Whats a good mail order gunpowder outlet? Cabela's charges $15 per order for hazmat shipping? I there any way around this? Thanks.--JM.

There are quite a few sources out there. I have used Powder Valley, Wideners, Nathchez. There is no way around the UPS hazmat(BS) fee. Best way to purchase powder is with your buddies. One hazmat (BS) covers up to 32lbs, I believe. Split the hazmat(BS) and shipping with your buddies and you'll come out pretty good on the deal.

The UPS HazMat fee is now $20, and depending on where you purchase your powder from, the quantity can vary. Some will charge a $20 fee for each case of powder (10 1-pounders, 6 4-pounders or 2 8-pounders). Others will pack up to 70 pounds on one HazMat fee (since that is what UPS will limit one package to in weight).

On top of that you still have to add the usual UPS delivery fee to your place.

I you are only looking to buy a pound or two, buy from your local dealer...

[ 06-04-2002, 08:10: Message edited by: ricciardelli ]

Thanks Guys.--JM.

Be cool. Support your local dealers. Even if you pay a little more you will be supporting the guys that do your paperwork for your new toys, pay taxes in your community and answer the dumb questions you can't get answered here. The local gunshops and dealers are the ones you call for local info and if you support them, they support you.
I recently got a call to come see two Winchester 73's in superb condition and a very honest price before they hit the rack. That kind of support is worth paying a few cents more for everything.
Just my opinion.
Frank

I agree that its cool to support my local dealer the problem is that I'm looking for some of that Retumbo powder and no one around here carries it.--JM.

Try www.armsandammo.com. Very good prices and nice to deal with.

I just went to my local dealer and paid $30.35 for a one pound can of rl25. Still think I should support him?--JM.

I buy all my powders and primers from local dealers. I generally pay about $18.00/pound for powder. If I could get with a group to order a large quantity, I'd consider it, but 18 bucks a pound ain't bad.

Dave

I try to buy from local dealers but thier inventory is not what it could be.

http://www.natchezss.com/
is who I usually buy from online. As stated above I will get several reloaders together and split the haz fee.
Here is thier haz shipping policy

You can ship up to 40lbs of powder or primers for one $20 UPS hazard charge. If your order is more than 40lbs a second $20 UPS hazard charge will incur for up to 40lbs in an additional box.

You can ship up to 25lbs per box of powder and primers mixed together. If you order more than 25lbs of powders and primers mixed, a second $20 UPS hazard charge will incur for up to 25lbs in an additional box.

helidriver72, they have thier Reloader powders on sale now for almost half of what you just paid.

Locals are ok for small amounts but they can't even come close are large amounts I will not pay 16 to 18 plus dollars a pound when I can buy it for 7.30 a pound like the last time I brought some. Besides when the local dealers ask you for advice what are you going to to.

Jeez, I had no idea how fantastic my gunsmith is. If I want something he gets it within a week or two. I pay $18 a pound but usally buy in 8 lb cans four or five at a time which drops the price to around $12 or $15 ea. When I have questions they either have answers or get answers and more often than not when I have a problem Paul fixes it quickly and oftentimes for free.
When I work with kids locally and try to help with fundraising they are good for a better than usual donation. When Elks Unlimited and Duck unlimited and Turkey Unlimited come around they are always there to donate an engraving job or to provide purchasing of rifles for raffles and to sell raffle tickets and to hire local kids to work there and many other contributions to my community. I guess I'm spoiled but I still think spending a little "extra" pays me back way bigger than saving a couple of dollars in mail order from a guy who can't get my credit card fast enough.
My opinion. My life. Yours too.
Frank

Off the subject,but I will back up Frank about our local gunshop.The number of free 'smith work Paul has done for my family over the 30+ years we've been going there is unbeliveable.Sure beats the genius who puts the very weird ads in the local trade paper,trying to get work.If someone ever has a thread on here about bad gunsmiths,I've got enough storys about him to take up a good piece of Saeed's server!I'm sure Frank knows who I'm talking about-if not,without saying his name,he's the guy who spent the whole Sunday gunshow a few years ago drinking Jack Daniels,then getting upset when the clean up crew threw the empty bottle away because "it had perfectly good fumes in it!".

This might work for you.
I buy most of my powder and primers from the large gun shows. In north Atlanta (Norcross) there is a very large gun show about 4 times a year. There is a gentleman from TN. that sets up shop at these shows and he has most any powder you want. Prices are reasonable.
You do have to pay to attend the show but it beats sending the hazmat money to UPS.
You just need to plan ahead a few months and make sure you get to the show early - he sells out on some stuff very quickly.