ordering components

[Clayton86]

well as you have figured I'm new to reloading I'v been looking at everything I need and started looking at powder and primers. Now it says both ship separately but is that from other orders or do powder and primers gotta ship separate from each other both with an added $30 hazmat fee? that kinda is taking away from the attractiveness of making rounds cheaper I'm sure buying it FTF at a store would be marked up to cover there hazmat fees.

 

[cfullgraf]

I buy enough powder by mail to spread out the hazmat fee. For me, that is $200-$300 worth of powder. Or, find a buddy or two and make an order that bumps at the shipping limit to really spread out the hazmat fee.

I generally separate the orders myself either by choice or ordering powder/primers from a different location as other stuff.

I seem to remember one order where the powder came from a different location than the vendor's normal shipping location. So, that order, the powder came separately.

 

[Steve C]

If you have any local store that carries powder and primers it generally cheaper to buy from them after the HAZMAT fee is figured into cost. Most gun shows of reasonable size will have vendors selling powder and primers at a competitive price with good selection.

Since the HAZMAT fee is the same for a large order as a small order a store that buys 100's of lbs of powder at a time their per lb cost is less than yours. While you have sales tax to pay at the local store you will also have shipping from the mail order vendor.

The amount of powder you need per year will depend upon how many rounds you intend to shoot and how much powder each round uses. Handgun rounds could use as little as 2.0grs yielding 3,500 rounds/lb of some powders while rifle rounds can use as much as 80grs yielding 87 rounds/lb for cartridges used to shoot large dangerous game.

Buying retail in smaller quantities also allows for more economical experimentation with different powders and components when you new and learning. Once you settle on components you like, buying in bulk makes more sense.

 

[Kyle M.]

I can buy powder at 3 different lgs' for less than the pre hazmat cost through most online retailers.

 

[Jim Watson]

You lucky dog.

I have no truly local source of components. I have bought single pounds to try out when out of town to a match near a stocking dealer. Otherwise I make up my mind, get on a group order, and stock up for the long haul.
My last purchase was on a group order through a gunsmith with low markup, county sales tax only, and drop shipped by the distributor. No HazMat.
My previous buy was on a group order from Powder Valley. Moderate prices, powder and primers on the same HazMat gyp.
The one before that was from Graf's, sale prices low enough to account for the HazMat.

 

[Magnum Shooter]

http://www.grafs.com/

Grafs ships powder and primers under the same Hazmat fee of $27.50, free shipping, and $6.95 handling fee. I can purchase 2 lbs of powder and 3k primers at a lower price than any LGS, at least in my area. The more I buy the price just gets better.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If you order from Powder Valley they'll ship up to 48lbs of powder and/or primers for a single hazmat fee. If you order from them, check out their October special. No hazmat fee if you order 32lbs of powder.

 

[bubbacrabb]

I refuse to buy local. All my local places only sell pounders and they jack the prices up. I buy from Wideners a lot, I ordered 16 pounds of powder and 25k primers and they shipped them all in the same box. Was a significant savings. I like Wideners, it does take a while so if you need the stuff asap it may be worth it to pay a little extra elsewhere. I have about 4-5 years worth of stuff now and am just adding to it.

 

[oneounceload]

The location with two hazmats is MIDWAY USA, as they have the powder dropped shipped directly from Powder Valley, while they ship you the primers from their warehouse - two packages, two hazmats

Buying powder in 8# jug quantities (2 per case), and primers by the sleeve of 5,000 will spread the cost out substantially.

IIRC, last time I checked it was 16# of powder and 25,000 primers that could be shipped in one box for one hazmat - someone correct my numbers if incorrect

The point is if you max out the amount that can be shipped, the incremental cost is nothing and can be recouped through a group buy if that amount is too much for you

 

[KansasSasquatch]

quoted from Powder Valley's home page:

"WE CAN COMBINE UP TO 48 LBS. OF POWDER AND PRIMERS UNDER ONE HAZMAT TO SAVE YOU MONEY. IF SENDING FUNDS IN ADVANCE, PLEASE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE IN CALCULATING YOUR AMOUNT."

Hi-Tech Ammo will ship up to 4 8lb jugs of powder or 30,000 primers and wave the hazmat fee. I have yet to make a big enough component purchase to warrant ordering online but I would assume both companies would be shipping those orders in one box. Powder Valley makes it sound like 48lbs is the limit on ORM-D products in one box.

 

[GLOOB]

^ bartlett reloaders specifies up to 6 x #8 jugs (48 lbs) under one hazmat. That supports your theory.

 

[dickttx]

I ordered 8# of HP38 and 10K of CCI primers from Powder Valley a couple of months ago and saved almost $200 from local prices. Hazmat fee doesn't make any difference. Total cost is the only thing that makes a difference.

 

[FROGO207]

I have ordered from Graff, Natchez shooters supplies, and Powder Valley at various times in the past year. All shipped primers and propellant in the same carton to my location. FYI Black Powder is shipped separately from all other items and in smaller amounts. Never ordered both from Midway due to reports of 2 Has Mat fees.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The only popular online vendor who charges 2 hazmat fees is Midway USA and it's because of what was said above. they have their powders drop shipped from another location and they ship the primers. Buy from anyone else and there's only 1 hazmat fee and probably better prices on the powder and primers too...

 

[Hondo 60]

Some companies charge 2 Hazmat fees if you buy powder & primers.

That's bogus!!!!!!!!!!

Powder Valley allows you buy up to 48 pounds of powders & primers with only one hazmat fee.

It pays to shop around sometimes.
(I still say Powder Valley is the place to shop)
My last order was in August for a bit over $300.
With 1 fee ($27.50) that's just pennies on the $.

 

[Clayton86]

thanks for the info guys good thing I asked because I buy 90% of my stuff from midway and thats where I WAS gonna order from

 

[Steel185]

I get 1lb cans locally until I know that's what I want, then I buy large amounts at gun shows. If I'm desperate for a large amount. Powder valley.

Midway has almost everything but I find their shipping charges offset their deals. I shop there website and usually buy somewhere cheeper.

 

[hentown]

When I had a dealer account at Midway, I did a lot of business with them. However, they didn't sell powder and primers then. I now buy almost all my powder and primers from Powder Valley. I'd be surprised if a lgs can beat their prices, even considering hazmat.

I recently bought 32# of 844 frm Hi-Tech, and they paid the hazmat.

I usually buy at least 10k primers with a couple of 8# jugs of powder, when ordering from PV. I've had great success with Wolf/Tula primers from PV, and they're considerably cheaper than other brands.