MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
I try to shoot 3-4 F-Class matches a month, and inevitably conversations about what load someone is running comes up. I'd guess ~85% (or more) of the time, the person is running a Hodgdon powder. Depending on what caliber they're shooting it's almost always Varget, H4350, H4381sc, or H4895. I rarely hear of Alliant being used in 'serious' competition, and I've only heard of VV powders being shot in FTR (and it's pretty rare at that).
I haven't ever shot a BR match, but I would guess it's roughly the same there as well.
Hodgdon isn't producing these powders, and I'd have to assume they're all made in different countries/factories etc. so it's not as though there's one company that tests/produces to a higher standard.
I'm curious, how did that come to be, and why is that the case? I know competition shooters tend to be fairly conservative by nature, so I'm guessing there's a fair bit of 'just following the known formula'; I know I've been guilty of that.
Powder is also the only load commodity where I can't explain why there's no variety. I.E. I totally understand why you'll never see someone shooting Noslers in Remington brass at nationals.
Anyone care to take a guess? Am I totally wrong and just need to get out more?
Edit: Yes, I know....I have too much time on my hands. I apologize in advance.
I haven't ever shot a BR match, but I would guess it's roughly the same there as well.
Hodgdon isn't producing these powders, and I'd have to assume they're all made in different countries/factories etc. so it's not as though there's one company that tests/produces to a higher standard.
I'm curious, how did that come to be, and why is that the case? I know competition shooters tend to be fairly conservative by nature, so I'm guessing there's a fair bit of 'just following the known formula'; I know I've been guilty of that.
Powder is also the only load commodity where I can't explain why there's no variety. I.E. I totally understand why you'll never see someone shooting Noslers in Remington brass at nationals.
Anyone care to take a guess? Am I totally wrong and just need to get out more?
Edit: Yes, I know....I have too much time on my hands. I apologize in advance.
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