Ordering Powder, What Licences You Need And Why

What Licence do I Need To Buy Black Powder?

Quick answer: You require an Explosives Certificate with the UN numbers 0027 and 0028 listed is required in order to acquire and keep black powder. Refer to last section for ordering information.

Comprehensive answer: Black powder is the world's oldest explosive compound and has been in constant use ever since. It is the most popularly consumed powder for muzzle loading, re-enactment and vintage cartridge reloading. Black powder is a mixture of charcoal, potassium nitrate and sulfur, and is a deflagrating low explosive compound. In the UK (along with pretty much everywhere else), black powder is classed as an explosive, and is subject to the most stringent controls.

Black powder is classified as UN0027/UN0028 with hazard type 1.1. This means that in UK law, black powder is considered an explosive (Explosives Regulations 2014 S2(1)(a)), and an Explosives Certificate with the UN numbers 0027 and 0028 listed is required in order to acquire and keep black powder (ER2014 S4(1)(b)).

For more information on how to get an Explosives Certificate to keep black powder, click here.

Full range of Black Powder is available here.

What Licence do I Need To Buy Hodgdon's Triple 7 Powders?

Quick answer: You require an Explosives Certificate with the UN number UN0499 listed in order to acquire and keep Triple 7. Refer to last section for ordering information.

Comprehensive answer: The Triple 7 range of black powder substitutes from Hodgdon are relatively new on the market, and offer an alternative to black powder, particularly for those shooters seeking less smoke and residue, if shooting indoors for example. Hodgdon's range of Triple 7 covers pretty much every calibre of muzzle loading gun, from FFFG grade for pistols, to FFG for rifles and shotguns. Triple 7 is chemically very different to both black powder and Pyrodex, interestingly using a glucose compound rather than charcoal as a fuel, and therefore behaves differently when used in a gun. It is primarily this difference that means Triple 7 powders are classified differently than any other propellant.

Triple 7 (any type) is classified as UN0499, with a hazard type 1.3c. As this UN number falls outside the exemption under Schedule 2 of the Explosives Regulations 2014, it is not specifically exempt, and therefore an Explosives Certificate with UN number UN0499 is required to acquire and keep Triple 7.

For more information on how to get an Explosives Certificate to keep Triple 7, click here.

Full range of Triple 7 is available here.

What Licence do I Need To Buy Hodgdon's Pyrodex Powders?

Quick answer: You require a Firearm or Shotgun Certificate to purchase Pyrodex Powders or be a Registered Firearms Dealer. Refer to last section for ordering information.

Comprehensive answer: Pyrodex by Hodgdon is the old favourite black powder substitute, and has been on the market for a number of years. In terms of chemical composition, Pyrodex is classed as a smokeless powder the same as other modern propellants for reloading. Pyrodex is the traditional muzzle loading alternative, and is an excellent, modern and consistent powder, though is less dense than true black powder, and therefore must be measured differently when loading.

Hodgdon's Pyrodex powders are classified as UN0161, with hazard type 1.3c. This UN number is mentioned as specifically exempt from requiring an explosives certificate to own (Explosives Regulations 2014, Schedule 2 S15(a). Whilst this range of powders is exempt from an Explosives Certificate, this does not mean they can be bought over the counter with no licence requirements. In order to purchase Pyrodex, you must be either; a Registered Firearms Dealer, or hold a current Firearms or Shotgun Certificate (ER 2014 Schedule 2 S15 (b)(i-iiii). The requirement for the purchaser to be either an RFD, or have a shotgun/firearms certificate is unique to smokeless powders (including Pyrodex), and this is not sufficient to buy either black powder or Triple 7.

Note, this exemption does not apply to Pyrodex pellets, which are classified as UN0499, therefore are treated the same as Triple 7 powders. We are only stockists of Pyrodex powder.

Full range of Pyrodex Powders are available here.

What Licence do I Need To Buy Other Smokeless Powders including Ramshot, Vihtavuori, Hodgdon and Alliant?

Quick answer: You require a Firearm or Shotgun Certificate to purchase Smokeless Powders or be a Registered Firearms Dealer. Refer to last section for ordering information.

Comprehensive answer: Smokeless powders are now the most common propellant used in ammunition the world over. Invented in France in the 1880s, smokeless nitrocellulose powder quickly overtook black powder for use in small arms, for it's efficiency and performance gains, and revolutionized modern firearms technology. Of all powder types, smokeless powders are the most popular powders on the market, with modern handloaded ammunition being popular with shooters of all disciplines.

Smokeless powders (depending on manufacturer and type) are classified as either UN0509 or UN0161, with hazard type 1.3c or 1.4c. This means they are specifically exempt from requiring an Explosives Certificate to own (Explosives Regulations 2014, Schedule 2, S15(a)). Whilst there is no requirement to have an explosives certificate, you must still either be; a Registered Firearms Dealer, or hold a current Firearms or Shotgun Certificate in order to buy smokeless powder (ER2014 Schedule 2 S15(b)(i-iiii). The requirement for the purchaser to be either an RFD, or have a shotgun/firearms certificate is unique to smokeless powders, and this is not sufficient to buy either black powder or Triple 7.

Full range of smokeless powders are available here.

Ordering Powder For Delivery

We are able to send all kinds of powder for delivery mail order, including black powder. For black powder and triple 7, we require the original copy of your Explosives Certificate (unless you are a Registered Firearms Dealer, then a copy is sufficient). For other smokeless powders and Pyrodex, please email a copy of your firearms/shotgun/RFD certificate with your order to [email protected].

For more details on delivery options and price, please contact us at [email protected] or telephone 0113 256 9163.