doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Somewhat off topic - reloading question

You will all laugh I suppose, but it's dawned on me that I can't find any of the basic reloading rifle powders anywhere. I haven't gone to the local stores to buy any in many years, and have sort of been out of the loop on buying components and ammunition for a good while - but noone, anywhere, has anything, at all! MidwayUSA has no powder and no .308 or 7mm rifle bullets at all. I found a few pounds of powder but they're for shotguns or .50 BMG. I understand that 22 LR is not to be had anywhere.

What's going on here? Is it because of Iraq/Afghanistan? Dark, secret government plots against us? General paranoia and hoarding? I can see why it would be hard to find 5.56 and .308 and 9mm, but who is soaking up all the Hornady 220 grain RN 30-06 bullets? (Spanish American War reenactors??)

Sorry to distract from the main board, but I thought I'd ask this here as I know folks better and it's a smaller group - fewer insults thrown my way for being generally clueless. (Nitro Express is all Australians, and AR is all attitude and snark). Is there anywhere people can get a few pounds of some of the general rifle powders like 4831 or 4350? Do I have to wait for a Republican president? (That might be a few years...)

Thanks.

The hoarders are hard at work but their bank accounts and enthusiasm seems to be ebbying slowly. My FIL found me a pound of H4198 when I needed it quick. Other powders show up here and there, and while no one has a big supply and supplies come and go fast, I think the powder is available if you are persistently looking. And things are improving.

Two weeks ago, I was in Trinidad CO and in a tiny gunshop there, we found probably 100# or more of powder in 8-10 different, but popular flavors.

In any event, you might not find what you want at a moment's notice in the first shop you visit, but you will find it with a bit more effort. I think.

Brent

I think it's improved a bit where powders are concerned, not so much with primers. I think all the usual suppliers are getting regular shipments, some are still trying to fill back orders so it never shows up as "in stock". When it does show up somewhere it doesn't last long.
Powder Valley is a good place to check, however last I knew they were weeks behind on filling orders.
If you think powder is bad, try finding .257 Roberts brass.....

Ryan,

I may be able to help you out on bullets. Let me know what you need. I've got other components but hate to jack with the HazMat fees and the probing looks I get from UPS.

Ken

Ryan,
I went to a gunshow last weekend, and there seemed to be a good bit of powder there.Maybe the problem is relaxing a little. BTW the 50BMG and shotgun powders may be useful in your rifles.The Original H 4831 came from de-mil'ed 50 cal ammo and it was very useful.Also I use a lot of Unique and Red Dot with cast bullets in rifles(and pistols). These are shotgun powers.
Mike

One thing that helps is a copy of Wolfe Publishing�s "Propellant Profiles" Figure out the alternatives. Some powders are packaged with different names and many that are close on a relative quickness chart can be substituted. I was after 4350 none to be had, On the books recommendation switched to H 414 with good results.

Boats

I've noticed that several online suppliers have deleted quantity limits.....inventories must be building back up.

Thanks Gents - good tips. I scored an 8# jug of 4350 for $25 a pound off of Gunbroker, which included shipping and Hazmat fee, so maybe things are loosening up.