as a handgun product and that's what I needed it for, what do I do? They said "Sorry!", told me to destroy the product and refunded me the purchase price.
I then started researching the online loads published for the old product and the new formulation for shotgun, and found them identical--not similar, but absolutely identical in every way. So I figured, no way am I throwing out 8 lbs of powder, I bet they just haven't done any load workups with the new product. So I started loading it in 40SW and then in 45, and didn't see any issues.
Several months later, of course, handgun load data for the NF product started getting published, and since then a lot have been added. Sure glad I hung on to that freebie.
As for Accurate powder, I've seen No 9 and No 5 at Midsouth, and in fact I think they have AA5 right now.
Nitro 100 (NF)
I have.
And I do.
(BTW, whenever I mention "Nitro 100," I mean the New Formulation variety.)
Yes, I bought four 12oz containers of N100 untested on 12/11/14. I have tested it exclusively for 38 Special target/competition applications (Some work has been done with 45 ACP super light recoil spring loads; but that project is in its infancy). And it is fantastic stuff. It has a faster burn rate than Bullseye (a good thing, for my application) and it's cleaner. Much cleaner. Bullseye is my dear old friend; but it is quite . . . "residuey," as I would say.
With N100, I have perfected loads for IDPA and ICORE power factor, using 148 lead and plated DEWC's, and 158 lead and plated SWC's. I've logged in lots of chronograph time.
But here's where I am: Although N100 is an overall better propellant for my application, I still prefer to be "old school" about my lead DEWC's and SWC's. I've been loading them with Bullseye for decades. And out of tradition or nostalgia or whatever you wish to call it - I have an emotional preference for Bullseye with lead slugs. And on a more rational note: Lead rounds are smokey and filthy due to the lubricant, so the cleanliness of N100 gets nullified anyway. Seems kind of pointless in that regard. In terms of consistency and accuracy performance, it's a tie. My application is right in the wheelhouse for both powders.
All my plated target and competition 38 slugs get the N100 treatment however. Sweet clean rounds. A fantastic combination.
I like N100 a lot. I try not to boast about it too much though. It's one of the few fast powders that seem to come around with some frequency. So if it remains "undiscovered" by others, that'll suit me just fine
I have.
And I do.
(BTW, whenever I mention "Nitro 100," I mean the New Formulation variety.)
Yes, I bought four 12oz containers of N100 untested on 12/11/14. I have tested it exclusively for 38 Special target/competition applications (Some work has been done with 45 ACP super light recoil spring loads; but that project is in its infancy). And it is fantastic stuff. It has a faster burn rate than Bullseye (a good thing, for my application) and it's cleaner. Much cleaner. Bullseye is my dear old friend; but it is quite . . . "residuey," as I would say.
With N100, I have perfected loads for IDPA and ICORE power factor, using 148 lead and plated DEWC's, and 158 lead and plated SWC's. I've logged in lots of chronograph time.
But here's where I am: Although N100 is an overall better propellant for my application, I still prefer to be "old school" about my lead DEWC's and SWC's. I've been loading them with Bullseye for decades. And out of tradition or nostalgia or whatever you wish to call it - I have an emotional preference for Bullseye with lead slugs. And on a more rational note: Lead rounds are smokey and filthy due to the lubricant, so the cleanliness of N100 gets nullified anyway. Seems kind of pointless in that regard. In terms of consistency and accuracy performance, it's a tie. My application is right in the wheelhouse for both powders.
All my plated target and competition 38 slugs get the N100 treatment however. Sweet clean rounds. A fantastic combination.
I like N100 a lot. I try not to boast about it too much though. It's one of the few fast powders that seem to come around with some frequency. So if it remains "undiscovered" by others, that'll suit me just fine
brasscollector
New member
I just purchased a couple more #s of 231 yesterday, been a year or so since I have found any. They also had a couple 8lb jugs, maybe next week . This is off topic for the thread but I have seen at another reloading store a bunch of Reloader powders (7, 15, 17, 19, 25, 26, 33 and 50) which haven't been around for a while either..
. This is off topic for the thread but I have seen at another reloading store a bunch of Reloader powders (7, 15, 17, 19, 25, 26, 33 and 50) which haven't been around for a while either..sawdustdad
New member
Hey Nick, have you considered coated bullets? I've switched entirely to the coated bullets (mostly Missouri bullet Co. variety). I've found that there is much less residue in the barrel when I go to clean the guns.
My go-to fast pistol powder has been 700x for the past year. Mostly because I scored 12 lbs of it. I've used about 4 or 5 lb so this year. I have some bullseye but have not tried it yet. I was such a Unique fan, I just never went to the light target loads that require a faster powder until this year, and when I needed a fast powder, 700x was what I found.
I also recently found an 8 lb keg of Clays, which is pretty close to 700x. Loads about the same (2.8g under a 125g lead/coated bullet in .38spl.). So that's my backup plan if I run out of 700x. I've still got about 6 bottles of Nitro 100 NF on the shelf, too, so that's another option.
I have.
About two years ago, I bought 1000 coated DEWC's from S&S. They work well enough and keep the barrel clean. They do have that advantage. The show-stopper for me - and it seems everybody on the planet is oblivious to it except me - is that they smell of burning electrical insulation when you shoot them. I find the smell extremely acrid and literally nauseating. So about 900 of those bullets sit in my inventory collecting dust.
I'll probably load them some day. I think they may have a place in my arsenal for competition because of the low "trigger time" at competitions. You're not shooting constantly at competitions, so the burning electrical insulation smell wouldn't be so bothersome. Anyway, I have other bullets, so I haven't given the whole thing a bunch of thought.
I actually like shooting lead bullets, btw. I don't mind the lubricant smoke, unless the breeze is wrong. Experience tells me that no conventional handgun is more accurate than a 38 Special shooting soft cast lead slugs - period.
I'm always flabbergasted every time I hear of a handgun loader who has never used Bullseye
. It's like "What? Are you serious?" hehe. I just have this decades-old preconceived notion that everybody has used Bullseye at one time or another. I've never used 700X. I'm sure it does the trick though. For light target/competition loads, I've ventured into the realm of the super-fast powders, like Nitro 100 and VV N-310. Both work great. They pop hard and fast; and thus, develop good pressures at low velocities.
Shotgun Slim
New member
It's weird about the coated bullet smell. For some time now all I use are coated for my pistols. I shoot a LOT,both indoors and out,informally and at competitions. I have never smelled this terrible smell and my regular shooting companions don't mention a smell. Yet every once in a while someone will comment on how nasty my reloads smell. I had an SO at a match darned near gagging once and that was outdoors. So it must be that a few people are sensitive to it as some are adversely affected by perfumes. Good thing I can't smell this scourge becase I am 100% coated all the time now. Not going back to raw lead ever.