IMR Target. Any fans?

[Paul in Nevada]

I found an 8 lb jug of IMR Target in the back of my stash that I forgot about. I bought this on an impulse when everything was flying off the shelves two years ago. I think I remember reading that it was marketed by Hodgdon as a Bullseye substitute when Alliant stopped production for awhile. I got a great deal on it but I am not sure I really need it since I have found about 10lbs of Bullseye since then.
It looks like Hodgdon has discontinued Target after a very short production run and load data is slim. Are there any fans of this powder and do you have any pet loads you want to share? I load for 380, 9mm, 38, 357, and 40.
Thanks.

 

[DWalt]

It appears to still be in the Hodgdon line. Just judging from the Hodgdon reloading data, it seems to be in the same category as Bullseye-700-X-Red Dot-Clays.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

I had a pound of it a couple years ago that I used up. I remember my loads pretty much duplicating same data as Bullseye.
2.5gr for 32 SW Long using 90-100gr lead
3.5gr for 38 spl using 158gr lead

It might be a hair slower than bullseye but if so it’s not by much.

 

[reddog81]

Every time I use it in my Hornady Lock n Load progressive press I have problems with the powder drops. EVERY TIME! Some how it clumps up in the dispenser and the powder drops get smaller and smaller. I have been loading 5,000+ rounds per year for the last 8 years and this is the only powder I have ever had a problem like this. Be careful and make sure to visually inspect cases.

I only bought 1 lbs and have had a hard time using up that small amount because I get frustrated each time I try to use it.

 

[gwpercle]

Every time I use it in my Hornady Lock n Load progressive press I have problems with the powder drops. EVERY TIME! Some how it clumps up in the dispenser and the powder drops get smaller and smaller. I have been loading 5,000+ rounds per year for the last 8 years and this is the only powder I have ever had a problem like this. Be careful and make sure to visually inspect cases.

I only bought 1 lbs and have had a hard time using up that small amount because I get frustrated each time I try to use it.

Thanks for the heads up on this powder .
I really haven't heard much about it but something that can stand-in for Bullseye / Red Dot is nice to know about ... I load a lot of Lead Bullet Target loads ... In these days of shortages , it good to know what works and doesn't work . I don't load on a progressive and charge with a Lyman 55 or with a Scoop and scoops can work with this powder just fine ...
I'm going to keep my eye out for IMRTarget ...
it might be just the Ticket for me.
Gary

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Every time I use it in my Hornady Lock n Load progressive press I have problems with the powder drops. EVERY TIME! Some how it clumps up in the dispenser and the powder drops get smaller and smaller. I have been loading 5,000+ rounds per year for the last 8 years and this is the only powder I have ever had a problem like this. Be careful and make sure to visually inspect cases.

I only bought 1 lbs and have had a hard time using up that small amount because I get frustrated each time I try to use it.

Hmm that sounds really frustrating.

Thanks for the heads up on this powder .
I really haven't heard much about it but something that can stand-in for Bullseye / Red Dot is nice to know about ... I load a lot of Lead Bullet Target loads ... In these days of shortages , it good to know what works and doesn't work . I don't load on a progressive and charge with a Lyman 55 or with a Scoop and scoops can work with this powder just fine ...
I'm going to keep my eye out for IMRTarget ...
it might be just the Ticket for me.
Gary

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that IMR Target had been discontinued. If so it had a short production run.

 

[DWalt]

Hmm that sounds really frustrating.



I could be wrong but I was under the impression that IMR Target had been discontinued. If so it had a short production run.

Could be, but it is still shown on the Hodgdon website.

 

[bluetopper]

I read a couple of years ago they were discontinuing IMR Red, Green, and Blue too. I have 3-4 pounds of IMR Green.
Yes, if so it was a short production run.

 

[DWalt]

It is difficult to believe that Red Dot and Green Dot would ever be dropped, as they are both long-established shotshell propellants that are very widely used by clay bird shooters.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

It is difficult to believe that Red Dot and Green Dot would ever be dropped, as they are both long-established shotshell propellants that are very widely used by clay bird shooters.

This is the problem with names for products. Green is not Green Dot!

These things are by different manufacturers! But people through half of the important identifying name away most of the time!

I thought Hodgdon was extremely stupid for having Clays, International Clays and Universal Clays all at the same time and about similar products!

Ivan

 

[growr]

And I thought the OP was referring to VARGET , not Target....silly me. Read things carefully..
Randy

 

[Paul in Nevada]

It is difficult to believe that Red Dot and Green Dot would ever be dropped, as they are both long-established shotshell propellants that are very widely used by clay bird shooters.

Target, Red, Blue, and Green were IMR powders designed to eat Alliant's lunch at the end of the previous powder shortage. Looks like Red, Blue, and Green were designed to be direct replacements for shotgun when measured by volume (but not by weight). I think they restructured IMR in 2020 and killed a whole bunch of products. The aforementioned powders were discontinued along with some others like PB, Unequal, the Enduron line, maybe some others.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It is difficult to believe that Red Dot and Green Dot would ever be dropped, as they are both long-established shotshell propellants that are very widely used by clay bird shooters.

Red Dot powder alone, has set too many shooting records in the ATA Trap shoots, that
Let top shooters walk away with top shooter awards,
as well as moneys won for the event or on the side,
and preferred by way too many people that just load a 12 Ga.

for the smart powder company, to kill a "Golden Goose".

 

[RDub]

I found it to be quite outstanding;

38 Spcl 158gr LRN with some new powders

38 Spcl New Powders 125gr JHP +P

New 686-6 Plus PC with 38 SPL 158gr Lead RN loads

40 S&W First Shoot with New Powders

40 S&W First Shoot with New Powders - Update

It definitely has some sweet spots...

 

[Chelanace]

I had the same problem as you out of my powder drop. Would ball up. I since have switched to a Chargemaster Lite and that problem went away.

I had great luck with Target and 230gr 45ACP loads. Very accurate