IMR vs Hodgen Powders

wiersy111 · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

I have been handloading ever since I was old enough to pull the level on the press for my grandfather. All I can remember him or my father using was IMR powders, I still use loads he cooked up when I was a kid. Recently the new elected administration has caused a run on reloading supllies. Very often the IMR powders are sold out as fast as they come in. But the Hodgen powders are there. In the books most of my loads are also listed in Hodgen powders but there is one grain difference. What are the differences between Hodgen and IMR? Aren't they made by the same comany?

Vince · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

wiersy111...I can't comment on the manufacturer of IMR because I simply do not know who makes them. I do know however, that SOME of the Hogdon range of powders are manufactured out here in Australia by Thales (the old ADI Defence Industries). eg, AR2208 is marketed as Varget in the US by Hogdon.

This says to me that SOME manufacturers source their range of powders from a number of different manufacturers.

As for your problem of differences in load data...I would stick to what the manufacturer lists for their powders...you can't go too far wrong there mate.

Cheers, Vince

wiersy111 · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

Thanks I always stay within the manufacturers specs. It seems odd that the numbers are the same for example IMR 4350 and H4350. I'll just have to buy some and try my pet loads and adjust them as needed. Sounds like a good reason to shoot some more!

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5947

Hodgdon buys powder from the Australia (by Thales/ADI) as Vince mentioned. While IMR now sources its powder in Canada (by Expro Tech) it used to be made by Dupont.

Although both companies started off using military surplus powder under the same common numbers you see in reloading books, when they developed their own it was not identical.

Dimitri

chambered221 · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 3:31 am Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

It should be noted that Accurate Powder also makes a 4350 !!!

At one time Hodgdon and IMR were two separate companies, now they are owned by the same people who also own Winchester Powder.

All brands of 4350 is essentially the same thing (it’s chemical make-up) with a slightly different burn rate resulting from the differences in how it’s processed.
Be sure to follow the data from the manufacture you choose.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 4:55 am Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

All good advice and info. There are a lot of powders that bear similar names and are close in characteristics, but they do not have identical burning rates. Since burning rates are a strong component of pressure, be sure to not interchange loading data between similar powders. Make sure to use only powder-specific information.

K.W. · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:53 am Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

IMR vs Hodgdon powders.....and the Winner is: VihtaVuori made in Finland powder. Then very long distance, and Hodgdon comes then to the second place. Congratulations Hodggdon! Party

K.W. · Last edited by K.W. on Fri May 15, 2009 8:34 am; edited 1 time in total

sorry!

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

I have used both with great success Imr powders are just fine but I pretty much have gone with Hodgdon extreme powders for quite awhile now. They meter great and are not temp sensitive.

Joe

DKAllen · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

I use Hodgdon and IMR and some Reloder RL 15, RL 19 & RL 22, all are very good powders and get the job done. All are a little bit different.

fnuser · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

Ditto on the RL stuff I love it when I find a load that works with that stuff, I don't know why but for stick powder it meters well.

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:46 am Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

Don't care for the RL powders !!!

I will however highly recommend RL22 in a 6mm Remington with 95 or 100 grain bullets.

Joe Boleo · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:14 am Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

The local gun shops are sold out of IMR powders, but Hodgdon is always left on the shelves. I bought some H4895 and H4350 and will give them a try. Take care...
Joe

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

"What are the differences between Hodgen and IMR? Aren't they made by the same comany"

They are different, they are made in differenct places.

They are both owned by the same people but they are no more the same than Chevy is the same as Caddy even tho they are both owned and operated by the US Gov., with Obamma serving as the CEO for both.

wiersy111 · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:56 am Post subject: Re: IMR vs Hodgen Powders

Different burn rates. If you look at the load data there is usually a grain or two different in the loads.