I think that if anyone thinks that Hodgdon doesn't follow posting on sites like this they've missed the boat. Since the company owns both powders, BH and T7, and have had the BH marked up in the heavens for over a year, they'll start pricing the T7 up until the T7 is on par with the BH. I also think that pellets are going to go away as the granular T7 products go up in price. The company knows that the granular T7 has more utility than the pellets and people stuck on pellets will be forced to buy the more expensive T7 granulars.
Anyone who has spent any time at all with BH209 knows that it's at the top of the available propellant pile when it comes down to muzzies. T7 granular products are right there, yet under, the BH. It's only a matter of time before the top two powders are going to demand the top of the pricing and there isn't going to be very much difference in pricing and once the company has the consumer accustomed to the new, elevated pricing they'll begin with smaller portions just like they did with BH. It's nothing more than a marketing strategy that's spread out over a set period of time. And the company knows that people bellyaching about the cost/jug size for T7 and BH and reverting to real black or Pyrodex will not be happy campers in doing so and will likely break down and spend what they have to, to get either of the top two powders or just stop shooting muzzies.
I'm in the same camp as El Diablo when it comes down to the components we need in order to shoot. It's amazing how much BH I have seen locally on tables at garage sales for $15 or so bucks alongside of an inline because the owner didn't have a happy experience with a muzzy or he just isn't into hunting. I may not need any more BH for another decade, or any other powder I currently shoot for that matter, but I still buy these unopened jugs, then vacuum seal them. I do the same with primers.
Hodgdon is no different than Lay's Potato Chips. In an effort to seduce the buying public into thinking they're getting more than they really are they both using packaging that contains about 50% air. They raise prices and shrink the product volume and or weight. People gripe but still buy. That is going to happen yet with T7. People can boycott, but Hodgdon is a huge company and has way deeper pockets than a few trying to sway the company's desire to maximize profits. T7 will go the way of BH.