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Winchester Smokeless Propellants: The Winchester Story

The Winchester® Smokeless Propellants handloaders know today can be traced back to 1892, when Franklin Olin and five other partners established the Equitable Powder Company in East Alton, Illinois.

Olin went on to form the Western Cartridge Company in 1898 to sell ammunition, giving his Equitable Powder Company powder another market.

Three decades later, in 1931, Western Cartridge acquired the bankrupt Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Following this transaction, Western was renamed Winchester-Western.

Western Cartridge Company employed Dr. Fredrich Olsen in 1929, and he quickly earned U.S. Patent #2,027,114, which was given to Western Cartridge for the "Manufacture of Smokeless Powders." Western Cartridge Company then commercialized BALL POWDER® smokeless propellant.

FAQ

What powder does Winchester use?

Winchester® Staball® FamilyTM. This temperature-insensitive, double-base BALL® powder is stable in extreme hot or cold situations and delivers ideal loading density in cartridges suited to the burn speed.

What is Winchester 572 powder used for?

Winchester 572 also offers excellent clay target or field loads in 20- and 28-gauge, as well as exceptional field loads for the magnificent 16-gauge. Furthermore, 572 offers a wide range of pistol applications, including the 25 ACP, 45 ACP, and all common calibers in between.

Does Hodgdon own Winchester powder?

Hodgdon purchased IMR Powder Company in 2003. Hodgdon has been distributing Winchester-branded reloading powders in the United States since March 2006.