[Johnny Guest]

Local gun shop going out of business - - -"CLOSING UP - - Everything Must Go. Make an offer."

They have four cans each, Hodgdon's UNIVERSAL Clays and IMR 3031. I made what I considered a reasonable offer on all eight. They weren't interested . . .

My question for the members: What do you pay for these two powders, by the one-pound can? I understand there are some very good buys in four and eight pound lots, but I'm looking for typical prices for single pounds, at your local shops, stores, etc. Or, I guess, at gun shows.

Thanks, all.
Johnny

[Mike Irwin]

DC metro area I've seen the 3031 going for about $16 a pound, and the Universal Clays for, IIRC, about $18 a pound.

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

The last I looked powders were all at least $15 a pound or more. Too bad you are so far away or I would share some of my stash with you.

The days of my buying ten 12 pound kegs of 700X or WW230 or WW231 is long gone.

Your best bet is to ask what is their best price to take the whole lot off their hands then share the extra you don't wish to store with your friends. An unplugged lockable freezer in the garage comes in handy.

There are items that dealers like myself did not get much of a discount on like me with bullet swaging jackets. No one wants to sell items for less than they paid for them wholesale and that price would be their rock bottom price.

Regards

John Paul

[Poodleshooter]

$15-16ea for Hodgdon Universal Clays and all IMR 1# (rifle)powders at local gunshows. At local gunSHOPS, at least $18-19.
Johnny I had this answer from a local gunshop when they went out of business.
Be like the vulture and wait with patience :D

[larryw]

I estimate fair market value for that batch to be $140.42 delivered from Powder Valley. What did you offer?

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

[HSMITH]

That lot would go home with me for $85 and not a penny more. I can buy an 8 pounder of International for $95 out the door all day long around here and 3031 for $14 per can if I buy 4 of them.

[Bacchus]

Certainly at least $15 per pound is average, at least from the stores I've visited. I agree with the others and ask them what they will accept.

[Cal4D4]

Just checked on regular Clays; 14 ounce jar was $16.95 + Kali tribute. Purchased at local shop a few weeks ago. Hope that helps.

[larryw]

Wow HSMITH, where can you buy Universal Clays for $7.25/lb?

[David Wile]

Hey LarryW,

I agree with Mr. Smith. I buy Clays in an 8 pound jug for $93 plus sales tax at Shyda's Gun Shop in Lebanon, PA. An 8 pounder of Red Dot was $87 the last I bought. In spite of the fact that I have have had an FFL since the late 1960s, it is cheaper for me to buy powder at Shyda's than I can at my local distributor. Some gun shops really gouge you while others are more reasonable.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[larryw]

David.

I understand that; anyone can buy 8# kegs for less per pound. But the question was how much are four one-pound cans of Universal Clays and four one-pound cans of 3031 worth as that's what the dead shop has in stock. 8# pricing isn't germane.

regards,
Larry

[dleong]

Here in my neck of the woods (southern Twin Cities, MN), a 1lb. can of UC costs $16 at the local gunstore and $17 at Cabela's. Don't know about 3031.

DL

[HSMITH]

Larry, the shop where I get all my powder will give me the 4# price on 4 seperate one pound cans, same for 8 pounds of powder. The math works out to be 11.88 per pound. I was thinking International though, and Universal is slightly more expensive.

[Johnny Guest]

The shop had previously marked all this powder at $17.65 +/- per pound.
They had this big sign on the window, "CLOSING UP - - Everything Must Go. Make an offer." This, to me, means they want to get back at least SOME of their investment--A forced sale kinda thing.

My offer was $65 + tax for all eight cans. This is slightly more than their original price, and probably less than they paid for it. Under the circumstances, I thought it was a fair offer. Had they made a counter offer, or shown any flexibility, I was willing to go up to $80, or $10/pound. When I am out of a powder, or about to start a loading project, I am willing to pay pretty close to retail, no problem. I have both 3031 and U. Clays at home - - -Just thought to stock pile a bit, and maybe help out the shopkeeper.

I like small shops and support them as best I can. I'm not helping to drive them out of business. The announcement was public before I ever heard the business was in trouble.

Thanks again, all.
Johnny