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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Hodgdon Powder – H1000 8lb
HODGDON #H1000 #8
This extruded powder is a member of Hodgdon’s Extreme series of powder with slow-burning characteristics, perfect for highly-overbored magnums like the 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW and the 30-378 Weatherby. In addition, with heavy bullets, H1000 gives top velocity and performance in such cartridges as the 6mm-284, 257 Weatherby, 270 Winchester, and 300 Winchester Magnum.
8lb Hodgdon H1000
$274.22Hodgdon Powder – H1000 8lb
$274.22 -
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 -
4350 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #4350
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 4350 is a short cut, single-base, extruded rifle powder in the extremely popular 4350 burn range. A highly versatile powder, 4350 can be used in a wide range of cartridges from the popular 243 Win to the 338 Win Mag with excellent results. Accurate 4350 is an exceptional choice for the 6mm Rem, 270 Win, 280 Rem and 300 WSM. This short cut extruded powder meters accurately, resulting in excellent shot-to-shot consistency.
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
$30.194350 1lb – Accurate Powder
$30.19 -
$25.99 – $182.99 -
$22.99 – $104.99 -
$21.99 – $165.99 -
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Alliant Powder – Re-16 1lb.
Alliant Powder Reloader 16
1LB
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.
$30.00$37.99Alliant Powder – Re-16 1lb.
$30.00$37.99 -
Alliant Powder – AR-Comp 8lb.
Alliant AR Comp
When it comes to reloading AR-style rifles as well as other rifles, there’s a new powder choice on the market-AR-Comp™ from Alliant Powder. Alliant’s new AR-Comp is the ideal powder for fast action, high volume AR shooters as well as those who enjoy shooting traditional rifles. Developed specifically for AR-style rifles and ideally suited for heavy 223 and 308 match bullets, AR-Comp delivers high performance ignition each and every time.
Suitable for all semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles
Ideal for heavy 223 and 308 match bullets
Very consistent across temperature extremes8 lb.
WARNING: this product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. for more information go to — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$220.99$256.99Alliant Powder – AR-Comp 8lb.
$220.99$256.99 -
Alliant Powder – 2400 1lb.
Alliant Powder 2400
1LB
Smokeless magnum handgun powder
Proven performance in .44 magnum and other magnum loadsHigh velocity
Superior powder for .410 bore as well
Also works in .22 Hornet and .218 Bee
Known for its superior performance in the .44 magnum and other magnum pistol loads, 2400® Handgun Powder from Alliant Powder® delivers great smokeless performance. Originally developed for the .22 Hornet, 2400 powder also works in the 218 Bee and makes a great powder choice for .410 bore loads. High velocity powder. 1 lb.
WARNING: 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
$28.99Alliant Powder – 2400 1lb.
$28.99 -
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 -
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
