How to Choose the Right Reloading Powder

There are many different types of reloading powder available on the market, so how do you know which one is right for you? In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right reloading powder for your needs. First, you need to decide what type of ammunition you will be reloading. Rifle, pistol, and shotgun powders all have different purposes. For example, rifle powders are designed for high-pressure loads, while pistol powders are designed for lower-pressure loads. Once you have decided what type of ammunition you will be reloading, you can narrow your choices down by looking at the burn rate. The burn rate is the speed at which the powder burns.

When reloading ammunition, one of the most important elements is choosing the right type of gunpowder. There are many different types of powders, and each one has specific properties that make it suitable for different applications. Choosing the best powder for your purposes can be a difficult and confusing task, but this article aims to give you all the information you need to choose the right one.

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Background Information to choose the right reloading powder:

What is Reloading Powder?

As you are considering how to choose reloading powder, we’ll take a step to explain more about what it is. Reloading powder is a type of propellant used in firearms and ammunition. It is used to reload spent cartridges or shells with new rounds of ammunition. There are many different types of reloading powders available on the market, each with its own unique characteristics. You may have heard of Black powder, however it is different than smokeless powder. Learn how to select the type that’s best for your firearms and shooting needs.

How Does Reloading Powder Work?

When a firearm cartridge explodes, some of the energy from the exploding gunpowder is transferred to the bullet, propelling it out of the gun. Gunpowder must be constantly burning to create enough pressure to fire a bullet. The pressure builds over time and pushes the bullet out of the gun.

What is the Difference Between Black Powder and Smokeless Powder?

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, black powder was the only propellant used in firearms. With the rise of the industrial revolution, though, white smokeless powder began to replace black powder due to its lower density, lower flammability, and cleaner burning. Although black powder is less common nowadays, it is still used in hunting, shooting sports, and historical reenactments. For those looking to reload ammunition, smokeless powder is a better choice.

The key differences between black powder and smokeless powder are as follows:

Density – Black powder has a higher density than smokeless powder, making it heavier and slower to burn.
Hardness – Smokeless powder is harder than black powder, making it more difficult to mold and cast.
Flash point – The flash point of black powder is lower than smokeless powder, making it safer to work with.

Smoke – Although both produce smoke, black powder produces a thicker, whiter smoke.
Temperature – The burning temperature of black powder is higher than smokeless powder.

Black powder and smokeless powder are two types of propellant used in firearms and other applications. Black powder is a traditional type of powder that has been used for centuries, while smokeless powder is a more modern type of powder that was developed in the late 19th century.

One of the main differences between black powder and smokeless powder is their composition. Black powder is made from a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur, while smokeless powder is typically made from nitrocellulose or other nitrated organic compounds.

Another key difference between the two types of powder is their burn rate. Black powder has a relatively slow burn rate, which can produce a large amount of smoke and other byproducts when it is ignited. Smokeless powder, on the other hand, has a faster burn rate and produces much less smoke when it is ignited.

Black powder and smokeless powder also have different characteristics when it comes to their performance in firearms. Black powder can be more difficult to load and ignite than smokeless powder, and it can be less accurate and consistent in its performance. Smokeless powder, on the other hand, is easier to load and ignite, and it can provide more consistent and accurate performance in firearms.

Black powder and smokeless powder are two different types of propellant that have their own unique characteristics and are best suited for different applications. Black powder is a traditional type of powder that has been used for centuries, while smokeless powder is a more modern type of powder that offers improved performance and reduced smoke production.

Choosing the right burn rate of reloading powder

For choosing the best reloading powder, you’ll need to know about different types of powders. The different types of smokeless powder generally found today are differentiated by burn rate. Pistol powders are faster burning and made for shorter barrels. Rifle powders are slower burning and made for longer barrels to produce the highest velocity. Shotgun powders are designed for shotgun shells. The powder type, grade, and size are determined by the type of firearm, the type of shooting you do (target shooting, hunting, etc.), and the type of ammunition.

There are some great references to check out burn rates for your specific use case:

From Winchester Smokeless Propellants, they produced a PDF with a list of 163 different gun powders, sorted by burn rate.
- Relative burn rates from fastest to slowest
Alliant Powders produced this reloaders guide that includes data for each of their powders with recommended uses. Additionally, there is a lot of generally helpful information about the properties, safe handling, and storage of smokeless powder.
- chart of different burning rates of gunpowders
Burn Rates of a 197 different gunpowders from from LoadData.com
Burn Rates of 197 different gunpowders

Choosing the right shape of reloading powder

In order to choose reloading powder, there are some other factors to consider. To understand how a powder will change when exposed to heat, a magnifying glass can be used to detect a difference in grain size, or metering. This is an important factor in measuring and estimating you powder. When somebody says that a powder meters well, that that specific powder will give you a consistent result with the same measurement or weight.

There are several different shapes of reloading powder available on the market, and each has its own unique characteristics. The characteristics of different shapes of reloading powder can vary depending on the specific type of powder. However, there are some general characteristics that are common to many types of powders. For example:

Flattened spheres: These powders have a spherical shape that has been flattened, giving them a disk-like appearance. They tend to have a slower burn rate than other shapes, which makes them well-suited for applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.
Cylinders: These powders have a cylindrical shape, with a uniform diameter and length. They tend to have a slower burn rate than other shapes, which makes them well-suited for applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.

Ball powders: These powders have a spherical shape, similar to a ball bearing. They tend to have a faster burn rate than other shapes, which makes them well-suited for applications where a fast, high-pressure burn is desired.
Extruded powders: These powders have a rectangular or oblong shape, with a uniform cross-section and length. They tend to have a slower burn rate than other shapes, which makes them well-suited for applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.
Flakes: These powders have a flake-like shape, with a flat, irregular appearance. They tend to have a slower burn rate than other shapes, which makes them well-suited for applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.

Sticks: These powders have a stick-like shape, with a long, cylindrical appearance. They tend to have a faster burn rate than other shapes, which makes them well-suited for applications where a fast, high-pressure burn is desired.
Spheres: These powders have a spherical shape, similar to a ball. Their burn rate can vary depending on the specific type of powder.
Cylinder-spheres: These powders have a shape that is a combination of a cylinder and a sphere, with a cylindrical core and a spherical outer layer. Their burn rate can vary depending on the specific type of powder.

Each type of powder has its own specific characteristics, such as burn rate, density, and size. It’s important to choose the right shape of powder for your specific needs, as using the wrong shape can affect the performance of your ammunition. Consult a reloading manual or speak with a knowledgeable person at a gun shop for guidance on which powders are suitable for your specific needs.

Ball Powder

Ball powder is best for handgun and shotgun ammunition. It is also the cleanest burning powder available, which means less residue in your gun and less fouling of the barrel. This makes it easier to keep your gun clean and shooting accurately. Additionally, ball powder provides more consistent results, meaning your shots will be more accurate. Can’t say it better than this!

Ball propellant (trademarked as Ball Powder by Olin Corporation and marketed as spherical powder by Hodgdon Powder Company) is a form of nitrocellulose used in small arms cartridges. Ball propellant can be manufactured more rapidly with greater safety and less expense than extruded propellants. Ball propellant was first used to load military small arms cartridges during World War II and has been manufactured for sale to handloading civilians since 1960. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_propellant

Flattened Ball Powder

Flattened ball powder is best for handgun and shotgun ammunition. It is also known as extruded powder. This type of powder is made by passing the powder through a die, which gives it a flattened, disk-like shape. The advantage of this type of powder is that it burns more evenly than other types of powder, resulting in more consistent performance.

Flake Powder

Flake powder is made by passing the powder through a die, which gives it a flake-like shape. The larger flakes provide slower burning power, while the smaller flakes provide faster burning power. This type of powder is cheaper than ball powder and performs well for rifle ammunition. Like ball powder, flake powder also has less residue and barrel fouling than other powders. The shape of these powders is like a round disk. It is as if they were slices from a cylinder. In some cases these flakes can be slightly curved. One of the consequences of this shape is that the flakes can stack on top of each other, leading to inconsistent amount of powder in any given space, which leads to an inconsistent load. This type is ideally suited for most shotgun shells, as well as low pressure pistol and revolver cartridges.

Stick Powder

Stick powder is best for rifle ammunition. It is made by passing the powder through a die, which gives it a elongated stick-like shape. The larger sticks provide slower burning power, while the smaller sticks provide faster burning power. It is often coated with a chemical deterrent coating that leads to lesser burn variations due to different environments. This provides more consistent performance than other powders, resulting in more accurate shots.

Choosing the right Powder Density of reloading powder

Powder density is just one factor that affects reloading, but it is an important one. If you are reloading your own ammunition, be sure to pay attention to the characteristics of gunpowder. It can help you create the loads you need with the characteristics you want. The shape of the gunpowder granules influences the density.

The density of a powder will determine how much room it takes up in the casing compared to propellants of other densities.

Powder types with higher densities will provide more power in a smaller space.
The denser the powder, the less of it is needed to achieve the same performance.
Due to the primers need to fire into the powder, the recommended maximum density for reloaders is 95%.

Below 80% is not recommended because the powder will burn at too slow a rate to provide maximal pressure throughout the process before the bullet departs the barrel.
The shape of the grains (explained above) impacts the density and performance of the propellant.

One of the important factors to consider when choosing the right powder density for your reloading needs is the type of firearm you’re using. Different firearms have different internal dimensions and tolerances, so using a powder with the wrong density can lead to problems such as overpressure or underpressure, which can be dangerous.

Another important factor is the type of ammunition you’re trying to create. Different types of ammunition require different amounts of powder, so choosing a powder with the right density can help ensure that you achieve the desired results. For example, if you’re trying to create high-velocity rounds, you may need to use a powder with a higher density to achieve the desired velocity.

It’s also important to consider the specific characteristics of the powder you’re using, such as its burn rate, size, and shape. Different powders have different burning characteristics, so using a powder with the wrong burn rate can affect the performance of your ammunition. For example, using a powder with a slow burn rate in a cartridge designed for a faster burn rate can lead to incomplete combustion and reduced performance.

In general, it’s always a good idea to consult a reloading manual or speak with a knowledgeable person at a gun shop to get guidance on which powders are suitable for your specific needs. They can provide you with information on the appropriate density and other characteristics of the powders that are best suited for your firearm and the type of ammunition you’re trying to create.

Understanding single, double, and triple base powders

Single-base, double-base, and triple-base refer to the types of chemicals that are used to make a particular reloading powder. Single-base powders are made from a single chemical, typically nitrocellulose, which is the same chemical used to make gunpowder. Double-base powders are made from a combination of two chemicals, typically nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Triple-base powders are made from a combination of three chemicals, typically nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and nitroguanidine.

The type of base used in a powder can affect its burn rate, density, and other characteristics. Single-base powders tend to have a slower burn rate than double-base and triple-base powders, while double-base and triple-base powders tend to have faster burn rates. Single-base powders also tend to be less dense than double-base and triple-base powders, which can affect the performance of the ammunition.

Single-Base Powders

Single-base powders are made from a single chemical, typically nitrocellulose.

Some advantages of single-base powders include:

They tend to have a slower burn rate than double-base and triple-base powders, which can be beneficial in applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.

They tend to be less dense than double-base and triple-base powders, which can make them easier to meter and measure accurately.
They are typically less expensive than double-base and triple-base powders, which can make them more affordable for many shooters.

Some disadvantages of single-base powders include:

They tend to have a slower burn rate than double-base and triple-base powders, which can be less effective in applications where a fast, high-pressure burn is desired.
They tend to be less dense than double-base and triple-base powders, which can affect the performance of the ammunition.
They can be more sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, which can affect their burn rate and performance.

Double-Base Powders

Double-base powders are made from a combination of two chemicals, typically nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.

Some advantages of double-base powders include:

They tend to have a faster burn rate than single-base powders, which can be beneficial in applications where a fast, high-pressure burn is desired.

They tend to be more dense than single-base powders, which can provide more consistent performance and accuracy.

They are typically more stable and less sensitive to temperature and humidity changes than single-base powders.

Some disadvantages of double-base powders include:

They tend to have a faster burn rate than single-base powders, which can be less effective in applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.

They tend to be more expensive than single-base powders, which can make them less affordable for some shooters.
They can be more difficult to meter and measure accurately, due to their higher density.

Triple-Base Powders

Triple-base powders are made from a combination of three chemicals, typically nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and nitroguanidine.

Some advantages of triple-base powders include:

They tend to have a faster burn rate than single-base and double-base powders, which can be beneficial in applications where a fast, high-pressure burn is desired.

They tend to be more dense than single-base and double-base powders, which can provide more consistent performance and accuracy.
They are typically very stable and less sensitive to temperature and humidity changes than single-base and double-base powders.

Some disadvantages of triple-base powders include:

They tend to have a faster burn rate than single-base and double-base powders, which can be less effective in applications where a slow, controlled burn is desired.

They tend to be the most expensive type of powder, which can make them less affordable for some shooters.
They can be more difficult to meter and measure accurately, due to their higher density.

Which powders are best for handgun ammunition?

In general, handgun cartridges require powders with a medium to fast burn rate, as these burn rates provide a good balance of pressure and velocity for most handgun applications.

Some popular powders for handgun ammunition include single-base powders such as Unique and Universal, as well as double-base powders such as Winchester 231 and Accurate No. 5.

Which powders are best for popular hunting rounds?

In general, hunting cartridges require powders with a fast burn rate, as these burn rates provide the high pressures and velocities needed for effective hunting.

Some popular powders for hunting rounds include double-base powders such as IMR 4350 and H4350, as well as triple-base powders such as Accurate MagPro and Alliant Reloder 19.

Which powders are best for shotguns?

In general, shotgun cartridges require powders with a slow burn rate, as these burn rates provide the low pressures and velocities needed for effective shot patterns.

Some popular powders for shotgun ammunition include single-base powders such as Red Dot and Green Dot, as well as double-base powders such as Winchester 296 and Alliant Blue Dot.

View the Frequently Asked Questions about Reloading

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several types of reloading powders available for different applications. Each powder has different burn rates and produces different pressures. So when you’re looking to purchase reloading powder, make sure it’s the right one for the job. Stick powder is best for rifle ammunition because it provides slower burning power, which results in less pressure. This allows the cartridge to build up maximum pressure, which produces a more accurate shot. Check out this article on the various types of gunpowder to learn more.

References for How to choose the right reloading powder

Reloading manuals: These provide detailed information on different types of reloading powders, including their specific characteristics and which ones are suitable for different types of firearms and ammunition. Some popular reloading manuals include the “Lyman Reloading Handbook,” the “Hodgdon Reloading Manual,” and the “Sierra Reloading Manual.”

Online forums and discussion groups: These can be a great resource for learning from experienced reloaders and getting advice on which powders are best for different situations. Some popular forums and groups include the “Reloading subreddit” on Reddit, the “Reloading and Ammo forum” on The High Road, and the “Reloading forum” on Accurate Shooter.

Gun shops: Many gun shops have knowledgeable staff who can provide guidance on which reloading powders are suitable for your specific needs. They may also have a selection of powders available for purchase, allowing you to see and compare different options in person.

Manufacturer websites: Many reloading powder manufacturers have detailed information on their products available on their websites. This can be a good source of information on specific powders, including their characteristics and recommended uses. Some popular reloading powder manufacturers include Hodgdon, IMR, and Vihtavuori.

Some other websites:

QuickLOAD: QuickLOAD is a popular online burn rate chart that provides detailed information on the burn rates of different powders. The chart includes information on the manufacturer, type, and shape of the powders, as well as their burn rates and recommended uses.

Accurate Powder: Accurate Powder is a leading manufacturer of reloading powders, and their website includes a burn rate chart that provides detailed information on the burn rates of their products. The chart includes information on the type, shape, and burn rate of each powder, as well as its recommended uses.

To learn more, check out these other useful pages: