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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Alliant Powder – 20/28 1lb.
Alliant Powder 20/28
1LB
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.
The 20/28 smokeless powder is extremely clean burning and provides consistency with every shot, something required in skeet and sporting clay shooting. Designed specifically for 20 and 28 gauge target and skeet loads. Can be used in all modern 20 and 28 gauge firearms
WARNING: This product can expose you to harmful chemicals whuch are known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive har. for more information go to -www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$28.99Alliant Powder – 20/28 1lb.
$28.99 -
2460 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #2460
Accurate Powders is a company that definitely lives up to its name. The complete line of smokeless powders for handguns, rifles, and shotguns is engineered and lab-tested to maximize the precision and performance . Accurate uses the best ballistic technicians and the highest quality components together to assure that every gun is better served with Accurate Powders.
$28.992460 1lb – Accurate Powder
$28.99 -
Winchester 231 Handgun Powder
Winchester 231 is a ball powder, one of the most popular handgun propellants in history.
It is ideally suited to 38 Special, 45 Auto, and 9mm standard loads. Consistency, clean burning, low flash, and a broad range of applications make this powder a choice for any handgun cartridge loader.
Available in 1 lb. container.
$28.99 -
Alliant Powder – Herco 1 LB
Alliant Herco Powder
1 LB
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 handguns
Principal Purpose: Heavy shotshell loads 10, 12, 16, 20 & 28 gaugeSecondary 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
$27.99Alliant Powder – Herco 1 LB
$27.99 -
Ramshot TAC Rifle Powder
TAC is a double-base spherical propellant that sets the standard for extreme accuracy and reliability with heavy bullets in the 223 Remington and match applications in 308 Winchester. Excellent flow characteristics ensure consistent metering and charge weights for repeatable results with progressive loading equipment. It is the choice for shooters who demand precision and accuracy. Made in Belgium.
Specifications:
- 1 lb. container
$27.99Ramshot TAC Rifle Powder
$27.99 -
No. 7 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #7
Accurate Powders is a company that definitely lives up to its name. The complete line of smokeless powders for handguns, rifles, and shotguns is engineered and lab-tested to maximize the precision and performance. Accurate uses the best ballistic technicians and the highest quality components together to assure that every gun is better served with Accurate Powders.
Accurate No. 7 is a double base, ball propellant originally developed for high intensity cartridges. Originally introduced to reloaders in 1983, No. 7 has become a popular powder for IPSC shooters. It is also a good choice for magnum handgun cartridges when slightly less than full power loads are preferred. No. 7 is an excellent choice for high performance semi-auto handguns such as the 357 Sig, 38 Super, and 40 S&W. No. 7 is also a cost effective solution in larger magnum handgun calibers.
1LB
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
$27.09No. 7 1lb – Accurate Powder
$27.09 -
2520 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #2520
Accurate Powders is a company that definitely lives up to its name. The complete line of smokeless powders for handguns, rifles, and shotguns is engineered and lab-tested to maximize the precision and performance. Accurate uses the best ballistic technicians and the highest quality components together to assure that every gun is better served with Accurate Powders.
Accurate 2520 is a medium burning, double-base, spherical rifle propellant designed around the 308 Winchester. 2520 is a common Camp Perry powder and is extremely popular with many service shooters. 2520 also performs extremely well in 223 Remington with heavy match bullets (62 to 80 grain). This versatile powder has superb flow characteristics and is well within the threshold limit for the M14 systems.
1 lb.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known by the state of california to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproducive harm. For more information go to-wwwP65Warnings.ca.gov
$27.092520 1lb – Accurate Powder
$27.09 -
Alliant Powder – Steel 1lb.
Aliant Steel
Smokeless shotshell powder for steel shot
Special, new powder for waterfowl shotshell gives steel shot high velocity within safe pressure limits for 10 and 12 gauge loads.Consistent at all temperatures
Maximum velocityProven performance
Principal Purpose: Non-toxic hunting shotshellRemarks:
The only powder designed specifically for steel shotshell and other non-toxic shot.1lb.
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.
$26.99Alliant Powder – Steel 1lb.
$26.99 -
Alliant Powder – Ex.-Lite 1 Lb
Alliant Extra Lite
1LB
Smokeless shotshell powder
Our new shotshell propellant provides less cost, less recoil and less headaches for those 12 gauge shooters transitioning from 1 1/8 ounce to 7/8 and 1 ounce loads. We understand that many shooters are looking for a powder that will have a density that allows use of standard components (wads and cases). These same shooters also want pressure levels that guarantee complete combustion across a broad temperature range while still being clean burning. Well… now they have it with Extra-Lite from Alliant Powder®.Powder density allows use of standard available components (wads and cases)
Pressure level assures complete combustion across temperature ranges
Extremely clean burning
Made in the USA
Lot to Lot consistencyWARNING: 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
$26.99 -
Alliant Powder – Blue Dot 1 lb
Alliant Powder Blue Dot
1 LB
Smokeless magnum shotshell and handgun powder
The powder of choice for magnum lead shotshell loads 10, 12, 16 and 20 gauge. Consistent and accurate. Doubles as magnum handgun load.Powder of choice for magnum loads
Consistent Accurate
Principal Purpose: Magnum shotshell loads, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 28 ga.
Secondary Uses: Magnum handgun loadsWARNING: 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 – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$26.99 -
Alliant Powder – 410 GA 1lb
Alliant # 410
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.
Alliant Powder’s 410 is a flake powder specifically designed for the exacting needs of .410 skeet and field loads. Being the cleanest burning .410 powder available, 410 is more efficient, with lower powder charge weights, providing optimum loading characteristics. The superior ballistic performance of 410 creates perfect patterns. Consistent performance in any weather, shot after shot, lot after lot, makes 410 your reloading powder of choice.
1 lb.
Warning: This produc tcan expose you to chemicals which are known to the Stae of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$26.99Alliant Powder – 410 GA 1lb
$26.99 -
No. 2 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #2
Accurate Powders is a company that definitely lives up to its name. The complete line of smokeless powders for handguns, rifles, and shotguns is engineered and lab-tested to maximize the precision and performance. Accurate uses the best ballistic technicians and the highest quality components together to assure that every gun is better served with Accurate Powders.
Accurate No. 2 is an extremely fast burning, double-base, spherical handgun powder suitable for use in a wide range of handgun calibers. Low recoil and low flash make No. 2 well suited for use in short barrel, concealed carry applications. No. 2 is a non-position sensitive powder and low charge weights make it an economical and versatile choice for high volume handgun shooters.
1 lb.
WARNINGS: 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
$26.99No. 2 1lb – Accurate Powder
$26.99