Rifle Powder Market Report 2026

The rifle powder market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.2 billion in 2025 to $1.27 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing hunting activities, growth in civilian firearm ownership, rising use of reloading practices, demand for consistent ballistic performance, military reliance on rifle ammunition.

The rifle powder market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.58 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing interest in competitive shooting, increasing adoption of advanced powder formulations, rising demand for temperature-insensitive powders, expansion of long-range shooting sports, higher focus on eco-friendly propellants. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing shift toward temperature-stable powder formulations, rising demand for clean-burning, low-fouling rifle powders, growth in customizable powder blends for niche shooting applications, expansion of high-energy powders for long-range precision shooting, greater adoption of eco-friendly propellant additives.

The rising involvement in shooting sports is anticipated to drive the growth of the rifle powder market moving forward. Shooting sports encompass recreational or competitive activities that involve firearms like rifles, where accuracy, precision, and speed are crucial for performance. This growth in participation is fueled by increased media exposure, the expansion of safety and training initiatives, and the rising engagement of youth and women in the sport. Rifle powder serves as the main propellant in rifle cartridges, playing a key role in ensuring accuracy, consistency, and overall performance. The appropriate powder delivers an optimal burn rate and pressure, which directly affect bullet stability and precision. For example, in March 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a US-based federal agency, reported that a single program has reached around 21 million participants and currently includes nearly 9,000 schools across the United States. Consequently, the expanding participation in shooting sports is fostering growth in the rifle powder market.

Major companies in the rifle powder market are prioritizing the development of advanced innovations such as temperature-stable ball powders to improve shooting precision and maintain consistent performance across different environmental conditions. A temperature-stable ball powder is a high-performance firearm propellant formulated to deliver steady burn rates and pressure outputs despite temperature fluctuations, while also offering efficient loading and enhanced ballistic reliability. For instance, in September 2025, Hodgdon Powder Company, a US-based manufacturer and distributor of smokeless and black powder substitute propellants, introduced Winchester StaBALL HD. This product features temperature-insensitive technology, copper fouling reduction additives, and high loading density, ensuring dependable performance in both hot and cold environments. Its accurate metering and strong velocity capabilities make it ideal for large-capacity magnum cartridges, supporting improved accuracy and efficiency for precision shooters and reloaders.

In November 2024, Czechoslovak Group (CSG), an industrial technology company based in the Czech Republic, acquired The Kinetic Group for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is intended to bolster CSG’s position in the global defense and ammunition sector by expanding its footprint in the U.S. market and incorporating prominent small-caliber ammunition brands into its portfolio. The Kinetic Group is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in ammunition products, including smokeless gunpowder.

Major companies operating in the rifle powder market are Thales Australia Limited (ADI Powders), Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos, Eurenco France SAS, Fiocchi Munizioni S.p.A., Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd., Shooters World LLC, Nitrochemie Wimmis AG, Hodgdon Powder Company Inc., Eley Hawk Limited, Explosia a.s., Nobel Sport Italia S.R.L., Alliant Powder Company, Nammo Vihtavuori Oy, Baschieri & Pellagri Spa, Cheddite Italy S.R.L., Narendra Explosives Limited, Prvi Partizan Emo AD, Pioneer Powder Inc., Cartuchos Saga SA, Poudrerie d'Aubonne S.A., Hornady Manufacturing Propellants Division, Sierra Bullets Propellant Research, Western Powders Inc., Accurate Powders, Lovex Explosia Propellants.

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 ingredients, metal packaging, and imported propellant components have raised production costs for rifle powder manufacturers, particularly affecting bulk packaging and military-grade formulations in North America and Europe. These tariffs disrupt supply chains and increase retail pricing for hunters, reloaders, and competitive shooters; however, they also encourage domestic sourcing, promote regional manufacturing resilience, and support innovation in alternative, environmentally friendly powder chemistries.

The rifle powder market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides rifle powder market statistics, including the rifle powder industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with an rifle powder market share, detailed rifle powder market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rifle powder industry. This rifle 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.

Rifle powder is a smokeless propellant mainly made of nitrocellulose combined with additives that control its burn rate and temperature, specifically designed for rifle cartridges. It provides consistent ignition and bullet velocity by managing combustion efficiency and energy release. Different burn rates are available to suit various calibers and barrel lengths.

The primary types of rifle powder include single base, double base, ball powder, and flake powder. Single-base powders consist mainly of nitrocellulose and deliver stable performance with controlled burn rates across diverse rifle uses. These powders come in multiple grades such as competitive, standard, and military. Packaging options range from bulk and boxed to bottled and custom formats. Rifle powders are used in applications like target shooting, hunting, competitive shooting, and reloading, serving end users including individual consumers, military and defense forces, law enforcement, and the outdoor sports sector.North America was the largest region in the rifle powder market in 2025. The regions covered in the rifle powder market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the rifle powder market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The rifle powder market consists of sales of small rifle powder, medium rifle powder, and heavy rifle 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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