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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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 -
700-X 4lb. – Hodgdon Powder
SPECIAL ORDER
Hodgdon Powder offers the largest selection of quality smokeless propellants for any reloading application. Previously an IMR powder now offered in the Hodgdon label, This extruded flake powder is ideally suited for shotshells in 12 and 16 gauge where clay target and light field loads are the norm. It doubles as an excellent pistol target powder for such cartridges as the 38 Special and 45 ACP and many more. Important Information: Do not exceed the loads displayed in the reloaders guide.
$85.99700-X 4lb. – Hodgdon Powder
$85.99 -
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 -
4000-MR 1lb – Alliant Powder
Alliant Powder 4000-MR
1LB
American-made powder designed for magnum rifle calibers, Alliant Power Pro 4000-MR Powder has become a preferred choice. Because this powder produces better velocity and density, it is easier to meter. To ensure superior performance for .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm cartridges, the powder undergoes extensive testing in a ballistics laboratory.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known by the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproduction harm. For information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
$30.194000-MR 1lb – Alliant Powder
$30.19 -
2400 4lbs – Alliant Powder
Allinat Powder 2400
SPECIAL ORDER
4LB
2400 Smokeless Pistol Powder is legendary for its performance in .44 magnum and other magnum pistol loads. Originally developed for the .22 Hornet, it is also the shooter’s choice for .410 bore and performs well in the 218 Bee. Grain shape is flake.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the the state of California cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. for more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$98.992400 4lbs – Alliant Powder
$98.99 -
No. 9 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #9
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. 9 is a double-base, spherical powder that is ideal for high power loads in traditional magnums such as the 357 Mag, 41 Rem Mag and 44 Rem Mag. It is particularly well suited to the 357 Sig and 10mm Auto, providing high velocities and excellent case-fill. No. 9 can also be used with large magnums such as the 460 S&W and 500 S&W for economical target loads.
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 reproductive harm. For more information go to- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$25.99No. 9 1lb – Accurate Powder
$25.99 -
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 -
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 -
Magpro1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate Magpro
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 MAGPRO is a slow burning, double-base, spherical rifle powder developed specifically for the Short magnums of both Winchester (WSM) and Remington (SAUM). This powder excels in the 6.5 x 284, 270 WSM and the 7mm WSM. MAGPRO is an excellent choice for belted cartridges such as the 300 Win Mag. Consistent performance can be expected from the excellent metering properties of MAGPRO.
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 reproductive harm. For more information go to-www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$30.19Magpro1lb – Accurate Powder
$30.19 -
Accurate Powder XMR-5744 1LB
Accurate #5744
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 5744 is an extremely fast burning, double-base, extruded powder. This unique powder can be used in a wide range of rifle calibers and magnum handguns. 5744 is characterized by excellent ignition and consistency over a very wide performance range. Low bulky density and superior ignition characteristics make 5744an excellent choice for reduced loads in many rifle calibers and in large capacity black powder cartridges such as the 45-70 through 45-120 and 50-90 through 50-120.
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 reproductive harm go to-www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$38.99Accurate Powder XMR-5744 1LB
$38.99 -
Accurate Powder Nitro 100 12oz
Accurate Nitro 100
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 Nitro 100 is a fast burning, flattened spherical, double-base shotshell powder that is a clean burning, cost-effective choice for all 12 gauge target applications.
NOTE: The reformulated Nitro 100 has been optimized to improve flow and ignition characteristics. Always use the most current load data.
12 oz.
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
$20.09 -
Accurate Powder LT-32
Accurate LT-32
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 LT-32 is an exact copy of the original T-32 powder used by benchrest shooters in 6mm PPC cartridge. LT-32 is known for its extreme consistency and allowing higher velocity out of smaller capacity cases like the PPC family. The extremely small extruded powder results in consistent metering in powder measures and higher velocities compared to spherical powders. Standard Deviations between lots have been cut in half to insure the most consistent lot to lot powder on the market. It also offers outstanding accuracy in varmint and tactical cartridges, including the .223 Rem and .308 Win. LT-32 is the perfect choice for extreme accuracy.
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 reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$32.29Accurate Powder LT-32
$32.29