Hodgdon powder prices in 1978: $44 for 8 lbs!

Has inflation (and shortages in the supply chain) affected the price? You bet. You’re probably right. Forum member “Two Time HM LR”, posted this interesting photo above, showing the prices of Hodgdon 8 lb powder from 1978 as sold by O.K. Weber in Oregon. Prices have increased by over 1000%.
Eight Pounders under $45.00 in 1978
You may not be attracted to the prices of $20 to $44 at first. Take note that these are numbers for EIGHT-pound containers. Eight-pounders cost less than $45! In 1978, for example, H4895 cost $44 for eight pounds. H335 cost $20 for eight pounds, or $2.50 a pound.
A single pound of H4831 powder, for example, can cost upwards of $60 in some stores. Hodgdon’s website shows that H4831 powder will cost $58.99 per pound by April 2024. H4831’s price is 10.7 times more expensive than it was in 1978 when H4831 sold for $44 per 8 pounds. $5.50 per pound. [Hodgdon H4831 8-lb is now $403.99 or 9.18 times more expensive than before.]
Here are some comments made by our forum members:
“Hell, those prices are about the same as what we have now. Just a smaller container.” — Joe
“I have some H4831 in an empty can marked ‘WWII surplus powder’ with a $2.75 price tag. We’ll also never see it again.” Rick in Oregon
“1978 prices would be nice and 2022 income would also be nice. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work. When you compare powder prices to income, they are about the same. You have to take into account the temporary price gouging we are experiencing.” — Tmwinds
“I used to buy gasoline for 10 cents a gallon, and they would pump it, check the engine oil, and clean the windscreen.” — Pirate Ammo
One comment suggests the price increase of powder actually tracks the general inflation in the U.S. dollar over the past four decades. The price hikes in powder may not be as bad as they appear when compared with the overall inflation rate since 1978.
“Using H4895 (list price in 1978) as a basis for comparison, it calculates to $275 today’s money. Powder Valley prices in August 2023 will be around [$340] in today’s money. [A 24% increase]. The availability of powder is another issue and if someone really needs it, they may have to pay more than suggested retail.” — Drover