Opinion
It has come to my attention that Alliant Powders has recently suspended shipments of its smokeless powders for reloading. Alliant is the source of such old standards as Bullseye, Unique, and 2400, as well as the more modern Reloader series of powders.
Let me tell you what I have learned about this.
First, there is worldwide pressure on ammunition production capacity because of all the ammunition being consumed in ongoing conflicts, especially in Ukraine. The materials used to make propellants for artillery rounds are the same as those used to make small arms propellants. Many countries have ramped up production of ammunition and its precursors, including most of Europe and the U.S.
We’re seeing it as well on delayed production…
The propellant issue is quite real.
Convenient timing.I’m curious how many people know why we have a nitrocellulose shortage?
The consequences of stupidity.@SonsOfLibertyGW pic.twitter.com/fNSOaylFFJ
— Michael Mihalski (@SOLGW_Mike) May 10, 2024
The primary production bottleneck seems to be nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose for propellants can be obtained from various plant fibers, including forest products. However, the preferred source is cotton. The bottleneck is in the plant’s capacity to convert cotton into what is called “defense-grade” nitrocellulose.
Alliant is owned by Vista Outdoor, which also owns several other companies that produce loaded ammunition, including CCI, Federal, and Remington. Alliant sources its propellants from Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the Radford Army Arsenal in Virginia.
Because the ammunition manufacturers under the Vista umbrella are stressed in obtaining the propellants they need for their production, Vista appears to have made the business decision to commit all of the Alliant propellant capacity to Vista ammunition manufacturers. Thus, Alliant withdrew from shipment and sold propellants for reloading.
The ammunition marketplace seems to be recovering from a shortage of loaded ammunition and small arms primers. Prices are relaxing from the recent highs, and retail shelves are mostly well stocked. However, Alliant’s withdrawal from the reloading powder market will likely stress supplies of propellant for reloaders. Further, reloaders who have worked up and used favorite loads of Alliant powders may need to shift to using other brands and products.
How long Alliant’s absence from the reloading marketplace may last is unknown.
The tone of their announcement is until further notice. It may be assumed that this will continue until the military demand for nitrocellulose reduces or the processing of cotton into defense-grade nitrocellulose increases. Neither of those is likely to change dramatically anytime soon.
Best wishes,
Gary Marbut, President
Montana Shooting Sports Association
www.mtssa.org
Author, Gun Laws of Montana
www.mtpublish.com
Live Inventory Price Checker
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20n29 Smokless Rifle Powder - 20n29 8lb Smokeless Rifle Powder | Brownells.com | $ 336.99 |
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Dillon B Rifle Powder Funnel | Creedmoor Sports | $ 24.96 |
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Lee Precision, Inc. .45-70 Government Rifle Powder Through Expander Die | Palmetto State Armory | $ 18.59 $ 14.29 |
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Accurate 5744 Powders - #5744 1 Lb Rifle Powder | Brownells.com | $ 74.99 |
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About Gary Marbut
Longtime Montana political observer and participant Gary Marbut is president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, the primary political advocate for Montana gun owners.
one created shortage to the next
This is why I have been caching for decades and you should too. If the SHTF their won’t be anymore available.
One contributing factor not mentioned is the destruction of our domestic petrochemical industry here in the US. Environmental regulators have destroyed our domestic capacity to produce everything from drugs to lead. Nitrocellulose is primarily produced in Russia and China now. Not good for the home team. But stupid is as stupid does.
Just another example of everything for (fill in the blank) and not America
I have long given up on attaining my beloved AR Comp and have switch to Hodgdon brands like BL-C(2) or Alliance 2520 which I can find on the local shelves. There is no way I’m paying HazMat charges along with shipping to attain these powders at inflated prices. What amazes me is I’m seeing ammo and primers from Mexico (Aguila) more and more on the shelves and won’t be a stretch to start see powder from them. The irony is the Mexican government suing US gun manufacturers for guns being smuggled into their country while they are exporting cheap ammo… Read more »
I’m sick and tired of funding the Ukrainians. Time to end it NOW. Ukraine is not now nor have they ever been US allies. This has gone far enuff- funding the Biden Crime Family’s “investments” in Burisma and other Ukrainian “businesses”. No more 10% for “The Big Guy”!!!
Thanks for the heads up. I had about 4# of Unique, Bullseye, and Power Pistol on hand but have immediately ordered 8# of Bullseye and Power Pistol. There is no Unique available from any reputable seller online as of 5/21/24 at 8 pm. Just to be safe, I ordered another 8# of Accurate 1680 for my 300 HAMR loads. I’m going to have to load in primers as well. Wasn’t expecting this expenditure, but fortunate to be able to do it. I only started reloading 18 months ago, but I haven’t purchased commercial ammo in that time at all and… Read more »
One wonders how many pounds, that’s right, pounds, not grains, of powder go into one 155mm artillery shell.
And the Ukrainians are reported to be firing thousands of rounds per day.
Plus, not reported here, two of the world’s top producers of nitrocellulose are China and Russia, who have both reportedly halted exports of same.
Get your Retumbo while you can. I cannot find 8 lb anywhere. You know, I am really blessed. I just didn’t like the way ObiDUM and the ATF are working to stop us from buying things like we used to so I bought 36 lbs of powder of various types for different guns. So glad I did because Alliant is one of my favorite.
For some reason I seem to recall the same type of thing happening when Obummer was in office. Hummmm!!!!!!!!!!
Oregoniestan
For a long time, more than a year, I have been trying to get my hands on some RL 26 for loads in a magnum rifle. A Ruger Precision in 300 PRC. I have not found another powder that has the potential in my rifle that RL 26 had. I got so frustrated I contacted Alliant directly. Their rep said as far as he knew they were manufacturing and selling all of their powders. Thanks to this article I see where that manufactured powder has been going. Certainly not to the retailer. Of course the rep didn’t tell me that.… Read more »