Hodgdon Rant

[ggibson511960]

I thumbed through a copy of Hodgdon’s 2025 Reloading Manual hoping to find their recommendations for sub-gauge shot shells. I’m down to my last few pounds of Hodgdon Universal Clays and foolishly thought that Hodgdon might have suggestions for alternatives. NOT!! The paper manual only lists load recipes for 12 ga. I’ve given up on Universal Clays ever being available again. It was superb in the small gauges, burning cleaner than lighter fluid. To add a bit of insult, this supposed compendium manual doesn’t list loads for a few less common calibers like 300 Savage and 300 H&H. I’m glad I have many older manuals from other vendors that truly support the hobby in these times of scarcity. I congratulate Hodgdon on their apparent financial success to be able to buy RCBS. I hope they don’t act like Bangor Punta did to S&W.

Rant over. Now if I can find a clean shotgun powder I’ll be happy.

 

[Nightowl]

Compared to older manuals, I find their loading data pretty spartan! Hardly worth the effort to search!

 

[pantannojack]

Written by over educated ding batts? No disrespect meant toward bats.

 

[toad67]

If you're looking for a new sub-gauge powder, try Alliant 20/28, it works great and is as clean as Clays.

 

[Skeet 028]

Since you can't find Universal a powder not looked at too much for small gauge shotshells is Winchester 540...DCd long ago in the Winchester line but still sold as HS-6...Look for the older Win booklets for loads in 20 and 28. I used to use it but went back to Unique and Herco...Hard to find 20/28 too...If you can find Win 571/HS-7...same powder it works good

 

[glenwolde]

I use Universal as my medium burn rate handgun powder.

I don't know when that stuff will show up again. If ever. The manufacturer is ADI (Australian Defense Industries) and they were recently acquired by Thales...which is...French.

You might try looking at data from ADI..

Data – Shotgun – ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition

and see if there's a Hodgdon equivalent...

Powder equivalents – ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition

Hodgdon to ADI (powder reference chart) • Enough Gun

The usual caution warnings apply here...

 

[rosewood]

Did you check Hodgdon's online manual? The paper manuals are often truncated to what they think is the most popular.

Rosewood

 

[Model 15-4ever]

... I’ve given up on Universal Clays ever being available again....

I gave up years ago. Have enough stockpiled for about 5 years worth of 20 and 28 gauge shooting.

I tried Alliant 20/28 as a substitute. If you have pre-HS Winchester hulls, you need serious Google-Fu to find data. I tried it in some 28 ga Cheddite hulls - junk but available - and the results were not satisfying, lots of broken hulls.

Plus Alliant gave the giant middle finger to reloaders last year, who knows when it will become available again.

Next stop is Winchester 572.

 

[M29since14]

I still have a bit of Universal left. Most of my friends are using the Winchester powders nowadays - Super Field in the 20 and 572 in the 28. I’m not much concerned about powders. There’s enough stuff available now that I can make something work. My gripe is .410 ammo and of course empties, which are about like gold. I dislike the .410 HS hulls and would sure like to see the old compression formed .410 hulls make a comeback. My supply is about totally worn out.

 

[scooter123]

Universal WAS made by ADI until they had that line catch fire. It was then contracted to General Dynamics in Canada. Which is now manufacturing the powder for the 155mm Artillery Shell. All of the Clay's series of powders are out of production due to this and it's been going on long enough that it's return may be questionable. Alliant has also been having major issues because obtaining Nitro Cellulose has become beyond difficult. It's why Unique is out of production.

As a result we live in a world of finding alternatives that work. I shoot Competitive Skeet to the tune of going thru 15,000 primers per year.

12 Gauge. Lots of alternatives for the 12 gauge, all of which are denser than Clays so plan on using 3/4 and 7/8 ounce wads to get a decent crimp. Also plan on these powders shooting dirtier, which really isn't a real inconvenience because you really should clean your barrels after 100 rounds shot. Fail to do than and you'll have chokes clogged with plastic from the wads.

20 gauge. A couple of good alternates here, some of which are off the books but have been tested, check on Shotgun World. I like to use Longshot because it's proven to be so consistent, a friend I shoot with like 572. He claims it's cleaner but I have compared the two and found no difference at all in cleaning time. My pet load for the 20 is 15.4 grains of Longshot with a 3/4 ounce charge of #9. I've also loaded 16.0 grains with 7/8 ounce loads but shot is expensive and only load the heavy's for Sporting Clays. BTW Hulls are Remington Gunclubs.

28 gauge. Again Longshot and 572 will work well. Crimps will be dished with either powder unless you load with the Winchester AAHS hulls. I use Cheddite hulls for the 28 gauge and while the crimps are dished they are consistent and function perfectly while lasting twice as long as the AAHS. Powder charge with Longshot is 15.4 grains, the same as what I use for the 3/4 ounce 20's.

410. The biggest issue with 410 is finding hulls, you will not pick them up at the range. My preferred hull is the Cheddite hulls because they outlast the AAHS by double. However the supply is very spotty and I have Fiochi hulls on hand as a backup. Fiochi hulls are low volume hull and the only powder that will fit a full 1/2 ounce load is H110. So that is my goto for the 410. Also have an 8 lbs. keg of 410 powder on hand but it's too bulky for the Fiochi hulls and even dirtier than H110.

20 gauge.