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 – 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 -
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 -
Alliant Powder – 2400 8lbs
Alliant 2400
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.
An optimum load for magnum handgun calibers like the 44 Remington Magnum, 2400 smokeless powder has become legendary in reloading for magnum handguns. Originally developed for the 22 Hornet, 2400 can also be used in loads for the 218 Bee and 410 Bore shotgun.
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.
$300.00$351.99Alliant Powder – 2400 8lbs
$300.00$351.99 -
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 -
Alliant Pdr – P. Pro 300-MP 1#
Alliant P. Pro 300-MP
1lb.
Smokeless spherical magnum pistol powder
Utilize our premium performance, consistent quality new powder offerings the next time you pull the trigger
.
Manufactured in the USA
Improved velocity and density for more efficient metering and loadingMaximum velocity and performance in magnum handguns
Enables reloaders to duplicate certain factory loaded ammunitionDensity designed for proper cartridge fit
Principal Purpose: Magnum Handgun/Pistol
Secondary Uses: .22 HornetWARNING: 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
$25.99 -
Alliant Pdr – P. Pro 1200-R 1#
Alliant P. Pro 1200-R
1 lb.
Smokeless double based spherical rifle powder
Alliant Powder’s Power Pro® 1200-R is made for high-volume shooters who burn through .223 ammunition at the range. The propellant is specifically formulated for progressive loading. It meters extremely well, and its double base provides consistent ignition and performance across a range of temperature and humidity extremes.Designed for .223 progressive loading
Meters well
Double base formulation
Lot to lot consistency
Made in the U.S.A.Principal Purpose: .223 ammunition
Secondary Uses: Light Varmint Cartridges
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
$29.99 -
Alliant Powder – Bullseye 4lbs
Alliant Bullseye
Smokeless pistol powder
4LB
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
$100.00$107.99Alliant Powder – Bullseye 4lbs
$100.00$107.99 -
Alliant Powder – P.Pro Varm. 8 lb.
Alliant Varmint
8 LB
Smokeless spherical light rifle powder
When you’re on the open plains over-looking a prairie dog town there’s no room for error. This unique powder technology delivers what we covet most: on-target performance on varmints, time after time. Ideal for standard caliber varmint loads.
Manufactured in the USA
Improved velocity and density for more efficient metering and loading
Enables reloaders to duplicate certain factory loaded ammunition
Excellent performance in the standard varmint cartridges
Density designed for proper cartridge fit
Principal Purpose: Standard Varmint
Secondary Uses: Medium Rifle Light LoadsWARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known by the state of California to cause cancer an birth defects or other reproductive harm. for more information go to- www.P65Warning.ca.gov.
$252.99 -
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 -
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 -
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 – Re-33 1lb.
Alliant Powder Reloader 33
1lb
Smokeless magnum rifle powder
Specific cartridge loads need specific propellant to perform to their ballistic peak. That’s why Alliant Powder® put countless hours of research and development into creating Reloder® 33. The advanced powder is specifically formulated for the long-range .338 Lapua, although it is also ideal for a range of large magnum rifle cartridges.Specifically designed for the .338 Lapua
Also suited for a variety of large magnum rifle cartridges
Superior lot to lot consistency
Principal Purpose: .338 Lapua
Secondary Uses: Large Magnum CartridgesWARNING: 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.
$30.19Alliant Powder – Re-33 1lb.
$30.19
