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

Just received this from my firearms certification department.

"Hello,

I write in relation to Hodgdon Triple Seven powder and pellets.

Enquiries reveal that Hodgdon Triple Seven powder and pellets have the explosive UN numbers of 0499 or 0501 - these numbers are not listed as exempt from having an explosive certificate under Schedule 2 of the Explosive Regulations 2014. This means that to sell this product you need to have an explosives acquire and keep (A/K) certificate with 0499 & 0501 listed, and to purchase from you, your customer needs a valid explosives acquire and keep (A/K) certificate with UN 0499 and 0501 listed.

I have conducted further enquiries with the Regional Explosive Lead and have been advised that unlike black powder there is no requirement for this propellant to be stored in a wooden box.

It is unknown as to whether there has been a recent change in the mixture of the powder/pellets which has led to it now being classified as either UN 0499 or 0501.

I have notified the HSE of this matter and they will be contacting the importer and conducting further enquiries however, it may be some time before we receive a response from them.

In the meantime, if you sell Hodgson Triple Seven and have been issued with an A/K explosive certificate please return the certificate to Firearms Licensing for update (no fee). If you do not currently have an A/K certificate and sell Triple Seven then you will need to apply for a certificate and pay the relevant fee.

Please advise any potential customer(s) that they need to apply for an explosives A/K certificate from the Licensing department from where they reside before they can purchase the pellets/powder (no fee).

I will advise you when I receive an update in relation to this matter.

Many thanks? "

How will this apply to those of us who already have tubs of it ?

We assume that's a hypothetical question, ooman, that you are asking on behalf of a friend...

Of course It is , purely hypothingy.

I think that will kill the sales of triple 7 in the UK. People only bought it as they didn't an explosive licence to acquire but it didn't offer any other advantages over blackpowder.

But an explosives licence is free, the requirements are not exactly onerous, what is the issue?

Ovenpaa wrote:But an explosives licence is free, the requirements are not exactly onerous, what is the issue?

Could it be that many ranges don't allow blackpowder, because of ventilation or other concerns, but will allow substitutes?

Ovenpaa wrote:But an explosives licence is free, the requirements are not exactly onerous, what is the issue?

It's still an extra hoop to jump though- and the process can take some time (eg i bought a revolver and applied for my explosives licence beforehand-ended up taking nearly 6 months to actually get it though the post-bought pyrodex in the meantime).

That and a lot of people wont know its free unless someone tells them and most would probably also assume you need the same storage as black powder or similar. ( and will the loca explosives officer realise they don't need the same level of storage?)

Assuming pyrodex can still be bought without an licence I'm guessing they will take more of a market share now.

Are there other common substitutes that still don't need a licence to purchase?

Leaves a lot of people in the lurch and the police with a nice big backlog of suddenly required explosive certs. Whenever Covid-19 notices such as TVP's are lifted, of course.

"Coronavirus (Covid-19)

We are temporarily unable to process any new applications for the grant of shotgun, firearms or explosives certificates. This is due to home visits no longer being possible. Renewal applications are currently still being processed. We’ve stopped routinely visiting certificate holders for renewal applications until further notice. "

Does Pyrodex require a certificate?