I recently ran out of powder and was going to have to start trying to find more Hodgdon International. Then by luck a good friend of mine called me up and asked me if i would want to purchase a buch of reloading supplies from him since he was getting out of it. Among a lot of other things about 20 lbs of International powder came with the buy, for VERY cheap! So fortunately, i am set for a while.

I was at Deep River yesterday, Home of the Southern SxS. He has most useful Shotgun powders in stock. Good supply of 7 1/2 shot too. Dealer I buy from most Green Top in Ashland Va is also well stocked with powders and shot.

William

Clays Universal
 

I replied to this thread recently re unavailable powder. I checked with my supplier and I am supposed to receive my order of Clays Universal next week. Hornady is only making it available in 1 lb cans rather than 8 lb kegs as they have supplied in the past. In my opinion this lends to the theory of hoarding as they have decried as the reason for the shortage of powder. If one wants to make a profit from powder all they have to do is buy from a wholesaler and resale at a higher price with the 1 lb cans. I would be much more difficult with 4 and 8 lb kegs. I will not complain as I will be glad to get the powder that has been on backorder for 2 1/2 years. Jim Garrett

At Cabelas, Wheeling yesterday they had Blue Dot, Unique, Int. Clays. Univ. clays, and Clays. Also Longshot, WSF, Super AA, Titewad, Titegroup, and Lil" gun

POWDER BURN RATES
 

This chart helps me find a substitute powder when I can't find exactly what I am looking for. I don't substitute the loads but rely on the loading data for the new powder which the chart will get you in the ballpark of what you are looking for.

I have been using relitive quickness charts loading rifle and pistol cartridges for years. Can't find what you want they give good alternatives. W 748 for BL C, or Varget in the 308 or 4759 vs 4227 in 32/40 & 38/55 good example. However Rifles you can start low work up a load, Cronograph, look at cases for pressure signs, etc. number of ways to stay safe.

Shotguns advice has always been published loads only. That's fine for modern guns, Older doubles, powder shortages and discontinued powders put me back into the relitive quickness charts. I follow rifle methods, start very low, make sure the wad leaves the barrel, don't switch the other components, and most often try the load in a pump shotgun first. Work up very slowly Cronographing.

Would rather follow published but the powder companies make it more difficult every year.

William

Stopped into my favorite Ohio "Outdoor Superstore" this afternoon and was delighted to see a wide variety of powders on hand in both 1 lb and 8 lb containers. No problem finding Red Dot, Clay Dot, Green Dot, etc. in either size. Don't tell the doomsday preppers...

Last week I took a ride around part of NH and stopped at three gun stores in fairly close proximity to each other, Riley's, Shooters Outpost and Bass Pro. Each store had a few small bottles of 700-X. Shooters Outpost had one 1lb bottle of Alliant Clay Dot, and Bass Pro had one 1lb bottle of Green Dot. Although this is better than bare shelves it still suggests to me the powder drought may be easing but things have not returned to normal in this part of the country.

Things are improving. One of SoCal's most popular suppliers, Phillips Wholesale - http://www.phillipswholesale.com/, has had 700-X, along with a lot of others, in stock for a few weeks (the News and Updates tab lists the current inventory). Looks like waiting in line, 8 hours before opening, or shipping and Haz-Mat fees are a thing of the past. For now...

Bruce

What are the limitations of 700-X for water fowling from a blind? I'm ready to open another keg for 1 1/8 loads, bismuth and lead. No problems with other powders, just to simplify and reduce clutter; possessions are a burden at a certain age.