Chinese Nitrocellulose

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ggibson511960

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My LGS proprietor shared with me that powder supplies are drying up due to China diverting more nitrocellulose precursors and raw material to military use to support fellow communist combatants. China is virtually the sole supplier of nitrocellulose. Is this a verifiable truth or Internet fake news. It seems plausible judging by prices and availability. He also shared that BATFE keeps a close eye on nitrocellulose suppliers, discouraging western companies from starting up or expanding production to fill shortfall.
 
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Virtually all NC made for the U.S. military is made at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (Radford VA). I think BAE is the operator, not sure. They also make smokeless powder for large caliber guns. Also make TNT there. They have been producing continuously at 100% capacity for many years, at least since Vietnam. They have truly enormous storage facilities full of powder and TNT there. There is relatively little smokeless powder for civilian use made in the USA today. Most is foreign made - from Canada, Australia, and Eastern Europe. St. Marks in Florida makes only ball powder for military use. I believe their NC comes from Radford. ATK did make the Alliant civilian powders at Radford. No idea if they still do.

Radford Army Ammunition Plant - Wikipedia

I have been out of the smokeless powder manufacturing loop for a long time so I don’t know much in the way of current sources. Except that for civilian use, most is imported from abroad. And that could be cut off at any time.
 
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Powder is the one thing.....

DWalt said:
Virtually all NC made for the U.S. military is made at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (Radford VA). I think BAE is the operator, not sure. They also make smokeless powder for large caliber guns. Also make TNT there. They have been producing continuously at 100% capacity for many years, at least since Vietnam. They have truly enormous storage facilities full of powder and TNT there. There is relatively little smokeless powder for civilian use made in the USA today. Most is foreign made - from Canada, Australia, and Eastern Europe. St. Marks in Florida makes only ball powder for military use. I believe their NC comes from Radford. ATK did make the Alliant civilian powders at Radford. No idea if they still do.

Radford Army Ammunition Plant - Wikipedia

I have been out of the smokeless powder manufacturing loop for a long time so I don’t know much in the way of current sources. Except that for civilian use, most is imported from abroad. And that could be cut off at any time.
Click to expand...

...that I believe I have a lifetime supply of.
 
According to the bit I have read...China makes approx 50-60% of NC in the world. I have read the NC most of the powder sold by Hodgdon (Australian) comes from China. I can't verify that. And I understand the Russians are scrambling for whatever NC they can get... Most of the Alliant rifle powder is not made in the US these days...Pistol/shotshell powders??
 
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