Cost of smokeless powder

[orpington]

It wasn't that long ago that smokeless powder was far less than it is now. Price increases have far exceeded that of inflation. Is this because production costs have increased, the cost of regulation is more than before, etc, or is this simply the end result of "what the market will bear" due to the political climate, increased mass shootings, etc? Or, is this all "our" fault: the fear of our freedoms being taken away, a recent tendency to hoard because of this, and simple supply and demand factors causing exponential increases in gun powder retail prices?

 

[sellersm]

Well, that all depends on whose definition of "inflation" you're using? If you're using the gubment's definition/value, then yeah, maybe. If it's based on true inflation, then it's staying pretty competitive, imnsho.

Lots of factors involved in cost, inflation is just one little piece to look at: how about the cost of Obamacare taxes to companies? Or litigation lawyer costs? Or the fires/explosions on some of the production plants? Or the ever increasing burden of gubment on shipping/transportation? Licensing fees? Etc. etc.

 

[DudeRick]

All of the above...

 

[CZ9shooter]

I agree that the reported figures for inflation are mostly ficticious. I have watched many many items that I my family or I consume nearly double in price in the last decade or so.

 

[orpington]

The current rate of inflation Is 1.1% for the 12 mos ending August 2016...

 

[rg1]

Several factors, but I believe most is corporate greed and raising prices just because they can. Supply and demand enables them to name their price. Plus add on all the government regulations and lack of competition. Too many powder companies owned by a few. Triple the prices of a few years ago.

 

[murf]

let's hope the government doesn't legislate a "tax stamp" on gunpowder like they did with cigarettes. they will do anything to take away our second amendment right.

murf

 

[jmorris]

I don't know that powder cost is much of an issue as availability I have powders that cost a lot less more than 20 years ago than they do now but have been much harder to find than they were back then.

It does matter somewhat but powder cost is the least expensive component in reloading, unless your loading rifle rounds, with cast bullets.

I have 231 in metal cans (old) that cost $16/lb back then, it's $19/lb from PV today.

Just to keep it in perspective back then I could get a chop beef sandwich and fries (not fast food, the owner of the business served it to me) for $2.95 and a gallon of leaded gas for $.69, I'm OK with powder cost.

 

[rondog]

Supply and demand. Although I have to say supply here locally is FAR, FAR better than it's been since 2008.

But if The Witch wins, I expect the shelves to clear out quickly. And that's getting disturbingly close.....

 

[rskent]

rg1

but I believe most is corporate greed and raising prices just because they can.

True to some extent. I don’t think we have a whole lot to complain about with power manufactures.
I just get a $170 cable bill yesterday. You want to talk about corporate greed...

 

[bbqreloader]

Although I'm fairly new to the reloading game. JMorris offered a valid insight, if he has 231 that he bought 20 years ago at 16 but PV offers at 19, $3 over 20 years? It's not the manufacturers hitting the pries. Considering the amount of "newer" powders that have come out with improved techonology (CFE) and manufactoring processes to keep cost down and still put out product, the price swings dont appear to be from the producers. I do however see the price fluctuations from the retail side.

 

[dragon813gt]

Increaes have come at the distributor level, not at manufacturing. Sandy Hook is what really screwed everything up. The cost of manufacturing didn't go up as much as what we were being charged at the retail level. It's almost become a commodity and retailers will charge what the market is willing to bear.

The newer powders are cheaper to produce. Yet they cost more than the old. Enduron powders are the prime example of this. I can only assume it has to do w/ how much they're producing. If they're actually producing more and charging more than the higher cost is about profit. Businesses are around to make a profit so I can't begrudge them.

 

[AR-Bossman]

Increaes have come at the distributor level, not at manufacturing. Sandy Hook is what really screwed everything up. The cost of manufacturing didn't go up as much as what we were being charged at the retail level. It's almost become a commodity and retailers will charge what the market is willing to bear.

The newer powders are cheaper to produce. Yet they cost more than the old. Enduron powders are the prime example of this. I can only assume it has to do w/ how much they're producing. If they're actually producing more and charging more than the higher cost is about profit. Businesses are around to make a profit so I can't begrudge them.

True, but we have laws in a majority of states regarding price gouging. I think this would be considered "profiteering"... I think, not 100% sure.

It goes to show, IMO, these retailers aren't there to be friends or advocates of gun enthusiast or sportsman, but to screw the entire network for as much as they can, when they can. Don't ever think these guys are "on your side". They aren't. They are there to make a profit, and if that means screwing you into the dirt, than they will do it.

 

[jmorris]

True, but we have laws in a majority of states regarding price gouging. I think this would be considered "profiteering"... I think, not 100% sure.

If that were the case every gas station in the country would be out of business.

When the price of a barrel goes up, their prices instantly go up. When price per barrel falls, station prices don't go down until the next time their tanks need to be filled.

 

[jmorris]

Lots of stuff has gone up at a much higher rate than powder.







A Ford XLT F150 cost $14,000 in 1984 can't get one under $50,000 today.


I'll live with a few dollars more for powder, it is after all the least expensive component in reloading.

With all the Government controls and regulations over the years it's hard to believe they can still make powder so cheap.

 

[Sunray]

Gigantic pictures aside, it wasn't that long ago that everything cost less. Including labour.
Inflation has very little to do with retail prices. More about pay scales(both Union and not), transportation costs, taxes and other types of government interference in business.
Primary increases, up here, have been due to our dollar having gone into the toilet, gas prices and civil servants pay scales. Food prices skyrocketed when gas went over $1 a litre about 10 years ago and haven't come down. Then we have to consider how we have pay for most stuff in US dollars before it even gets to the retailer. And firearm related stuff is being artificially held high by our idiot governments. Even the ones who say they don't think owning a firearm is evil.

 

[dragon813gt]

Gouging and profiteering don't apply when it comes to powder. It's not a necessity that you need to live. If grocery stores started doing it there would be an issue. After a natural disaster is when these type of laws will be enforced, if at all. Reloaders are such a small percentage of the shooting community so no one is going to care if we have to pay a little more.

Surprised primers haven't been mentioned yet. Wasn't long ago I was paying $15 per K for CCI at local stores. Now they are typically $30-$35 when not on sale. Price has doubled so the few extra bucks for powder pales in comparison.

 

[bonza]

I agree, primers (& especially percussion caps for muzzleloaders) have risen in price much more dramatically than has powder.

 

[Walkalong]

The current rate of inflation Is 1.1% for the 12 mos ending August 2016...

I don't know where that figure comes from, but any family trying to manage a budget can tell you the cost of most things is way up over 1.1%. Every dollar we print devalues the ones you have.

That said, powder hasn't gone up all that much over the years. We had a spell where the makers couldn't keep up with the demand, and some sellers gouged buyers, but many did not, and overall the prices now are reasonable.

 

[LoonWulf]

Here in hawaii its been about 30 bucks a pound since i started buying bout 15 years ago.

 

[shooter1]

Availability, not price is the problem with powder. Manufacturers have no obligation to the market to keep the price down. They do have the obligation to the share holders to turn a profit. The market dictates the price. That's the way capitalism works. I have no problem with that. I do have a problem when government interference in the market drives up the prices for their gain.
str1

 

[jmorris]

I have no problem with that. I do have a problem when government interference in the market drives up the prices for their gain.

You mean like our tax dollars going to farmers so they won't produce, in order for market prices we in turn pay, go up?

 

[vaalpens]

I haven't been loading that long, but I feel it comes down to the type of powder, where you buy it and obviously the supply and demand.

I started reloading 2 years ago (September 2014) and had difficulty finding powder, and if I could find, then the cost was between $25 to $35 per 1lb canister.

Currently I stick mostly to Alliant powder and find it locally for around $20 per 1lb canister. Hodgdon powders have gone up for me, but they are still below the $35 I paid in 2004.

The price of primers have definitely gone up for me locally. I used to pay around $25 per brick, but now it is around $35 per brick. I even changed to Winchester since it is cheaper than CCI pistol primers.

 

[shooter1]

You mean like our tax dollars going to farmers so they won't produce, in order for market prices we in turn pay, go up?

Yes!
str1

 

[jmr40]

Most things gun related are much cheaper now than at anytime in my lifetime in relation to wages. Looking at the photo of powder above with 1993 prices selling at $20.

In 1993 the median income in the US was about $26,000. In 2015 it was about $53,000. By that comparison we should be paying almost $40 for the same can of powder. I'm paying $25-$30.

Gas prices are at the lowest that I've ever seen in my lifetime; plus vehicles get about double the fuel mileage they did in the 1970's With those 2 combined the percentage of our incomes spent on fuel is about 1/4 what it was in the 1970's.

Factored for inflation about $4/gal would be about right based on 2015 incomes. Try paying $4/gal. driving a car that used twice as much fuel as the one in your driveways. That is what my father was paying.

We are living in the golden ages of firearms. We can buy more, for less than at any time in history. The problem is that there are more things to spend our money on. It is about choices.