Handgun Powder Market Report 2026

The handgun powder market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.75 billion in 2025 to $1.85 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing civilian and law-enforcement handgun use driving demand for reliable propellants, rising adoption of single-base powders for consistent pressure control in short-barrel firearms, growth of double-base powder usage to achieve higher velocities in performance ammunition, continued use of black powder in traditional and sporting handgun applications, expansion of ammunition manufacturing requiring stable and repeatable powder formulations.

The handgun powder market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.3 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for cleaner-burning handgun powders reducing residue and maintenance needs, rising development of low-flash powders for tactical and concealed-carry applications, increasing adoption of temperature-stable propellants ensuring consistent performance across climates, expansion of precision-focused recreational shooting boosting demand for high-accuracy powder types, development of eco-friendly and reduced-emission propellant formulations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing civilian demand for self-defense and concealed-carry handgun ammunition, rising popularity of practical shooting sports (e.g., ipsc, idpa) boosting performance handgun powder demand, strong oem ammunition manufacturer demand for consistent, bulk propellant supply contracts, product differentiation through caliber-specific and use-case-specific handgun powder formulations, tightening safety, transport, and storage regulations influencing handgun powder packaging and logistics.

The rising demand for recreational shooting and hunting is expected to drive the growth of the handgun powder market going forward. Recreational shooting and hunting refer to leisure activities that involve using firearms or bows for sport, target practice, or harvesting game animals. The increasing demand for recreational shooting and hunting is fueled by a growing interest in outdoor sports, as they provide leisure and skill-building opportunities in natural environments. Handgun powder is used in recreational shooting and hunting to deliver low-recoil, cost-effective, and accurate performance, making it suitable for beginners and small-game activities. For instance, in August 2025, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a US-based government agency, over 1 million hunters in the US harvested nearly 17 million mourning doves in 2023. Therefore, the rising demand for recreational shooting and hunting is supporting the growth of the handgun powder market.

Major companies operating in the handgun powder market are focusing on expanding their product ranges with advanced powder formulations engineered to enhance shooting accuracy, pressure stability, and overall performance. These innovations prioritize temperature stability and refined pressure curves, allowing shooters to achieve consistent results across various calibers and conditions. For instance, in May 2025, Precision Reloading, a US-based provider of metallic and shotshell reloading components, expanded its powder selection to include prominent brands such as Hodgdon, Winchester, and Vihtavuori, giving reloading enthusiasts access to a wider assortment. The newly added handgun powders are designed to deliver superior accuracy and reliable performance by maintaining consistent burn rates and pressures. They accommodate diverse shooting styles and calibers, ensuring optimal ballistic performance under different temperature conditions while offering shooters greater customization to enhance precision and consistency.

In November 2024, CSG, a Czech Republic-based industrial and technology group, acquired Kinetic Group for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition strengthens CSG’s position in the U.S. defense and ammunition industry by adding leading American ammunition brands to its portfolio. Kinetic Group is a US-based manufacturer of handgun powder.

Major companies operating in the handgun powder market are Nammo AS, Eurenco, Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd., Shooters World, Hodgdon Powder Company Inc., Norma Precision Inc., Natchez Shooters Supplies, Explosia a.s., Nobel Sport Italia, Alliant Powder, Vihtavuori, Western Powders Inc., Deccan Industrial Explosives Private Limited, Narendra Explosives Limited, Prophet River Firearms, GOEX Black Powder, Poudrerie d'Aubonne SA, Maxam Outdoors S.A., Lapua, Precision Reloading.

North America was the largest region in the handgun powder market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the handgun powder market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on chemical precursors, energetic materials, and finished propellant are raising production and import costs for smokeless handgun powder, black handgun powder, and specialty eco-friendly formulations, particularly in trade-intensive regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These measures are pressuring margins for ammunition manufacturers and civilian reloading markets while disproportionately affecting bulk-buying end users such as armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and large shooting ranges. Segments most exposed include single-base and double-base smokeless handgun powders sourced cross-border, as well as black powder and substitutes imported for niche sporting applications. However, tariffs are also encouraging localization of propellant manufacturing, long-term supply contracts, and investment in regional plants, which can strengthen domestic supply security and reduce future logistics risks.

The handgun powder market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides handgun powder market statistics, including the handgun powder industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the handgun powder market share, detailed handgun powder market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the handgun powder industry. This handgun powder market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Handgun powder is a smokeless gunpowder specifically designed for use in pistol and revolver cartridges. It acts as a chemical propellant that burns quickly to generate gas pressure, propelling the bullet through the shorter barrel of a handgun. This powder is crucial for managing pressure, velocity, and recoil, ensuring reliable and safe operation of pistols and revolvers.

The primary types of handgun powder include smokeless handgun powder, black handgun powder, and other variants. Smokeless handgun powder produces minimal smoke upon ignition, providing cleaner and more efficient performance compared to traditional black powder. Its applications span hunting, shooting sports, military use, and others, serving key end users such as ammunition manufacturers, shooting ranges and training centers, civilian shooters, and law enforcement agencies.

The countries covered in the handgun powder market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The handgun powder market consists of sales of single-base powders, double-base powders, and black powder. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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