Common Mistakes Made by Reloading Beginners

Here at Powder Valley, we’re happy to welcome newcomers to the reloading community. At the same time, we want to stress that reloading ammo requires patience, focus, and, above all,a willingness to learn.

To get you started on the right foot, we’d like to share five of the most common reloading mistakes made by beginners. Avoiding these mistakes will set you well on your way to being a successful reloader.

Mistake Number One: Relying on the Internet for Unofficial Reloading Data

The internet is a great source for all kinds of information, but when it comes to data about reloading, a lot of information on the web comes from anonymous sources and may not be totally accurate. Similarly, asking strangers for their “homebrewed recipes” can quickly become a recipe for disaster.

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to avoid this mistake: stick with the data listed in the official reloading manuals. That’s the best way to enjoy consistent results, round after reloaded round.

Mistake Number Two: Trying to Clone Factory Ammo

Some reloaders try to re-create factory loaded ammo in their basements, down to the exact amount of powder used by the manufacturer. While this may seem like a reasonable approach, it can actually work against you.

That’s because ammunition companies use their own proprietary blends of powder in the manufacturing process. Unless you know exactly how their products are formulated, your reloaded rounds will be underpowered or, worse yet, dangerously unstable.

Again, the best way to avoid this mistake is to follow the data in the official manual. It was created specifically for reloaders like yourself.

Mistake Number Three: Incorrectly Seating Primers

This mistake typically takes one of two forms:

  1. Seating the primer too deeply in the cartridge – this can cause the round to misfire or even damage the firearm itself.
  2. Not seating the primer deep enough – this can also lead to misfires or damage to the weapon.

The best way to avoid this problem is to inspect every cartridge after inserting the primer. It should sit just beneath the back of the case, as described in your reloading manual.

Mistake Number Four: Improper Crimping

Crimping a cartridge is one of those steps in the ammo reloading process that obeys the Goldilocks principle: not too much and not too little. Here are some tips for getting this step just right:

  • Inspect the crimped cartridge closely – the crimping should be slightly visible, not overly obvious.
  • Check the length of the cartridge – it should conform to the specifications in your manual.
  • Refer to the directions included with your reloading press – there you will find the exact procedure for achieving a proper crimp. Follow it to the letter.

Mistake Number Five: Using a Damaged Casing

Watch out for dents, cracks, or other signs of damage to your cases. A defective case can cause gas to escape past the projectile or, even worse, prevent it from escaping at all, which can increase the risk of the cartridge exploding.

The best way to avoid this mistake is to err on the side of caution. In other words, dispose of used cartridges unless you’re absolutely sure of their integrity.

When it Comes to Reloading, Great Results Start by Having the Right Equipment

Getting the best possible results from your reloaded ammo starts by having the proper equipment and supplies. That’s where Powder Valley comes in. We have everything you need to start reloading, including the finest reloading primers and related products on the market, backed up by legendary customer service and fast shipping. Shop online today and see why we are your one-stop superstore for world-class reloading supplies at the lowest prices.

How Long Will Reloading Powder Last

When properly stored, powder used for reloading ammo can last for many decades and even beyond. Some of the best ways to extend the lifespan of reloading powder include:

  • Protect it from moisture.
  • Store it in a dark, cool place.
  • Leave the container unopened until it’s ready for use.

Let’s look at each of these tips in greater detail.

How to Keep Your Powder Dry

Here at Powder Valley, we know that humidity is one of gunpowder’s greatest enemies. Here are some of the steps we recommend to keep your powder safe from moisture and dampness:

  • Use desiccant packs – add a pack of silica gel to your containers of gunpowder after opening them. Make sure the silica packs are intact; otherwise, they can leak into the powder itself and change its chemical composition.
  • Use a dehumidifier – this is especially important if you store your powder in a basement or cellar. You may also want to install a sump pump for added protection.
  • Never drink water or other beverages while reloading ammo – if your powder should become wet, then dispose of it in accord with local environmental regulations.

Protecting Your Powder from Heat and Sunlight

Sunlight and excessive heat are notorious for causing powder to degrade. For this reason, you should restrict your ammo reloading activities to a controlled environment away from windows and other sources of natural light. Avoid storing powder in a garage or other location that’s affected by seasonal temperature swings.

Keeping Powder in the Original Container

Exposing gunpowder to oxygen sets off a chemical process that causes the ingredients to separate. Manufacturers are aware of this problem and take steps to prevent it before it leaves the powder mill. But these safeguards are undone as soon as the package is opened.

For this reason, it’s best to leave powder containers unopened until they’re ready for use. After opening, remember to tighten the lid and store the container on a shelf or gun vault away from flammable liquids like gas or kerosene.

How to Tell When Gunpowder Is Going Bad

Gunpowder has a limited lifespan even when it’s properly stored. Here are three ways to tell that it’s past its prime:

  1. An objectionable odor – as gunpowder deteriorates, it takes on an acidic smell that grows worse over time. It may also give off a brown or reddish fume when you open the container.
  2. A change in color – the powder may take on a rust or amber tone as it deteriorates. Other times it can go to the opposite extreme and turn snow white. The important thing is to interpret any change in color as a bad sign.
  3. Degradation in performance – sometimes the only way to tell that your powder is going bad is when the reloaded rounds themselves start to malfunction. They may lose power or accuracy or begin to misfire. If you notice a consistent pattern of problems, then the powder is probably at fault.

Powder Valley: Your Source for All Your Reloading Supplies

Here at Powder Valley, we stock the finest gunpowder, reloading primers, and other essential reloading supplies at the lowest prices around. Our staff members are firearms experts who are always happy to share their knowledge and experience with our customers. Place your ammo order today and take advantage of our fast shipping!

Small Pistol Primers vs. Large Pistol Primers

What’s the difference between small and large pistol primers? The answer can be summarized as follows:

  • Small pistol primers are a recent innovation that’s gaining favor among manufacturers. That’s because they’re more economical to produce, more affordable for consumers, and demonstrate greater environmental responsibility.
  • Numerous tests show that the switch to smaller primers has had zero effect on ammunition’s reliability, power, and accuracy.
  • Under no circumstances should you use a primer that wasn’t designed for the specific type of brass you’re reloading. Going outside the manual’s guidelines can damage your firearms, cause serious personal injuries, or even worse.

Let’s look at these topics in more detail.

Why Smaller Is Sometimes Better

Ammunition manufacturers are continually looking for ways to improve the quality of their products. This motivation is what’s behind the move towards smaller primers. The advantages of the change include:

  • Reduced environmental impact – smaller primers use a smaller amount of lead styphnate and other toxic materials in their manufacturer than do larger primers.
  • Improved safety for shooters – handling large amounts of ammunition can cause unhealthy levels of lead to build up in the blood. One way to minimize this problem is to make primers smaller and more efficient.
  • Reduced manufacturing costs – this helps to keep ammunition prices affordable.

Despite these advantages, some shooters are reluctant to use smaller primers due to fears about reduced power or accuracy. But are these concerns well-founded?

Numerous gun owners and shooting experts have compared both types of ammunition and found no discernible difference. On average, a round outfitted with a small primer has the same power, range, and accuracy as one designed for a large primer.

What About Using Non-Standard Primers?

Ammunition is in short supply these days, as anyone in the firearms community knows all too well. Some reloaders have tried to get around this problem by forcing small-primer brass to accept a large primer.

Is this safe? NO. Here’s what can happen if you go down this road:

  • You can damage or destroy your firearms. In general, large primers generate more explosive force than small pistol primers. Some reloaders have tried to compensate for this fact by fiddling with powder amounts. But this is simply asking for trouble.
  • You can experience undependable or erratic results when firing the weapon. What advantage do you gain from saving a few pennies if your firearm will no longer perform properly?
  • You put yourself at risk of injury or even death. This is why the ammunition companies themselves must follow painstaking safety precautions at every step of the manufacturing process. There’s no room for error when it comes to working with primers.

Separating Your Brass

If there is a “disadvantage” to having both small and large primer sizes, it’s the need to separate your brass during the reloading process. But this is a small price to pay in exchange for greater safety, a cleaner environment, and reliable performance from your ammunition. The best advice is to always stick with what the manual says.

Powder Valley is the ammo reloading community’s one-stop superstore for reloading supplies. Get top products at the lowest prices. We can help you to shoot more and pay less. We invite you to browse our extensive inventory, and in the meantime, thank you for your business and your support. We truly appreciate it.

What Do I Need to Start Reloading Ammo?

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information presented below is intended for introductory purposes only. Consult a local gunsmith or firearms expert before attempting any of the reloading skills discussed here. Remember, safety always comes first.

Here at Powder Valley, we’re always happy to welcome newcomers into the fascinating pastime of reloading. The first step is to know what types of reloading supplies you’ll need to get started. These include:

  • A reloading manual: This item is absolutely essential for both your safety and that of others. Deviating from the manufacturer’s specifications can lead to ruined firearms, serious personal injury, or even death. Remember, always go by the book when it comes to reloading.
  • A reloading press: You’ll be using this piece of equipment 90% of the time, so don’t scrimp when making your choice. It’s essential for replacing the primer, pressing the bullet into the casing, crimping the case around the bullet, and numerous other tasks. A single-stage press is a great choice for beginners.
  • Reloading dies: You’ll use these for sizing, decamping, seating, crimping, and expanding your ammunition. You’ll need a separate set of dies for each caliber or gauge you reload.
  • Powder dispenser and scale: These tools allow you to use the correct amount of powder needed for each cartridge.
  • Calipers: Measuring the exact cartridge length is essential for reloading safety. Calipers (both mechanical and digital) allow you to do so with fine precision.
  • Case cleaner: Perhaps the best choice is a brass tumbler, which uses walnut shells or other types of tumbling media to clean your spent brass inside and out. Using household cleaners or similar products leaves residual moisture behind, which can spell disaster when it comes to reloading.
  • Bullet puller: Every reloader messes up now and then. A bullet puller allows you to correct your mistakes and start fresh. It uses simple inertia to remove the bullet and reloading powder from the case.

Special tools for reloading rifle ammunition

Reloading rifle ammo, especially so-called “bottleneck ammo,” requires a few extra items. These include:

  • Lube kit: Important for lubricating rifle cartridges prior to resizing.
  • Chamfer: Allows you to smooth out burrs and other imperfections prior to inserting the bullet.
  • Case trimmer: Trims unneeded brass from the lip of the case to ensure precision reloading.

Looking to save money? Buy a reloading kit

If purchasing your reloading supplies separately doesn’t fit your budget, one way to spend less money and still get the essentials is to buy a starter kit. That way you have everything you need all at once.

Powder Valley is your go-to source for reloading supplies

Second best is never good enough when it comes to firearms. That’s why here at Powder Valley we carry only the finest reloading primers, powder, and equipment found anywhere. Browse our site and place your order today. We look forward to serving you.

Is Reloading Ammo Worth It?

To a beginner, reloading ammo can seem complicated. Getting started requires a lot of upfront costs—specifically, buying a press—and a ton of knowledge about the process. At Powder Valley, we firmly believe that reloading ammo is not only worth it, but connects you more deeply to the art and science of firearms. Of course, reloading may not be for everyone— so to decide if reloading is something you want to explore, we’ve put together this guide to help you make an informed decision. Also, check out our ammo reloading basics guide for more information on the process of reloading.

What Is Reloading Ammo?

Though crystal clear to seasoned firearm users, the term “reloading ammo” may not be commonly understood by every gun owner. In this guide, “reloading ammo” refers to turning brass casings, gunpowder, and a few other components into live ammunition. It does not refer to the process of placing bullets in your firearm.

With this term now clearly defined, we can begin to discuss whether reloading ammo is worth it.

Firearm Users That Benefit From Reloading

Here are some common instances where it would make sense to reload your own ammo:

You are a consistent high-volume shooter

The main part of the cost of reloading is mostly your press, which can run into the thousands of dollars. Dies, case holders, and cases themselves are part of the initial investment, too. After this, you’re basically only spending money on powder, bullets, and primers, while also investing the time it takes to manufacture your rounds. With every round you reload, you’re saving money, but you have to make enough rounds to pay down the costs of the initial investment before reloading is really “worth it” in an economic sense. Of course, if you shoot a lot, saving even a few cents a round will quickly add up. If you rarely hit the range, reloading might not save you a substantial amount of money, though the slightly increased cost might be well worth it if you love the process.

You Shoot an Uncommon Caliber

It can be difficult to find uncommon or obscure calibers on the open market. If you’re dedicated to using uncommon calibers, reloading your own ammo may be the only way to ensure you’ll have enough rounds for a trip to the range or a hunting expedition. If you shoot with bigger calibers, you might also find reloading makes sense from an economical and availability standpoint.

You’re Ultra-Concerned With Accuracy

If you’re a competitive match shooter, a few millimeters can mean the difference between winning the competition and going home empty-handed. By reloading your own ammo, you can oversee every aspect of the process and make sure that each round meets the exact same specifications. Of course, there’s always something special about hitting your mark, whether it’s a target or a buck, with ammunition that you made yourself, even if you’re not saving boat-loads of money by reloading your own ammo.

You Want to Avoid Ammo Shortages

There have been a few ammo shortages in the past years, due mostly to the inability of the primer industry to keep up with increased demand. By spending the money to stock up on reloading primers, bullets, and powder now, you can ensure that you can manufacture your own rounds, even if another shortage strikes.

The Economics of Reloading: Does Reloading Ammo Save You Money?

In most cases, the answer is yes – reloading ammo will save you money as compared to buying ammo at a brick-and-mortar store in your town or online from a trusted retailer. However, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting into when investing in reloading your own ammo. Here’s a quick breakdown of the economics involved.

The Reloading Kit

For those looking to get into reloading, buying a reloading kit is the most cost-effective and straightforward investment to make. Standard reloading kits from top brands like Lee, Redding, Hornady, and RCBS contain most (if not all) of the tools you’ll need to start reloading, such as:

  • A single-stage press
  • Scale
  • Reloading block
  • Chamfer tool
  • Deburring tool
  • Manual

However, these kits do not typically contain the consumable components required for reloading ammo, which we’ll cover below. For a quality kit, expect to spend somewhere between $200 and $400.

The Consumables (and the Die)

With tools in hand, you’ll need to purchase all consumable components required for the ammunition itself. In most scenarios, this supply list can be boiled down to four components: cases, bullets, powder, and primers.

You’ll also need a die—which is reusable—to seat your bullets to the correct depth to fit whatever cartridge you’re working with.

Depending on the ammunition in question, a box of each of these components (which typically works out to a few rounds) can range in price by a few cents to a few dollars.

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay as low as half the price for all components, in total, versus what you’d pay for ready-made ammunition.

The Market

Market prices for ammunition can fluctuate significantly—and this fluctuation makes a strong case for having a reloading setup on standby in case of a shortage. By buying your supplies individually, and stockpiling if you have the means, you can save yourself money and headache when the market for your ammunition trends in wrong direction.

Shop Online and Save

At Powder Valley, we offer a gigantic selection of reloading supplies for practically any caliber, all available at the best possible prices. Whether you’re preparing for a match, mass-producing plinking ammo, or preparing for an uncertain market, you’ll find the reloading supplies you need in our inventory. Brush up on reloading basics, and find the components you need to put together the perfect round at Powder Valley today.

What Does Bullet Grain Mean?

Even if you’re a novice shooter, you’ve surely encountered the term “bullet grain.” If you’re not entirely sure what bullet grain is, you’re not alone. Many recreational shooters don’t pay much attention to grain, because if you’re not a reloader, a hunter, or a competitive shooter, grain doesn’t really matter that much. However, at Powder Valley, we believe knowledge is power, especially when it comes to reloading, so we put together a little primer on bullet grain and how it affects accuracy and stopping power.

In short, bullet grain is the weight of the projectile. A “grain” (also commonly abbreviated as gr) is equal to 1/7000th of a pound. This unit of measurement traces its origins to antiquity and is supposed to represent the weight of a literal grain of wheat or barley. Standardized by the British in 1855, the grain is used to measure projectile weight, as well as the weight of gold foil and some pharmaceuticals, among other things.

Bullet weights on today’s market range from 15 gr, all the way up to 600 gr BMG rounds. Every cartridge has an acceptable range of bullets; for example, 9mm Luger cartridges can feature bullets from 70 gr to 160 gr. This gives the reloader a lot of options to choose from, but what are the practical differences between lighter and heavier bullets?

Accuracy at Distance

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to what grain weights are more accurate at distance; it really all depends on the environmental conditions. Generally speaking, lighter bullets travel faster than heavier ones, which means they reach their target quicker, and there’s less time to drop. However, lighter bullets are also more affected by wind.

For a shooting competition with little or no wind, lighter bullets are probably best. For hunting on a day with unpredictable weather, a heavier bullet might be more consistent over longer distances.

Whatever grain you choose, it’s important to use the right amount of reloading powder. Check with the manufacturer’s date to be sure.

Stopping Power

The grain of the bullet also has a lot to do with the stopping power and terminal impact. You might think that heavier bullets always have more stopping power, but that’s not necessarily true. Since impact power equals mass times speed, a lighter bullet moving at a higher velocity may arrive with more force.

Most of the time, though, a heavier bullet is the projectile of choice for hunters and shooters concerned with self-defense. It’s worth noting that heavier bullets usually create more recoil than lighter bullets, which can make it difficult to fire off multiple accurate shots in quick succession – and which also increases stress on your body.

Shop for Reloading Supplies Online

Finding the right bullet grain for your needs is a matter of experimenting and talking to other reloaders. Powder Valley has an enormous selection of bullets to choose from, as well as reloading primers, powder, cases, and reloading equipment.

Whether you’re ordering a variety of different bullets to try them out, or stocking up on the type that you’ve come to prefer, you’ll find all of our reloading supplies are available at the best possible prices. Don’t let an ammunition shortage affect your target practice. Make sure you always have the components on hand to produce the ammunition you need with supplies from Powder Valley.

Best Cowboy Action Powder for Reloading

It’s almost high noon in Tombstone, and your band of outlaws has a score to settle with some of the local gunfighters. Vultures circle above in the cloudless sky, and a single tumbleweed rolls across the sandy street. Any second, this eerie calm is going to break into an intense shootout. Does your crew have the guts and guns to win, or will you be sent to an early grave by a skilled gunslinger? You’d sure feel better if you knew your rounds were loaded with the best cowboy action shooting powder around.

What Exactly is Cowboy Action Shooting?

Cowboy action shooting (CAS) is a competitive shooting sport in which participants use firearms typical of the Old West to fire on a range of targets set up to look like a classic Western shootout scene. Guns allowed are typically single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles (chambered in pistol calibers), and double-barreled or pump-action shotguns. Oftentimes, participants are even required to dress in costumes reminiscent of the era.

In CAS, both accuracy and speed are key. It takes a shooter with calm nerves and quick reflexes to win.

What We’re Looking for in CAS Powder

If you’re reloading rounds for CAS, you’re probably wondering what’s the best powder to use. Generally, you’ll be using larger cartridges with fairly light bullets. This means loading the appropriate charge with many standard pistol powders won’t fill up the entire round. Since it’s a competition, you can’t have inconsistent rounds and hope to land on the leaderboards. 

In addition to a high loading volume, we’re also looking for the usual attributes you find in high-quality powder: ease of measuring, lot to lot consistency, a clean burn, and temperature insensitivity.

Our Picks for Best Cowboy Action Powder

Designed specifically for low velocity lead bullets, IMR Trail Boss powder is ideal for cowboy action shooting, for both revolvers and some rifle cartridges. Trail Boss powder has a very unique design; it’s basically little donut-shaped flakes. This means it can fill out those .38, .44, and .45 cartridges without leaving any excess space. In fact, over-charging is nearly impossible with Trail Boss.

Another excellent option is VihtaVuori N32C “Tin Star” powder. A high loading volume formula, this porous powder also fills out the extra space in your cartridges like Trail Boss does.

N32C is also an extremely clean-burning powder, which can make a big difference if your weapon gets a lot of use.

Other top-notch powders for CAS include Hodgdon Clays and Alliant Unique. Both Clays and Unique are easy to measure, extremely consistent, and temperature insensitive.

Shop Smokeless Cowboy Action Powder Online

Not every gun store will carry every type of powder, which is why shopping online can open you up to new possibilities. Reloading for cowboy action shooting rounds? Powder Valley carries a large variety of powder for your needs, including IMR Trail Boss, VihtaVuori N32C, Hodgdon Clays, and Alliant Unique. Select 1lb containers if you’re looking to experiment with a new powder, or 8lb jugs if you want to mass-produce thousands of rounds. At Powder Valley, you’ll find a wide selection of reloading supplies from top brands, all at the lowest possible prices.

Best All-Around Shotgun Powder

Whether you’re an avid hunter, clay shooter, skeet shooting enthusiast, or just interested in home defense, you need the right shotgun ammo to get the job done. Reloaders know that hand-loading is the best way to save money on highly accurate and dependable ammunition. At Powder Valley, shotgun powder is a big part of our business, and we often get asked about which brand and formula is best. Of course, there’s no one definitive answer; a lot depends on the type of load you’re shooting. That being said, we’ve compiled a shortlist of the best shotgun powders on the market.

What Makes a Great Shotgun Powder?

First and foremost, shotgun powder needs to be quick-burning, similar to pistol powder. Rifle powder burns slowly to build up optimum pressure while accelerating the bullet down the barrel. Shotguns use a quick explosion to propel a load or projectile toward its target. This means shotguns are less accurate than rifles at distance, but they’re perfect for hunting fast moving prey at relatively short distances because of the spread of the shot.

In addition to being fast-burning, shotgun powder needs to have all of the other properties of premium smokeless powder. It should be clean-burning, temperature insensitive, dependable, and easy to measure. Here are some of our choices for best all-around shotgun powder:

Hodgdon Universal Clays

Hodgdon Universal Clays, or “Universal” for short, has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most adaptable powders on the market. Designed for 28-gauge shotguns, it’s also a solid choice for 20, 16, and even 12-gauge shooters. Universal is praised for its shot-to-shot consistency and is fairly easy to measure.

Alliant Unique

Along with Universal, Alliant Unique powder deserves a mention near the top of the list. It’s great for 28- through 12-gauge shotguns, though it really shines with heavier loads. Like Universal, it’s ideal for the most common pistol calibers, so if you’re looking to reload multiple shotgun gauges and produce some handgun ammo as well, Unique will be up to the task.

An upgraded formula makes Unique a very clean-burning powder too, which will save you time and effort when it’s time to clean your shotgun.

Alliant Red Dot & Green Dot

Alliant Red Dot and Green Dot powders also make excellent shotgun reloading powder. Red Dot burns quicker and has a little bit more recoil than Green Dot. Most shooters prefer Red Dot for lighter loads, and Green Dot for heavier loads.

Since Red Dot has a faster burn rate, you’ll need less of it to build up pressure, which means you’ll get more rounds per pound.

IMR Hi-Skor 700X

Great for 12- and 16-gauge shotguns, Hi-Skor 700X from IMR is also very popular with pistol reloaders. If you’re first a pistol shooter, and second a shotgun shooter, this might be the powder you want to stock up on.

Find the Right Powder Online

If you’re looking for the biggest selection of reloading shotgun powder, shop online at Powder Valley. Resupply with your favorite powder, or try something new. We carry many of the industry’s most trusted brands, and offer shipping at the lowest possible prices.

Best All-Around Pistol Powder

What is the best pistol powder on the market for all-around general use? Let’s start the discussion by going over some powder basics.

Powders Are Not Interchangeable

As pretty much every reloader knows, smokeless powders are not interchangeable, and an improperly loaded round can put you at serious risk. Different brands may use the same numbers (for example, Hodgdon 4350 and IMR 4350), but they won’t be exactly the same. Before you get started, make sure you check the reloading data provided by your powder’s manufacturer to make sure you’re using the right powder for the rounds you’ll be using. Once you’re set on the burn rate, pay close attention to your metering to make sure every shot is consistent and safe.

For the purposes of our best all-around pistol powder selection, we’re going to highlight candidates that work well with a variety of bullets, but it’s worth keeping in mind that even the most versatile powders won’t work in every situation.

Best Smokeless Pistol Powders

When we talk about all-around smokeless pistol powder, we mean powder that can be used to produce good ammo for a variety of handguns. In addition to using quality cases, primers, and bullets, selecting the right powder will lead to the shot-to-shot consistency that target shooters are looking for.

One of the best all-around pistol powders is Winchester 231 smokeless powder. This premium ball powder is easy to measure and is perfect for a wide range of light to medium bullets.

If you’re loading magnum rounds, you might want to try a slow-burning powder like Hodgdon H110 or Accurate 5744, but for a 38, 380, 25 auto, and 9mm, Winchester 231 is always an excellent choice. A powder that deserves a place in every handgun reloader’s arsenal.

Winchester 231 powder is also clean-burning and has low muzzle flash.

Explore Your Pistol Powder Options Online

Powder Valley is proud to carry Winchester powder, as well as smokeless powder from leading brands like IMR, Alliant, Accurate, Norma, Vihtavuori, Hodgdon, RAMSHOT powder, and more, all at the lowest possible prices. Select a 1lb container and experiment with something new. If you like it, purchase an 8lb jug and save.

Reloaders can be very committed to their favorite brand of powder, and if something works for you, great. However, using a new powder could surprise you, even if you’ve been reloading for decades.

Whether you’re new to reloading or looking to experiment with a new type of powder, our wide-ranging selection of industry-leading brands gives you a bounty of high-quality options.

Best All-Around Rifle Powder

The ammo market is filled with high-quality rifle powders for reloaders, so with a little research and maybe a few firing tests on the range, you are guaranteed to find the right powder for your shooting style and preferred firearm. Candidates for best all-around rifle powder are those that can be used with a wide variety of ammunition. Consistent performance is absolutely key, though metering and availability are crucial, too.

There are a lot of premium, highly specialized powders on the market, so it’s basically impossible to crown one powder king. The best powder for you will ultimately come down to your choice of firearm, and your needs – chiefly, whether you’re a target shooter or a hunter.

Here is our guide for finding the right powder that you can use for your whole rifle collection.

Do Your Research

We all know there is no “one-size-fits-all” gunpowder, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right power and burn rate for your cartridge. Too much pressure in the barrel can ruin your gun, and might even cause serious injury, so please read up on the data provided by powder manufacturers and make sure you’re using a suitable propellant.

The Best Smokeless Rifle Powder

Many shooters are fans of Hodgdon H4895 and Varget smokeless powder, as well as Accurate 4350 powder. They’re fine choices for a large, diverse set of bullets and cartridges.

Another popular candidate for best all-around smokeless rifle powder is IMR 4350 smokeless powder. It can be used with everything from small rifle loads to small magnum rifle loads, and is ideal for deer and other North American game. Due to its larger granular size, it flows and meters well in most powder measures. However, the large granular size can make drops from a volumetric powder measure inconsistent, so it’s worth taking the time to verify the weight of each charge on a powder scale if you’re looking to produce match-grade ammo.

For super light loads as well as magnum rounds, you might need to find another type of powder, but for the vast majority of rifle cartridges, IMR 4350 smokeless powder is an impeccable match.

Stock Up on the Best Rifle Powder

You’ll most likely find yourself using a lot of a versatile powder like IMR 4350 and Hodgdon H4895, so it makes sense to buy in larger 8lb containers. Powder Valley carries in 1lb containers too, just in case you want to test some out before mass producing your own ammo. For IMR and Hodgdon powder, as well as other leading brands like Alliant, Vihtavuori, Accurate, and Norma, Powder Valley has got you covered. Browse the best smokeless powder on the market at the lowest possible prices today.

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