You have joined the ranks of hunters looking to stretch those ammo dollars and now you find yourself venturing deeper into the rabbit hole that is reloading. You have wrestled with the single stage versus progressive press conundrum, debated the merits of wet versus dry brass cleaning (and maybe even dabbled in the sonic spa), and now you have arrived at the mystical realm of powder selection.
There is a lot to consider, such as does it really matter what magical dust you sprinkle into those shiny brass cases, or can you just grab the cheapest canister you can find and call it a day? We may not be staring down the barrel of 2019-level powder scarcity, but just because you can find powder doesn’t mean all powder is created equal. Think of it like coffee. Sure, that instant stuff will technically get caffeine into your system, but it is a far cry from a perfectly brewed cup of artisanal beans. Similarly, while most reloading powders will indeed propel your little “freedom seed” downrange, some perform a lot better than others.
Powder Differences
Some powders burn with the enthusiasm of a tire fire, producing enough smoke to make you think you have accidentally wandered onto a Civil War reenactment. This can make follow-up shots challenging, especially when trying to spot your impact. Other powders are like that gas-guzzling uncle who needs twice as much fuel to go the same distance as his more efficient counterparts, meaning you will need more grains to achieve the same ballistic performance.
Now, let’s talk about the rock stars of the powder world. You’ll hear whispers of certain legendary
propellants that everyone loves, making them harder to find in those coveted larger “kegs” (because, let’s
be honest, once you find “the one,” you want a lot of it).
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Personally, I’m a big fan of buying powder in 8-pound containers, because if you’re going to the trouble of reloading, you might as well do it in bulk, right? The smart move for any budding alchemist is to start with a humble 1-pound container of a prospective powder. Treat it like a first date. See how it behaves.
Is it too smoky? Does it leave your firearm looking like it kissed a chimney sweep? Are the velocities underwhelming? Once you’ve found a powder that tickles your ballistic fancy, buy as much of it as your storage space (and significant other) will allow. As long as you adhere to the ancient reloading commandment of “keep thy powder dry,” that
precious propellant will keep its mojo for a good long time.
Stock Up
One of the truly soul-crushing experiences for a seasoned reloader is the dreaded “out of stock”
notification for their beloved, tried-and-true powder. It’s like your favorite coffee shop suddenly switching
to decaf. Then begins the arduous quest for a suitable replacement: the endless online searches, the
hopeful visits to local shops, the experimentation with new load data. It is a whole new learning curve.
This is why those of us who are truly bitten by the reloading bug tend to “stack it deep,” creating a
strategic reserve of our go-to powders. Think of it as prepping for a ballistic winter.
There is also the not-so-minor issue of political winds in the good ol’ USA. As most of you astute
readers are aware, the ebb and flow of political power can have a dramatic (and often immediate) impact
on the availability and pricing of firearms, ammunition, and, yes, the very components that make them go
bang.
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In the blink of an eye, the price of your favorite powder can skyrocket. Being prepared with a
decent stockpile can save you a considerable headache (and a significant chunk of change) down the road.
Personally, I’ve consistently found the powders offered by Hodgdon to be top-notch. For my 9mm habit,
Tightgroup is my go-to. It meters beautifully, delivers consistent performance, and doesn’t leave my
pistol looking like it’s been coal mining.
Reap the Rewards
For my 5.56 needs, CFE223 is the champion. It provides excellent ballistics without excessive smoke. Just recently, I loaded up a respectable 750 rounds of precision .223 for the Battle of the South 2Gun event, which my kids and I were all shooting. The combination of CFE223 and Hornady 75-grain bullets proved to be a winning recipe, resulting in
impressive first-round hits even in some seriously shifty winds. Watching your kids connect with targets
in challenging conditions thanks to your handloads? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on (though
having the right powder certainly helps!).
So, when choosing your powder, don’t just grab the cheapest dust you can find. Do your research, start
small, and once you find the propellant that makes your rounds sing, buy it in bulk. Your accuracy, your
firearm’s cleanliness, and your future self (especially during those inevitable powder droughts) will thank you.
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