Machineguntony
New member
Saying that the shipping cost of powder is ridiculous or 'high' does not paint an accurate picture.
Let's do a comparison of TOTAL cost of a commonly available pistol powder, Longshot:
Midsouth has currently has Longshot for $19.42 per pound.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00034LS1/Hodgdon-Longshot-Smokeless-Powder-1-Lb
$19.42x48 pounds = $932.16 (midsouth will allow a bulk purchase).
Add shipping, which is about $20, add Haz Mat, which is about $25. Remember there is no tax for everyone except for in-state residents of Midsouth.
Grand total is $977/48 pounds = $20.35 per pound.
Compare this the average LGS that sells Longshot:
That's $23.25 for the same pound of Longshot.
Notice how close to the price that the LGS is to my above calculation from online prices. What they're doing is charging you for the same high shipping cost and Haz Mat that you are mentioning, and tacking on some more cost for overhead and profit. They're just passing the costs on to you.
To add insult to injury, you are also charged local sales tax. Here in central Texas, the rate is 8.25%. So add $1.92. Final cost is $25.16 for the exact same pound of Longshot.
If you really wanted to add on all costs, don't forget the cost of fuel to drive out to the LGS to buy your pound of powder. That's a real cost, as you wouldn't have consumed the gas if not for your need for powder. Add on $1-$3 more dollars (and if you're doing a 2 hour drive, add probably $10-30 more dollars for fuel).
I understand that some folks can't afford or do not need 48 pounds of powder, but get together with some reloading friends and make a shared buy. At a smaller purchase of 12 pounds, you're still cheaper than the LGS. 12 pounds is $278 final cost, after shipping and Haz Mat, or $23 per pound. Same 12 pounds at LGS would be $301.92, final cost after tax.
Finally, by buying multiple pounds, you can mitigate future shortages, and furthermore, you can save fuel costs for every time you drive out to buy powder.
Let's do a comparison of TOTAL cost of a commonly available pistol powder, Longshot:
Midsouth has currently has Longshot for $19.42 per pound.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00034LS1/Hodgdon-Longshot-Smokeless-Powder-1-Lb
$19.42x48 pounds = $932.16 (midsouth will allow a bulk purchase).
Add shipping, which is about $20, add Haz Mat, which is about $25. Remember there is no tax for everyone except for in-state residents of Midsouth.
Grand total is $977/48 pounds = $20.35 per pound.
Compare this the average LGS that sells Longshot:
That's $23.25 for the same pound of Longshot.
Notice how close to the price that the LGS is to my above calculation from online prices. What they're doing is charging you for the same high shipping cost and Haz Mat that you are mentioning, and tacking on some more cost for overhead and profit. They're just passing the costs on to you.
To add insult to injury, you are also charged local sales tax. Here in central Texas, the rate is 8.25%. So add $1.92. Final cost is $25.16 for the exact same pound of Longshot.
If you really wanted to add on all costs, don't forget the cost of fuel to drive out to the LGS to buy your pound of powder. That's a real cost, as you wouldn't have consumed the gas if not for your need for powder. Add on $1-$3 more dollars (and if you're doing a 2 hour drive, add probably $10-30 more dollars for fuel).
I understand that some folks can't afford or do not need 48 pounds of powder, but get together with some reloading friends and make a shared buy. At a smaller purchase of 12 pounds, you're still cheaper than the LGS. 12 pounds is $278 final cost, after shipping and Haz Mat, or $23 per pound. Same 12 pounds at LGS would be $301.92, final cost after tax.
Finally, by buying multiple pounds, you can mitigate future shortages, and furthermore, you can save fuel costs for every time you drive out to buy powder.
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