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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BE-86 8 lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Powder BE-86
SPECIAL ORDER
8 LB
The special extruded flake formulation results in excellent ballistics in a wide array of centerfire pistol loads, with high energy, an ideal burn speed and less flash. It meters well and is available in 1- and 8-pound canisters. Like all Alliant Powder offerings, BE-86 provides superior lot-to-lot
consistency.
Improved flow
Contains flash suppressant
High energy
Lot-to-lot consistency
VersatileWARNING: 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…P65Warnings.ca.gov
$176.34BE-86 8 lbs – Alliant Powder
$176.34 -
Bullseye 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Bullseye
Smokeless pistol powder
SPECIAL ORDER
8 LB
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
$182.77Bullseye 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$182.77 -
Green Dot 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Green Dot
SPECIAL ORDER
8LBNow cleaner burning! It delivers precise burn rates for uniformly tight patterns, and you’ll appreciate the lower recoil. Versatile for target and field.
Lower felt recoil
Superior patterning
Versatile for target and fieldPrincipal Purpose: Handicap trap loads
Secondary Uses: Light 20 ga. target loadsWARNINGS: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the state of California to cause cancerand birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
$185.24Green Dot 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$185.24 -
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 -
Herco 8lbs – Alliant Powder
Alliant Herco
8 LB
SPECIAL ORDER
Smokeless heavy shotshell and handgun powder
Since 1920, a proven powder for heavy shotshell loads, including 10-, 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge target loads. The ultimate in 12 gauge, 1 1/4-ounce upland game loads.Cleaner burning and improved flow
Excellent high-base hunting loads
Great for magnum handgunsPrincipal Purpose: Heavy shotshell loads 10, 12, 16, 20 & 28 gauge
Secondary Uses: Heavy handgun loads
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
$166.20Herco 8lbs – Alliant Powder
$166.20 -
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 -
Hodgdon BLC2 Powder 8lb
BLC-2 8#
When it was first introduced to the handloader, benchrest shooters and other target shooters made it an instant success. BL-C(2) works extremely well in the 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, 17 Remington, 22 PPC and many more.
8lb Hodgdon BL-C (2)
$225.77Hodgdon BLC2 Powder 8lb
$225.77 -
$36.99 – $229.99
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$34.99 – $269.99
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Hodgdon CFE BLK Powder
This spherical propellant is designed especially for the 300 Remington AAC Blackout cartridge and meters very accurately.
CFE BLK contains our Copper Fouling Eraser ingredient, originally used in military propellant, which greatly deters copper fouling and contributes to longer periods of top accuracy with less barrel cleaning time.
It provides full function in modern sporting rifles throughout a range of bullet weights and is perfect for subsonic loads. In addition to being outstanding in the 300 Blackout, it performs well in many smaller capacity cartridges such as the 17 Hornet, 17 Ackley Hornet, 218 Bee, 221 Fireball, and many more. It also yields top performance in the 6.8 Remington SPC and the 7.62X39 mm Russian cartridge.
Available in 1 lb. container.
$26.99Hodgdon CFE BLK Powder
$26.99 -
$36.99 – $285.99