I'm hearing BS - Set me straight on Powders being discontinued!?

[rookhawk]

You know since Covid the allegations have piled thick on powder and primer suppliers. The stupid things I've heard could fill books, including they are all woke, they only want to make gay bullets, etc. <Insert your favorite stupid allegation>

I've heard from several people that Reloder powders are done, now only making military powders. Could someone please cite the source as pertains to Reloder powders? It sounds like they have high demand and are honoring government contracts first, versus saying civillian powders are evil and they'll never make them again.

I've heard this tale at least ten times in the past 6 months and I'm curious what the facts actually are?

Sincerely,

Reloder 15 and Reloder 19 fan-boy

 

[WyoBull]

I have not heard anything and hope that what you are hearing is not correct. I love RL15 for my 375 H&H and just recently learned it can be really good in the 220 Swift, which is my favorite varmint caliber and I would like to try it in the Swift sometime. However, this little I have left is not going to go toward load development when the prospects being able to get it are up in the air at this point in time.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I found this posting awhile back. I think it was dated May 2024. I can’t verify the validity of it, so take it for what it is

 

[rookhawk]

I found this posting awhile back. I think it was dated May 2024. I can’t verify the validity of it, so take it for what it is


View attachment 668661

That seems reasonable. One artillery shell to replenish the West's stockpiles due to Ukraine, OR Rookhawk gets a pound of handloading powder. The decision is obvious, western governments get "first dibs".

 

[woods0824]

I was told by Lonnie at Superior that in December Alliant was sold overseas. I've heard similar rumors as you over the past year, but I have not been able to confirm any of it. Wishing I had some Reloader 17 on hand if it's really not coming back.

 

[franzfmdavis]

You know since Covid the allegations have piled thick on powder and primer suppliers. The stupid things I've heard could fill books, including they are all woke, they only want to make gay bullets, etc. <Insert your favorite stupid allegation>

I've heard from several people that Reloder powders are done, now only making military powders. Could someone please cite the source as pertains to Reloder powders? It sounds like they have high demand and are honoring government contracts first, versus saying civillian powders are evil and they'll never make them again.

I've heard this tale at least ten times in the past 6 months and I'm curious what the facts actually are?

Sincerely,

Reloder 15 and Reloder 19 fan-boy

I was told this by John, the owner of GunStop, a reloading supply business in Minnetonka. He has a note right at the front desk at his store saying that they are not going to receive any more shipments of Reloder. I asked him why and he told me that they’re factory is no longer producing product for the commercial market. I also asked at Scheels in Eden Prairie and they said they have not been able to get any Reloder for a while, but the sales rep didn’t know why. They did have some RL10 if that is useful for someone.

 

[rookhawk]

I was told this by John, the owner of GunStop, a reloading supply business in Minnetonka. He has a note right at the front desk at his store saying that they are not going to receive any more shipments of Reloder. I asked him why and he told me that they’re factory is no longer producing product for the commercial market. I also asked at Scheels in Eden Prairie and they said they have not been able to get any Reloder for a while, but the sales rep didn’t know why. They did have some RL10 if that is useful for someone.

I guess Ross Seyfried and the rest of the vintage loading experts get to win the day? If you can't regulate it with IMR3031 you probably ought not to own it!

I do have enough RL for my personal needs, but a jug of 3031 and some wads will suffice if its antique, pretty, and likes a special diet.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Just called Gun Stop to ask more details and what he explained to me is that Northrop Grumman owns Radford Arsenal, which was making the commercial Alliant powders in Virginia, and that they have retooled that shop to produce something else. They have told him not to expect any more Alliant powder shipments this year. He wasn’t sure if that meant that they might produce them again next year.

Alliant Powder Tidbits

Radford Arsenal in Virginia is Government owned, and contractor run facility. Alliant held the contract for years, then BAE (British Aerospace) was the contractor. Currently Northrop Grumman is the contractor under the name of New River Energetics. Evidently, NRE has built a new plant on the...

www.gunstop.com

This note on their website was from ‘24 so things might’ve changed after the new year because they are not expecting anything in ‘25?

 

[rookhawk]

Just called Gun Stop to ask more details and what he explained to me is that Northrop Grumman owns Radford Arsenal, which was making the commercial Alliant powders in Virginia, and that they have retooled that shop to produce something else. They have told him not to expect any more Alliant powder shipments this year. He wasn’t sure if that meant that they might produce them again next year.

Alliant Powder Tidbits

Radford Arsenal in Virginia is Government owned, and contractor run facility. Alliant held the contract for years, then BAE (British Aerospace) was the contractor. Currently Northrop Grumman is the contractor under the name of New River Energetics. Evidently, NRE has built a new plant on the...

www.gunstop.com

This note on their website was from ‘24 so things might’ve changed after the new year because they are not expecting anything in ‘25?

Powerful facts. Thanks @franzfmdavis

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I was told last summer (2024), by multiple gun stores, that Alliant would no longer be supplying powder to the civilian market........don't know the reason (military only, bought out by another group, etc).
Came as a big blow to my reloading, as I used a lot of Alliant powders (Unique, Herco, Blue dot, green dot, etc) for both handgun and shotshell reloading.
Add to the fact that the A-holes at Hodgdon bought Winchester and IMR powders and discontinued the majority of them, and I am thinking about giving up reloading. I don't have the time or money to "retest" a whole bunch of reloads. I have a good supply of items and I will reload what I have, and when they are gone............they're gone!
What ticks me off with re: to what Hodgdon did, is that they d/c the powders, but then SELL reloading data that is outdated list the very same powders that they don't make any more.......what a slap in the face to sportsmen.

 

[akrifleman]

Anyone know the latest on the IMR Enduron line?

 

[Heeler75]

I was told last summer (2024), by multiple gun stores, that Alliant would no longer be supplying powder to the civilian market........don't know the reason (military only, bought out by another group, etc).
Came as a big blow to my reloading, as I used a lot of Alliant powders (Unique, Herco, Blue dot, green dot, etc) for both handgun and shotshell reloading.
Add to the fact that the A-holes at Hodgdon bought Winchester and IMR powders and discontinued the majority of them, and I am thinking about giving up reloading. I don't have the time or money to "retest" a whole bunch of reloads. I have a good supply of items and I will reload what I have, and when they are gone............they're gone!
What ticks me off with re: to what Hodgdon did, is that they d/c the powders, but then SELL reloading data that is outdated list the very same powders that they don't make any more.......what a slap in the face to sportsmen.

Maybe I didn't read your post correctly, but Hodgdon has owned IMR from the very beginning. They added the H-series later on.

In addition to Alliant stopping production for civilian markets, Hodgdon has suspended the Enduron powders (plant that makes Enduron is also supplying military markets).

VV powders are a good choice right now. I know it stinks having to rework loads, etc., but I think they're about the best thing going currently.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Powerful facts. Thanks @franzfmdavis

My pleasure

 

[akrifleman]

Maybe I didn't read your post correctly, but Hodgdon has owned IMR from the very beginning. They added the H-series later on.

In addition to Alliant stopping production for civilian markets, Hodgdon has suspended the Enduron powders (plant that makes Enduron is also supplying military markets).

VV powders are a good choice right now. I know it stinks having to rework loads, etc., but I think they're about the best thing going currently.

Yes, I'm aware of the ownership. But, Hodgen rebrands powers from many places. Last I heard, the Enduron line was made in a different location in Canada. But, I don't think they were the same situation. But, I think you answered the question about the plant.

I do like VV, but unfortunately I have two cartridges that shine with 7977 and 8133

 

[Luvthunt]

Maybe I didn't read your post correctly, but Hodgdon has owned IMR from the very beginning. They added the H-series later on.

In addition to Alliant stopping production for civilian markets, Hodgdon has suspended the Enduron powders (plant that makes Enduron is also supplying military markets).

VV powders are a good choice right now. I know it stinks having to rework loads, etc., but I think they're about the best thing going currently.

Not sure I am reading you correctly but I bought my first can of IMR powder in 1952 and it was produced by DuPont in Delaware. IMR 4198 was the powder and at the tome Hogdon was buying powder from the military and repackaging.
Just for info a metal can of IMR powder at the time sold for $1.00.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Radford flooded last year. They have been retooling for the last few years because the equipment was from WWII/50’s/60’s. Those things add up to spotty production.

I haven’t heard about going purely military, but I know military contracts always come first. Those are guaranteed dollars vs market dollars.

 

[D.M.V]

What surprises me is the cost of imr 4064 now. I started using it cause it was always available and cheap vs varget and benchmark and other powders that where popular. Sucks about reloader I used it as well but only in my 300wm. Another thing is all these reloading machine companies that sell stuff for something that you have trouble getting. It's like look at this new fancy car we wanna sell you. Of course fuel isn't available, infact "is no longer being sold to the public" but hey buy this press or die set anyway

 

[Bandera]

What I had read was:
Per an ex commercial powder employee production has halted completely. That includes all flake and most of the spherical varieties. Northrup Grumman has deemed the operation not profitable enough to take nitro cellulose from other operations. Perhaps when the new facility reaches maximum capacity it could resume but usually when a conglomerate such as Northrup shuts down an operation that's it.

 

[Tex .416]

Check Hodgdon’s webpage. They now sell direct. Powder selection and availability is the best it has been in many years. Even Varget is available without any limits.

Stock up with enough to last many years. Prices only go up. I learned my lesson the hard way twenty years ago. There is no excuse for running out.