Hodgdon Powder Availability — Q&A about Supply in 2020
Many of Hodgdon’s most popular powders, such as Varget and H4350, have become very hard to find. Shipments sell out as soon as they reach retailers’ shelves. We know our readers and Forum members are concerned about these supply shortages. Why are these powders in such short supply, and what is the prospect for more Varget, H4350, and other Hodgdon powders in the months ahead?
Hodgdon answered these (and other) questions recently in a Q&A post on the Hodgdon Facebook Page. Here are highlights of those Questions and Answers.
HODGDON POWDER UPDATE Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to your questions straight from Hodgdon, 1/31/2020:
Q: Why can’t I find Hodgdon powders like H4350, Varget, Retumbo, and H1000?
As you have seen, Hodgdon powders, especially rifle powders for long-range and precision shooting, can be difficult to find. Dealer shelves that were formerly filled with cans of powder now have empty spots. [Hodgdon added: “Dealer shelves are empty because powder is purchased as soon as it arrives at the dealers’ stores.”]
Q: Is Hodgdon still making powder?
A: Yes, we continue shipping powder as quickly as possible. In fact, we will ship more powder in 2020 than last year. The real problem behind empty dealer shelves is complicated, but is related to shifting supply and demand challenges. As supply decreased in 2019, demand only increased. No one wants to ship more powder than Hodgdon.
Q: What is causing the supply challenges?
A: Quite simply, our manufacturing facilities have not kept up with our orders. Additionally, military contracts began specifying Hodgdon powders in the last few years for military ammunition, impacting our supply. With expanded government regulation, shipping explosive and energetic materials has become more challenging, which also impacts available supply. Lastly, rapidly changing consumer preferences for different powder types has impacted both demand and supply. We worked with all Hodgdon providers to resolve open issues and expect powder supply to improve in 2020 as a result.
Varget, H4350, H4831SC, and other ‘Extreme Series’ powders are in very high demand.
Q: Is the shortage of reloading powder being caused by Hodgdon shipping their powder to the ammunition manufacturing companies?
A: While Hodgdon does sell powder to ammunition manufacturing companies, more than 80% of our powder is sold to our core market – handloaders just like you. Hodgdon has always been committed to the individual handloader.
Q: When will I start to see more powder on dealer shelves?
A: While Hodgdon will continue to ship powder as rapidly as possible, we have a significant backlog in demand. Some powders will be in stock more quickly, but we believe it will take much of 2020 to improve availability for all powders. [Editor: In a separate post, Hodgdon stated “We will be sending out large amounts of H4350 starting mid-March.”]
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Tags: Extreme Powders, H4350, Hodgdon Facebook, Hodgdon Powder, Powder Shortage, Varget
Isn’t the real shortage because most of the powders are made in Australia when the COVID 19 virus has the facility shutdown ?
ok, whats the real reason no powder? You said things would get better in March. Well its now October. Still no powder. When a gun shop was asked when will they y ave 9m ammo in s TY tock again, was TY old not till after the election. Sounds like Big Goverment is the problem.
is this all a political thing some one is controling production
I am so sick and tired of this happening. The producers of the reloading components all say the same thing “We’re on it 24/7″ etc. This happens every election year and these guys still claim they have no idea how demand fluctuates in their markets. Nobody is that dumb . . . nobody!
Been reloading for over 50 years and there has never been a shortage of reloading supplies like now, no primers, powder, cases, I think Sleep Joe’s bunch of Democrats have a lot to do with it. No bullets to shoot, both hand made and factory ammo so you are not go to buy a fire arm with no ammo.
RR.