As a gun enthusiast, you’re probably fascinated by historical weapons and how they were used. You may even have a few vintage or antique firearms in your current collection, in which case you’re already very familiar with blackpowder. A precursor to the modern gun powder still in use today, blackpowder played a crucial role in world history and the firearms used to shape it. This guide explains the historical significance of these weapons, and where blackpowder stands today. Understanding Blackpowder First developed by alchemists in 9th century China, black powder traditionally consists of pot ..read more

Drafted into the armed forces at the age of 33 in 1943, Bruce Hodgdon entered the Navy and began serving as an instructor to aerial gunners. As he listened to a chemist reminisce about World War I, Hodgdon’s ears perked up at the mention of large quantities of surplus smokeless powder being dumped into the ocean after the war. Hodgdon wisely surmised that World War II might bring about a similar situation once the war concluded and began researching the possibility of purchasing the surplus powder for resale. This was a big risk: Hodgdon had no place to store the gunpowder, and he held reserva ..read more

Black powder is the original form of gunpowder that dates back to 9th century China, when alchemists mixed various materials together in effort to develop an elixir of immortality. Early recipes produced a tremendous amount of smoke. The term “black powder” entered the lexicon in the late 19th century to distinguish the traditional gunpowder from newer formulations of smokeless gunpowder most commonly used in gun ammunition today. Good old-fashioned black powder can be homemade and remains in use for muzzle-loading hunting weapons, blank-fire charges, fuses, ignition charges, and primers. Blac ..read more

In a hunting context, stopping power is important for minimizing the animal’s suffering. A round that drops the prey in its tracks is more likely to achieve quick terminal results than one which leaves the creature on its feet. Five factors that affect a shot’s stopping power are: Bullet placement Kinetic energy Wound channel Element of surprise Anatomy Here at Powder Valley, we’re proud to support hunters who practice their sport in a safe and humane action. That’s why we stock the very best reloading powders and products available anywhere. Combine these benefits with our fair pricing and ..read more

Berger is known for making precision bullets tailored for specific shooting applications. Below we survey eight different types of bullets made by this premium ammo manufacturer. No matter what your shooting needs, Berger has a bullet that will get the job done. As a leader in ammo reloading supplies and other shooting products, Powder Valley is proud to carry a wide range of quality Berger bullets. Stock up today! A Few Terms That Every Reloader Should Know Choosing the right type of Berger ammo is easier when you know some basic shooting terminology. Here are some important terms to keep in ..read more

GOEX Black Powder Production has been acquired by Estes Energetics Powder Valley Inc is helping to announce some important industry news.  On January 31st, 2022 an announcement was made that Estes Energetics has acquired the assets of GOEX, the premier black powder brand, and will continue and grow production at its Louisiana manufacturing facility. This is among the last remaining commercial scale black powder factories in the USA producing GOEX and Olde Eynsford brands of black powder, which are highly regarded by recreational and competitive shooters, re-enactors, and muzzleloading hun ..read more

Hollow point bullets are perhaps the most popular and effective choice for deer and other big game hunting.  While hollow points are excellent bullets for hunting, it does depend on the quarry. Since 1984, Powder Valley, the leader in ammo reloading supply, has been offering sportsmen and those interested in self-defense the best prices on ammunition, including rifle primers, powders, and other essential supplies for reloaders. Hollow Point Bullets With their hollowed-out tip, hollow point bullets expand quickly upon impact. When it hits soft tissue, the pressure in its tip makes the soft ..read more

FFFG powder is a fine-grained propellant used primarily in small caliber black powder revolvers like the 1851 Colt Navy revolver. Here at Powder Valley, we carry a large selection of high-quality powders and other vintage shooting supplies for reloaders. What Is FFFG Powder? To fully understand what FFFG powder is, let’s first look at how black gunpowder is classified. It falls into four primary categories: FG – an extremely coarse powder used in very large weapons like cannons. It’s generally reserved for battlefield reenactments. FFG – this is more heavily refined than FG powder. It’s used ..read more

Berger bullets are among the best bullets for hunting on the market, particularly for deer hunting. They are accurate and quick-expanding for a swift and ethical kill. While these are excellent long-range bullets, they also perform well at closer ranges. Hunters demand that ammunition produce successful and repeatable results. That’s what they get with Berger bullets. Since 1984, Powder Valley, the leader in ammo reloading supply, has offered hunters the best prices on bullets, powders, rifle primers, gun care items, and other ammunition supplies – including Berger bullets. What Makes Berger B ..read more

Imagine a brand of ammo that’s accurate up to 1500 yards. One that achieves a perfect score in 300 meter competitions. One that’s just as proficient at putting food on the dinner table as winning awards at shooting events. Does that sound like the kind of ammunition you’re looking for? If so, then we’d love to tell you about Lapua bullets and the benefits they offer to discriminating shooters like you.   You’ll find these outstanding products right here on Powder Valley’s website, along with plenty of other top-rated shooting and reloading supplies. Lapua as Hunting Ammunition and Much Mo ..read more