Author Topic: Where do you buy your Powder? (Read 1790 times)

DalesCarpentry · « **on:** December 28, 2007, 02:44:40 PM »

Where do you buy your powder? I was just at Midway's site and powder is not that much but when you add a $20.00 Haz mat fee and some other $9.99 charge it becomes to much. I wonder if Gander Mountain carries powder? I will be loading for a 243 do any of you have a clue as to how many rounds I can get out of a pound of powder? I will be using Hornady 58 grain molly coated bullets and maybe some Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip Bullets 55 Grain Boat tail. With Hornady 58 grain molly coated factory ammo I can shoot 3 shot groups that measure 7/8'' at 300 yards. What do you think would be the best powder to try? Also dose the 243 take small primers or big primers? Thanks in advance. Sorry for so many questions. Dale

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2007, 02:54:59 PM »

1 pound of powder = 7000 grains
If you use 45 gr. per load that should end up being around 155 rounds, if my math is correct.

.243 Win takes Large Rifle Primers

That's all I can help you with Dale.

Bill
EDIT: I buy my powder at Bi-Mart but I know you don't have a Bi-Mart, it's kind of a Northwest Thing...right Tim?

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2007, 03:01:38 PM »

Thanks Bill. Dale

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:06:56 PM »

Quote from: OR-E-Gun Bill on December 28, 2007, 02:54:59 PM

I buy my powder at Bi-Mart but I know you don't have a Bi-Mart, it's kind of a Northwest Thing...right Tim?

Right on, every time they have their $2 off sale on powder, I hit em!! I keep a list of any powder I'm gettin low on in my wallet so I know what I need or might need!!

Tim

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:10:21 PM »

Quote from: Tom W. on December 28, 2007, 04:02:09 PM

Dale, you can only pick our brains so much, but it's best if you can find someone in the area that reloads that can give you hands-on help. You might try your local Conservation officer or even your local LEO, someone should know someone who loads. Or ask at your local gunshop. Don't jump in with your eyes so wide open that you don't see everything!

Please don't take this as a flame, Just trying to steer you in the right direction.

There really is no other way to take that. I know of know one that reloads. We have a few dinky gun shops around here and they don't carry much. If you want me to stop asking questions here just say it!!!!!!! I go out of my way to answer questions for people that know less than me on other subjects. Sorry to have bothered you. Dale

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:28:05 PM »

Thank you we are good. Have a happy new year!!! Dale

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:36:54 PM »

Yes I replied. Thanks Dale

bubbadoyle · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:44:03 PM »

The Gander Mountains in my area carry powder.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:54:48 PM »

Quote from: bubbadoyle on December 28, 2007, 04:44:03 PM

The Gander Mountains in my area carry powder.

That is good to know. Do they carry a lot of different kinds? I have one about about 30 miles from here. What do you think would be the best powder to start with. Thanks Dale

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:06:24 PM »

I guess I'm lucky on this point.I buy most of my powder for a gun shop about 18 miles from me in Coldwater,Al.Have another in Cropwell,Al. about 18 miles.Two more shops in Anniston,Al. about 22 miles.Also one in Bessember,Al. about 50 miles.So it's all around me.I looked at Midway and others like Powder Valley,but add the hazmat fee and freight it's not too much of a deal......Rick

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:09:51 PM »

I was just wondering. You can buy powder on the net for about $16.00 or $18.00 a pound. What are you guy's paying out of a shop? Thanks Dale

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:15:25 PM »

About the same, plus tax.

Tim

SM Bob · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:42:34 PM »

Dale,
I think the only way it would pay off to buy powder on line is if you were to buy
8 or more pounds at a time. I buy mine from my local gun shop right now. It is
expensive. They sometimes get $27 a pound for some types. Not only is this
irritating to me, many times I go in there to get a certain type of powder that
I have my mind set on getting, and wouldn't you know it, they are all out of it!
That just chaps my hide! Right now I have 3 or 4 main powders that I use and
have confidence in. I think I will be ordering powder in bulk soon. It was kind of
interesting today at Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse in Phoenix. My
Daughter and I walked in to both stores and I asked for 3 different kinds
of powder in 1 pound containers and the guys just handed them to me and
said "Here you go". Not so Here where I live in The Peoples Republik Of
Kalifornia. The dealer here has to see your drivers license and take down
all of your info and his records had better be up to date. The Sheriff's
arson officer comes around regularly to collect the records to see who
is buying powder, how much, and what type. Oh and by the way, Cabela's
was all out of Lil' Gun powder! Wouldn't you just know it!

Robert

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:53:18 PM »

I have no desire to and could not afford it but if I walked into a gun shop and said I would like to buy 200 pounds of powder. Do you think they would call the police LOL Dale

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:55:34 PM »

Now that I think about it. I would hope they call them!!!!!!!!! Dale

burntmuch · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:00:44 PM »

Dale, get you a manual & buy the powder they list as the best for whatever round your shooting. Your gun may not like it ,but ya gotta start somewhere

Chris Potts · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:11:09 PM »

Not sure if you have a reloading manual. If not here a couple of links to powder companies for their data. You will still want to get a least one manual, but these should give you an idea of the powder you can use for the 243. I don't reload for the 243 so I don't have any specific recommendation.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/
On the left hand side of the page there is a link to a pdf under load data

http://www.accuratepowder.com/freeguide.htm

It didn't look like accurate has there data on line, but it looks like they will send it to you for free.

Chris

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:17:15 PM »

Accurate has lots of data online, just hit Reloading Data on the left side of their home page, 243 data is below.

Tim

http://www.accuratepowder.com/reloading.htm

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/243Cal(6.17mm)/243%20Winchester%20pages%20205%20206.pdf

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:21:02 PM »

Thanks Tim!!!!!! You are the good guy. You seem to always have the answers. Thanks again Dale

Chris Potts · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:21:24 PM »

Good save. Not sure how I missed it.

Chris

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:23:58 PM »

Quote from: Chris Potts on December 28, 2007, 06:11:09 PM

Not sure if you have a reloading manual. If not here a couple of links to powder companies for their data. You will still want to get a least one manual, but these should give you an idea of the powder you can use for the 243. I don't reload for the 243 so I don't have any specific recommendation.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/
On the left hand side of the page there is a link to a pdf under load data

http://www.accuratepowder.com/freeguide.htm

It didn't look like accurate has there data on line, but it looks like they will send it to you for free.

Chris

Thank you also. I do not own a reloading manual as of yet. Thanks for the info guy's. Dale

Cheesehead · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:34:32 PM »

I finally got tired of the high prices and poor selection at some of the local gun shops and ordered a quantity of powder from Midway to off set the $20 haz mat fee. The order included a large amount of accurate powders on sale for $9.95 a pound. My wife says,, you gotta spend money to save money.

Cheese

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2007, 12:41:29 AM »

I buy alot here http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/ but wait till i get a big enough order that the shipping and hasmat doesnt make it a waste of time. I just sent out a 900 dollar order 3 days ago. they ship real fast and usually have everything in stock.

myronman3 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2007, 04:23:53 AM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on December 28, 2007, 06:34:32 PM

I finally got tired of the high prices and poor selection at some of the local gun shops and ordered a quantity of powder from Midway to off set the $20 haz mat fee. The order included a large amount of accurate powders on sale for $9.95 a pound. My wife says,, you gotta spend money to save money.

Cheese

+1

myronman3 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2007, 04:25:07 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on December 29, 2007, 12:41:29 AM

I buy alot here http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/ but wait till i get a big enough order that the shipping and hasmat doesnt make it a waste of time. I just sent out a 900 dollar order 3 days ago. they ship real fast and usually have everything in stock.

this is really the way to go. it seems like a kick in the pants at the time, but as prices rise, the savings increase. i bought $500 in primers a while ago. i have never regreted it.

myronman3 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2007, 04:31:44 AM »

hey lloyd, thanks for the link. their prices are the best i have seen in a long time.

Graybeard · « **Reply #26 on:** December 29, 2007, 05:30:45 AM »

I buy most of my powder at Gun Shows in B'ham but do occassionally buy at the store in Gadsden where I buy guns. He usually will cut me a little better price than what is marked on anything due to the volume of business I do there.

Dale I wish you luck finding a load remotely close to the Hornady load for accuracy. That load of theirs you use but without the moly was the single most accurate load I ever have fired in my LW243. That rifle consistently shot just barely one side or the other of 1/2" at 100 yards even tho it had a thin barrel and two piece stock with only a 3-9 Leupold on it. But with that load it was better than a 1/4" load.

Old Syko · « **Reply #27 on:** December 29, 2007, 05:41:32 AM »

Ordered powder only once from Midway and never made that mistake again! Order was drop shipped direct from Powder Valley at a cost exceeding what I would have paid had I ordered from Powder Valley in the first place. I either place a full order (48#) myself or split an order with others in the area. EXAMPLE: Ramshot Tac locally is $119.95 per 8#. From Podwer Valley $95.50 per 8# plus hazmat and shipping = $609 or $101.50 per 8#.

SM Bob · « **Reply #28 on:** December 29, 2007, 10:25:25 AM »

Lloyd,
Thanks a ton for the link to Powder Valley Inc. I bookmarked that one.
I'm sick of paying through the nose buying 1 lb at a time and getting
upset when my local dealer is fresh out of the powder I want. I'll just
fire off an order to PVI and be done with it!

Robert

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 29, 2007, 12:50:34 PM »

I still buy all mine at the local shops , one will let me mix and match 8 - 1lb bottles for the price of the lowest 8 lb keg , which works out good as i can get 2 or 3 of one type and 2 or 3 of another maker and 2 or 3 from another maker , or they can be all the same .

His son drives a truck that goes by the wholesaler 2 times a week so i have no Haz-mat fees either , needless to say i spend alot of my hard earned money in his shop .

stimpy