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Are Dealers actually receiving powder?

E

excaliber

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 29, 2011
1,214
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48
Abingdon,Va
Are Dealers actually getting powder in? I have heard rumors that the ship that carries Hodgdon Powder can`t dock to refuel
in one certain country no more so they are having trouble getting it to the US. Anybody heard anything?
 
I heard the North Korean navy pirated the Hodgdon ship to get enough powder for their nuke rockets to make it to the continental US.
 
Powder Valley has been getting powder shipments in, as have two or three local places.

Thing is - it's usually sold the very day it comes in. So, if you don't happen to be lucky enough to see it during that brief period it's there (and buy some, duh), then to you it would appear that nothing is coming in.

Bullets are also shipping. I've placed 4 orders with PVI over the past 2 months for rifle bullets, Sierra and Berger.
 
excaliber said:
Are Dealers actually getting powder in? I have heard rumors that the ship that carries Hodgdon Powder can`t dock to refuel
in one certain country no more so they are having trouble getting it to the US. Anybody heard anything?
Click to expand...

Last I checked there were no major shipping routes, at least not by ship in Kansas USA. Unless they were referring to raw materials that may be imported than I think it is a safe bet that above is wrong since hodgdon is located in Shawnee Kansas. It appears as though powder is trickling in a little at a time but with the buying frenzey that happens as soon as it hits shelves or internet site it does not last long. The question is how long will it take for enough to show up that it acutally stays in stock long enough for people to calm the F$^& down it is just rediculous.
 
When wondering where all the components are one has to consider the large companies that are scrambling to restock loaded ammunition.
 
Talking to a shop owner yesterday and he said that he orders 200 pounds a week of powder. He said hist distributor last week got in 100 pounds to distribute to all the shops that buy from that distributor.
 
I recieved my Hodgdon powder order from Powder Valley last week. Order was placed mid Jan like every year.
 
I placed an order with Grafs for some 4350 about a month ago. So I frequently look at their website to see if they update Hodgdon powder. Early last week I noticed that a number of the Hodgdon powder showed in stock. By the next day they showed out of stock. Pretty crazy. The note Grafs has on their website says I should receive my order in a couple more weeks. We'll see if it holds.
 
The range I shoot at got an order this week of various powders members had put orders in for. Not sure of the lead time, but I managed to snag 2lbs of Reloder 15 that were extra. No Varget sadly...
 
excaliber said:
No smartasses needed Milo.
Click to expand...

Sorry ex,
I thought the response somehow fit the question.

In the back of my beady little mind, I assumed any ocean going freigter that could carry a load, should be able to carry enough fuel to cross the Pacific ocean without a pit stop, I may be wrong though.
 
They are, it just goes so damn quick. Try Midsouth, Grafs, and Natchess as I think they allow you to get notifications when something comes in. I was able to get some Bullseye from Wideners that way this week. Try them as well. That is you best bet but you damn sure have to order as soon as you get that notification. Good luck.
 
exx1976 said:
Powder Valley has been getting powder shipments in, as have two or three local places.

Thing is - it's usually sold the very day it comes in.
Click to expand...

PVI has been so far behind on shipping orders that they are a month behind. I ordered 1,000 bullets they had in stock back at the first of March. They shipped this last Monday, April 8.

As for powder, it doesn't "sell" the day it arrives, it's going to fill backorders that existed since before they cut off backorders.

This whole "mess" is like a toilet that's hooked to a 3/16" water line. When you flush the tank it takes a real long time to refill and if people keep flushing while it's filling, even longer.

If people would only buy what they truly need for the next 6 mos or year, and not hoard, powder, primers, and bullets would be far more available and a lot sooner than later.

As for local outlets, my local Cabela's still has lines of 30-40 people waiting in the AM for the store to open. When the doors open they are "at a full gallop" heading to the ammo and reloading components section. Within 30 minutes last night's freight shipment has been cleaned out. Most of the product purchased also goes directly up for sale on local gun boards or auction sites.
 
My local spot here in Kansas keeps on getting more each week or so.... I've been buying a few lbs here and there.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
No, Hodgdon never manufactured smokless powder. They are now the distributors for Winchester, IMR and their own brand of smokless powders.
Hodgdon's history is here: Our History
Click to expand...


"Hodgdon Powder Company offices are located at 6231 Robinson in Overland Park, Kansas (even though the mailing address is Shawnee Mission, the destination of the central post office). The Powder magazine, packaging and manufacturing facilities are maintained about 140 miles southwest of the main office, in Herington, Kansas. Additional magazine space, located on a closed military base, is also leased from the City of Topeka, Kansas."
 
Deadshot2 said:
PVI has been so far behind on shipping orders that they are a month behind. I ordered 1,000 bullets they had in stock back at the first of March. They shipped this last Monday, April 8.

As for powder, it doesn't "sell" the day it arrives, it's going to fill backorders that existed since before they cut off backorders.

This whole "mess" is like a toilet that's hooked to a 3/16" water line. When you flush the tank it takes a real long time to refill and if people keep flushing while it's filling, even longer.

If people would only buy what they truly need for the next 6 mos or year, and not hoard, powder, primers, and bullets would be far more available and a lot sooner than later.

As for local outlets, my local Cabela's still has lines of 30-40 people waiting in the AM for the store to open. When the doors open they are "at a full gallop" heading to the ammo and reloading components section. Within 30 minutes last night's freight shipment has been cleaned out. Most of the product purchased also goes directly up for sale on local gun boards or auction sites.
Click to expand...

I'm well aware of where PVI is on processing backorders, I've placed half a dozen orders with them since January.

*some* of the powder is going to fill backorders, absolutely. However, if you pay attention, powder does show up IN STOCK there, usually for about an hour at a time (until people find out about it and order it all up). Earlier this week they got a shipment of Alliant in. A few weeks prior to that they had CFE-223 and Varget. Just pay attention, it shows up and then is gone again. That fact that you seem to think there is none and it is all if going to backorders tells me you are falling victim to the same perception/misconception that the OP is. At present, I still have 3 orders outstanding with them for bullets, and I received a shipment from them on Monday. Sure, they are a month behind, but your analogy of a toilet with a 3/16" feed line is spot on. The tank does fill every so often, but it gets emptied immediately. Bullets have been the same with them. Look one day, no bullets. Look the next day, place an order. Look again the following day/week, no stock. IF you miss that one day and don't place an order, you'd think they never had any. Same idea.

Me? I have enough of everything on hand (and on order) to last me through the end of the year. If this doesn't clear up by then, I'll be hurting.
 
I'd just like to know where & when primers come in. That's the one item(s) that I never see in stock anywhere. I'm not lucky when looking for them.
 
[
NoFail said:
"Hodgdon Powder Company offices are located at 6231 Robinson in Overland Park, Kansas (even though the mailing address is Shawnee Mission, the destination of the central post office). The Powder magazine, packaging and manufacturing facilities are maintained about 140 miles southwest of the main office, in Herington, Kansas. Additional magazine space, located on a closed military base, is also leased from the City of Topeka, Kansas."
Click to expand...

zmann said:
Above is correct, however they do get / make ? the powder in Australia
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You two should call Hodgdon and ask them what SMOKELESS POWDERS they actually manufacture in Kansas.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
[
You two should call Hodgdon and ask them what SMOKELESS POWDERS they actually manufacture in Kansas.
Click to expand...

The powder MAGAZINE (where they store it) is in Kansas, close to packaging facility. I don't know where it's actually made. If it's Australia then fine, just as long as it ain't in fucken China!!
 
NoFail said:
The powder MAGAZINE (where they store it) is in Kansas, close to packaging facility. I don't know where it's actually made. If it's Australia then fine, just as long as it ain't in fucken China!!
Click to expand...

Or North Korea.

As to your gripe about primers: I had enough on hand already. But, I have a buddy just getting into reloading, and he is scrounging for stuff. In the last 6 weeks I've seen him go from NOTHING to having 7k pieces of AR brass, 4500 69gr SMKs, 16# of CFE-223, and a bunch of stuff for his .308.

He is having trouble with primers as well. The big issue is that even if one of us finds them in stock (I look for him when I'm out and about), most places are limiting you to 1k per customer. So far, he's managed to get 1k SRP and 1k LRP. At the rate we go to the range, that should last him maybe 2 months on the SRP, and 3 months on the LRP. Should be plenty of time to find more. Just keep looking. We've had the best luck in small gunshops in even smaller towns. There's one place that's only open 3 days a week out on a dirt road. Their prices were steep before all this started, but they haven't raised them. They have a decent selection (by today's standards).
 
Last edited:
Smith97z71 said:
Talking to a shop owner yesterday and he said that he orders 200 pounds a week of powder. He said hist distributor last week got in 100 pounds to distribute to all the shops that buy from that distributor.
Click to expand...

This is very true. I am one of those salesmen at one of those distributors. At best I might be able to get a single dealer 50-100 pounds of powder once every 2-3 weeks. Powder has been extremely slim. Hodgdon has been the worst. Don't even ask about primers.
 
NoFail said:
I'd just like to know where & when primers come in. That's the one item(s) that I never see in stock anywhere. I'm not lucky when looking for them.
Click to expand...

Primers do seem to be the hen's teeth of reloading right now. They are nowhere to be found.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
No, Hodgdon never manufactured smokless powder. They are now the distributors for Winchester, IMR and their own brand of smokless powders.
Hodgdon's history is here: Our History
Click to expand...

Uuh, from the link you posted:

...has evolved a manufacturing and distributing company...
Click to expand...

Today, Hodgdon smokeless propellants are developed and manufactured...
Click to expand...

The Powder magazine, packaging and manufacturing facilities are maintained about 140 miles southwest of the main office, in Herington, Kansas.
Click to expand...

Hodgdon purchased IMR® Powder Company in October 2003.
Click to expand...

In March 2006, Hodgdon Powder Company and Winchester® Ammunition announced that Winchester® branded reloading powders would be licensed to Hodgdon.
Click to expand...

In January 2009 Hodgdon acquired an American icon GOEX Powder, Inc. ... Located in Minden, Louisiana, GOEX Powder, Inc. is the only U.S. manufacturer of black powder.
Click to expand...
 
I always thought that "smokeless powder" was made at Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry by the elves. And they implemented their steady supply of magical unicorns to push the goods over the Atlantic. Or another theory. They are overwhelmed at their plants inside of the United States because every Tom Dick and Harry wants to buy 25#'s at a time they can't keep up the supply to meet the demand..... Maybe???
 
Cornholeo said:
Primers do seem to be the hen's teeth of reloading right now. They are nowhere to be found.
Click to expand...

Surprisingly enough I have found them at my local Gun Range (Club). Members get a discount and public pays regular price. Don't know how many they stockpiled but they do limit to one box per day. I've got a fairly good supply but as I pass through the Range I replace what I've used. Who knows, maybe someday they'll run out too.
 
People here post up where they found bullets & powders in stock, I've even done it here. I have yet to see a post on "primers in stock at such & such outlet".

Yes, primers are the linchpin!! I have to invent the reusable primer for metallic cartridge.
 
Regarding who makes what etc. It's really rather complicated and the more you know, they more you might get concerened???

Hodgdon does not make nor has ever made smokeless powder. They make Pyrodex, Triple 7 & White Hot. As previously gentleman have mentioned what they are is a distributor for many different branded powders. Now for the rest of the story.

General Dynamics purchased Olin/Winchester etc and produces the following spherical/ball & single base powders: In Quebec, Canada IMR 3031, 4007ssc, 4064, 4198, 4227, 4320, 4350, SR4756, SR4759, 4831, 4895, SR7625, 7828, PB & 7828ssc, and in St. Marks, Florida Hodgdons HP38, 110, 414, 380, Lil'gun, Hybrid100v, HS-6, H335, BL-c(2), titewad, titegroup, longshot, leverevolution, cfe223, us869, superperformance and also Winchester 231, 296, supertarget, superfield, aalite, superhandicap, 760, 748, supreme 780, auto comp.

The Thales Group (french company) purchased Australian defense industries in 2006. They produce in australia Hodgdons Extruded line H4895, 4198, Varget, 4350, 50bmg, 4831/4831sc, 1000, retumbo, 322, benchmark, trail boss, 8208xbr, also H4227 (AR2215)(not distributing H4227 in US anymore).

Group SNPE (french owned again...) formed a subsidary called EURENCO in 2004 they own most of the european powder produced in belgium, finland, france & sweden. This includes Vihatavauri, ramshot and most of the norma line & alliant reloader line (except RL-17 switzerland/german?).

The old alliant powders like red, blue, green dot, unique, bullseye, 2400 are still produced in the usa.

Chew on this for awhile...
 
excaliber said:
Are Dealers actually getting powder in? I have heard rumors that the ship that carries Hodgdon Powder can`t dock to refuel in one certain country no more so they are having trouble getting it to the US. Anybody heard anything?
Click to expand...

Certainly. They'e just hiding it until the demand slacks off and prices fall. ??
 
i work in a small shop. yes, we are getting some primers, some powder, some bullets. no brass. this week 7 223 dies. a whole 10 pounds of varget. big deal.
 
The one shop in my city sucks for components, they are not into selling reloading supplies so much.
Surrounding cities I'm afraid to go see because I figure it a probable waste of gas. I have enough stuff on hand to last me a good while but there are primers I don't have that I'd like to try in testing, like federal I don't have any.

Whatever it is what it is.
 
While I worked at UPS I saw plenty of powder shipments in the trucks I loaded. One place I frequently noted was Crow Shooting Supply. I've looked at their website and it doesn't even provide pricing unless you are signed up as a member. The killer bit is that you must own a business in order to become affiliated.
 
Powder in my area has been spotty all depends what your looking for and when you get there, I usually check 2-3 times a week.

lucky I have enough I don't need any
 
Commercial truck companies only #100 shipments per pallet or the 50 # for FEDEX, Speedy, or UPS. That is not much powder. Unless a vendor has their own truck to deliver powder to retail establishments. There will never be large shipments of powder at one time.

One also has to consider that most companies have production plan done way in advance. So not like Hodgdon calls up ADI and says we need Varget, or General Dynamics in Canada and says we need I4895 and they get it. The logistics alone must boggle the mind.

Places like Federal, CCI, and other are already working 24 7. Not like they have mothballed ammo plants just waiting to be brought up to speed...

Face facts if you were the CEO of ATK and had to be responsible to share holders....
and there is higher profit in loaded ammo versus components what do you think you would be doing? Making ammo!

Patience is the key. But, some people just feed the conspiracy theorist's too much sugar before bed time.
 
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