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A Guide to Historical Black Powder Weapons

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 black powder.

A precursor to the modern gun powder still in use today, black powder 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 black powder stands today.

Understanding Black Powder

First developed by alchemists in 9th century China, black powder traditionally consists of potassium nitrate (also known as saltpeter), charcoal, and sulfur. When these substances are combined together in the correct manner, they create a chemical reaction that helps propel objects forward.

While the modern gun powder recipe is somewhat similar, adjustments have been made to limit the amount of smoke generated. Smokeless gun powder is also more refined, which limits how much residue it leaves behind on firearms.  

Types of Black Powder Weapons Throughout History

Muzzle-loading weapons, including muskets, are a famous example of blackpowder firearms. The first recorded instance of the word “musket” occurred in the late 15th century, and they remained a popular weapon until breechloading rifles were introduced in the 1800s. Flintlock rifles were extremely popular muzzle-loaders, and they were also available in musket and pistol form.

While slightly less common, black powder revolvers are another type of historical weapon. In the late 1800s, a new Army snub nose revolver was introduced, complete with a brass loading tool. Available in .36 or .44 caliber, black powder revolvers are usually reserved for cowboy action shooting these days.

The Reloading Industry in Modern Times

While not as common as in the past, black powder is still in use today. In addition to black powder’s use within the military and for the manufacture of fireworks, it is also used by reloaders in historical battle re-enactments and other applications where muzzleloading is required.

Reloading your own ammunition offers a number of benefits when compared to factory-created brands, particularly for the experienced gun owner.

Factory ammo is meant to be one-size-fits-all in terms of power. With reloading, you can tweak the power generated by the ammunition to ensure it meets your specific needs. You’ll also have greater control over the ingredients that go into your ammunition. This is crucial when you own a vintage weapon, which may not be compatible with store-bought ammo.

Reloading can also save money. If you’re a prolific hunter, you probably go through quite a bit of ammunition during the different seasons. By reloading your own ammunition, you can save lots of money on hunting supplies from year to year. You can also avoid inconvenient ammo shortages, which are becoming more of an issue.

Where to Find Quality Reloading Supplies

When it comes to essential reloading supplies, Powder Valley has everything you need in one convenient online location. We insist on carrying reloading powders and other supplies from trusted manufacturers to meet your high expectations. We also carry muzzleloading accessories to ensure your antique weapons receive the proper level of care. Start shopping or contact us today for more information.

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History of Hodgdon Powder

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 reservations about the shooting public’s willingness to purchase the propellant. Still, when the war ended, he purchased 50,000 pounds of surplus 4895 powder.

Humble Beginnings

His marketing strategy began humbly with the purchase of one-inch ad space in the American Rifleman publication. In 1947, he made his first sale: 150 pounds of 4895 powder for $30. The powder was contained in metal cans with hand-glued labels and delivered by Bruce and his two boys, J.B. and Bob. As the business grew, the boys began to deliver shipments of powder to train terminals en route to school.

Soon after, Bruce realized that he could build a loyal customer base by teaching customers how to hand-load and by publishing load data.

Focus on Handloading

Post-World War II, most powder manufacturers in the United States shifted towards a loaded ammunition sales model, all but abandoning the prior model of handloading component sales. As one of the only providers of handloading materials, enthusiasts began experimenting with Hodgdon’s powders and eventually were able to achieve superior ballistic profiles to those provided by mass-produced ammunition.

Before long, customers began to recognize the name “Hodgdon”, associating it with handloading like customers associate Coca-Cola with soft drinks. At this time, the Hodgdons began to expand their product offerings beyond powder, offering reloading components, firearms, and ammunition.

By 1952, the business had picked up remarkably. Bruce quit his day job with the Gas Service Company and officially launched B.E. Hodgdon, Inc.

In the early 60s, Bruce Hodgdon and a coalition of other powder retailers successfully convinced the ICC (the 1960s version of today’s Department of Transportation) to downgrade smokeless powder shipments to the 1.4C classification, which allowed powder retailers to ship their products (under 100 pounds) with any carrier, greatly improving their ability to sell to a wider customer base.

The business expanded rapidly through the 1960s on the heels of this policy change, which led to Hodgdon splitting the business in two: one firearm wholesaling subsidiary, and one powder subsidiary. Eventually, other firearms and ammunition companies noticed the success that Hodgdon Powder was having and began offering their own smokeless powders for sale. Still, Hodgdon Powder maintained a strong customer base, leading the industry through trend after trend.

Hodgdon Powder Company Still Going Strong

Today, Hodgdon Powder Company maintains its status as the elite powder provider even after Bruce’s death in 1997. Manufacturing smokeless propellants that meet the needs of all reloaders, Hodgdon Powder Company currently offers a huge selection of smokeless powder, muzzle-loading powder, and safety fuses, among other products.

Among Hodgdon’s most popular products in the modern day is their Varget powder, which is particularly popular among competitive .223 Remington shooters due to its ability to improve ballistics for .22-250 Remington, .308 Winchester, 30-06, .375 H&H, and other popular rounds.

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A History of Black Powder

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.

Black Powder vs. Gunpowder?

Black powder and gunpowder are synonymous—though the term “black powder” is a bit of a misnomer, as some “black” powders can actually be off-white or tan.

Black powder is different than modern smokeless powder in that it:

  • Produces large amounts of thick, white smoke, as well as residue in the gun barrel.
  • Burns much faster in open air than smokeless powder – almost instantly – with a puff and flash of light.
  • Yields less power (0.7 Kcal/gram of thermal energy vs. 1 Kcal/gram for smokeless powder).

Either way, these powders are centuries in the making—a truly fascinating history for ammo enthusiasts!

When Was Black Powder Discovered?

The first known record of gunpowder can be found in a book called Classified Essentials of the Mysterious Tao of the True Origin of Things, circa 850 C.E., where it described how “some have heated together sulfur, realgar, and saltpeter with honey; smoke and flames result, so that their hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down.” In other words: don’t try this at home, kids!

Later, in 1044 C.E., the Wujing Zongyao (武经总要, “Collection of the Most Important Military Techniques”) contained three more explosive recipes—considered the first true gunpowder recipes, developed for warfare with encroaching tribes threatening the borders. This concoction could be used to fuel poison smoke bombs on the battlefield or catapult blazing spiked iron balls during a siege.

By the late 1200s, black gunpowder had made its way into Mongolian guns and cannons. News of this amazing invention spread like wildfire. Early European black powder recipes trace back to medieval philosopher and friar Roger Bacon in 1242. Written recipes can be found in Bacon’s Opus Majus and Opus Tertium, as well as Marcus Graecus’ Liber Ignium (Book of Fires). By 1453, the Turks had destroyed the walls of Constantinople using gunpowder-propelled cannonballs.

Europeans advanced the art of metallurgy, developing better cannons and handheld muskets through the 15th to 17th centuries. The Tower of London employed three gunpowder makers prior to the English Civil War (1642-1645). European manufacturers experimented with drying processes to improve combustion and consistency, as well as purifying the saltpeter with wood ashes, precipitate calcium from dung liquor, ox blood, alum, and turnip slices. These experiments eventually gave rise to the invention of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose (smokeless) powders in the late 19th century.

 

How Is Black Powder Created?

One of the earliest Chinese chemical compositions consisted of 75% potassium nitrate, 15% carbon, and 10% sulfur. The French used 75% saltpeter, 12.5% sulfur, and 12.5% charcoal. The English used 75% saltpeter, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur. 

Having access to gunpowder gave countries an obvious advantage, though it wasn’t always easy finding the ingredients. While the carbon (charcoal) was milled in China, most saltpeter came from India and Italy, and the sulfur (brimstone) from volcanoes in Sicily.

Once the ingredients were procured, alchemists would sift and grind the sulfur and charcoal to purify it. Horse-driven refineries and rotating drums later replaced manual processes. Horsepower or waterwheels were used to incorporate the mixture. Mill cakes were then broken down into meal powder using sledgehammers and severing machines—they were pressed through smooth breakers, refined, polished, and tumbled into pellets. Finally, grains were exposed to ovens and dried.

Today, varying ratios are used, depending on how black powder is to be used. Firearms require a faster-burning powder, whereas cannons call for slower burn rates. DIYers interested in creating backup munitions might use 75% saltpeter (potassium nitrate), 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur—some of which can be purchased online or in a drug store.

It’s a labor of love making black powder from scratch:

  • First, beech, birch, fir, oak, pine, spruce, and willow boiled down over a fire make a good charcoal.
  • The ingredients can be ground individually using a basic hand mill or pestle and mortar.
  • The charcoal and sulfur are then combined into a ball mill for several hours to create a fine powder.
  • Isopropyl or denatured alcohol should be chilled (2.5 cups for every 100 grams of charcoal/sulfur).
  • Every 100 grams of potassium nitrate is dissolved into ¼ cup of boiling water.
  • The charcoal and sulfur mix is then added to the boiling potassium nitrate, stirred until combined.
  • The hot mixture is added to the chilled alcohol, stirred quickly, and then chilled to 32F.
  • The mixture is filtered through a cheesecloth to remove the liquid.
  • The pellets are spread across a paper to dry in the sun, pressed through a sieve when damp, and dried some more. Running the powder through mesh screens multiple times helps break down the powder.
  • Lastly, the black powder is stored in a cool, dry place in plastic containers.

If this sounds like a lot of work, rest assured it is! Some people enjoy mixing munitions as a pastime. If your primary hobby is shooting and you need reliable reloading powder fast, you can simply purchase it, too.

Where to Buy Black Powder or Smokeless Powder for Reloading

Powder Valley is America’s #1 supplier of reloading powders, including both traditional black powder and modern smokeless powder. We meet or beat all competitors to offer the finest and most affordable gun powders, guaranteed. If you have any questions about these products, please reach out to our team of dedicated professionals for friendly, honest, and respectful customer service.

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Why Is Stopping Power Important When Hunting?

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:

  1. Bullet placement
  2. Kinetic energy
  3. Wound channel
  4. Element of surprise
  5. 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 timely shipping, and it’s easy to see why we’re the one-stop source for firearms owners across the US.

Browse our site to stock up on all your shooting and reloading supplies. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at what “stopping power” means for hunters.

Five Factors That Lead to a Quick Kill

In self-defense situations, shooting experts draw a distinction between stopping power and killing power. That’s because the primary goal when dealing with a human attacker is to end the threat to innocent people as fast as possible. Actually killing the assailant (known as “terminal results”) is never the primary goal.

A different set of priorities applies when the scenario changes to a hunting environment. Inflicting suffering on the animal is never desirable, so the goal of every ethical hunter is to cause terminal results as fast as possible. Here are five factors that help to achieve this goal:

  1. Bullet placement – here the idea is to interrupt the function of vital organs such as the heart. This requires a hunter who is familiar with the prey’s general anatomy and where to place each round.
  2. Kinetic energy & caliber size– this refers to ballistic factors like bullet weight, size, construction, and velocity. In general, faster and heavier bullets are more likely to achieve quick terminal results.
  3. Wound channel – this term refers to the path the bullet takes inside the animal. A bullet that breaks apart and tumbles as it passes through the body creates multiple forms of trauma that cause the prey to drop in its tracks.
  4. Element of surprise – a skilled hunter is also a stealthy hunter. He or she will approach the prey so that the animal never detects a human presence. When the element of surprise is lacking, the animal’s bloodstream will be filled with adrenaline and other stress hormones that will only prolong its suffering.
  5. Anatomy – large animals such as deer, elk, and moose have thick layers of fat, muscle, and fur that protect their vital internal organs. It’s important to match your ammunition to the type of prey you’re hunting, so that you can overcome these natural defenses as swiftly as possible.

These five factors are the primary variables that lead to a quick kill. Keep them in mind as you prepare for your next hunting trip. Remember also that safety always comes first, so stay alert and responsible whenever you’re carrying firearms.

Powder Valley Has What You Need for Shooting Success

Take a look at hunters that come home empty-handed. More often than not, their mistake was going into the field poorly equipped.

You’ll never have this problem if you buy your supplies from Powder Valley.

That’s because we carry a giant selection of black powder, casings, reloading presses, smokeless powder, and bullets of every type and caliber. Our quality is unsurpassed and our customer service is legendary.

Browse our site and make your selections today. Remember, we can help you to shoot more and pay less than before.

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What Are the Different Berger Bullet Types Used For?

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 mind:

  • Ogive (pronounced “oh-jive”) – when applied to ballistics, this word refers to the degree of curve in a bullet’s design.
  • Tangent ogive – a bullet with a tangent ogive has a pronounced curving shape from the tip to the shank. This feature gives the reloader optimum flexibility when deciding how deep to insert the bullet into the casing.
  • Secant ogive – a bullet with a secant ogive has more of a straight, cone-shaped appearance when viewed from the side. This design reduces the amount of drag on the bullet as it travels through the air.
  • Hybrid ogive – this design combines both tangent and secant characteristics. It achieves both low drag and high flexibility when choosing seating depth.
  • Ballistic coefficient (BC) – BC is a measure of the bullet’s ability to minimize wind resistance. A low BC helps it to maintain optimum velocity throughout its flight path.

Now let’s look at how Berger ammo adapts these characteristics to each of its product brands.

Berger Target Bullets

Designed for the most demanding bench shooting applications, Berger target ammo combines a boat tail base with a tangent ogive. This gives it superior performance in windy conditions. It also allows reloaders to fine-tune the round to match their unique shooting style.

Berger VLD Target Bullets

This design uses a secant ogive to improve the round’s BC characteristics. The result is an exceptionally flat trajectory and higher overall velocity.

Berger Hybrid Target Bullets

This design incorporates elements of both a secant and tangent ogive for excellent all-around performance.

Berger OTM Tactical Bullets

These bullets were designed specifically for military and police applications. They use a thicker jacket for optimum reliability in even the most extreme environments.

Berger Varmint Bullets

This design uses a thinner jacket at the bullet’s tip for greater expansion upon impact. This allows the shooter to achieve terminal results in less time.

Berger VLD Hunting Bullets

This design incorporates three distinct features: a boat tail base, a secant ogive, and a thin jacket. This combination creates high velocity, low drag, and maximum expansion. Berger VLD hunting bullets are an excellent choice for hunting big game like deer and elk.

Berger Classic Hybrid Hunter Bullets

This design incorporates elements of both a secant and tangent ogive along with a thinner jacket for a combination of flight stability and maximum expansion. If you’re looking for an outstanding all-around big game bullet, then this is what you’re after.

Berger Elite Hunter Bullets

This design combines the best features of Berger’s classic hybrid hunter bullets with an exceptionally long tip. It gives the reloader the greatest possible flexibility when determining seating depth. If you’re the kind of hunter who likes to fine-tune each round, then Berger Elite Hunter Bullets are for you.

Buy Berger Bullets From Powder Valley

Here at Powder Valley, we proudly stock and sell Berger ammo along with a wide range of other shooting and reloading products, from rifle primers to powders and much more. Our prices are fair, and our customer service is unsurpassed. Order today and enjoy fast delivery. Remember, we can help you to shoot more and pay less than before.

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Estes Energetics Acquisition of GOEX Black Powder Production

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 hunters, as well as fireworks manufacturers. GOEX black powder also propels the model rocket motors of sister company Estes Industries, the leading model rocket brand, and supports the needs of the U.S. Military.

GOEX has a long history dating back to 1802, when DuPont began producing black powder in Delaware. DuPont’s Belin plant in Pennsylvania became part of GOEX in the early 1970s. In 1997, the operations of GOEX were moved to Minden, Louisiana. Estes Energetics plans to continue this legacy of high-quality American-made black powder, bringing innovation and full-spectrum engineering capability to fortify safety and quality.

GOEX Industries manufactures high quality black powder that is used for sporting and fireworks applications and is a vital component for industrial and military applications. GOEX has been producing American-made black powder for more than 200 years and is the only U.S. manufacturer of black powder.  To learn more about GOEX Industries please visit https://goexpowder.com/

Powder Valley Inc will continue to keep its loyal customer base kept up to date with major industry changes as they occur.  You can continue to visit our Goex Powders page while this change is taking place.  Powder Valley Inc is the leader in reloading supply and equipment. 

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Are Hollow Points Good for Hunting?

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 lead core immediately expand outward. The bullet is specifically designed so that it slows as it moves through the animal. These bullets usually stop within the body. Because they rarely pass right through, more energy is released within the target. This concussion results in a great deal of internal damage.

Due to this rapid expansion, hollow points aren’t suitable for small game. They simply destroy too much tissue on smaller animals for meat purposes. However, if the object isn’t game, but simply eradicating nuisance animals such as groundhogs on the farm or ranch, hollow point bullets can serve this purpose.

For small game hunting, soft point bullets are a better choice.

Hollow Point Bullets for Deer Hunting

Because hollow point bullets create a large wound channel immediately upon impact, they stop deer quickly with one shot. Because these bullets expand so much, thin-skinned prey such as deer will have large sections of their vital organs taken out at once.

In most cases, the deer bleeds out before traveling more than 30 yards away. The kill is quick and humane, with minimal suffering.

While hollow point bullets are fine for quarry shot at close range, they are not as efficient for long-range targets.

Hollow Point Bullets for Feral Hogs

When it comes to hunting wild pigs, hollow point bullets are not necessarily the top choice. That’s because the hide of these animals is incredibly tough, and the bullet may not penetrate deeply enough to hit the vital organs. No hunter wants to create a shallow wound channel that does not prove fatal right away.

The same holds true for other game with tough hides, such as elk and moose.

Hollow Point Boat Tail Bullets

For accuracy at long-range, hollow point boat tail bullets are generally preferred to normal hollow point bullets because of their tapered end. The design can make a considerable difference in performance.

In addition to hunting, this is a good bullet for target shooting.

Choose Powder Valley for Your Hollow Point Bullets

Powder Valley carries Berger bullets in hollow point boat tail and dozens of other types and sizes, ranging from 172 diameter varmint bullets to large .338 rounds ideal for hunting and match shooting. Berger ensures its bullets are manufactured from the highest quality copper and lead available. By eliminating impurities, Berger can manufacture bullets that perform consistently, shot after shot.

Reload your rounds with bullets you can trust from top-tier manufacturers like Berger, Barnes, Hornady, and more. Stock up with Powder Valley, your one-stop online ammo megastore.

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What Is FFFG Powder?

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:

  1. FG – an extremely coarse powder used in very large weapons like cannons. It’s generally reserved for battlefield reenactments.
  2. FFG – this is more heavily refined than FG powder. It’s used in both black powder rifles and large caliber black powder revolvers.
  3. FFFG – this is even more refined than FFG powder. Its fine grains make it the propellant of choice for smaller black powder revolvers like the aforementioned 1851 Navy Colt.
  4. FFFFG – this is the finest type of black powder available on today’s market. It’s used almost exclusively as a priming powder for flintlock weapons.

FFFG versus FFG: What’s the Difference?

The answer is that FFFG is more finely ground for use in smaller weapons with intricate firing mechanisms.

For this reason, you should never try to substitute one type of black powder for another.Here’s what can happen if you do:

  • Your bullets will not achieve the desired velocity – limiting their range and effectiveness.
  • You’re likely to experience frequent misfires – which, as any black powder shooter knows, can be a frustrating and time-consuming problem to correct.
  • You may damage the weapon itself – requiring an expensive trip to the gunsmith. In fact, you may even destroy the firearm and have to replace it entirely.

What Will Happen If I Use Modern Smokeless Powder in a Black Powder Weapon?

While we’re on this topic, we should mention that modern smokeless powder should never be used in a black powder weapon. If you do, then the gun can literally blow apart in your hand, causing serious injury to yourself and those nearby. Only use the products and supplies authorized by the firearm’s manufacturer.

It’s important to never mix different types of black powder together. In fact, professional shooters recommend keeping your powder canisters separate when loading your weapons to avoid the slightest possibility of making this mistake.

Schuetzen FFFG Black Powder

Goex is a time-tested and trusted name in the black powder community, and we are proud to offer Goex FFFF black powder. Additionally, Schuetzen powder and supplies are manufactured to the highest possible standards in Sweden, using methods that have been developed over centuries of European craftsmanship. Products such as Schuetzen black powder FFF are known for providing superior results every time.

We’re proud to include the Schuetzen name among the many fine brands we sell. Place your order with Powder Valley today for competitive prices and speedy delivery.

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Are Berger Bullets Good for Hunting?

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 Bullets a Top Choice

The hunting jackets of Berger bullets are thinner than traditional ammo. The J4 hunting jacket breaks and fragments inside the animal reliably and consistently. The bullet penetrates between 2 and 3 inches before its rapid expansion. It does not implode prior to that penetration. Think of a grenade cracking open. Berger bullets enter the body deeply enough to penetrate the vitals, bringing game down instantly.

Berger bullets are manufactured from the highest quality copper and lead available. Because impurities are eliminated, sportsmen can trust that Berger bullets perform consistently, shot after shot.

An Effective Shape

The Berger Hunting VLDs also feature a boat tail and a secant ogive nose. For external ballistic performance, this is the most effective shape. The secant ogive reduces drag, so shooting is flatter with little wind drift. The bullet’s energy focuses on where it is most effective – within the animal.

Berger’s non-VLD bullets have a tangent ogive. While the non-VLD bullets do not cut through wind as well as the VLDs, they achieve easy precision in most rifles. These bullets have a hollow cavity rather than a pure lead core.

Rapid Expansion

The rapid expansion of Berger bullets upon hitting the target animal means a reliable, ethical kill. While the expansion is notable at close to medium range, this ammunition expands as advertised at the longest distances.  

As the Berger Hunting VLD bullet expands, up to 85 percent of its weight is shed as shrapnel. The wound cavity within the internal organs ranges between 13 and 15 inches. Should an animal not drop at once, it will die rapidly due to internal organ damage and blood pressure loss. There is no need to track a wounded animal shot by a Berger Hunting VLD bullet. It is accurate and deadly.

For all their accuracy and expansion, Berger Hunting VLDs do not create more meat damage.

Berger Hunting VLDs perform effectively at 1,800 feet per second impact velocity or even faster. They will still expand even when the impact is as low as 1,500 fps.

Buy Berger Bullets From Powder Valley

Powder Valley carries Berger Bullets in hollow point boat tail and many other types and sizes. Whether for hunting or match shooting, our Berger bullets range from 172 diameter varmint bullets to large .338 rounds. Trust Berger bullets to do the job.

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Brief History of Lapua Brass

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 More

The early 1920s was a turbulent time for the Finnish people. They declared their independence from the Soviet Union in 1917 and spent the next several decades trying to maintain their freedom in the face of an implacable foe.

Maybe that’s what inspired them to create the Lapua brand of ammo, which has earned a richly deserved reputation for excellence in the years since. Here’s what sets it apart from the crowd:

  • Outstanding quality: every Lapua bullet combines Old World craftsmanship with 21st-century technology for the perfect blending of science and art.
  • Outstanding performance: Lapua ammunition is used by hunters, competitive shooters, and law enforcement personnel across the globe, all of whom rely on its power and accuracy to achieve amazing results.
  • Outstanding value: Given its world-class features, it’s surprising to learn that Lapua ammo is more affordable than you might think, especially when you order it here on Powder Valley’s website.

All the Essential Features of an Outstanding Brand of Ammo

The only way to create perfect ammunition is to focus relentlessly on the fundamentals. That’s why the experts at Lapua incorporate the following features into their bullets:

  • A streamlined boat tail design — to ensure added stability throughout the bullet’s trajectory.
  • An ultra-narrow front profile — to minimize wind drift.
  • Featherweight materials — to increase velocity without adding needless recoil.

The result is a bullet that performs as well as any brand on earth.

Lapua ammo is available in a wide range of calibers, including:

  • .224 (5.68mm)
  • .264 (6.5mm)
  • .308 (7.83mm)
  • .338 (8.61mm)

Order Lapua Bullets Online from Powder Valley

Besides Lapua hunting ammunition, we also carry a huge selection of top-quality shooting and reloading products from other leading manufacturers. Our prices are fair and our quality is unsurpassed.

The sooner you order, the more you’ll save. Make your purchase today and enjoy fast delivery. Remember, we can help you to shoot more and pay less than before.