# All Gun Powders are Not Created Equal Elmer "called me out" with my statement(s) of "small NC is small NC" and the NC from one gunpowder is the same "NC" from another. I still stand by this (not only because Marshall said so) but **obtaining** the NC from one powder (in other words grinding it) - is Not the same. If you are going to manually grind it - avoid spherical/ball shaped or cylindrical powders. These "flakes of powder" behave more like ball-bearings and it's difficult to manually grind down these round objects down to their perspective NC makeup. The FBI actually has a cool website including descriptions and pictures of most of the available smokeless gunpowders. https://www.aardvarkreloading.com/powders.html (See 'Database of Powders') The shape of the flakes are erased by grinding it - or using other methods to "chemically alter/dissolve" the flakes. The video below is somewhat "dated". Except for the shape - ALL nc is usable for NC. The slowest of the slow powders will burn at about the same rate - as the fast pistol powder. To put it another way, the slowest powder on the charts was successfully tested - so fast burning pistol powders, slow burning rifle powder - once it is ground up - it's all the same and can be used as NC in your primers. https://rumble.com/vt0ucp-ingredient-4-nitrocellulose-nc.html I've updated my reply to the question, "Which NC is best". Given a choice - choose the pistol powder but really it's all the same (at mesh 'say' 150 or finer). So it should make sense where I think you should use/re-use the NC from no-cost sources. - Pull downs - stray rounds found at the gun range/questionable sources - "Left over Powder" - Bottom of the canisters, etc In other words - use the "free stuff" and keep the overall cost of reloading primers to a minimum. Aluminum - a "free ingredient". I recommend you indeed - DIY https://rumble.com/v10hnmr-making-aluminum-powder-the-easy-way.html It's rather easy to produce your own aluminum and the source of the aluminum is free. Glass - a "free ingredient" On the other side of the spectrum is glass. The cost is "in the labor". The time to produce your own DIY glass is substantial (not to mention the mess/ repugnant noise of grinding glass). [[DIY - Ground Glass Butter Churn Method]] I provide glass and use the proceeds to fund my website. https://publish.obsidian.md/libby/Notes/Shameless+Plug - It's borosilicate - 325 mesh (small-small) - 6 oz (3 times the amount of glass by the art-supply source) - Currently $25 (free ship)