opinions on powders

[aldar]

What are your thoughts on the difference, good or bad, between IMR powders and Hodgdons. I need more powder and never tried the Hodgdon. IMR seems to be a dirty burning powder to me. I'll be reloading for my .243

[Ruskin]

I have used several powders, and I tend to like Hodgdon.  I found myself with several powders of different kinds for different loads.  I started checking and found Varget will cover all my rifles.  I use H110 for the Whisper.  I now stock only two.  I have not done any handgun for a while.  I don't know what I will settle on when I do my due diligence.

[SHOOTALL]

I use IMR in my 2506 tried H and it didn't work as well  but i didn't try alot of loads either !

[wtroger]

Hodgdon now owns IMR. By dirtier do you mean unburnt powder or a darker patch when you clean. The new Hodgdon powders like Varget are foreign made and are not coated with graphite like the American made powders, (thus the yellow/green color), which does make a difference in what you see on the cleaning patch. You also want to remember the Hodgdon started out selling Gov. surplus powders that for the most parts where made either by Winchester (the WC powders) or by Dupont (the IMR powders). Some buring charts show a difference between buring rates for H4350 and Imr4350 and H4895 and Imr4895 yet some show them the same and since there was/is the possiblility that they where infact the same powder from the same manufacture. I feel what the burning charts show is a difference in burning rate between lots.

[Questor]

My interesting experience with H4198 and IMR4198 showed me that they are different powders. The significantly better accuracy for 221 fireball was with IMR. Hogdon gave me much more muzzle flash for the same load.

By the book, they were supposed to be the same in performance, but they really were different in subtle ways.

[Graybeard]

Unless something has changed recently Hodgdon is not a manufacturer of powder but rather an importer. However since taking over IMR I guess they might now actually make some powders as I do believe IMR still made powder in the US for at least part of their product line. I think Hodgdon actually purchased IMR so technically now thru that division I'm thinking they are a manufacturer of it these days. Of course they did make the BP substitute powders already. They distribute Winchester powder but I don't think any of that has been made in the US in a long time. Not sure on that but don't think it has been.

I use and am happy with powders from all three brands as well as from Accurate Powder who is now owned by Western Powder Co. Those four brands make up darn nearly 100% of my powder use as it's very seldom any other comes home with me.

[warrior1]

i wouldn't write off imr4350 for your 243. my experience with this caliber is light,but 4350 did an excellent job with
100 gr bullets.

[drdougrx]

I'm using H414 in the 243, 7mm mauser and 30/06 (lite bullets).  I use RL22 for 180gr 06, 270win and 300wm.  I use RL15 for 375HH and IMR4895 for 45/70. I haven't seen much difference in the H vs IMR powders.

[beemanbeme]

At one time 4350 was 4350 was 4350. But the supplies of gov't surplus are long gone and each powder company now has it's own formula for each of the powders with the common designations. So they are similar but not the same. 
My understanding is that although Hodgdon owns IMR, they have stated it will remain a free standing company. 
Back to your question, I wouldn't try to isolate on any one powder company.  You'll find each company has certain powders that work best for your needs so why restrict yourself.  As far as "dirty" powder, what's a couple of patches one way or another? 

[Catfish]

   My oppenion on powder may shock alot of people, but here it is. I use what I can buy cheap. I load enough different rounds that what ever powder I buy I can always find a round it will work in. I bought 48 lbs. of AA 2230-C last year and had about $ 9 a lb. in it after shipping and hazmat. I look to see about where it is on the burn rate chart and how many guns I have useing that burn rate to determan how much I buy. I also do care it it leaves some crap in the barrel as I have found that some of the one that leave the most give the best accuracy. I used to shoot alot of H-4831 and it left alot of crap in the barrel, but in my old .270 I could shoot all day and then hide the hole with  nickel. If you don`t have a bunch of different round that your loading for and don`t want to get stuck with powder that don`t shoot well in your gun then stick to powders that fill your case to at least 80% capisity and you will usually have a powder you can live with. The onlt real guarentee we really have is death and taxes though.

[LaOtto222]

Use what works. If the IMR powder is doing the trick for you, why switch? IMR does not meter as well as some other powders through a powder thrower, so if that is a concern...you may want to switch. The dirty part is like has been said before -  an extra patch or two. With all of that said, I use many different powders in the fast to medium range some of it has a Hodgdons name on it, but I also use IMR among others. I have been using VV N133 in my 223's with good results, but it is not easy to get. Sinclair International is not too far away from me and that is where I got my last batch. So availability is a factor too.

[snuffer#1]

For my rugers, I use Hodgdons lil gun and for my rossis I use HS-6. My rifles use imr 4198, imr 3031, and my 30-30 is going to start using H335. I'm reloading 125 sierras HP and hopefully will be getting + 2600 fps . imr looks real good in my 45-70 as my 223. But I believe that the imr 3031 is probably the best all-aruond powder for my rifles except my 270, which I shoot only using imr4350. I seem to get better results with the 4350 than the 4381.
                                                                         snuffer