High Cost of Caps and Powder-Gets Crazier

[waksupi]

I think I just raised the price on the flinter I have for sale.

 

[earlwb]

My biggest concern here in the UK is the proposed lead ban, I doubt it will stop muzzle loading completely but there's no doubt it will eventually go through. Anything that has the current buzz-word 'environment' somewhere in the paperwork is on to a winner. Their (The Home Office) excuse is they don't want lead polluting the soil?? By all means correct me if I am wrong but I thought it came from the ground??
I have tried casting bismuth/tin but can't get a reliable round ball at the moment. I am obviously doing something wrong... Any advice would be gratefully received.

I had started thinking about using a 3D printer to make some sabots for bullets other than round balls. But maybe it would work with round balls too. Granted we use patches with round balls already. But maybe something with a cavity in the base similar to a mini-ball with a sleeve for the round ball. The cavity helps to seal the bore a little better like it does with mini-balls. Anyway that might let us use things other than lead for the bullets. But we might have to go to longer non-round ball bullets to get the weight up though.

but then it might create a market for using depleted uranium core bullets too. That would help reduce the mountains of nuclear waste accumulating everywhere. Yeah a little humor or sarcasm there.

 

[Whughett]

My biggest concern here in the UK is the proposed lead ban, I doubt it will stop muzzle loading completely but there's no doubt it will eventually go through. Anything that has the current buzz-word 'environment' somewhere in the paperwork is on to a winner. Their (The Home Office) excuse is they don't want lead polluting the soil?? By all means correct me if I am wrong but I thought it came from the ground??
I have tried casting bismuth/tin but can't get a reliable round ball at the moment. I am obviously doing something wrong... Any advice would be gratefully received.

Join all you ancestral cousins over here.

 

[iloco]

I found a receipt where I bought a case of number 11 magnum caps for $50.00. $5.00 a tin.
I bought 25 lbs of mixed Goex powder for $18.00 dollars a lb.
This over pricing Will not go away as long as customers pay the price.

 

[Hawk54]

I found a receipt where I bought a case of number 11 magnum caps for $50.00. $5.00 a tin.
I bought 25 lbs of mixed Goex powder for $18.00 dollars a lb.
This over pricing Will not go away as long as customers pay the price.

Disagree. Most of the overpricing is being done by private individuals or small shops selling on line, not big retailers. The big retailers aren't getting any to sell. Two big retailer here both said they have not gotten any percussion caps since early last year. A lot of people in areas where they don't have any locally, can't order any online, or would have to travel too far to get any are paying high prices through auction places because if they are out of caps or just bought their first cap and ball weapon and they don't have a choice. People can say they should have planned ahead but who knew.
The over pricing will only stop when the manufacturers start producing caps in quantity and get them to retailers and even then I doubt the prices ar going to go back to pre covid prices. Look at centerfire ammunition. It was going for huge prices in 2020 and most of 2021. The prices have come down but aren't anywhere near 2019 prices.

 

[Whughett]

Disagree. Most of the overpricing is being done by private individuals or small shops selling on line, not big retailers. The big retailers aren't getting any to sell. Two big retailer here both said they have not gotten any percussion caps since early last year. A lot of people in areas where they don't have any locally, can't order any online, or would have to travel too far to get any are paying high prices through auction places because if they are out of caps or just bought their first cap and ball weapon and they don't have a choice. People can say they should have planned ahead but who knew.
The over pricing will only stop when the manufacturers start producing caps in quantity and get them to retailers and even then I doubt the prices ar going to go back to pre covid prices. Look at centerfire ammunition. It was going for huge prices in 2020 and most of 2021. The prices have come down but aren't anywhere near 2019 prices.

And never will for the most part. Folks who have been in the shooting sports of one genera or another for decades can recall several instances of shortages of components followed by higher than normal price increases that never retreat. Relatively speaking I’m new to blackpowder shooting, only 15 years or so, but I’ve been hand loading and shooting since the late 70’s.
Supply and demand, inflation or corporate conspiracy. ??

 

[Hawk54]

And never will for the most part. Folks who have been in the shooting sports of one genera or another for decades can recall several instances of shortages of components followed by higher than normal price increases that never retreat. Relatively speaking I’m new to blackpowder shooting, only 15 years or so, but I’ve been hand loading and shooting since the late 70’s.
Supply and demand, inflation or corporate conspiracy. ??

Agree. A lot will depend on what manufacturers produce caps and how many they produce. No way to tell. The prices most likely will not come back to near where they were. Maybe, but if past shortage recoveries are any indicator they won't and percussion caps aren't like modern ammo. Caps are a much much smaller niche market. Dealers and retailers can see now that people will pay more. Way more and that very well may influence production and retail prices. Buy them now if you can. Better safe than sorry.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

I hope nobody buys those things. It would set a bad precedent.

I like @kyron4 's post. There are priorities.

I sometimes browse through Gunbroker, but I don't recall ever buying anything there. I don't like auctions... They feel too much like gambling,

I agree...besides..it is also a gamble buying a gun sight unseen.
The listings can have problems with guns the seller doesn't see or won't disclose.
I prefer the gun in my hand so I can feel the weight & look for flaws myself.
I only use sites like gun broker as a price guide, that's all.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I had started thinking about using a 3D printer to make some sabots for bullets other than round balls. But maybe it would work with round balls too. Granted we use patches with round balls already. But maybe something with a cavity in the base similar to a mini-ball with a sleeve for the round ball. The cavity helps to seal the bore a little better like it does with mini-balls. Anyway that might let us use things other than lead for the bullets. But we might have to go to longer non-round ball bullets to get the weight up though.

but then it might create a market for using depleted uranium core bullets too. That would help reduce the mountains of nuclear waste accumulating everywhere. Yeah a little humor or sarcasm there.

“Whatcha shootin’ there, Bob? Soft lead, alloy mix, or what?” “Nope. .530 depleted uranium RB. Don’t matter where ya hit ‘em, they’re goin’ down eventually…”

Only problem is, they can see you glowing in the dark, right?

 

[SPQR70AD]

I cant believe nobody has come on this thread and said they just got 1000 caps for $39 and bought a few pounds of BP for $10 a lb. it always happens lol

 

[jack]

To ship them, you take them to FedEx or UPS and tell them what they are and pay the hazmat along with the shipping cost. NP

Nonsense. Must have hazmat cert and license. There are some on calguns forum for sale. Cannot sell on here.

 

[nhmoose]

To ship them, you take them to FedEx or UPS and tell them what they are and pay the hazmat along with the shipping cost. NP

Sorry in the real world that does not fly.

You have to be an approved and tested HAZMAT shipper to ship hazmat it is just not a simple hazmat fee thingy. Walk into eithers hub to ship and you WILL get the real procedure told to you. I had an FFL and shop but I would not pay the cost to become a hazmat shipper as it would never get paid back.

 

[jack]

I called nonsense on his thread guy is clueless. Costs hundreds of dollars for training and licensing.

 

[deerstalkert]

Common sense will rule. Best to prepare with knowledge and equipment to make
everything yourself BUT buy factory made if it is reasonable price. So, you should
be able to supply yourself if forced. For caps and powder it is reasonable to pay
15% more during these times. Remember, many bidders on GB are not in
America or are shills(fake). The winning bidders are getting things shipped that are not
available in their countries or jurisdictions. They will happily pay high prices.

a very rare commodity these days!

 

[user 16256]

In my area the UPS and FED EX stores will not accept any gun parts! To ship ram rods I have to call them fly rods. And any machined parts I have to declare engine parts.

I would never live in that area of the country.

I found a receipt where I bought a case of number 11 magnum caps for $50.00. $5.00 a tin.
I bought 25 lbs of mixed Goex powder for $18.00 dollars a lb.
This over pricing Will not go away as long as customers pay the price.

Same here. I bought 4 cases of #11's and 10lbs of goex way back when as backup. I still make my own powder, caps, and balls because I like being able to do it. I mostly shoot my flinters so I don't really need to make the caps, but I do love my percussion rifles and I carry my revolvers frequently.
On the gunbroker gouging.
People who pay for the overpriced goods during a gouging spree are the problem. Do not buy overpriced products!
Just as people who continue to pay taxes and live in areas of oppressive rules and laws by government and/or corporations are also the problem. Move, or do not complain. When you have to lie in order to ship a perfectly legal item through the mail, you should realize that you live in the wrong area.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

The states charge sales tax, GunBroker collects it.

 

[goksdron]

Further craziness. On GunbBroker right now there is a can of #11 Remington caps that is at $130 with four days left and $20 shipping. Same seller has a pound of 2F Goex that is at $150 and $35 shipping with time left. This is becoming insane.

I have also found straight up for sale items at gunbroker.com you don't have to participate in the auction if you search well enough you can find items that are for immediate sale I found 1000 pack of cci number 10 caps for $120 plus $30 shipping and tax. That's a lot better than the $249 plus shipping and tax I just paid without doing enough research.

 

[R Ellis]

Sorry in the real world that does not fly.

You have to be an approved and tested HAZMAT shipper to ship hazmat it is just not a simple hazmat fee thingy. Walk into eithers hub to ship and you WILL get the real procedure told to you. I had an FFL and shop but I would not pay the cost to become a hazmat shipper as it would never get paid back.

I don't know what's going on with this FEDEX HAZ shipping I just retired after 45 yeads with FEDEX and we did not have any special rules other than additional paperwork to be submitted was not a big deal we would help you if needed and also have people you can call that will walk you through the process

 

[cynthialee]

if this keeps up we are all going to be converting our sidelocks to match locks and making sugar powder just to put bambi in the freezer

 

[William Lincoln]

Years ago, the auction sites were Ok. Fact is ,it is a big mystery who half the sellers are.
You will have better luck stopping in at Pawn shops and getting the word out as to
what you need. Your small local gun shops are a great contact. Give out your phone
and email. Lots of great SAFE deals come that way.