I stopped at a local shop today, that is somewhat out of the way so I don't stop very often. I'm fairly well stocked on my usual powders but I decided to see if they had any Unique in stock. I had been reading about the number of shooters who really liked the old Skeeter Skelton 41 magnum load of 7.5 grains of Unique and thought about giving it a try. To my surprise I did find Unique in stock, but even more to my surprise I found that a pound of Unique now costs $67 and change. I was shocked at the current price. I knew that primers had become very expensive, but I was unaware that powder had also increased dramatically. Back in the mid seventies I cut my teeth on reloads using Unique powder. In the interim I got into USPSA and IDPA, and fortunately found Steel Challenge as well. So the new prices got me to thinking about how anyone can afford USPSA and IDPA with all the ammo they require. At least with Steel Challenge I can opt for the rimfire calibers.

The mid 70s was 50 years ago.......

Powder has seen a steady increase in its prices since Covid.

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Where we go one, we go all

Dam shame.........

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

DOUBLED????? I still have powder cans I bought in the 1960s when I first started re-loading that have price stickers on them of as little as $1.95! $67.00 is 35 times as much.

Before anyone asks those cans are empty and have been for years. Sometimes we just keep some pretty odd items for some reason.

I still get powder for less than $40 a pound at a LGS. Not MUCH less, but less. Now if only primers were to be $40 a brick I would be a happy camper.

Everything related to firearms greatly increased in price during the panicdemic. Prices have come down from their peak, but inflation will prevent them from going back to 2019 prices.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Happened several years back, while you were in a coma, evidently...;-)

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Pisgah

I purchased some unique for 40 something a couple months ago so you can find it a lot cheaper than 67 bucks. 40 plus a pound is still high in my book

Seems Alliant powders are the worst around here.

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Jim

The rule of thumb here is "buy when you find a good price, not when you need it." I have been doing that with components for several years now, and have enough to last me the rest of my life (assuming I make it to 80.)

yep .... a Vista Outdoors company.

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it just needs more voltage

Yep!

I also have enough components to last me the rest of my life, and then some. I was in the Phoenix Bass Pro the other day and picked up some 44 spl and 45 Colt brass along with 44 cal Hornady bullets. Just because they were reasonably priced and I don’t often see that brass. Threw it on the pile.

Powder prices increased dramatically during and after Covid. Even during Covid I was buying powder at $20 to $30 a pound, primers too.

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213th FBINA

You really need to get out more… P & P and brass have not missed any opportunity to go up in price. You know the saying - never let an opportunity to pass you by.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

The LGSs I visit have most powders available in the $50 a pound range. Sometimes Cabelas, Scheels, etc. get it down to $40 or so range. With Cabela's frequent 10% off Tuesdays (for members) plus military discount the mid $30s is still possible occasionally. Primers though seem stuck in the $69 to $89 range when they're available at all. Saw some at the gun show yesterday though for a mere $128.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Wait until you go to a grocery store or gas station!!!

Anticipating Higher Gunpowder Prices in 2024: Examining Factors and Implications - Midsouth Shot Report

It's available online for $47.99 lb. Of course there's shipping, tax, and hazmat. You can order online but you have to buy a lot to save any money.

I sat up at a local gunshow a few weeks ago with a friend. He's at the point in his life where he wants to sell off most of his reloading supplies. He had sealed cans of various Vihtavuori power for $45 a pound. He never sold a can other than to me. I know that's cheaper than any of our local shops have it, but it seems everyone was out of touch with current pricing. He did get a couple of "Would ya take 'fity' for two, buddy?" or similar comments.

The last gun show up here I bought Unique for $37.50. Two tables down They were asking $85.00. Still rip-offs out there. LGS gets Unique, sells at $42.99.

Ditto on the Cabela’s/Bass Pro sales. I recently picked up two 8-lb. Longshot and averaged about $29/lb. for them. They let you stack discounts, whereas a lot of places won’t allow that. I used my 10% military discount, a 10% discount on each they gave me for cancelling my order a couple times when stock ran out, then back in December I purchased a gift card at a 10% discount in anticipation of buying powder in January. Then with free ship to store and no Hazmat, it really brought my final price down.

I also look for powders and primers in local ads like Florida gun trader and Armslist. I recently picked up 8lb. Unique and 8lb. Power Pistol for around $25/lb. And yesterday I picked up 8lb. AA#9 and an RCBS powder dispenser for $200.

Got a pretty good price on some Longshot. *UPDATE Post #7*

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

COVID!!!!!!

I first started seeing the prices double about 2010-2012 ...

No powder would be on the shelf - shortage
Powder would slowly get back on shelf - re-supply
Price Hike on new powder ... usually double the old price .

This cycle would happen about every 4 years ...
I watched two cycles and saw two price increases ...
So about 2016-2018 I started stock piling powder , primers and brass .

And the Cycle ... it just keeps cycling ... Shortage - double the price ... re-supply
every 4 years ... like clockwork and bidenomics doesn't help the situation !

I'm very very interested to see what cycle happens after the next presidential election !
I hope it's a good cycle !

I've stockpiled enough powder and primers to take care of my needs ... but there are some new powders I haven't tried ... and at $25 per pound would do so !!!
Casting bullets and reloading is my hobby !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Powder around here is up about 50% from a few months ago. I was buying various IMR and Hodgdons powders at around $50/lb. last Fall and that seemed bad enough. Then I went in the store yesterday and discovered IMR4350 and various RL series powders were up to $75/lb.! Sheesh! I used to buy a pound of powder for $2.00 and watch while the dealer scooped a pound out of his barrel and into a paper sack to take home (I know - that was a long time ago). I'm afraid my days of high volume, random plinking are coming to an end.

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Everybody could shoot

It seems Vihtavouri powders are in line with all the rest of the powders now, or vice versa.

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Where we go one, we go all

So has the filet-o-fish combo at McDonalds.

...I don't know why, but I was shocked. I just didn't expect them to be THAT high. I'm glad I stocked up when things were 'bad' some years back.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Saw powder at the local club swap meet yesterday from 20 a pound for older 571 to 60 bucks for others. Never saw one can get sold. I bought a RCBS junior press in exc condition with a set of Redding 223 dies for 50 bucks but bought no powder or primers

Yup. At $40/lb for premium powder what's not to like? I'm in the process of switching over. In exchange I'm going to take some of my unopened cans of everything else (Bullseye, Unique, 244, HP38, Titegroup, etc) to a gun show and see what happens.

Themsh wush the daysh...

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In the mid 90's IMR 4227 was $9.87 a one pound can, In the early 80's it was around $6. Early teens $16.93. Just pre Covid it was around $38 (Free using Cabela's Points)

Ivan

Today you can buy powder or groceries but not both. What's in your freezer!

Winchester 296.....

Larry

I remember buying lead shot by the ton (club buy) and getting it for $6 a 25lbs bag....red dot for $7 a pound....crying shame now days.

[QUOTE= but even more to my surprise I found that a pound of Unique now costs $67 and change. /QUOTE]

Since sleepy joe has been in charge prices of everything have doubled. Been to the grocery store or the gas station recently? Vote for democrats, suffer the consequences.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Years ago when powder was scarce it all went up about $5/lb. It stayted they a while then crept up. The last few years it hasn't crapt, it has skyrocketed. Fortunately I saw the light and stocked up with different types and a couple of jugs of powders I use a lot.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

When is the last time you bought a bag of coffee beans, steaks, bread, gasoline?

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Fixed it fer you!

Powder hasn't doubled in price. More like sextupled(is that a word?) And as far as stakes them zombies don't even worry bout them boughten ones...Gotta be hand made oak. What I used on my first wife. Ain't seen her since! TYJ

Look at the Norma website. SPP at $49/1000. Just received to bricks today. Planning to order more.

Yes, prices are out of site these days. They can't outlaw things, they just make it unaffordable.

I recall screaming when primer prices hit $17/1000. Now, I long for those days!

About a year ago, I picked up a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, because Delaware basically outlawed my AR platform match rifle. I've found the 6.5 to be an accurate round, getting 6" 10 round groups at 1040 yards. The problem is, that is with AA4350. Last year, I managed to pick up an 8# keg for the shy side of $300, including shipping, hazmat, and tax. Currently, I'm finding AA4350 listing for just over $400 for that same 8# keg!

Let's not even discuss pistol powder!

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Judge control not gun control!