Powder Question

[keyports]

It has been 20+ years since I have done any reloading and now I want to get back into it.

Back then no one had heard of the internet. I know the dark ages. I have just a couple of questions.

I am looking like everyone else to save money so is it better to buy your powder from a local store or off the internet? If your suggestion is the internet which sites do you use? I am in the Burbank area is there a store near by that has some great prices?

What about gun shows? The Glendale gun show is coming up quick should I look there for powder and other components?

For the younger people out there you don't know how lucky you are to have a website like this.
Thanks for your help.

[joelogic]

Depends on volume of powder. Couple of 1 pounds jugs to test loads, buy locally. Best idea is to have a small group buy with people in your area to split hazmat and shipping. Powder Valley may still be doing free hazmat with primer purchase. Check it out.

Wideners
Grafs
Powder Valley

That should get you started.

[Southpaw45]

Like Joe said. It depends how much you are going to load. Couple hundred rounds with a single stage? Then get your powder locally. Preferably from a gun show from a Miwal table. If your are going to crank out rounds like more than 500 at a time on a progressive press then by no means buy your powder on line like from Powder Valley. I do both so I buy locally and on line. If you think your going to load a caliber and you found a powder you like and your going to use this load for a long time. Go ahead and buy an 8lb keg of the stuff on line. You will save in the long run.

[uscbigdawg]

Depending on what powder you're looking for, holler at me and can likely get you a discount.

Rich

[joefreas]

Powder Valley Inc. or Wiedeners both have great deals on powder.

[Revoman]

You have good answers above, I would recommend the same.

For small buys, use local. For bulk buys go online. Don't forget though that primers are the same as far as hazmat/shipping and buying. You pay extra to ship those items.

Locally, you gotta remember that there is tax on that product too, so calc that in v online hazmat/shipping cost.

You can make out great with a bulk buy out along with others to share in the hazmat and shipping costs. (Group buy.)

You may also wish to get a C&R license which will allow you to buy product at select vendors for close to dealer cost, (or full FFL cost) thereby saving even more. It cost $30 to get one and it's good for 3 years, at which time you pay another $30 fee. I saved way more than $30 in my first bulk buy out, so it more than makes up for the difference to get one.

[xfer42]

I personally prefer ordering online. Shopping for powder/primers locally can take all day and the gun shows around here are usually a waste of $$$. Plus, coming home to a big brown box that has 10k primers and 10lbs of powder feels very much like Christmas. If you order online, plan on spending $200+ to make up for the $25 hazmat fee. When you order online, take that opportunity to order additional powders for experiments (slower and faster powders for your loads).

Wideners has been pretty much a good one stop shop for bullets, primers and powders. Check them frequently because they sell out fast. Recently, I was ready to place a $500 order at MidwayUSA for powder and primers. I decided to stop, and order the same at Wideners. I had to replace my H110 powder with Win296 (same thing), but I came out saving ~$200. Primers were $5 less per 1k (wolf) and they only charged 1 $25 hazmat fee.

If you need to save money, spend $200-$400 online at one place that charges only 1 $25 hazmat fee for mixed orders. Mixed meaning primers and powders. Some places sepperate powder and primers and charge you 2x $25.


Ive ordered bullets, powders and primers from:
Wideners
Midwayusa
Cabellas
Grafs & Sons
Powder Valley
recobstargetshop

Only Bullets (Good for 9mm and occasionally .223):
Berrysmfg

[keyports]

Thank you for all your reply's. I have used a single stage press in the past, good to learn but way too slow. My last press was Dillon's first progress press he made the RL300. Better than the single but slower than a new progressive. Once the RL is sold on Ebay I am looking to purchase a new(er) Dillon or Lock N Load progressive. You can go through a lot of rounds if your are a competitive shooter and that is what I want to get back into.

The C&R license sounds interesting, what vendors will give you a discount if you have a C&R license?

Thank you all for all your help. It would take me hours to find all the sites and then I would not know which ones I could trust without your help.

Again thank you.