Uses for Hodgdon Universal Powder

Hodgdon Universal is a smokeless powder, the most common form of propellant used in modern ammunition. It is manufactured by Hodgdon, a prominent manufacturer of smokeless propellants. While there are a wide variety of smokeless powders available on the market, Hodgdon Universal was designed to produce accurate, consistent loads for both shotguns and pistols. Hodgdon Universal generally requires less volume than other smokeless powders to obtain the same energy yield, making it a more efficient choice.

  1. Shotgun Ammunition Handloading

    • Hodgdon Universal (also known as Hodgdon Universal Clays) is an excellent choice for hand loading shotgun cartridges. Originally designed specifically for the 28-gauge shotgun, with the proper volumes Hodgdon Universal can be used to develop consistent loads for 20, 16 and even 12-gauge shells. When hand loading shotgun shells, special care should be taken to adhere strictly to the reloading data provided in the Hodgdon reloading manual to avoid loading the shell to pressures that would be hazardous to the gun or the shooter.

    Pistol Ammunition Handloading

    • Though originally designed for shotgun loads, Hodgdon Universal is a popular powder selection among handloaders of handgun cartridges. In the proper volumes, Hodgdon Universal offers accurate and consistent loads for cartridges ranging from .25 ACP on up to the .44 Magnum. As a part of the "Clays" series of powders from Hodgdon, Hodgdon Universal has a reputation as a very clean-burning powder, making it ideal for handgun applications. As always, handloaders should strictly adhere to the volume guidelines set by Hodgdon in their reloading manual.

    Safety Precautions

    • As with any propellant, there are certain safety guidelines which must be followed to avoid personal injury or damage to firearms or hand loading equipment. Hand loading equipment should never be operated while smoking or while under the influence of controlled substances, such as alcohol or drugs. You should also make sure that the firearm you are shooting is rated for the pressure of the cartridge that you are hand loading. For instance, the reloading data found in the Hodgdon Reloading Manual for the .40 S&W cartridge should only be used in handguns which have a fully-supported chamber, meaning the entire casing is surrounded ("supported") by the metal of the chamber. Shooting high pressure loads in firearms with unsupported chambers may lead to over-expanded (or "bulged") cases and may damage your gun.

    Storage

    • All smokeless powders should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from sources of heat or open flame. Smokeless powders should always be stored in their original containers. This is important for two reasons: first, it ensures that you will not confuse your powders and load the wrong volume in a cartridge, and second, smokeless powder containers were specifically designed to prevent harmful explosions. You should also consult your state and local regulations about the storage of propellants.