Which powder companies tend to make the best smokeless powder?

[44Blam]

At this point I’m seriously considering getting rid of all firearms that aren’t 9mm, 223/5.56 and 308/7.62. There’s the old saying about “beware the man w/ one gun.” That would really simplify reloading/casting.

But, what about when you REALLY need to take out the 44 magnum wheel gun and blow the bejesus out of some watermelons?

[dragon813gt]

But, what about when you REALLY need to take out the 44 magnum wheel gun and blow the bejesus out of some watermelons?

Don’t own a 44 mag and never will.

[1hole]

Which powder (or anything else) maker is 'best"? Well, IF there was such a beast it would have long ago taken the entire market and the others would only be a distant memory. ???

[jmort]

I did the caliber/cartridge reduction
9mm, .357, .308, 12 gauge and .223
Got rid of .380 ACP, .45 Colt, ,45 ACP, and .45/70
Now added those back, as well as 10 mm, ACC 300 BO and .458 SOCOM
12 is the sweet spot for me right now
But thinking that I should add one of these: .338 Lapaua, 416 Barrett, 50 BMG, or 20 mm
Also thinking .338 Federal
Probably will hit 15 +/-
And then go back to .45 ACP, .357 Mag, .223, .308, and 12 gauge
Who knows
Alliant Red Dot/Promo, Unique, Blue Dot, 2400, RL7, RL15 and call it a day.
In the end, just a 12 gauge and some Unique.
That is how I will go out.

[rototerrier]

The best would be the one I use, but I'll take that secret to the grave. Don't want you guys making a run on them and causing me a shortage.

[fredj338]

I don't think there really is a best, more like what suites your needs. I voted VV because they tend to be super uniform across the spectrum but almost twice the cost so that has to be factored in for competition shooters that shoot a lot.

[GhostHawk]

My #1 stocked powder is Alliant Red Dot and Promo. I know I have over 30 lbs stashed.
#2 is IMR 4895. Mostly used for my Yugo SKS. Probably 3.5 lbs total.

From there its all singles with a couple of doubles. I'm sitting on a couple of cans of IMR 3031 just because I can. And because it can be used in so many rifles.

There are maybe another 12-15 lbs of various single containers. Like a pound of both Blue Dot and Green Dot, just cause. A bit of Unique, Bullseye. Some odds and ends the neighbors showed up with.

But I am primarily a Red Dot shooter. And I have no no real reason in the last 5 years to change. For me it fits. YMMV.

[L Erie Caster]

I did not vote. I believe this is like chasing a ghost. All brands are held to tight tolerances.

[David2011]

No point in voting as there is no one best. There are a few that are very versatile and those are worth having. Unique, 2400, H4985, Bullseye, Red Dot and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. It would be easier to say I could get by with just one powder than it would to pick just one powder distributor. I don't load a lot of Unique but if I had to use just one powder it would work in all of my handguns and it would work for cast boolits in rifles at reduced velocities.

Alliant produces a lot of versatile powders but I think I have mostly Hodgdon and Winchester at the most suitable for my proposes.

[CrystalShip]

Another " What's the Best thread"

[jmort]

You just got here.
Why not slow your roll?
Don't like it, don't read it, then we are all happy.

[derek45]

I'm just glad there are powders on store shelves again.

My shelf is full of allient, hogdon, and winchester powders.
also have some TAC
western powders are harder to find in the midwest.

guess I don't really have a favorite brand.

[Knightflyer]

My favorites right now are the freebies at a friend's house. He's been hitting estate sales and buying mixed lots that have included quite a bit of rifle powder. He mostly reloads for pistol and already has a favorite rifle load.
He's got enough to keep me plinking for several years at least. 😁

[greenjoytj]

Which powder companies tend to stretch the truth as to what MV you’ll achieve with their smokeless powder when loaded to their published load recipes.

[Shiloh]

The ones I use all seem to be good.
Shiloh

[charlie b]

Over the past 40 years I've used some from all except Norma and VV. Never really found a 'best'. They all work well depending on what your goal is.

I've known about the common powder mfg's for a while, and the rebranding process. Happens a lot, not just with powders.

I have used Varget for a while now and I like the lower sensitivity to temperature extremes. And Hogdon seems to be applying some of the same technique to other powders in their inventory (H series and IMR series). The question is, are there other powders that are blended in the same fashion? For example, do AA2520 and AR2208 have the same lower sensitivity to temperature extremes as does Varget?

[ioon44]

I think all of the companies produce a good product, if not then they won't be around very long. I am currently using Allaint Sport Pistol in 9 mm very consistant and IMR 700 X in .45 ACP.

[kenton]

I think Hodgdon/Winchester/IMR has the most extensive and user friendly online reloading data so that makes them tops in my book. Accurate/Ramshot has pretty good and has comprehensive data as well but it is listed by cartridge in a PDF.

Pretty minor in the grand scheme of things, but it seems like such an easy thing to do if you already have the data. To me it seems to indicate that you want to help your customers and it gives me another set of load data to compare my manuals with.

[PositiveCaster]

Here is the Western Powder (Ramshot/Accurate) loading manual with data listed by cartridge, just like every other powder maker...


https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/u....0-Web-REV.pdf


.

[kenton]

Have you tried Hodgdon's site? You can break down the information based on what calibers, powders, and bullet weights you want to see. Some people may not like it but I assume those are the kind of people who would rather look stuff up in the old paper McMaster Carr catalog than use their amazing website.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

(PS You are right I don't know why I said powder instead of cartridge. I went back and changed it.)