I have also went to the 700X to replace Clays or Clay Dot. I believe Hodgdon acquired IMR. The last time I talked with Hodgdon, I think they are just an importer. Talking with the person who answered the phone, said they do not manufacture any powder in Kansas. http://www.hodgdon.com/index.html
Happy Thanksgiving, Steve

 

with the possibility of a different 700X, whether being IMR or Hodgdon does it not make sense to switch to [I'm sure we already have] an alternative since it might not be the same 700X that we have been using for the last 30 years.

 

In a perfect world, I would bypass the Hodgdon 700X and pick up another 8# jug of IMR 700X when my current supply of the IMR version is finished. But I haven't found much choice these days - all shotgun powders are in short supply and the Hodgdon version of 700X is more available, at least in my area.

I understand that Hodgdon owns the IMR brand (and Win) and doesn't actually produce its own powder. I'm also aware that some powders that Hodgdon distributes have two brand names (Win 231 and HP-38) but are exactly the same powder with different packaging (to maintain "brand loyalty"). So the question remains:

Is there any difference between the Hodgdon and IMR brands of 700X? Are they the same powder? The fact that they are manufactured in different countries suggests that they are probably different. I thought someone might know the answer to these questions. Anyone??

 

IMR was purchased by Hodgdon a few years back. 700x was produced in Quebec and packaged in Plattsburgh (remember the metal cans). Leading up to the sale, IMR was having on and off quality control problems and many shipments were turned back by the packaging company.

Plattsburgh packaging was dropped after the purchase.

 

Both the IMR and Hodgdon versions I have are recent production, purchased in the last four months and have different countries of manufacture - H = USA, IMR = Canada. So the issue in 2003, when Hodgdon acquired the IMR brand, probably doesn't have any bearing on the current powders. The QA issues may have been why Hodgdon temporarily had Alliant make IMR 700x in the US.

So, are the CURRENT versions of Hodgdon and IMR 700X the same? If not, how do they differ? Given the popularity of 700X, I'm sure someone has the answers----

 

RE: why Hodgdon temporarily had Alliant make IMR 700x in the US.

Second hand information.....

I was told that on and off quality control problems are still a problem for powder coming out of Canada.

I was also lead to believe that the IMR type powder shortage that started early last year was because of rejected powder and they could never catch up after that ....

 

Perhaps we as consumers we should be looking for a permanent 700X replacement. assuming the replacement 700X is not the same. let the current manufacturer try and regain our confidence and trust thru lower prices. Capitalism at it best.

 

I have used a lot of Hodgdon Powders, Multiple kegs of Clays, International Clays, Universal, TiteGroup, multiple kegs of Varget, BLC-2, one Keg of H4895 and a couple kegs of H4831SC. I have been pleased with the performance and lot to lot consistancy. If I were to get some Hodgdon 700X, I would be confident

 

Are they both yellow flake indentified? If so, I would use them interchangeably. As long as you stay at 18.5 grs (weighed) or less , you'll likely not have much trouble. Good luck.

Bob Falfa

 

Never seen it. Where is your location?

 

Common sense dictates that you don't mix the two and be sure to check the charge weight when changing. I have both brands and see no difference between them.

 

Some IMR powders changed to Hodgdon.

 

Thanks for the comments. Even if it's "safe" to use the two interchangeably I've found that other powders with Hodgdon and IMR variants (4895 and 4350) produce different chronograph data in rifle loads. So I think I'll just hold the powder until I can talk to them on Monday. I'll post a reply when I have the definitive word---

 

I usually use Red Dot and Green Dot but last spring I bought a 8 lb jug of Hi-Skor 700-X because that was all I could get. The label says Hodgdon made in Canada and packaged in USA. IMR is not anywhere on the plastic jug. I have only loaded 1 oz loads so far and they all worked just fine.

 

IMR makes the powder in Canada at their facility, then Hodgdon imports it to the US and packages it at their facility in KS and markets it with their branding. 700X, 800X, TrailBoss, and PB are no longer IMR brand powders. They are Hodgdon brand powders.

It is the same product just rebranded to the Hodgdon label.

Dave Campbell
Customer Service Representative
Hodgdon Powder Company
6430 Vista Drive
Shawnee, KS 66218
913-362-9455 Ext. 117
dcampbell@hodgdon.com

 

Mine is the same as Mikes, but there are no yellow idents in this batch..I load 17.5 grains and shoot it very well..

 

USUALLY when an IMR and Hodgdon powder bear the same number, the Hodgdon version will have an "H"-prefix to the number. H4350 and IMR4350, like H4831 and IMR4831, are NOT the same. The Hodgdon versions usually are a little slower-burning.

Ed

 

I've reloaded both "brands" and found them to be consistent with one another...

Curt

 

are we now faced with another [pre-64 Winchester] type marketing problem? is Hodgdon going defend its product as just as good as the former IMR product. as trapshooter/reloaders we can be pretty finicky about our reloading.

 

700x i shot many years ago was clean . this crap is dirty as hell.

 

"700x i shot many years ago was clean . this crap is dirty as hell"

Maybe they got their 700X and 800X mixed up again (wouldn't be the first time it seemed that happened). With no colored flakes to ID it, who knows what we have.

I got some 700X one time that had white flakes in it. When I called the 913 number to ask about it, the guy on the line said, "It's okay to use.". End of conversation.

Bob Falfa

P.S. Here's their Customer Service page. http://www.imrpowder.com/contactus.html

 

The 700x I used back in the late 1970s was very dirty and it smoked so much you could always tell who on the line was using it. On a few occasions when three or more shooters on a squad were using it we had to stop the shooting for a minute or two on calm nights under the lights to allow the fog to clear. I quite often found small chunks of wood in it and when I asked IMR about that, I was told that was normal as wood was part of the composition and production of 700x.

Ed

 

Marketing and enotional attachment are always interesting factors. If the man from Hodgdon, David Campbell, says it is the same product I would be ok. Having studied human nature, I would bet on this experiment: Make 200 reloads, 100 with IMR marked product and 100 with Hodgdon marked product mixed in a bucket. Get five known 700X shooters to randomly grab 25 and shoot a round. I'll bet no one could tell the difference. I also bet at least two walk away claiming their scores are down due to the new powder not being as good as the old powder. We're kind of funny like that.

 

Over the years 700X was always dirty, nothing has changed today..

 

Over the years 700X was always dirty, nothing has changed today..

I switched to 700X because Red Dot was dirty. Then, last year, I loaded an OOOLLLLDDDDD can of 700X and had a lot of dirty bore, unlit powder flakes, problems. Even with the problems I broke 2 100 straights with it. Then got another jug of new-new 700X and the bbl is bright and shines like a new penny between shots. Even less plastic. Dirty bores now are coming from the Win AA Heavy Target loads I am shooting. Bloopers and off sounding shots. I will be glad when the 20 flats are gone. Cost me targets so I switvhed to using them as practice ammo and use the 700X in tournaments.

Don T

 

I came here because I had the same question. Kept searching and eventually found this commercial/explanation on youtube. It appears IMR 700X and Hodgdon 700X are the same.

 

I've found 700X to burn clean and perform well using loads of 16.4 grs. and 17.5 grs. with 1 1/8 oz. I've used about 16 lbs. this year. I also found you need about 1-1.5 grs. less than Mfg recommended loading to achieve published speeds.

 

I have both. Both have similar labels except Hogdon has their name and logo on front and back. Both say "made in Canada, Packaged in USA. I wouldn't mix them as they are going to be different lot #s. My IMR has a lower or earlier lot #. When you switch over, make sure to weigh your charges as they may be a little different density.

Both look identical but funny thing is the IMR has a noticible stronger alcohol odor and the Hogdon has very little of that odor. I asked when I purchased it and was told they were the exact same. The rifle powders are a different story and cannot be loaded the exact same. H4350 is a little slower and has similar but slightly different load data, as well as the other rifle powder. As stated earlier, the 700x is the same 700x. Lot to lot will vary slightly with any powder regardless of who owns the name.