Shipping Black Powder

[huntswnm]

So let me just throw this question out there and see what happens. :hmm:
If I were to order BP from a on-line supplier, cause I can't find it around here, then it looks like I would have to buy a minimum of 5 lbs running at about $20/lb so a minimum of $100 purchase which includes the shipping and haz mat fee.
Now 5 lbs is a lot of black powder and who knows how long that would last me, let alone could I afford a 100 bones at a time.
Has anyone who has access to a very close local dealer of black powder ever purchased a pound or two and shipped them to someone through the mail? I don't know if it is legal or even worth the time, I just can't make myself by 5 lbs of something right now.
:v Jeff

 

[silverfox]

Hand delivery is OK. Mail to someone only if you like to look between bars for a long time. Find a buddy and split the 5 lbs.
Fox :hatsoff:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Its illegal to ship BP thru the mail, unless you are a distributor, and pay the Haz Mat fee. There is Nothing that prevents you from placing an order for powder with several friends, and then splitting it up once it arrives. If you don't need 5 lbs. that is the way to go. But it does mean finding other BP shooters in your area, and working with them. They are in the same situation as you are, of course. The best prices will be on ordering a 25 lb. case, or two, because the Haz Mat is the same money, whether they ship 5 lbs. or 50 lbs. That is how you reduce your costs. But, Obviously, you will need to have a lot of friends, or just plan to do a lot more shooting with BP this next year to make a dent in that amount of powder.

I shoot a ML shotgun in 12 gauge, and that consumes large amounts of powder with each firing. My loads range about 75 grains per shot. With 7000 grains to the pound, that gives me less than 100 shots per lb of powder. Shooting 100 clay targets on a weekend is not unusual at all. When you compare the cost of reloading 12 Ga. cartridge casings with smokeless powder, and a comparable charge of shot, the cost for shooting BP comes out less, even at these prices.

 

[redwing]

I would check out. Coonie's Hobbs, NM 800-713-6321. They are one of the very big powder companies. You must call ahead to make a pick-up. :thumbsup:

 

[Semisane]

Seems to me you have a serious problem - you don't shoot enough. :wink: :haha:

 

[arquebus]

Paul said:

Its illegal to ship BP thru the mail, unless you are a distributor

Actually it's illegal for anyone to ship explosives through the mail. The distributors use common carriers like UPS, etc.

 

[shmrck1]

jeff,
Check www.grafs.com
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

[roundball]

"...Now 5 lbs is a lot of black powder and who knows how long that would last me, let alone could I afford a 100 bones at a time..."

Just an FYI...as an example, at 7000 grains per pound, there are only 100 - 70grn charges in a pound of BP...(or 70 - 100grn charges, you get the idea)

One excellent low cost way to deal with this is to try and find a couple of other BP shooters who will split an order with you...and that is completely legal, as verified with an Email reply from the ATF just a few weeks ago, posted right here on this Forum.

So see if you can find any other BP shooters within reasonable driving distsance from you...and see if there's a club around that you could contact...might even be able to get it through them, etc.

Price wise per can a full 25lb case price of Goex gets the cost per can delivered to your front porch way down to about $11 / can...but of course its a big outlay of money at one time...get 3-4 guys together and it becomes more managable

 

[nw_hunter]

Check out
Powder Inc.in Clarksville, AR. They have a Toll Free number you can call (877) 833-1799

They have some good prices on Goex and GREAT prices on KIK powder (Real black powder).
I use KIK FFF, and really like it.You can order 5 lbs of it for 15.20 per lb,or 25 lbs for 10.40 and it includes Hazmat fee.

 

[huntswnm]

Thanks guys for all the info. That is what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. And you are right, I must not shoot enough :redface: I am hoping to get into shooting BP shotgun so maybe I would be going through quite a bit more. I will have to dig deeper into who around here shoots Real BP, everyone I know shoots those "new" ""Muzzleloaders" :nono: . Sounds like splitting the order is definately the way to go. And, if I ever make another trip to the East side of New Mexico :barf: I will call ahead to the place in Hobbs.

THanks again,
:v Jeff

 

[rafterob]

You may want to look up the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association on the web and see if there is a link to a club in your area. A great way to meet other individuals that share your hobby.

 

[mazo kid]

And then there's the NRA Silhouette Championships at Raton, if you can wait that long. The guys from Powder Inc, go there and sell black powder reasonably (no HazMat). Kind of a long trip just to get a couple of pounds of powder, though.