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

GUNS Silencercentral Partner 2
GUNS Silencercentral Partner 2

Silencer Central, Guns.com Join Forces For Suppressor Fulfillment

Online suppressor giant Silencer Central is partnering with Guns.com to fulfill all Guns.com online suppressor purchases.

2024 NSCA National Championship: Team Winchester’s Matarese Secures Third Place In Main Event

Team Winchester and White Flyer shooters claim top finishes at 2024 NSCA National Championship, including Anthony Matarese, Jr., taking third in the Main Event and Joe Fanizzi in third for juniors.

Magpul’s New PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 Magazine Has Round Count Verification Window

Magpul adds windowed PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 variant to its 7.62x51 mm NATO/.308 Win. magazine lineup.

CMP Class Teaches Advanced M1 Garand Rifle Maintenance

Civilian Marksmanship Program releases dates for 2025 Advanced Maintenance classes to be held in Anniston, Ala.

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Interests



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