The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

John MH wrote:Fireworks?

A firework has gunpowder present within it, but it is compressed, as opposed to a tub of gunpowder, making it an explosive rather than a flammable solid...

"If smokeless powder is burned in the open air, it produces a fast burning smoky orange flame, but no explosion. It burns explosively only when tightly confined, such as in a gun barrel or a closed bomb." or in this case a firework.

"In fact, gasoline is a more dangerous substance than smokeless gunpowder when the powder is unconfined (as opposed to being confined in a gun charge or in a bomb)."

saddler wrote:

John MH wrote:Thanks, very useful. tesnews

Anything else to contribute?

Whilst I agree that privately posting/shipping from the USA is probably a non-starter have you anything useful to add?

...yes - but if you read my previous post to THIS reply you'll see it took more than the 30 seconds yours did...

I did the correction to your post, as I know enough folk that WOULD have been looking under the spelling you put up!!

Roger the internet experts at play, it actually took more than 30 seconds as my work computer is a bit slow today.

saddler wrote:

TattooedGun wrote:Still you've posted nothing about the law or implications of this... give me something to back it up and I'll give up...

My apologies - I never realised I was a salaried employee!!

My apologies if I offended you, but you came in pretty hard going "ner ner ner, it can't be done" and gave nothing to substantiate your claims, no source to verify that which you were implying!

saddler wrote: Try reading this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/freque ... explosives

Just because WE want a thing to be diffferent does not mean that it will then be different.
You are not the first person to try to do this, and I doubt you'll be the last

THE LAW within the UK states that smokeless powder IS hazardous and cannot be sent by Royal Mail. It MUST go by a courier, normally TNT - so rough cost there is £25 per shipment.

£25 per shipment.... not a problem! thats the price difference of 1lb of powder... If I ship 2 8lb tubs in one shipment, thats an insignificant amount of shipping added! It's not like I'm going to be making a habit out of it... 16lb of varget would keep me in roughly 2400 rounds of .308, or 1200 .308 and 2240 .223 reloads! Thats easily enough for a year or 2 shooting, however if I had that much at my disposal, I'd be much more tempted to head down to Bisley more often!

saddler wrote: Read THIS: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009 ... tents/made

You'll possibly need and RCA/Pomster too - which is issued free from the HSE above

RCA/Pomster?

RCA is exempt:

hse.gov.uk wrote:The [RCA] regulations apply to transfers of ALL explosives – except:

• ammunition
  pyrotechnic articles
  explosives intended for lawful use by the police or armed forces
  explosives articles in airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners and
  the components of small arms ammunition when being transferred for the recipient’s private use. (The commercial transfers of components of small arms ammunition are subject to the transfer controls)

I'm not sure about Pomster though...

saddler wrote: It looks like the legislation WILL allow you to do it - but good luck with the shipping costs!!
You'll find that the couriers and shipping companies will have a minimum fee for their space

You'll also run into the hurdle that you are allowed to keep a MAX of 15kg for personal use under UK law - that's JUST been increased from the previous 5kg limit

15kg is plenty, as I said above, 2 x 8lb containers would keep me in stock of ammo for a year or 2!

So it is possible...

As for the cost side of it, it really does look like if its legally viable, then its definitely going to be financially viable...

TattooedGun

I think your on a hiding to nothing but good luck with your quest, if you think you're going to save £200 then don't forget that international postage for an 8lb package is not going to be that cheap and then at the UK end the stuff still has to be delivered by the Royal Mail or Parcelfarce (Saddler; deliberately mispelt) plus the Duty, VAT and handling charges.

If you go for one of the FEDEX or UPS type shippers then it may be even more expensive.

I might bring some powder back to the UK in December, if I can convince the Captain that its safe to store in the Missile Compartment.

The £25 per shipment is TNT within the UK

Getting the powder shipped from the USA by sea - $£$£$£$ - MY GUESS: the shipping from the USA will kill the idea stone dead.

Why do you think the importers bring powders in in bulk? To spread out the shipping costs otherwise the exercise would be futile

John MH wrote:TattooedGun

I think your on a hiding to nothing but good luck with your quest, if you thing your going to save £200 then don't forget that international postage for an 8lb package is not going to be that cheap and then at the UK end the stuff still has to be delivered by the Royal Mail or Parcelfarce (Saddler; deliberately mispelt) plus the Duty, VAT and handling charges.

If you go for one of the FEDEX or UPS type shippers then it may be even more expensive.

I might bring some powder back to the UK in December, if I can convince the captain that its safe to store in the Missile Compartment.

Er - Royal Snail, surely?? 'tis my experience of the useless gits

Mark,

I am having an awful lot of issues just importing black dog mags in bulk!! - speak to Customs and Excise on 0845 010 9000, they are very helpful and will tell you what you need to do. (but not how to make it all come together!)

Mike

John MH wrote:TattooedGun

I think your on a hiding to nothing but good luck with your quest, if you thing your going to save £200 then don't forget that international postage for an 8lb package is not going to be that cheap and then at the UK end the stuff still has to be delivered by the Royal Mail or Parcelfarce (Saddler; deliberately mispelt) plus the Duty, VAT and handling charges.

If you go for one of the FEDEX or UPS type shippers then it may be even more expensive.

I might bring some powder back to the UK in December, if I can convince the captain that its safe to store in the Missile Compartment.

I'm just talking with my friend i the states... if I get 2 x 8lb tubs... thats a pre shipping saving of £400... If it costs £100 to ship it (which is a lot and way more than I'd estimate - also it would have to be shipped ground as per US regulations, so its not exactly going to be fast, so it should be cheaper.... relatively), then I'm still going to be quids in...

Duty rate is 2.7% and VAT of 20% - including some shipping would be about £50 import duty... we're still talking half price...

It may seem like a lot of work, but y'know saving even £100 by doing it would be worth it... If I can use my head and sort this out relatively well, I'm sure I could get it shipped and posted saving atleast £150 Its only a saving of around 6.25p per round... but that saving means every 9 rounds... I have a free round*...

*Rough calculations

Let us know how you get on.