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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$35.99 – $269.99
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$34.99 – $269.99
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$34.99 – $269.99
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$34.99 – $269.99
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$38.50 – $268.50
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Alliant Powder – Re-33 8lb.
Alliant Powder Reloader 33
8LB
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.
$268.44Alliant Powder – Re-33 8lb.
$268.44 -
$37.99 – $263.99
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$34.99 – $259.99
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$34.99 – $258.99
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Hodgdon #800X 8 Lb. Keg
HODGDON #BENCHMARK
It is ideally suited for benchrest and small varmint cartridges like the 6mm PPC, 22 PPC, 6mm BR, 223 Rem. and 222 Rem. Additionally, it performs superbly in the 204 Ruger and with light match bullets in 308 Winchester. With small, easy metering granules, competitive-shooting reloaders will love how it flows through progressive presses.
8lb Hodgdon Benchmark
$258.97Hodgdon #800X 8 Lb. Keg
$258.97 -
$32.99 – $253.92
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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