How to Choose Reloading Powder

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Developing your own loads is a great way to save money and customize your ammunition, but how do you choose the right smokeless powder for the job? In this article, we'll explain the basic process for selecting the best reloading powder for your needs, regardless of what kind of gun you have. We'll also talk about the different types of powder and mention a few notable brands to get you started. Keep reading for our complete guide!

Things You Should Know

Choose a powder that is made for your gun type. Most powder brands separate powders into pistol, rifle, and shotgun powders.
Choose by powder type. Consider ball powder for rifles and pistols, flake powder for handguns and shotguns, and extruded (stick) powder for rifles.
Look up specifics in a load data manual from a reloading manufacturer. Special things to pay attention to are your gun's caliber, barrel-length, and bullet weight.

Section 1 of 3:

Reloading Powder Basics

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Generally speaking, get a powder that’s formulated for your gun type. There are 3 basic types of loading powders: pistol, rifle, and shotgun powders. Many powder brands separate powders into these 3 groups, which can take some guesswork out of your selection. For example, if you have a rifle, start by checking out reloading powders for rifles, and so on.^{[1]
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- Pistol powders: Fast-burning and double-based, made for short barrels.^{[2]
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  Research source} Great options include Hodgdon Titewad and Alliant Bullseye.
- Shotgun powders: Fast-burning and double-based, made for low pressure. A popular option is Hodgdon Winchester WST. Many pistol powders are also suitable for shotguns (and vice versa).
- Rifle powders: Slow-burning, made for long-barrels and maximum velocity. Hodgdon H1000 is popular option.
- As a starting point, check your gun’s manual for a list of suggested ammunition types and compatible powders.
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Buy or download a load data manual from a reloading manufacturer. When it comes to reloading powders, the most knowledgeable sources are the manufacturers themselves. Many experts suggest buying a load data manual for reference, but you can get plenty of free information from manufacturer websites, too.^{[3]
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Research source} The most well-known and trusted manufacturers are:
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Look up your gun caliber and bullet weight in the reload data manual. Once you look up your ammo, you’ll find a list of reload powders that are compatible with your needs. The manual will also give you invaluable details like powder charge, cartridge overall length (COL), muzzle velocities, and a lot more, to help you narrow down your decision.^{[4]
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- You always want to go with powder that provides the highest velocity at the lowest pressure. The ideal velocity depends on your gun and bullet type.^{[5]
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- A good rule of thumb is to look for powders labelled "C" (which stands for "compressed charge") in the load data manual (since those are likely to match your velocity needs).
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Pick a powder that matches your gun’s specs and barrel length. Manuals usually have a long list of compatible powders to choose from, so narrow it down by looking at powders made for your gun’s barrel length. Experts suggest buying a small amount of a few different powders and trying them out to see which ones perform best for you.^{[6]
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- Avoid buying a large amount of powder all at once, especially if you’ve never tested it before, since it can be pricey. Test first, figure out what you like, and then start developing loads in larger amounts.
- Avoid experimenting with powders outside of what is recommended in manuals, since this can be very dangerous.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 3:

What are the 3 types of reloading powder?

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Ball powder This is the most common reloading powder for rifles and pistols. The powder looks like granules or tiny round balls. Ball powder comes in a variety of different burn rates to meet individual needs (depending on caliber and bullet type), but it's usually considered to be the fastest-burning of the 3 types.^{[8]
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- For pistols and handguns, try Winchester 231 powder.
- For rifles, check out Hodgdon’s Extreme line and Ramshot’s line.
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Flake powder These fast-burning, flattened granules are ideal for handgun and shotgun cartridges. Flake powder can also work well for reduced rifle loads. The biggest flake powder manufacturer is Alliant and markets popular brands like Red Dot and Unique.^{[9]
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Extruded or stick powder This powder looks like tiny cylinders and it's used almost exclusively in rifle cartridges because it burns slowly. Popular brands include IMR 4350, Hodgdon H4831, and Alliant Reloder 22.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 3:

How do I store reloading powder safely?

Store the powder in a cool, dark, and dry place. Pick a place that maintains a stable temperature so there won’t be fluctuations in humidity. Basements and garages may not be ideal unless your climate is pretty static year-round. If you have an open shelf in an upstairs room, that would be a good spot.^{[11]
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Research source} Other crucial safety tips to remember:
- Keep the powder in its original container and away from solvents.
- Store powder in small quantities (a few pounds)^{[12]
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- Never store reloading powder near mechanical or electrical equipment.^{[13]
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- Consider renting a climate-controlled storage space for large amounts of powder.