Method for producing metal powder

A process for production of metallic powder comprising contacting a metallic chloride gas with a reductive gas in a temperature range for a reducing reaction to form a metallic powder and subsequently contacting the metallic powder with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas to cool the powder, wherein the rate of cooling is 30 DEG C or more for temperatures from the temperature range for the reducing reaction to a temperature of 800 DEG C or less. The metallic powder is rapidly cooled, which results in suppression of agglomeration of particles in the metallic powder and the growth of secondary particles. Growth of particles of a metallic powder formed in a reduction process into secondary particles through agglomeration after the reduction process is suppressed, and a ultrafine metallic powder having a particle diameter of, for example, 1 mu m or less, can be reliably produced.