Powder Price Spike

So now that the primer scarcity is over and the prices have come down a couple cents each, powder has spiked to 50% (In some cases) more than I've ever seen it. A month or two ago the popular ones went up to $30 per pound, now they are $45 many of the same places. Is there any logical rationale for this? I'm guessing some retailers aren't able to get the cash grab on primers as much anymore, so they're trying it on powder now? Before the plandemic I'd automatically assume the retailer's price went up, but after what I've seen lately I don't assume the most honorable reason(s) anymore.

Your thoughts?

 

All powder I've been seeing is in the 40 ish dollar price range for the last several years.
30 was the old price.

 

When did the primer scarcity end? I still can't find large rifle primers.

 

If your retailer doesn't have a big turnover you saw a big jump. It's been steadily increasing the entire time where I'm at here in Memphis.

 

Maybe reloaders are consuming more powder now that primers are somewhat more available lately.

 

https://ammoseek.com/reloading/primers?ikw=Large rifle

 

inflation

 

on the contrary most of the powders I see have settled in price from the hikes of the last year with exceptions like IMR's line of extruded powders and stuff like Varget/SW Precision which has always bounced around and been high.

 

Doesn’t bother me and I’d charge as MUCH as I could just to gig the whiners amongst you.

 

Haven’t bought gas lately, eh? Or eggs? Or butter? Or a car? Or… anything at all?

 

Those are all things that the majority of the population buys; powder is not. If you're referencing inflation overall, that could affect the shipping, but I would be a bit surprised that in a couple months, it has impacted the powder industry that much, when gas has been at record prices for over a year. Not sure if you're aware, but it doesn't take gas, eggs, butter or a car to make powder.

 

So you’re saying that you can’t understand that when ALL products experience price increases, niche market items would also increase? Hell, when economies get weak, it’s typically the niche products which inflate the worst - that’s Econ 101 stuff.

 

My point is that you assume ALL products should go up due to material, transporatation and other more minor costs. Not all need to based on cost of goods sold. Most may feel a pinch, but 50% in a couple months is odd.

 

Have you also not noticed the corresponding demand increase on this particular niche product? Primers are twice what they were 24 months ago. Powder is 50% more. Bullets have increased 25% or more in most cases…

Dude, this is simple economics - no conspiracy theory other than hoarders doing hoarder things, a global viral pandemic doing pandemic things, a democratic president doing democratic things, and an invasion-spurred war between second world countries… there’s nothing out there which has only had “minor cost” increases…

 

There's the helpful articulation. Wasn't easy getting it, but it makes some sense, thanks!

 

Wait for the defence production act to come through the wall like the kool-aid man...

 

Primers have come all the way down to just slightly over TWICE the pre-plandemic price. Yippee.
The powder price jump is probably from people restocking a little prematurely. Also keep in mind the fact that most of the popular powders are imported. Mostly from countries not very friendly to civilian arms possession.

 

What I have noticed is that there is a large difference in price depending on the vendor.

Brownells is the highest of the ones I shop. But they had shotgun powder before anyone else.

Midway is less than Brownells, but not by much. But they seem to have the best selection.

Midsouth Shooters Supply is significantly less than MidwayUSA, but there selection is not as good. But they have that handy “in stock” option so I don’t have to scroll through all their powder, just the ones in stock.

Powder Valley seems to be $7-8 less than Brownells or MidwayUSA per lb if powder. But their supply is less.

I haven’t looked at Graf’s in months because they never seem to have anything.

The other 2 I order from are American Reloading and Precision Reloading. Their primer prices are about the going rate and they seem to keep stock on hand a little longer.

 

Driving me nuts! If they’re not available or you simply don’t like the price of components don’t buy them. Just stop.

At least you’re not after baby formula.

Completed ammo in 45ACP (for one example) abounds. Ammoland has many different brands starting at ~.54/round. Two years ago it was ~.75/round.

Buy it and go shooting.

 

When I resumed reloading nearly 2 years ago, very little was available, and dogma was "wait, it will come back and be cheaper".

Since I was mostly concerned it that ammo was on a glide path to permanent shortages, I more or less ignored the "wait for it" advice and started buying components as they became available. As a result, I'm not going to lack for something to go BANG anytime soon. Aside from set for life, best part is I got it for half of what it would cost today.

Latest load ladders to be fired today.

 

Yes, needlessly harsh. My apologies.

In May we got a great deal on a brand spankin new car. It was in stock which is half the battle these days.

Then this happened (see pic) and again and again. And it’s NOT a window left down. Price is a big thing but it’s not the only thing!

 

It does take chemicals, energy, labor and transportation to make powder, which are all going up.