Hodgdon vs IMR

[Snowbank!]

For many years I have used Hodgdon instead of IMR because an old gunsmith told me that H was burn rate stable between lots and IMR was not. I believe Hodgdon owns them both now. What is the difference between them?

 

[Rule3]

Depends on the powder. Most all rifle powders are made by ADI in Australia, Many of the Hodgdon powders (pistol) are made in St Marks Florida.

One "name" is not any better than the other name, They also market Winchester named powder.

Hodgdon does not MAKE any powder

 

[ZWCoffindaffer]

I'm interested in what responses will be on this one. I too have wondered what the difference is in say H4831 and IMR 4831. Especially since Hodgdon owns both brands.

 

[LiveLife]

Yes, Winchester 231 vs Hodgdon HP-38, Winchester 296 vs Hodgdon 110, etc. are same exact powders in different brand containers - https://www.hodgdon.com/history.html

Hodgdon purchased IMR Powder Company in October 2003. IMR powders continue to be manufactured in the same plant and with the same exacting performance criteria and quality assurance standards ... In March 2006, Hodgdon Powder Company and Winchester Ammunition announced that Winchester branded reloading powders would be licensed to Hodgdon.

With Hodgdon vs IMR, there may be some difference. I use Hodgdon 4895 for .308 loads but if I could not find H4895, I would not hesitate to use IMR 4895 but would conduct my powder work up again just to be sure. I do this for different lots of rifle powder when using the same brand powder when I am working near max load data and even when I change primer brand.

 

[Grumulkin]

Hodgdon does own the IMR brand. Some of the powders with the Hodgdon are "Extreme" powders said to be less temperature sensitive but IMR 8208 XBR as well as some of the newer IMR powders are also said to be temperature insensitive.

Too much is probably made of temperature sensitivity. I wouldn't let that perceived issue stop me from using an IMR powder. Also, powders with the same numbers but IMR versus Hodgdon are not equivalent though if you look at a load book or two you will see that one takes a little more or a little less powder than the other brand so you can at least get a safe starting load.

Also, just because they have the same number, you can't count on getting just as good accuracy with one as with the other.

 

[627PCFan]

The difference between IMR4831 and H4831 is real both on paper and in pressure. I used both in 7mm and 6.5x55. 7mm IMR 4831 64.5gns pushing a 140gn NBT is my go to load out to 300. 64.5gns of h4831 gave me a shotgun style peppering at 100 yards. In the 6.5 Swede I used H4831 for Fclass, but when I tried IMR4831 (working up) I ran into major pressure 3.5gns lower than the H4831 load.

 

[Seabeeken]

The "Clay" pistol/shotgun powders from Hodgdon are made in Australia by ADI and are excellent powders. They also make rifle powders but I'm not sure what their equivalent is here in USA. I do know Varget in made by ADI in Australia. The new Enduron powders from IMR are made in Canada and are double base powders, something unusual for IMR in the past.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use Hodgdon 4895 for .308 loads but if I could not find H4895, I would not hesitate to use IMR 4895 but would conduct my powder work up again just to be sure.

Right.

I have worked up loads in 30-06 with both IMR4895 and H4895. For the same rifle and the same target velocity, the powder charges are different.

Unless there is documentation from Hodgdon such as with W231/HP38 and W296/H110, I would not assume any two powders marketed by Hodgdon are the same.

 

[243winxb]

Look up the MSDS . Its all available on Hodgdon's website. Then google each chemical. That should keep you busy all winter.