As mentioned before, Pyrodex (and all other black powder substitutes) are classified as propellents and only require a FFL for reselling it. Black powder, (GOEX, Schuetzen, Swiss, Kik, etc.), is classified as a low explosive and requires for resale, a dealer who has an F.E.L. (Federal Explosives License).
This license requires more than that of an FFL, in the eyes of the ATFE. Storefront, proper magazine approved by ATFE Agent, distance of magazine from any highway and occupied buildings, burglar alarm system, record keeping on daily/weekly basis AND surprise visits by ATFE inspectors every few years.
In addition, the local fire department and or city/county government may want one to have an additional license and be inspected for safety concerns. They may not want that business inside their boundaries.
My city fire marshall wanted me to refrain from selling black powder because the store's exit door swung out instead of swinging in from the outside, which means the hinges would be on the outside, too; just easier to break in the store. I had to go all the way to the state fire marshall to get an exemption, just to stay in the black powder business.
The price you pay from Powder, Inc is about the same cost to a FEL dealer. If it is shipped UPS to him, he pays the shipping charges & HazMat @ $27 per order, so he has to spread the expenses over each powder order.
A FEL dealer had to pay $200 for the initial license from ATFE and renewal every three(?) years was $100(?), so he has to figure that into the cost of each can of powder.
A reasonable markup for a dealer (not big-box stores) to sell reloading/muzzleloading components is 33% to cover overhead & profit. If it cost $17.00 wholesale, retail might be $22.95, not including state sales tax.
As a former FEL for 45 years, I can tell you, especially since 9/11 & more so, the Boston Marathon bombing, being a black powder dealer has one walking on eggshells at times. Between those surprise visits, the local Fire Marshall (who wants to be Fire Chief), your insurance company covering the liability, and the press who calls after a bombing incident asking, "how does it feel to be a contributing party to this event", its no wonder why retail stores prefer not to carry real black powder.
I'm not trying to defend $27 for a pound of black powder. I just want the shooting public to understand why there are so few retail outlets for buying black powder. Stores have to be profitable or discontinue the product.
Now, I pool an order with members of my gun club to ship 50 lbs of black powder from Powder, Inc. GOEX is $16 approx., including shipping & HazMat on a 25 lb case. A 10 lb case drops it down to $19.05/lb including ship & HazMat. Minimum order is a 5 lb case, GOEX will then be $24.40/lb including ship & HazMat.
Give Jerry a call @ 877-833-1799.
