Ironicaintit
Member
You don’t have any out of state friends that could place an order, then ship it to you?
Let's Talk Alternatives
- Thread starter D.B. Cooper
- Start date
- Status
Bat Rastard
Member
Perhaps this is a business opportunity knocking on your door. There has to be many other Alaskan reloaders.
DB Cooper's Powder Emporium
DB Cooper's Powder Emporium
Ironicaintit
Member
Yeah but everybody would look, and not be able to find it!
I gave up magnum powders for bullseye in the pistol mags. Same accuracy, same recoil, less noise, far cheaper, longer barrel life only 1-200 FPS lost. Red dot will work too, as will power pistol, HP-38. I switched to only H335 for 223. Do not use pistol primers in rifle, I have personally seen an AR go full auto from it, and the police did come, and had lots of questions. Floating firing pin will set off a pistol primer. I have shot many rifle primers in pistols, Glock, Ruger, CZ, Springfield, Kel-Tec, beretta come to mind. My A.O. 1911 would not reliably light them off, but it has a 30lb firing pin spring.
Paul R Zartman
Contributing Member
Man that's gotta suck, always wanted to retire to Alaska, never thought about the supply issues...maybe Utah now...not sure I can deal with multiple wives though...
I’ve often wondered what other characteristics powders have that isn’t talked about. Is it really so simple as to select a close burn rate and get similar results?
In another life I built drag race motors and fuel selection was a big deal. Wrong fuel could cause detonation and engine damage. Or just make less horse power and run slower. The numbers everybody looked at was octane but burn rate effected the tune (ignition timing) and was just as important.
Along that line of thought, anybody know of an “octane” chart for gun powder? Seems like a characteristic that has to be known by at least the manufacturers know. A “low octane” powder might be more prone to pressure spikes. I’m just typing out loud and haven’t studied powder characteristics in any way so hopefully I’m not too far in left field.
In another life I built drag race motors and fuel selection was a big deal. Wrong fuel could cause detonation and engine damage. Or just make less horse power and run slower. The numbers everybody looked at was octane but burn rate effected the tune (ignition timing) and was just as important.
Along that line of thought, anybody know of an “octane” chart for gun powder? Seems like a characteristic that has to be known by at least the manufacturers know. A “low octane” powder might be more prone to pressure spikes. I’m just typing out loud and haven’t studied powder characteristics in any way so hopefully I’m not too far in left field.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,211
Ironicaintit
Member
It wasn’t actually, just an idea that assumed the legality wasn’t in questionIf that’s an offer, I’d make sure you do it legally.
WestKentucky
Member
3031 is great for 30-30 but it seems to go fast. I have heard of people using it in .223 so I assume that to be why it disappears. Glad I have a few cans.
OP
OP
D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
If that’s an offer, I’d make sure you do it legally.
And therein lies the rub. There are ways to do it, but it's expensive ($90 surcharge) USPS won't touch it at an price, so it must go UPS/FedEx. That's fine, but UPS/FedEx won't move anything overland into Alaska because of Canadian Customs. That leaves only Next Day and 2nd Day Air. So another price increase. Should be okay if I'm willing to pay, but it's not. Able Ammo told me straight up they chose not to do business with Alaskans because UPS/FedEx by air requires a specific size box with specific markings, and they don't want to bother. My buddy can't send it to me because UPS/FedEx are required by law to only accept hazmat packages from certified hazmat (It's a DOT training/certificate) shippers, which I don't think you can get if you're not working in the industry. (I learned some of this working in auto parts department. We had one guy who was a certified hazmat shipper, and he was the only guy allowed to package airbags, which are the same 1.4S hazmat classification as ammo/powder.)
So, between government regulations and company policies, it is pretty much impossible for any private citizen to mail order powder and primers in Alaska; you have to be a business, and it only works for them because thy order multiple pallets of product, which cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, and they ship it up on a barge through a freight forwarding company, and they're buying through a wholesale distributor.
The only thing I have ever had any luck with was ordering loaded ammo, having it shipped to a family member in the Lower 48, flying down to visit, and then bringing it back in checked baggage. Alaska Airlines is best at this as they allow a maximum of 50 lbs of ammo. United only allows 11 lbs.
ballman6711
Member
So, you can fly to the lower 48, pick up a maximum of 50 lbs of Manufactured ammo, and fly home with it in your checked bags. Now let's run with that thought...
What if you were to fly to your family members place for a visit. Maybe a few days or a week. While there you could load up your 50 lbs of ammo and then fly home. Of course you would have to have some loading equipment at your family's place, along with the components needed, but it is a thought to consider.
Another thought I had (it's 3am here and I'm only on my second cup of coffee) is that you could talk to your normal supplier of powder and primers. See if they would add an additional bunch of powder and primers to their next order specifically for you. I would think if they order pallets worth tens of thousands of dollars that an extra ten or twenty pounds of powder and maybe five or ten thousand primers wouldn't be a big deal, and if they are concerned with the extra cost you could pay for it in advance. They may charge you a little extra for the special order, but it could work for you.
chris
What if you were to fly to your family members place for a visit. Maybe a few days or a week. While there you could load up your 50 lbs of ammo and then fly home. Of course you would have to have some loading equipment at your family's place, along with the components needed, but it is a thought to consider.
Another thought I had (it's 3am here and I'm only on my second cup of coffee) is that you could talk to your normal supplier of powder and primers. See if they would add an additional bunch of powder and primers to their next order specifically for you. I would think if they order pallets worth tens of thousands of dollars that an extra ten or twenty pounds of powder and maybe five or ten thousand primers wouldn't be a big deal, and if they are concerned with the extra cost you could pay for it in advance. They may charge you a little extra for the special order, but it could work for you.
chris
I had no idea Alaska was an island!
That's bad for a person just trying to be free. Maybe a place in Washington on the coast that will ship it, on an actual boat. Probably a lost cause because they're sure to be sold out too.
If it was me, I would throw money at one of your LGS. Somehow guarantee that you'll buy multiple 8 pound cans of powder and 50,000 primers all at once. This sucks because you'll need to have $3000 to make such an order.
WrongHanded
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2017
- Messages
- 4,771
Why can't you just walk into a gun store that sells powder, and place an order?
If I want a certain powder, that's what I do. 300-MP? Asked my LGS to get me some. BE-86? Asked my LGS to get me some. When they place their next powder order, what I want goes on that list.
If I want a certain powder, that's what I do. 300-MP? Asked my LGS to get me some. BE-86? Asked my LGS to get me some. When they place their next powder order, what I want goes on that list.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,211
Have you tried here?
https://www.alaskaammogroup.com/
Not the cheapest I’ve ever seen but not $90 either.
I didn’t check everything on your list but the Fairbanks location has 2400, H-110 and 4064 in stock. At that shipping price I’d be buying 26 lbs of stuff though.
https://www.alaskaammogroup.com/
Not the cheapest I’ve ever seen but not $90 either.
I didn’t check everything on your list but the Fairbanks location has 2400, H-110 and 4064 in stock. At that shipping price I’d be buying 26 lbs of stuff though.
Just to clear some things up, do NOT have someone ship you powder or primers. These require a HAZMAT shipper to send them. FedEx and UPS both have a process if you want to get certified.
Which brings me to this: powder and primers are classified as either 1.1 or 1.4 Explosives (I can't remember which offhand) for the purposes of shipping. That means they can't be sent by air (FedEx has this right on their HAZ page, UPS is a bit harder to find). The reason for this restriction is the cargo can't be monitored while in flight and several aircraft have been lost when their cargoes exploded and/or caught fire. The whole list of what is and is not acceptable for transport on an aircraft is widely available. And before anyone gets all excited, the reason the Alaska Ammo group can get away with an aircraft delivery is going to be because the pilot is in a small aircraft (in the same cabin actually) and can monitor his cargo directly.
Bottom line, if you are in Alaska, you get whatever the boat or truck will bring you from the lower 48.
This all coming from a former - but longtime - HAZ-certified shipper.
Which brings me to this: powder and primers are classified as either 1.1 or 1.4 Explosives (I can't remember which offhand) for the purposes of shipping. That means they can't be sent by air (FedEx has this right on their HAZ page, UPS is a bit harder to find). The reason for this restriction is the cargo can't be monitored while in flight and several aircraft have been lost when their cargoes exploded and/or caught fire. The whole list of what is and is not acceptable for transport on an aircraft is widely available. And before anyone gets all excited, the reason the Alaska Ammo group can get away with an aircraft delivery is going to be because the pilot is in a small aircraft (in the same cabin actually) and can monitor his cargo directly.
Bottom line, if you are in Alaska, you get whatever the boat or truck will bring you from the lower 48.
This all coming from a former - but longtime - HAZ-certified shipper.
Enforcer is in the same ballpark as H110. Incredibly fine granules compared to other pistol powders I've used (Titegroup, WST, CFE Pistol), which tend to jam up my powder trickler. Burns a little dirty, but I may need to load a little hotter.
Or, he could install an aftermarket gas plug. $40 solution, requires no modifications. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/100471950
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,367
With regard to primers, I often use pistol primers in .500 S&W cases meant for rifle primers. They seat a little deeply, but are perfectly reliable. Sample of one, of course...
OP
OP
D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
I have checked with those guys. You're looking at the "Bush Order" page, which is a common thing for local businesses up here. Costco even delivers food to the bush (rural village with no road access). I do believe they transfer product between Fairbanks and Anchorage. (THB, I looked at their Anchorage inventory, and, when I didn't see 4895, I moved on to something else.)
OP
OP
D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
Loaded ammo is 1.4S. I know this because airbags are also 1.4S.
So...my question then, is this: can all loaded ammo be shipped by air? Because I was looking at ableammo.com and some of their ammo was marked "cannot be shipped via air" even though ti was nothing special.
OP
OP
D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
I have one. They are illegal for Service Rifle. DQs the gun. If it were SHTF (and we may see that) and I had to have a rifle, and the only ammo I could get was commercial 30-06 hunting ammo, then yeah, I could do that. Alaska hasn't had any rioting yet, thankfully.
I'm not sure off the top of my head if ammo can be shipped via air, but I want to say yes (I will dig up an answer as soon as I have a bit more time).
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,211
If I am understanding what you are saying, you don’t have a lot of options that are not a lot more expensive.
I did check their inventory though and it looks like you are good to go, if you order now.
They have 3 lbs in stock as of 1:00 today.
https://fairbanksammo.ecwid.com/Hodgdon-H4895-1lb-p62666842
As well as others on your list.
https://fairbanksammo.ecwid.com/IMR-4064-1lb-p62666869
https://fairbanksammo.ecwid.com/Hodgdon-H110-1lb-p62666834
https://fairbanksammo.ecwid.com/Alliant-2400-1lb-p86400754
That’s 4 of six listed in the OP in stock deliverable in your State, add some AR comp, Ram shot x-terminator or other suitable .223 powders they have in stock and load away.
- Status
