Black powder in 2022 ?

[kyron4]

With Goex officially out of the game, what does the availability and supply of BP look like going into the new year ? Seems the few places that sell by the pound sell out rather quickly and coming from overseas makes for a long resupply. I can run Pyrodex in my cap locks but i just got into to flintlocks and my BP supply is limited. What the crystal ball say ? -Thanks

 

[Fastleo]

It says that politics are not in our favor and the demand is probably not high enough especially compared to smokeless. I’m planning on shooting caplocks and substitutes.

 

[Ames]

I asked my crystal ball.
Cheaper in the long run to buy up powder in bulk rather than switch my flinters to cap locks.

 

[Mike Payne]

I am going to make my own.

 

[mooman76]

Overseas companies have stated thy will up production to help. That will of course take a while. You can use duplex loads to stretch your powder.

 

[mmb617]

I am going to make my own.

I'm already doing that.

 

[ohio ramrod]

You can still get schultzen black powder from several suppliers

 

[kyron4]

You can still get schultzen black powder from several suppliers

The only place I found it in stock required a minimum of 5 lbs.

 

[ord sgt]

The only place I found it in stock required a minimum of 5 lbs.

Buy it if it's still available. Depending on how much shooting you do, five pounds will offset the haz mat fees somewhat. If you shoot. a lot, five pounds will go quickly. It won't go bad even if you don't shoot a lot.

 

[FishDFly]

Do not whine if you find powder, buy it. If not, others will.

 

[waksupi]

The only place I found it in stock required a minimum of 5 lbs.

Do yourself a favor, and buy a full case. It ain't gonna get any cheaper.

 

[hanshi]

Like everything else powder will be in short supply; blame it mostly on this "supply chain" thingy. It will take most of 2022 or maybe all of it to even things out. It would be prudent to get while the getting's good.

 

[Notchy Bob]

The only place I found it in stock required a minimum of 5 lbs.

If you can find powder in the granulation you want, I think it is a good idea to buy it. A five pound minimum may sound like a lot to some folks, but it isn't really. Five one-pound bottles of powder will take up less space than a six pack of beer. Figure $22 (?) per pound = $110, plus $20 HazMat plus $15 shipping for a total of $145. Depending on how much you shoot, that might last long enough to get you through this difficult period. I don't think it will get any cheaper, even when it becomes more readily available.

I think $145 (or whatever...) for five pounds of powder now will probably save you money in the long run, and it will provide freedom from worry. It won't go bad if you keep it dry, but will keep indefinitely.

If you are getting low and can find five pounds of the granulation you need, now is the time to get it.

I don't have a crystal ball. I do have almost 68 years of experience living on this planet. Shortages of various commodities come and go. Political ideologies in the highest level of government swing like a pendulum. We black powder shooters think of ourselves as a small niche in the shooting market, but we aren't that small. Lots of people need black powder, including BP cartridge shooters and an increasing number of cowboy action competitors, who burn tremendous amounts of it. Not to mention the hunters who only want to extend their hunting seasons. Somebody will want to cash in on all of that, and if a domestic manufacturer doesn't take advantage of the situation, the European powder makers will be delighted to accept our American dollars.

Wouldn't it be great if someone could resurrect the Goex facility as a cooperative venture? I think a lot of us would invest a little in something like that.

Notchy Bob

 

[ohio ramrod]

Long ago I started going in with my nephew,and a friend and buying a case at a time. This helped spread the haz mat fee down to 1.00 a lb.. Most of the people I know who shoot go in with friends to get their powder. A little help from your friends goes a long way.

 

[Grimord]

As I have said before, my only concern with buying powder made overseas is that it would only take the stroke of a pen by the President to ban the importation of black powder on the grounds it can be used by terrorist to make bombs. I hope the rumors that Dupont wants to buy the Goex facility and start up production of Back Powder again is true.

 

[Gun Tramp]

Lots of people need black powder, including BP cartridge shooters and an increasing number of cowboy action competitors, who burn tremendous amounts of it. Not to mention the hunters who only want to extend their hunting seasons.

I expect these folks can switch to substitutes...

 

[Notchy Bob]

I expect these folks can switch to substitutes...

They sure can, but muzzleloading shooters can switch to substitutes, too. Substitutes work in percussion guns, and can be made to work in flintlocks with duplex loads. It's just that real black powder works better all around, whether loading from the muzzle or loading cartridges. I know cowboy action shooters who are just as adamant about using real black powder as we are, and they use a lot more of it than most of us. For me, a trip to the range by myself with a muzzleloader might involve as few as ten or a dozen shots, and the local matches usually call for five relays of five rounds each, or 25 shots. Cowboy action shooters routinely go through that many shots in a single stage. They burn a lot of powder, and all of the "blackpowder cowboys" whom I know prefer the real thing.

This is good, in a way. During a shortage, the demand makes it harder for individuals to maintain their stock of powder, but that same demand is what fuels the production and keeps it profitable for the manufacturers. Who knows why Hodgdon felt it would not be profitable to continue with Goex? Wano, the principal European manufacturer, is evidently ramping up production to compensate because they sense an opportunity for profit. It may be a management issue. I don't know.

As I have said before, my only concern with buying powder made overseas is that it would only take the stroke of a pen by the President to ban the importation of black powder on the grounds it can be used by terrorist to make bombs. I hope the rumors that Dupont wants to buy the Goex facility and start up production of Back Powder again is true.

That is a concern, and I also hope Dupont takes over the Goex plant and resumes production. Maybe they'll even change the name back to Dupont! I do and will continue to buy American when I have a viable choice. Meanwhile, powder still can be imported, and if the domestic manufacturers won't support us, I will support the people who do, even if they are overseas.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[mmb617]

I have trouble understanding that some people think 5 lbs of powder is a lot. If I were down to my last 5 lbs I'd be concerned. I'm sure it depends on how much you shoot, but I don't see any reason to think prices are going anywhere but up so you might as well stock up if you can.

 

[J. Paul]

I have trouble understanding that some people think 5 lbs of powder is a lot. If I were down to my last 5 lbs I'd be concerned. I'm sure it depends on how much you shoot, but I don't see any reason to think prices are going anywhere but up so you might as well stock up if you can.

4 of us here in Northeast Colorado would shoot a case a year for about 10 years running. Each of us took a turn ordering before the price went off rail. I ran across an empty can that had a 2.75 price written on the top sitting next to an empty that had 5.95 from that time period

 

[Bassdog1]

I have spoke with my BP Supplier and they are currently switching over to Scheutzen to supply them with BP. They are a major distributor and have to buy a large quantity to be a dealer but assured me powder will be readily available through them this summer. I agree buy in bulk in an amount that you can afford and keep your supply topped off after you shoot a few pounds.