Better stock up (again)

[Frank Srebro]

Just for info: it’s been reported on several sites that the BATFE recently reclassified wetted nitrocellulose ( >12.6% N) as an explosive material. That means more restrictions on manufacture, storage and transport. Wetted nitrocellulose is the base ingredient for all smokeless powders whether single or double-base.

[Dean Romig]

Right - I read that on the other forum.

They can't grab our guns so they'll restrict our ammo.

This, with no warning or public comment allowed. It smacks of an executive order.






.

[Pete Lester]

A good article, the impact on ammo prices and powder availability is not yet known and given it's an election year there is fear mongering. Time will tell.

My thoughts, as long as there is terrorism in this country on a on going basis, things will get more difficult for us rather than easier in the long run.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/08/30/breaking-latest-atf-move-cause-ammunition-price-spike-due-component-reclassification/

[Frank Srebro]

NC has been known and used for gunpowders (and explosives in higher % N) for about 150 years now and the manufacturers will make, ship and store it "wetted" with water/alcohol to make it far less likely to ignite. Then it is dried and processed with other ingredients to make common smokeless powders. So let's say the XYZ Commercial Powder company is storing it wetted and in bulk at their facility as it had been for decades; now the Company must store it as if it were far more dangerous, with increased distances between magazines and other more stringent babysitting requirements. All that adds complexity and cost which of course is passed on if the XYZ Company wants to stay in biz. Now, if you were the CEO of XYZ would you step up and invest $ to come in compliance with the new regs, or cut back on storage and mainly limit production to military powders? Maybe just use the excess, if any, to make sporting shotshell and rifle powders and ammo? Rhetorical questions, gents. :banghead:

Two years ago when the powder availability problem hit home I spoke with a gent with a commercial shotshell company who told me how its NC was made at a foreign plant and shipped here wetted in ocean going containers, and that just then there were limits enacted to reduce the number of containers allowed per ship.

Any guesses what might happen as the reclassified regs are rolled out?

[Marc Retallack]

It appears as though this action has been put on hold for the moment.

https://www.atf.gov/explosives/docs/newsletter/explosive-industry-newsletter-june-2016-addendum/download