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 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 -
$41.99 – $202.99
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$38.50 – $268.50
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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 -
2495 1lb – Accurate Powder
Accurate #2495
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
Accurate2495 is a single-base, extruded rifle powder that was developed for the 308 Win and can be used over a wide range of rifle calibers. It is a very popular powder for 308 Win. NRA High Power shooting disciplines, as well as heavy bullet 223 Rem target applications. 2495 is a versatile powder with excellent ignition characteristics that provides excellent shot-to-shot consistency.
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.P65Warning.ca.gov
$29.992495 1lb – Accurate Powder
$29.99 -
$34.99 – $258.99
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$41.99 – $202.99
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H380 8lbs – Hodgdon Powder
SPECIAL ORDER
H380 is a superb performer in the 220 Swift, 243, 257 Roberts and other fine varmint cartridges.
8lb Hodgdon H380
$209.73H380 8lbs – Hodgdon Powder
$209.73 -
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