#Hodgdon

The reloading world is constantly expanding despite several upsets over the decades that have left many wanting for components like primers and projectiles. Now that things seem to more or less be going back to normal in terms of availability of components, it’s nice that Hodgdon released the new Hodgdon 2024 Annual Manual. This yearly release contains some of the most up-to-date information for new pistol and rifle loads, as well as updates to older loads to accommodate for new selections in projectiles and powder.

Hodgdon has just announced the latest addition to their line of shotshell reloading powders, the High Gun. Formulated specifically for 12-gauge loads, this flattened-spherical powder is advertised to pack a powerful punch, delivering outstanding performance and precision. Hodgdon High Gun allegedly closely replicates the Remington Nitro 27 factory loads and guarantees consistent metering, clean burning, and uniform patterns. This new Hodgdon shotshell powder is available immediately at retailers selling reloading products. The powder is available in 1-pound and 8-pound canisters.

Winchester Smokeless Propellants, a member of the Hodgdon family, introduced two new StaBALL powders at SHOT Show 2023 – the  StaBAll Match and  StaBALL HD.

Accurate 2520 is a smokeless powder with a long history in competition shooting. It has been used in competition rifle loads dating back to the days when .308 Winchester was still in common use. With the recent shortage of Varget, is Accurate 2520 worth a new look?

Finding gunpowder has been extremely difficult over the last several years. Many popular options have disappeared entirely. Perennial favorites like Varget have dried up and left many shooters trying to find substitutes. One such option is Shooter’s World Precision, which looks very similar to Varget on paper. So how do these two powders compare?

In the grand scheme of things, rocket motors aren’t too far off from black powder propellants in terms of what both compounds do. Estes Energetics, a newly formed company born from the well-known Estes Industries rocket motor company, has made plans to continue the legacy that the GOEX has built by acquiring the company from Hodgdon. Back in September of 2021, Hodgdon made the decision to shut down the GOEX production facility which was a disappointment to both black powder shooters and general gun owners alike. Thankfully, the small model rocket motor company has not only picked up the GOEX line but has created an entirely new company around it.

A lot of people within reloading circles have been wondering, “where has all the powder gone” as of late? With Hodgdon Powder providing the handloading community with so many popular brands of smokeless propellants – Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester – they have some answers for us in this 2020 Update that was posted to their Facebook page on Friday, January 31st.

I had a chance to speak to Chris Hodgdon himself this year at Shot Show. He had a pretty interesting announcement. This year Hodgdon is going “On The Road”. They and other reloading companies will be reaching out to retailers across the country to teach free beginner reloading classes. He told me some interesting reloading history.

Hodgdon Powder Company announced the introduction of a new smokeless powder for 2018 under the Winchester Smokeless Powders brand. Called WinClean 244, this new ball powder is formulated to be a good powder for handgun cartridges like the .38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP.

Ahead of the annual industry trade show, Hodgdon Powder Company announced a new propellant for muzzleloaders. Called the Triple Seven FireStar, the pelletized powder promises higher velocity and less residue.

Hodgdon Powder is celebrating 70 years in business serving the reloading community. To cap off this milestone in longevity they are releasing a book documenting their historic march from one man’s vision into the dominant reloading powder company in the world. This book is aptly named “The Gunpowder People.”

When it comes to handgun shooting, there is traditionally a steeper learning curve and more range time involved to be accurate. If you also happen to be a reloader, then it is not your shooting ability that is stopping you from blowing out the center bullseye… its the powder your buddy recommended! It cannot be your fault, right?

Hodgdon Powder Company announced that current Chief Executive Officer Tom Shepherd will be retiring next year. Shepherd’s last day with the company will be December 31, 2017.

The Hodgdon Powder Company announced it would introduce a new powder in 2017. This new spherical powder is called CFE BLK, and it was specifically designed for the 300 BLK cartridge.

Hodgdon Powder Company announced the release of Winchester 572: a new powder for the loading public. The new 572 began showing up on retailer websites recently, and the company made a formal announcement last week about it.