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 296 Powder – 4 Lb
Special Order
4LB
Winchester Smokeless Powders have been around since the late 1800s. Customers that have shot Winchester factory loaded ammunition know that quality of propellant they’re receiving as soon as the first shot is fired. Bring that quality home to the reloading bench with the Winchester family of powders.
The 296 powder was developed for the 357 Magnum and 44 Remington Magnum cartridges. Winchester also recommends this propellant for use in 410 Bore AA loads..
Other Important Information:
Do not exceed the loads displayed in the reloaders guide.
Never mix any two powders regardless of type, brand, or source.
Never substitute any smokeless powder for Black Powder or any Black Powder substitute.$110.99Winchester 296 Powder – 4 Lb
$110.99 -
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 -
Alliant Powder – Clay Dot 8lb.
Alliant Clay Dot
8LB
An American-made and extremely clean-burning powder designed for 12-gauge competition shooters. It is engineered to perform similarly to Hodgdon® Clays® but at an economical price.
Great choice for light and standard 12-gauge target loads with 7/8-, 1- and 1 1/8-ounce payloads
Available in 1-, 4- and 8-pound containers
Proudly made in America*Not for use in metallic cartridges
Principal Purpose: Light and standard 12 ga. target
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
$173.99Alliant Powder – Clay Dot 8lb.
$173.99 -
BE-86 8 lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Powder BE-86
SPECIAL ORDER
8 LB
The special extruded flake formulation results in excellent ballistics in a wide array of centerfire pistol loads, with high energy, an ideal burn speed and less flash. It meters well and is available in 1- and 8-pound canisters. Like all Alliant Powder offerings, BE-86 provides superior lot-to-lot
consistency.
Improved flow
Contains flash suppressant
High energy
Lot-to-lot consistency
VersatileWARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. for more information go to…P65Warnings.ca.gov
$176.34BE-86 8 lbs – Alliant Powder
$176.34 -
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Red Dot 8 lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Powder Red Dot
SPECIAL ORDER
8LB
Every container of Alliant Smokeless Powder is backed by a century of manufacturing experience and the most exacting quality control procedures in the industry. Chemical composition, grain shape and size, and overall density are constantly checked and tested in a ballistics lab to ensure consistency.
Improved Alliant Powder Red Dot now burns significantly cleaner and offers better flow characteristics with the same clay-crushing performance the world’s best shooters have trusted since 1932. Red Dot is optimized for 12-gauge target loads, offers Alliant Powder’s legendary lot-to-lot consistency.
Warnings from the Manufacturer:
Do not exceed the loads displayed in the reloader’s guide.
Never mix any two powders regardless of type, brand, or source.
Never substitute any smokeless powder for Black Powder or any Black Powder substitute.WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals 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
$179.08Red Dot 8 lbs – Alliant Powder
$179.08 -
Alliant Powder – Promo 8lbs
Alliant Promo Powder
Smokeless shotshell powder8LB
America’s number one economy-priced 12 gauge target powder. Promo has the same burn speed as Red Dot, but is more dense, thus requiring a smaller bushing to obtain the same charge weight.
Budget priced
Economical trap, skeet and sporting clay loadsEasy metering and consistent charging
Principal Purpose: Light and standard 12 ga target loads.
Secondary Uses: Handgun loadsWARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals 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
$179.99Alliant Powder – Promo 8lbs
$179.99 -
Bullseye 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Bullseye
Smokeless pistol powder
SPECIAL ORDER
8 LB
Billions of rounds have been loaded with Bullseye since it was introduced in 1913.
Fast burning and consistent
Economical and accurate
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
$182.77Bullseye 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$182.77 -
Green Dot 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Green Dot
SPECIAL ORDER
8LBNow cleaner burning! It delivers precise burn rates for uniformly tight patterns, and you’ll appreciate the lower recoil. Versatile for target and field.
Lower felt recoil
Superior patterning
Versatile for target and fieldPrincipal Purpose: Handicap trap loads
Secondary Uses: Light 20 ga. target loadsWARNINGS: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the state of California to cause cancerand birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$185.24Green Dot 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$185.24