When things were flush question?

[Howa 9700]

Have been keeping an eye out for some select powders........with not much success.......but had a thought.

Not now.......but in times past when the shelves were stocked........were all powders routinely available or were there some even then that were hard to source even in times of plenty?

Powders in question are for loading mid range stuff like 308, etc. H4895, Varget, the IMR Enduron powders, H4831, Shooters World powders like Precision, TAC and Match, the VV powders, etc.

Point being I want to do load development for the long run, and want to focus on powders that can normally be found, not something almost always unobtainable.

 

[AJC1]

Have been keeping an eye out for some select powders........with not much success.......but had a thought.

Not now.......but in times past when the shelves were stocked........were all powders routinely available or were there some even then that were hard to source even in times of plenty?

Powders in question are for loading mid range stuff like 308, etc. H4895, Varget, the IMR Enduron powders, H4831, Shooters World powders like Precision, TAC and Match, the VV powders, etc.

Point being I want to do load development for the long run, and want to focus on powders that can normally be found, not something almost always unobtainable.

Take varget off your list.... might try ar-comp in its place.

 

[FROGO207]

Dont know about all the LGS's in my area as they always priced things higher and only offered in one pound or 1K quantities. I always checked with a few mail order retailers. Powder Valley, Natchez, Mid South Shooters, and Graffs. In that order. One or the other always had whatever I wanted and was able to maximize my HasMat order in a single shipment. That said, most of those you listed were available routinely in bulk at several of them. The only time I would buy local would be to try a single pound before a bulk order if it was where I was at that time.

 

[P Flados]

Just take the leap of faith and start buying milsurp WC 844 (H335) or WC 846 (BLC 2) in 16 lb or greater increments once it becomes available again.

I have bought milsurp from Bartlett and RedEye. My last order of WC 844 was 32 lbs. Since it was in Arpil of 2020, I paid a little more than I wanted at $14.85 per pound to my door. I was stocking up early in advance of "pre-election" price hikes. Boy, I wish I had done the same with primers.

Once I finish my current batch (about 10 lbs left I think) I will need to see if I get the same results with the 32 lb batch. After getting the initial testing done with the big batch, I hope it will last a loooonnnnnggggg time.

 

[Charlie98]

Besides the Allen, TX Cabelas, there is only one shop locally that I go to for reloading stuffs. Both of them, prior to the Nonsense, had a fair selection of powders. I don't know that Cabelas ever had that many 4- or 8# cans... I think those were stored behind the counter and you had to axe for them, but most of the mainstream stuff was, more or less, on the shelves. Some of the popular ones... any of the 4350's and Varget, for example, were often out, but they had crazy stuff like the IMR pistol powders, and their Enduron powders... which I don't think were big sellers.

The LGS had a better selection, and had larger bottles often. Again... when Cabelas was out of 4350's, so was the LGS. They did carry TAC... and about the time I decided to get a pound of it to try... the nonsense hit and I couldn't find a can to save my life.

 

[bullseye308]

My local place had pretty much everything most of the time and fair prices. Once in a while if I wanted a bunch of stuff they didn’t have all at the same time, it was easily solved with a phone call and a 60 mile drive north to Midsouth Shooters. Midsouth is cheaper to drive there than order for me, I still pay tax, but no shipping or hazmat.

 

[bullseye308]

Before this craziness, the most I paid for primers was $23.99/1000 and also $23.99 for powder by the pound. Most powder I got in 8# jugs at around $17#. I’d like to see those prices again, but I’m not holding my breath that prices will be that low for a long time, if ever.

 

[Blue68f100]

Besides the Allen, TX Cabelas, there is only one shop locally that I go to for reloading stuffs. Both of them, prior to the Nonsense, had a fair selection of powders. I don't know that Cabelas ever had that many 4- or 8# cans... I think those were stored behind the counter and you had to axe for them, but most of the mainstream stuff was, more or less, on the shelves. Some of the popular ones... any of the 4350's and Varget, for example, were often out, but they had crazy stuff like the IMR pistol powders, and their Enduron powders... which I don't think were big sellers.

The LGS had a better selection, and had larger bottles often. Again... when Cabelas was out of 4350's, so was the LGS. They did carry TAC... and about the time I decided to get a pound of it to try... the nonsense hit and I couldn't find a can to save my life.

If don't mind making a trip to East I can help you out. On either of those your looking for. Even the LGS has still had some stock, the last time I checked, but that was months ago.

 

[Charlie98]

If don't mind making a trip to East I can help you out. On either of those your looking for. Even the LGS has still had some stock, the last time I checked, but that was months ago.

Not just yet, but thank you! I know they will show up, or I'll stumble into a pound one of these days. Blind skwerrel gets a nut once in a while.

 

[NMexJim]

For me, H4831 was always pretty easy to find as was RL15, and both cover most .308 bullet weights. 4064 was around as well.

About the only powder I remember being scarce was 4350 (not .308 related) which was snapped up for years by the PRC and Creedmore boys.

Might read this for more info - https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I know that Varget supply has always been hit-and-miss. It's apparently very popular in some circles, and as with most powders, it's made in batches.

I've never used it, and there are those that had moved on to other powders even prior to this last shortage, because of supply inconsistency.

 

[mmb617]

In the old days (last year) my LGS used to have a very large selection of various powders but he only sold one pounders. Prices were good though.

 

[IALoder]

Before the "shortage" Varget, RL15, and H4895 were usually in short supply, but available. I literally haven't seen AR Comp in 2 years. Retumbo, H4350 and h1000 were very hit and miss. Seemed to be able to find TAC, AA2460, AA2230/X-Terminator, Benchmark, 8208XBR, H335, H4831, IMR4895, IMR4064, all the VV powders, the one enduron powders, RL16, 22, 23, 25, 26 pretty easily. All for around $30/lb, VV was more like $35/lb

 

[George P]

Before the "shortage" Varget, RL15, and H4895 were usually in short supply, but available. I literally haven't seen AR Comp in 2 years. Retumbo, H4350 and h1000 were very hit and miss. Seemed to be able to find TAC, AA2460, AA2230/X-Terminator, Benchmark, 8208XBR, H335, H4831, IMR4895, all the VV powders, the one enduron powders, RL16, 22, 23, 25, 26 pretty easily. All for around $30/lb, VV was more like $35/lb

They were in short supply because of their extreme popularity. Varget in particular works well over such a wide range of cartridges making a favorite of many folks - thus the constant shortage.

 

[Varminterror]

Varget is often hard to find, because it is absolutely worth hunting.

Keeping a healthy inventory of powder really isn’t difficult. Don’t buy powder when you NEED powder. Buy powder when powder is available to be bought.

 

[Howa 9700]

So for the most part, one can assume most powders would be available at some point.....even Varget......and if you stocked up when it was, you would be set.

Good news for me is I'm only going to be loading for the 308 in any volume, and my 1st choice for that for now is H4895 which I assume will show up at some point. Also helps that I'm within a short drive to either Midway or Grafs, so no haz mat or shipping if purchased from them. By coincidence, those two also happen to be one of the few outlets for Shooter's World powders.

What I'm also finding out is that even when available, if it has to be shipped, haz mat and shipping add up. Twice now have found powders I was wanting to try and ordered a couple pounds each. What started out as $32 to $35 per pound turned into $45 a pound by the time it got to my door. So if buying small quantities (1 pound canisters), I'm better off buying it off the shelf locally.

But even with all that, for a small time guy, in the big picture, the difference in cost per round between $30 a pound and $40 a pound is about 5 cents a round. The primer and powder combined just about equal what the bullet costs, so probably need to keep that in perspective too.

 

[George P]

So for the most part, one can assume most powders would be available at some point.....even Varget......and if you stocked up when it was, you would be set.

Good news for me is I'm only going to be loading for the 308 in any volume, and my 1st choice for that for now is H4895 which I assume will show up at some point. Also helps that I'm within a short drive to either Midway or Grafs, so no haz mat or shipping if purchased from them. By coincidence, those two also happen to be one of the few outlets for Shooter's World powders.

What I'm also finding out is that even when available, if it has to be shipped, haz mat and shipping add up. Twice now have found powders I was wanting to try and ordered a couple pounds each. What started out as $32 to $35 per pound turned into $45 a pound by the time it got to my door. So if buying small quantities (1 pound canisters), I'm better off buying it off the shelf locally.

But even with all that, for a small time guy, in the big picture, the difference in cost per round between $30 a pound and $40 a pound is about 5 cents a round. The primer and powder combined just about equal what the bullet costs, so probably need to keep that in perspective too.

That is why folks like me, when I find a powder I like and will be shooting a lot, buy it in 8# jugs, 2/case - helps spread out the hazmat fee over a greater number of rounds

 

[mdi]

In the gun shops I frequented in So. CA and the few I've been to in OR, from '88 to present, I have never seen any Vihtavuori powders.

 

[Rule3]

Around here (several large cities)no reloading supplies were ever available. Lots of gun shops with guns and ammo but reloading supplies were just to difficult to keep in the store. To many choices and people are very particular. Bass Pro used to carry some stuff but to darn expensive. Nice store to wander around in but never buy much there.

All my supplies were online, people get all bent about Haz mat fees but if you by enough it is still cheaper than in a store and paying sales tax.

 

[old heeler]

Our biggest supplier powder,primers was local gun shows prior to 19.. Shows have just started coming back but haven't been to one.

 

[Nature Boy]

If you like Varget keep an eye out for VV N140. It’s very close to Varget in performance (I have some loads that are 1:1). As a bonus it meters better and burns cleaner. It takes me twice as long to clean a rifle that shot Varget loads vs N140

 

[Howa 9700]

In the so close......yet so far away category.........it turns out that VV powders are part of the Capstone Group, which includes Lapua brass, SK ammo and Berger bullets. The US address listed on their website is in Sedalia MO (pop 15,000 and in the middle of no where) which also happens to be home to Sierra bullets. Have been to Sierra and not much to see there. They have an outlet store where you can buy a few assorted factory 2nds dipped from big barrels and weighed out by the pound.

Have not dropped by to visit Capstone.......but may check them out someday. Curious if it's a full blow distribution center or just an office. About a one hour plus drive for me and far less than that from Sedalia to Midway's distribution center along I-70. Similar proximity of Hodgdon's operations to Powder Valley......and for that matter, Hodgdon to Midway and Graf's.

But knowing that and $50 still won't get you any powder if it ain't in stock.

 

[Swampman]

...if you by enough it is still cheaper than in a store and paying sales tax.

Unfortunately most places now charge state sales tax for online orders...

 

[IALoder]

If you like Varget keep an eye out for VV N140. It’s very close to Varget in performance (I have some loads that are 1:1). As a bonus it meters better and burns cleaner. It takes me twice as long to clean a rifle that shot Varget loads vs N140

Very much this! My .308 and .223's love N140. Varget not so much. I'm pretty sure I'm in the large minority as a person who hasn't had good results with Varget....

 

[Hondo 60]

I tend to order once a year from Powder Valley Inc.
That makes the hazmat much more palatable.

When spread over 15k primers & 10lbs of powder,
the hazmat seems insignificant.

Total bill is still cheaper than Cabela's, or other big box stores