Comments on: Holy Hazmat Batman

By: Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:53:47 +0000

That’s why I buy my powder and primer locally, unless I’m buying milsurp pulldown powder.

By: deadcenter

deadcenter — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:02:56 +0000

The Hazmat fee pays for the DOT training certificate required of the shipper in order to ship flammable and reactive compounds, powder flammable, primers reactive. I’m not positive, but if cartridges are exempt from the hazmat fee it might be because each casing does not contain enough of either compound to be considered a hazard, a de minimis exemption, but that’s a guess plain and simple.

Best bet, either buy local or find a club that orders in bulk. It’s usually an 18 to 20 dollar charge so if you can split that between 4 people it’s a bit more palatable.

By: straightarrow

straightarrow — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:46:29 +0000

I don’t know if this has an effect on the matter, but pyrodex falls into the same category as modern powders, they are listed as propellants. However, black powder in an explosive.

That might have a bearing on its availability due to shipping, storage concerns etc.

By: Firehand

Firehand — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:54:39 +0000

That’s why I’ll drive a bit to get to a local place with powder & primers.

I think they have to pay the hazmat fee on propellant and primers because it’s considered a shipment of ‘that item’, as opposed to ammo where it’s a component. Or something like that.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:06:12 +0000

Midway (and a lot of others) charge the hazmat fee for components, yet don’t for ammunition, which, the last time I checked, contains both primers and powder. Go figure.

And while we’re on this rant, how come it’s so d*mned difficult to get real black powder? My sidelined flintlock would like to know.

By: DirtCrashr

DirtCrashr — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:13:11 +0000

We do a bulk purchase at my club that gets distributed among members who participate. However I am seriously re-thinking my purchase of 53-grain match bullets in a 1-in-7 twist…

By: guy

guy — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:01:17 +0000

“I believe it’s a flat rate, so order in bulk.”

It is. I thought that was the whole purpose of the fee in the first place - incentive to support your local gun shop or get used to having LOTS of powder/primers around the house.

Of course that might have just been one of those Unintended Consequences(TM) thingies.

By: Ahab

Ahab — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:44:15 +0000

Pyrodex doesn’t get charged a hazmat fee.

Clearly, buy more muzzleloaders.

By: the pistolero

the pistolero — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:15:19 +0000

A-yep. I saw that too. Local fun ,er, gun stores are still good for at least one thing. ;-)

By: The Duck

The Duck — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:52:39 +0000

Stock up my friend, it’s only going up

By: SteVe

SteVe — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:34:41 +0000

Yup, you gotta watch out for the fine print. I believe it’s a flat rate, so order in bulk.