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 – 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 – Black Dot MZ 1lb
Alliant Powder Black Dot MZ
Effective in all black powder firearms, Black MZ is a black powder replacement designed for hunters, Cowboy Action shooters and re-enactment enthusiasts. Moisture resistant and virtually non-corrosive, Black MZ replicates black powder performance without the ignition headaches and cleaning hassles common to traditional black powder use.
1 lb
Moisture resistant for dependable ignition in all weather » Get the Facts
Virtually non-corrosive for increased barrel protection
Burns cleaner for less residue and easier cleaning
Better velocities at lower pressures
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
$30.67 -
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 -
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