Sources for bulk black powder

[tddeangelo]

Anyone have a good place they go to in order to buy black powder in bulk?

I'm guessing shipping charges aren't terribly pleasant, but wondering if it makes sense to buy in bulk rather than a lb at a time over the counter.

Thanks!

[snapper]

Not sure what "in bulk" means to you. 

However, ATF limits the annual purchase per person at 50 lbs per year I believe.

I  buy a case at a time, which is 25, one pound cans.

There are a several places to get your powder.  I have been purchasing from Crater Fireworks out of IL for several years, it is easy for me as I pick it up on my way to or from when traveling.   Buffalo Arms has a good price on powder.

Fleener

[Standing Bear]

Powder inc.  Clarksville AR. They also sell in bulk - no cans.

[L. Akers]

Jack's Powder Keg.

[Darkhorse]

Rather it's worth it or not depends on how much you shoot, or anticipate shooting. I don't see it getting any cheaper and if you buy 25 pounds now you'll be glad you did a few years down the road. To me it was worth it.
I would only buy from a dealer who will mix your order. I think Grafs was the last firm I bought from but I can't really remember.

[wattlebuster]

Powder Inc.

[rfd]

i did the online research last year and crater fireworks was the cheapest for 25lbs of shipped swiss.

[Maven]

Crater Fireworks is where I go as well.

[Clowdis]

Back Creek Gun Shop in Winchester, VA carries GOI, Scheutzen, and Swiss in bulk. I don't know if John ships or not but you could ask.

[Dave Patterson]

Don't know how their pricing compares, as I often care more about a vendor's services and reliability, but:

I've been ordering from Graf, and have yet to be disappointed.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501

[bones92]

I ordered from Powder Inc.  It was very cost-effective.  I think I ended up averaging a bit over $16 per pound for 25 lbs GOEX.

[moleeyes36]

Another vote for Powder Inc.  Used them for years and their prices are usually hard to beat.

Mole Eyes

[Mad Monk]

In a way of explanation.   When In was still active in BP shooting.

They term "bulk" is used to denote a 25 pound box where the powder is simply in a big plastic bag and not in cans.  They cannot be shipped common carrier (UPS) to your house or place of business.
The common carrier variance for black powder requires the powder to be packaged in one pound cans or plastic bottles in approved cardboard boxes.  A 25 pound bulk box is not approved for common carrier shipment.

Each UPS truck is allowed to carry two 25 pound boxes of powder in cans or bottles as per the variance rules.  Someone must sign for them on delivery.  Since UPS makes one delivery run per day in a delivery area you can get 50 pounds delivered to your door per day.  They do not specify or limit amount over any given period of time.  In theory you could get 50 pound per day dropped off at your door every day UPS works.  But be prepared for the nice folks from the feds to drop in for a chat about how much you are buying and why you are buying that amount of black powder.

The other thing here is the building codes in your area.  The city I live in goes by the standard building codes in this country.  According to the code I am allowed to have no more than 5 pounds of black powder on my property.  A mid-1800s brick row home.  So as son as a UPS driver dropped a 25 pound box of black powder on my front porch I was in violation of the city building/property code.

Then according to the ATF rules I must store any amount of black powder in an approved magazine.  My approved magazine came out of the Maine Powder House 20 years ago.  Out of sight and well hidden out back under the roofed over deck attached to the rear of the house.  Lid locked of course.

In some apartment and condo complexes they forbid storage of any black powder on the property.  Five gallon cans of gasoline are not an issue.  Go figure!!

[snapper]

 The USDOT allows for sporting arms black powder in 1pound containers to be re classified from an explosive to a flammable solid.   Not to exceed 25 pounds per outside package.   

A common carrier can transport explosives however carriers like UPS have chosen not to.   The tend to shy away from placard loads of HM.

Flammable solids have less requirements then explosives for insurance and placarding requirments.   

Fleener

[little joe]

td I don,t know what part of the country you are in but I buy at Deer Creek Products at Waldron Indiana. 2 mos ago 350 a case and that included sales tax. 50 lbs per customer and 100 lbs per vehicle. In Indiana you can buy as often as needed however you are only allowed 50 lbs limit on your property. Hope this helps.

[Lee44shootercnb]

Wrong time of the year now. But around Thanksgiving to they sell out, Wallyworld
 will have their black powder marked down cheap.  That is when I purchase my stock.  Regular price $25 to $30/ lb.
They usually mark it down to $15 the first go round. I have purchased it at $8/ lb with no limit.  But they will not have 50 bottles at that price.

[TMerkley]

I would think the Cannoneers would have some input on this one....

[tddeangelo]

Wrong time of the year now. But around Thanksgiving to they sell out, Wallyworld
 will have their black powder marked down cheap.  That is when I purchase my stock.  Regular price $25 to $30/ lb.
They usually mark it down to $15 the first go round. I have purchased it at $8/ lb with no limit.  But they will not have 50 bottles at that price.

Walmarts around here have never carried black powder.

The closest Walmart to me is within sight of a Cabela's, so that makes sense that they don't carry it, but none of the others in the region carry it, either, as far as I know.

[Darkhorse]

The last couple of times I ordered, which was over 10 years ago, price per can worked out to around $6.00 a can. I have all I need for the rest of my life and every new can I open still only cost $6.00.
Find what you really need and will be happy with and order a case or 2. Once you do that the price will never go up again.

[little joe]

Wrong time of the year now. But around Thanksgiving to they sell out, Wallyworld
 will have their black powder marked down cheap.  That is when I purchase my stock.  Regular price $25 to $30/ lb.
They usually mark it down to $15 the first go round. I have purchased it at $8/ lb with no limit.  But they will not have 50 bottles at that price.

Walmarts around here have never carried black powder.  What part of the country are you in?

The closest Walmart to me is within sight of a Cabela's, so that makes sense that they don't carry it, but none of the others in the region carry it, either, as far as I know.

[tddeangelo]

I'm in Sourheastern PA. About 15 minutes west of Dixon's.

I can get powder there pretty much whenever. Was just curious if there were sources to get it for lower prices by ordering by more than 1lb at a time.

[Long Ears]

Try Bear River Powder. Craig sells bulk Goex. 307-679-0886. Bob