H4895 available?

[nwmnbowhunter]

In the last four years I saw one fresh batch last year for about 15 minutes. It was a small shipment.

 

[Clancy]

It comes in 2-3 times a year. Just set up notifications and act fast.

 

[Laurie]

I’m sue its something to do with the manufacturer of this powder sending the supply somewhere else for the war machine.
Maybe @Laurie will know?

Ukraine and Western rearmament haven't affected the Aussie (ADI) manufactured powders as much as European makes except in that they've made overall supplies much tighter worldwide.

Hodgdon apparently hit its importation ceiling with the ADI manufactured grades (Hodgdon brand 'Extreme Extruded' powders + IMR-8208XBR) years ago. Unless things have changed, this has long been due to a transport bottleneck restricting supplies to the US. There is only one shipping line operating between Australia and the US with limited numbers of sailings. However, these ships also call en route at New Zealand and one of the piers they dock at has a limit on the weight of explosives a ship can hold. If the ship's master accepts a full load of ADI powders, he may find himself stuck outside the port waiting a berth at an alternative pier. Delay = big money in international shipping so understandably many ships' masters won't accept a full load and restrict it to that allowed in any berth.

As far as I can see, Hodgdon has been juggling its orders to ADI for years now to prioritise the biggest sellers, hence the complaints about some listed grades having failed to turn up for long periods. From the many posts on this subject over the last year, alongside others noting that VarGet supply has improved enormously, I'd speculate that Hodgdon has ordered more VarGet at the expense of H4895 and others. But, I'll stress that that is pure speculation - there may be many other reasons down to demand patterns and manufacturing constraints.

Remember too, that we in Europe lost all of these powders around three years ago as they aren't compliant with the EU's 'REACH' health and environment regulations, so the Americas receive 100% of the powders that Hodgdon receives and bottles (or provides in bulk to north American ammunition manufacturers).

 

[CJ6]

You are always a wealth of knowledge Laurie.
Thanks.

 

[Jeff Porter]

While we are all waiting for H4895 … Try VV N135 as an alternative powder. 6BRA and .223 REM seem to be grain for grain swap with my loads and give same velocity and groups.

 

[tstowater]

The answer from Hodgdon: "they cannot provide an ETA for this powder. The ongoing wars are still affecting production of some powders."

The latest word from Hodgdon. Rather interesting response.

 

[JSH]

Alas over the weekend I stopped into a small shop, they had “fresh” H4198, believe it or not.
Now for the rest of the story, $73 a pound!!! I hope they choke on it.
They had H4895 as well, $73 a pound.

 

[3Ackleys]

I only use Accurate 2700 in my swift. It works very well, and is almost always in stock. $38/lb @ Powder valley

 

[RegionRat]

They had H4895 as well, $73 a pound.

Just curious, but did you happen to look at the batch number on the jug?

You can tell the year on the batch and I would be very surprised if this was not just stuff they had laying around from a long time ago because they are price gouging.

 

[jxb]

IMR 4895 is available and while it's close to H4895 on the burn chart no idea how comparable. I have always used H380 in my Swifts but starting to play with Accurate 2700 with good results and it's far less costly than many powders.

Powder : Smokeless : In-stock 2700

In Stock Search and Alerts for Powder : Smokeless

www.shootingbot.com

Powder : Smokeless : In-stock 4895

In Stock Search and Alerts for Powder : Smokeless

www.shootingbot.com

 

[RegionRat]

I will suggest a way to catch up quick if you have been away from the market for a long time and discover difficulty finding powder/primers/bullets/brass etc. and your homework tends to point to it being curtailed or missing for some reason.

After the previous election cycles and C19, several internet search web sites came along that specialized in rapid notifications and such.

Some include data on when the last times things like H4895 were available at the sources they list. Without going down the whole row about they cannot possibly list every mom & pop LGS that sells powder, the information they share is valuable. Here is an example of the last times H4895 was generally available.



When the time length goes even further back, the data tends to drop off. For example, some of the bullets, primers, brass, etc., I was in search of went well over two years, but then the data dropped off.

 

[STS]

I placed a ad in the classifieds in search of a trade for RL-26 and offered a sealed jug of H-4895. I didn't offer it for sale, a trade only. I must have gotten 10 solicitations to buy it. One gentleman had the RL-26 but was so far away that the transfer couldn't be worked out. I'm still searching for that trade if anyone can work it out.

 

[newbieshooter]

...Also a quick search thru this thread shows H4895 was available online October thru December 2023.

Reloading Components in Stock -- Running Topic

Hello fellow shooters. This thread will be updated daily and as items drop. Mostly updating powders, bullets, and other reloading equipment. Primers will not be updated as they go OOS in a matter of seconds. Best of luck, and happy shooting.

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[tstowater]

I only use Accurate 2700 in my swift. It works very well, and is almost always in stock. $38/lb @ Powder valley

Must be my lucky day. Powder Valley had 2700 for $222 for 8 lbs. Bought a couple as an insurance policy. If H4895 comes in stock at a reasonable price, will still get some.

 

[tstowater]

ETA, price shows as $229.95/8 lb

 

[xr650rRider]

Right before Christmas last year 2023, Cabelas had H-4895 and I bought 10 1 lb containers. Was a 10% off club member day and free shipping. So it has shown up.

 

[1lessdog]

I just picked up 2 lbs of H4895. I'm sure Prose won't believe it. There are still 2 lbs left on the shelf at Runnings in Moorhead.

 

[1lessdog]

I just picked up 2 lbs at Runnings in Moorhead. There are still two 1lb jugs on the shelf.

 

[60723]

You can buy 8-1 pound cans from precision reloading for $500 including shipping and hazmat

 

[SeabeeKen]

Powder Valley has 1# bottles on 4.16.2025:

Hodgdon H4895 Smokeless Gun Powder

Popular for decades, Hodgdon H4895 smokeless rifle powder is known for extreme temperature insensitivity. Shop Powder Valley for 1lb canisters and 8lb jugs.

www.powdervalley.com