BP at Bass Pro

I've read at least a few posts on these forums about the difficulty in getting real black powder without having a truckload delivered to your home. I just recently found out that Bass Pro carries Goex in 2, 3 and 4f. At $24.99 a pound it isn't cheap, but it is convenient if you live near one. They do not keep it on the shelves, and they do not advertise that they carry it. It almost seemed like they didn't really want to sell it to me. I've been going to my local store for years and just realized they stocked it this weekend. I asked for it at the gun counter, and was told that the black powder was on the shelf in such and such aisle, to which I replied, "No, those are substitutes. I am looking for the real stuff." After a couple of weird looks, he went in the back and got what I asked for. I think it's possible that more places carry it than one might think, you just have to know to ask.

The local one has empty cans on shelves with a sign telling you to ask for it. They take a photocopy of your ID and off you go.

The couple Bass Pro's I have been to, had a sign saying go to the counter to get Goex

Yes, you have to ask for it at my local Bass Pro shop, and I too have been directed to the smokless powder after asking for black powder. It's really easy to order it though, and places like Powder Inc. have a 5 pound minimum but hazmat fee and shipping is included in the price, which is just under $22 per pound. Go in with a friend or two to get the 5 pound min.

$24.99/lb? Ouch. That's 30¢ per shot just for the powder (figuring 85 shots per can). I'd much rather get 25 pounds and store it.

$13.96/lb that way from www.powderinc.com

I can get Goex ffg or fffg at both my local gunshops. I just have to ask at the counter. The price right now is $18.99. I only buy it in 2 or 3 pounds at a time. And I have no inclination to buy it in larger amounts. Who wants to tie up $350-500 all at one time for a BP investment that will take years to use up. I would rather spend 20 bucks every couple of months and use the 350-500 bucks for another gun.
I have 3 about 3 or 4 containers of triple7, and a couple of RS. most were given to me by BP hunters who don't hunt anymore. My name is out there with the locals who don't want it anymore cause they quit hunting. I have several containers that are 5 or more years old that are partially full and have satisfactory ignition with it. Cost of the trip7 in my area runs about $25 a can(plastic called a can?). I can buy it in most box stores in the area when the gunstores are closed.

My experience at BP has been you can't get waited on at any department. We take out of town visitors there just to look around but we don't spend any money there.

This is the USA, post 9-11-2001. If you take a can of BP and add a fuse to it, you have a bomb. If you do the same with the substitutes, they will simply burn like smokeless powder. Hence the new regs from the alphabet boys.

The retailer must keep it in a locked (controlled access) powder magazine and keep track of every pound in and out of the magazine. You need to ask for it and provide your ID so the retailer can keep track of who purchased it. I don't think anything is done with the record unless there is some good reason for the alphabet boys to need it. Now, exactly what constitutes a good reason is subject to change with the wind.

The FUDDS at Bass Pro can be just that, FUDDy. You should see the funny look I get when I walk up to pay for 4# of 4895, 2# of HS-6, then ask for 1000 large rifle primers and 1000 small pistol primers (these are kept behind the counter now too).

A friend of mine was interested in a rifle. When he asked the clerk to remove the trigger lock so he could get an idea of how the factory trigger feels, the clerk took the rifle from his hands, placed it back on the rack, and just walked away.

Last night I stopped in at our brand new local Bass Pro over in East Peoria, IL just to check and see what they have for traditional MLing.
They had more than expected but less than I'd hoped. One Traditions Hawken amongst all the plastic guns... They have a good assortment of roundballs, caps, a few flints, and some cleaning/loading tools. Prices are HIGH!
GOOD NEWS is that they will be selling Goex blackpowder. There are signs up in the aisle. That's good to know since NOBODY ELSE local has any.
Now, remember, this is a BRAND NEW store with BRAND NEW staff, who have BRAND NEW training... So, just to check, I went over to the gun counter and asked what the price was for a pound of Goex blackpowder. There were 2 sales kids there. They said "It's right over there", pointing toward the MLing supplies.
I said "No, I mean real Goex blackpowder. All that is on the shelf is substitute powder. You have to store the real stuff in a special magazine in the back. I saw a sign that said you carry real Goex blackpowder and I would like to check the price."
One kid asked if I could show him. I did. Then he took me to the manager because he still did not know how to find the price.
The good news is that the manager, who I would also call a kid, knew what I was talking about. He said he shoots a T/C Hawken himself and uses 2F Goex. :thumbsup: He couldn't tell me the price either tho because they don't have it in stock yet, or their license to sell it, or the prices... Maybe, hopefully, next week... :idunno:
I'll keep educatin' 'em as needed until they all learn what real blackpowder is. :wink:

OH, Stumpy, they don't have a single cedar shaft nor glue on broadhead on the shelf. I did NOT talk to the staff in the archery dept. tho... Maybe there's a special magazine in the back room for trad archery gear too??? :surrender:

I got mine from the local Gander mountain and he acted like I was a criminal for even asking for it. I'm not sure what he was thinking I was going to do with it.

Then I had to fill out paperwork to put on file almost like buying a firearm. I've got to find another source.