powder prices and more..

[ls0n3]

Well today I found out that locally the best im going to find for 1 lb. powder for my 45 acp reloading is around $30. They also had a real limited selection and due to the cost of shipping/hazmats they only reorder once they are virtually out of everything. Its completely understandable in regards to their re-ordering policies.

I was just a bit shocked on the prices. I was expecting to pay around $20 or so.

So I ended up ordering online, and chose to try 1lb. of about 5 different brands to add some variety. Though AA #2 was my main choice, due to my bud who is teaching me to reload, uses that as well.

I know ive read alot on here that people are very picky about reloading on their own machines and how careful they are to use the right powder and so on.. Have any of you ever used someone elses setup to try out or learn on before buying your own set?

Next, in regards to the many uses of the ammo cans, military surplus etc.. Im guessing its best to store bullet molds, primers, powder etc.. in those?
As far as finished ammo, Does anyone else just put their made ammo in the plastic folgers type coffee cans? Do you put them in the 50 round plastic holders then store them in the ammo cans etc?

Just trying to plan the storage area around my reloading area better.

thanks for your time :_)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I get upset when I have to pay $20 for a lb of powder locally.

Powder Valley charges only 1 Hazmat fee when you order both powder and primers at the same time. If you order one 8lb jug of powder and 5000 primers you cover the Hazmat fee and still come out ahead.

Winchester LPP = $115/5000 ($23/1000)
CCI LPP = $107.50/5000 ($21.50/1000)
Wolf LPP = $90/5000 ($18/1000)

8lb Unique = $93.50 ($11.69/lb)
8lb W231 = $108 ($13.50/lb)
8lb HP-38 = $100.50 ($12.56/lb)
8lb AA#5 = $104.50 ($13.06/lb)

Add $10 to the primers and $10 to the jug of powder and you will still come out ahead.

 

[robriboflavin]

I don't know where you are, or what powder you're buying, but at that price locally you can probably break even just buying 2 lbs at a time over the internet, even including shipping/hazmat fees. Something to consider if you can wait a few days, and has the advantage of being delivered right to your door.

As far as storage goes, leave the primers and powder in their original packaging. For completed rounds, I have used the plastic cartidge cases from J&J, MTM, Cabelas, etc. I personally like the slip-top versions a little better, but the hinge top is more popular.

Good luck!

 

[RustyFN]

I'm with AA on this one. I buy all of my powder and primers from Powder Valley or Graf's. Buying a max order on either powder or primers for a single hasmat I can get Wolf primers for around $16 per 1,000 and most powder for around $12 per pound. I store all of my finished ammo in ammo cans.
Rusty

 

[ls0n3]

thanks fellas!
Yea i searched or trolled thru some other thread here and got that link to powder valley, and also when you mentioned it I went back and checked them out.

I ended up deciding to get 5 1lb powders.. aa #2, bullseye, 231, titegroup, hp38. figure I can try them all and see how I like them.

Since itll be a hobby I figure I can enjoy coming up with nice loads for each powder and get to experience first hand how different powders may load differently or burn differently.

though I believe all are fast burners and pretty similar. Who knows! Prolly could have tried some wider range of powders with vast differing burning properties.. but I figure it prolly wouldnt be best being new

Thanks again!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're buying those 5 lbs of powder online you might find the price a little high when you add the S&H plus the Hazmat fee to such a small order. You might want to add some primers to that order to offset the $20 Hazmat fee.

ALSO, HP-38 and W231 are the same exact powder so all you're doing is buying 2 lbs of the same powder. If you had another powder in mind you might want to make a substitution. Maybe AA#5 or Unique would round out your order. BTW, W231 is probably my favorite powder for the .38 Special, .45 Auto and a few others.

 

[ljnowell]

If you're buying those 5 lbs of powder online you might find the price a little high when you add the S&H plus the Hazmat fee to such a small order. You might want to add some primers to that order to offset the $20 Hazmat fee.

If I purchase a 4lb can of bullseye and 1k primers, I come out about 30 dollars ahead, even paying the hazmat fee. I guess it all depends on where you are. I almost died when I saw the price of bullseye. I have been loading 700x, I bought some in march and put it away to get ready to start loading, when iwent back to get some more it went from 22.99 a lb to 32.99 / lb.

 

[skidooman603]

I will switch before paying over $30 a lb. Thats nuts!!

 

[rfwobbly]

I'm also with AA. Powder Valley and several others list numerous powders at ~$16/ lb as in stock.

As to where to start and who to follow.... that is what reloading manuals are for. The Lyman manual must list 15 different powders for each bullet weight, arranged slow to fast. Then they highlight the most accurate one they loaded. That way you can see what the effects are, start with something proven, and work out from there.

 

[ojibweindian]

Powder and primers in Huntsville, AL sell, on average, for $24 a pound and $33.50 per 1K (before tax).

As an example, a 1lbs bottle of RL-19 costs $24.99, after tax, it's $26.99. 5lbs would cost me $134.95. I saved $20 by going to Gamaliel.com. I'd see the same kind of savings with primers, but I stocked up on those several years ago, and won't need any more of them for the next 5+ years.