I can relate. Shipping cost from fuel hikes has got to have something to do it with it along with availability. My local source sells it at 40-42 bucks per pound witch isn't to far from where it started. Brownells wants 53 a lb. so with tax, shipping, hazmat 2lbs. of powder is 140 bucks. I mean datum! 70 green backs per lb. is a little much but if they have your favorite powder you are kinda backed into a corner. I don't blame the retailer it's all they can do is get it. The higher price starts with obtaining the basic ingredients which is subject to the increased cost from manufacturing to delivery to the local supplier.You cannot blame it on the retailers. There has never really been much money to be made on powders at the retail level. The price I have to pay right now to buy powder wholesale is about what I used to be able to get it for at retail. As you stated, by the time I pay hazmat and shipping then the cost to the retail customer will be 50 or more. Most local shops that sell powder have pretty much always sold it at what it cost them, just as a courtesy and to draw customers in hopes of selling them something else.