Hazmat fees?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Finding powder any more in my neck of the woods is now a hit or miss proposition! Once upon a time every gun shop in the area carried a well stocked powder cabinet, and you might have to go to a couple of stores to find what you wanted, but you WOULD find it! Now, you have to settle for whatever crap the guy has on the shelf, and it aint much.....and prices are ridiculous (one dealer wanted $35/lb for H4895).
Prices are good on the net, but I detest the idea of hazmat fees in addition to S & H fees.....just drives up the price as well, esp. if you are ordering only a pound or two.
I think I have a pretty big order put together, and I was wondering if there are any mail order companies out there that you folks deal with that will wave the hazmat fee if you place a big order.
Thanks in advance...............

[quigleysharps4570]

I'm fortunate enough to live close to Powder Valley Inc. so I don't have to pay a hazmat fee for smokeless powder or primers. They still only charge $25 for those that do order though.

[skeet]

I imagine you are SOL. I think one or two of the surplus guys waive the fees on large quantities of powder..but that means like 50 lbs or so. Cabelas usually has powders at just a bit unreasonable prices but better than paying hazmat fees if you can get to the store

[GoodOlBoy]

Gander mountain is about the same as cabelas. I have found a guy that sells at gunshows in dads area I buy from who has better pricing, and there is a small gun shop in buffalo texas that has good prices on power and primers as well.

GoodOlBoy

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Thanks for all the replies.... well, I did a little number crunching and it looks as if it will be cheaper in the long run to just place a big order for various amounts of powders and pay the hazmat fee than it would be to pick up a pound or two here and there. Now, I just gotta figure out who I want to order from....

[Jack]

Another alternative, if there's a gunshop in your area that will cooperate: have the gunshop order what powder you want on their next order.
The local shop I go to doesn't stock a lot of powders, but they'll get me anything I want within a few days.

[Gil Martin]

The gun shops around here are usually well stocked and sell IMR powders for $25.00. I found a local gun shop that sells IMR powders for $21.95 a can. If he does not have what I want, he will pick it up and have it the next week at the same price. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Guys,

What does the Hazmat Fee involve? I see the UPS truck drive up and the driver gets the cardboard box of powder off a shelf in the truck. There is NO Isolated box, extra security and such like. Its funny, but there really is NO Hazard for reloading components we all have in our homes or in a UPS truck.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

There are hazmat fess on reloading components like primers. Look at the link for CCI shotgun primers. Not sure how anyone could buy them and have them shipped without a hazmat fee. I believe this is a DOT requirement. All the best...
Gil


http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.co...?sku=000200009

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Gil has it right...it's a DOT requirement; seems that most companies charge about the same ($20-$25) per "box"; however, you can have up to 50lbs of powder per "box". If you were to order just one pound, it would be ridiculously expensive; however, if you have a large order, even with the S&H fees it ends up being cheaper. For example, a pound of Unique is going for around $25 in my neck of the woods. On a couple of websites, I've found it for around $18....so if I spread that hazmat fee over, say 20-25 lbs, I can reap a savings.
Hazmat fees are supposedly to help cover the "extra" cost of hazardous material, yet I don't see anyone approaching the door in a hazmat suit, ect....it still comes in a brown, cardboard box; the only difference is that it requires a signature.
....and I'm starting to thing that the whole thing is arbitrary. For example, I have to pay a hazmat fee for shipping primers, but not for primed shotshell hulls or for loaded ammuntition.....go figure!

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Yes, I understand there may be a "DOT Regulation", but what is regulated and how does the Common Carrier provide any extra service? As Mr. 16 gauge asked, "Why a Hazmat fee for primers, but not for primed shotshell hulls or loaded ammunition?"

The Hazmat fee has never provided any service I can observe. Also, why is loaded ammo EXCLUDED from the hazmat fee? Perhaps the DOT Bureaucrats do not KNOW there are primers in loaded ammo. I say the Hazmat Fee is BS!

Adam

[Gil Martin]

I suggest that you take your questions about and arguments against hazmat fees to the DOT. As a former federal employee, I think you know the drill. All the best...
Gil

[GoodOlBoy]

Also keep in mind some places don't "combine" hazmat fees. IE if you order a pound of IMR trailboss, and a pound of Hodgdon 4895 they charge two different hazmat fees. Add in primers and you are paying three fees. Most of them will allow you to order up to 25lbs OF THE SAME POWDER under one fee.

GoodOlBoy

[Mr. 16 gauge]

GOB;
The folks I usually deal with will allow you up to 25lbs of powder, mixed, i.e. 4 lbs of Herco, 1lb of IMR4350, 2lbs of Blue dot, ect.

[GoodOlBoy]

Sounds like good folks to deal with then 16. I would say go for it.

GoodOlBoy