SmallCaliberCentral

I recently purchased a ruger hawkeye .204. in order to get the scope close, I bought a box of hornaday 32 grain v-max. to my surprise these bullets are on the money. I like to tailor my on loads but found on the Internet that hornday is using a proprietary powder. Does anyone know if Hornaday will be selling this powder or does anyone have an idea what powder is close to Horndays.

Most likely either CFE 223 or Superformance is or will be close to what they load.. Check out their load Data site. Bill K

Thanks Bill. Sounds like a logical start

Albeit a few years ago,
The factory stuff WAS NOT ball powder, it was extruded, and compressed.
CFE & Stuporformance are both ball powders.

I know, but they are fine powders, and I believe Hornady is using more of them lately. I am pretty certain Winchester has used their ball type powders for years.. Could be wrong and the companies do not usually release what they are using. Trade secrets, you Know ? Bill K

Bill K wrote:I know, but they are fine powders, and I believe Hornady is using more of them lately. I am pretty certain Winchester has used their ball type powders for years.. Could be wrong and the companies do not usually release what they are using. Trade secrets, you Know ? Bill K

Just don't want to give him the impression that they are something that they are not.

Winchester used to use their own powders, because they made them in their own plant. They no longer own any plants, NOR their cartridge brass operations. Not sure if this has ALWAYS been the case, but for a decade+, CCI makes their primers, and Nosler their bullets.

The only USA made powder now is General Dymanics in St. Marks, FL. Or from ATK, in the Army's Radford Arsenal. Both Defense Contractors, who currently are J.V.'d in the operation/production of the Radford Arsenal(possibly Lake City, but don't have the release in front of me).
ALL ball powders that Hodgdon sells come from GD's plant in FL.

Interestingly, CFE 223 is SMP-842, used in the new M855+ all copper projectile round. According to GD's press releases, they have had/been working on that powder for at least a decade.