reloading powder
Smokeless powder may be the most important component for any shooter who is reloading ammo and it’s probably the most complicated as well. With different characteristics and a ton of variables, gunpowder needs to be fully understood before you attempt to reload ammunition.
This guide will take you through the basics of smokeless gunpowder, show how all smokeless powder is not the same and demonstrate how the different characteristics of powder can make your reloads more effective depending upon your intended purpose. Don’t want to read the whole thing? No problem, use the quick links below to jump to whatever section you like.
When you start looking for gunpowder, one of the first things you’ll probably notice is that there are three companies who distribute the majority of powder throughout the country. There are other distributors and brands operating under different names, but if you purchase powder, there is a very strong chance it came through one of the following three companies.
ALLIANT POWDER
The history of Alliant Powder dates back to 1872, when they were known as Laflin & Rand. They later became the Hercules Powder Company, which was one of the most respected and trusted names in ammunition at the time. Their products included items for rifle, shotgun, and handgun cartridges as well as muzzleloading applications.
Today, Alliant provides many different powders that can be used for different purposes. They are a member of Vista Outdoor Inc., a global company that oversees numerous brands including Federal Premium Ammunition, Blazer, Bushnell, and Speer.
Hodgdon Powder
Hodgdon Powder is arguably the most successful powder company in the U.S.A. Founder Bruce Hodgdon purchased 50,000 pounds of surplus gunpowder after World War II and began selling to other gunowners who were interested in reloading. The Hodgdon company now provides a wide
Western Powders
Focusing primarily on powders for outdoor sports, especially big-game hunting, Western Powders is a brand that provides excellent products as well as reloading data, shooting accessories, and gun care supplies. Based out of Montana, it has been a leading powder distributor since 1972.
Their powder brands include Ramshot, which offers a full range of powders for hunting and marksmanship, Accurate, which is focused on shooting precision, and Blackhorn 209, which creates low-residue powder for muzzleloading. Range of smokeless and muzzleloading powders. Even the product that started the company, known as H4895, is still produced and sold. Based in Kansas, Hodgdon regularly creates innovative and technologically-advanced powders that meet the needs of many different shooters and reloaders.
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Winchester AutoComp Powder 8lb
Winchester #AutoComp
#WSAC88LB
$206.95Winchester AutoComp Powder 8lb
$206.95 -
Hodgdon BLC2 Powder 8lb
BLC-2 8#
When it was first introduced to the handloader, benchrest shooters and other target shooters made it an instant success. BL-C(2) works extremely well in the 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, 17 Remington, 22 PPC and many more.
8lb Hodgdon BL-C (2)
$225.77Hodgdon BLC2 Powder 8lb
$225.77 -
Hodgdon #800X 8 Lb. Keg
HODGDON #BENCHMARK
It is ideally suited for benchrest and small varmint cartridges like the 6mm PPC, 22 PPC, 6mm BR, 223 Rem. and 222 Rem. Additionally, it performs superbly in the 204 Ruger and with light match bullets in 308 Winchester. With small, easy metering granules, competitive-shooting reloaders will love how it flows through progressive presses.
8lb Hodgdon Benchmark
$258.97Hodgdon #800X 8 Lb. Keg
$258.97 -
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Re-16 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Powder Reloader 16 8LB
SPECIAL ORDER
Repeatable long-range accuracy demands propellant that behaves consistently across temperature extremes. Alliant Powder® Reloder 16, like Reloder 23 and AR Comp™, accomplishes this world-class stability using TZ® technology.
It manipulates the response of the material and resists the natural tendency to generate more pressure at higher temperatures and less pressure at lower temperatures. The Reloder 16 burn rate is slightly faster than that of Reloder 17, well within the 4350 burn speed band. This makes it ideal for traditional hunting cartridges such as 30-06 Spring. and 270 Win., as well as 6.5mm target loads and tactical applications where temperature stability is required.
World-class stability across temperature extremes
Contains proprietary de-coppering additive
Excellent lot-to-lot consistency
Formulation contains no DNT or DBP
Made in Sweden for Alliant PowderWARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known by the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information go to -www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
$250.08Re-16 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$250.08 -
Herco 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Herco
8 LB
SPECIAL ORDER
Smokeless heavy shotshell and handgun powder
Since 1920, a proven powder for heavy shotshell loads, including 10-, 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge target loads. The ultimate in 12 gauge, 1 1/4-ounce upland game loads.Cleaner burning and improved flow
Excellent high-base hunting loads
Great for magnum handgunsPrincipal Purpose: Heavy shotshell loads 10, 12, 16, 20 & 28 gauge
Secondary Uses: Heavy handgun loads
WARNING: this product can expose you to chemicals which are known by the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. for more information go to – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$166.20Herco 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$166.20