Hodgdon Powder Celebrates 70 Years

by
posted on January 25, 2017
hodgdon-lead.jpg

Bruce Hodgdon was a lifelong shooter, hunter and reloader. While he was in the Navy during World War II he custom-loaded ammunition for friends. He continued to do so after the war while working full time as a salesman for the Gas Service Company. During this time Bruce heard that the government had burned huge stocks of surplus powder after World War I because of the lack of market for them, and he figured that the same would be true after hostilities ended in 1945.

In 1947, Bruce and Amy Hodgdon, along with sons JB and Bob, launched Hodgdon Powder—with the first surplus powder being offered after World War II.

null
In 1947 Hodgdon was founded—with the first surplus powder offering after World War II.

“Our father Bruce was drafted into the service during World War II, where he served as an aerial gunnery instructor for the Navy,” said JB Hodgdon. “He used skeet to teach his students about the lead required to hit targets. He couldn’t get enough ammunition to teach skeet but could get components, so my brother Bob and I would help him most nights loading shotshells so he could teach class the next day.”

Even though the fledgling company did not know if enough shooters would gamble to purchase unknown types of propellant, Bruce cut through government red tape and soon owned 50,000 pounds of government surplus 4895.

“After the war, Dad was instrumental in convincing the government to sell him surplus 4895 and he brought it to market in 1947 as Hodgdon H4895,” added Bob Hodgdon. “Our first ad selling surplus powder appeared in American Rifleman magazine in November 1947.”

Over the last 70 years the Hodgdon Powder Company has grown—acquiring the IMR and Goex brands, as well as licensing the Winchester Smokeless Propellants brand.

Latest

Sauerland Dryfire Tips 2
Sauerland Dryfire Tips 2

Axioms Of Dry-Fire Training

USPSA competitor Joey Sauerland discusses dry-fire training for practical shooting.

Burrell Wins Sporter Title At 2025 JROTC 3-P Nationals

Burrell, Wells win sporter, precision titles at 2025 JROTC National Championship.

Wakefield Team Match Results 2025

The U.S. Wakefield Team is selected from the top 10 iron-sight shooters at the National Smallbore Metric Championships.

Daniel Horner Tops Tactical Leaderboard At 2025 Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Competition

Daniel Horner of Team SIG wins Tactical division at 2025 SMM 3-Gun match with score of 534.76.

Shooting Fitness With Justine Williams

This successful USPSA competitor trains daily for competition.

USA Shooting Shotgun Athletes Shine At 2025 Junior CAT Games

USA Shooting’s Junior Shotgun team victorious at 2025 Junior CAT Games in Barbados.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.