This November 11th will mark 100 years since the end of the "War To End All Wars", as President Woodrow Wilson called what we now know as World War I. That title would be laughable if it was not so unrealistically tragic. In the months that followed, the U.S. government disposed of tons of surplus gun powder (properly called "propellant") by dumping it in the ocean. It could have been sold to ammunition companies or to the many citizens who were even then learning to load/reload their own ammunition for hunting and target shooting. But saving taxpayer money was not a consideration. Following World War II the story would be different.
Of the more than sixteen million Americans who served in the armed forces in that terrible conflict, one of them, Brewster "Bruce" E. Hodgdon was not about to let his government dump perfectly good propellants into the ocean. After being discharged from the Navy he wrote letters to government officials up to and including President Truman. His efforts would pay great dividends, not just to him but to countless Americans. In 1947 he purchased 50,000 pounds of surplus IMR 4895 rifle powder and the Hodgdon Powder Company was born. Seventy one years later the many thousands of us who load our own ammunition are indeed grateful. But let's leave this story for a moment to give you a little historical background.
Since before the American Revolution the largest manufacturer of gun powder was the Dupont family and later the Dupont Corporation. This was true when Bruce Hodgdon was just starting out. By the twentieth century Dupont had transitioned from making black gunpowder to making modern smokeless powders. By the end of World War II they had developed some excellent rifle powders with names like IMR 4831 and IMR 4895; The number indicated how rapidly or slowly the propellant burned. Propellants do not explode when they are ignited by the primer in the cartridge, instead they burn rapidly producing gases which propel the bullet. Changing times brought changes to Dupont. Their slogan of the 1950's "Better thing for better living through chemistry" has been changed to "Better things for better living" because in this irrational age "chemistry" is a dirty word. But for purposes of this blog the significant change was when Dupont sold off their historic powder manufacturing business entirely to Hodgdon. Today Hodgdon sells the IMR powders.
So today Hodgdon is THE name in propellants. Many thousand of Americans, including me, find great satisfaction in loading their own ammunition for hunting and target shooting and Hodgdon can supply whatever we need. There are other brands; Hodgdon does not have a monopoly by any means. But nearly every powder I use, except for one or two, is made by Hodgdon.
If you came to this Blog from Facebook you are wondering about the Mission Statement of the Hodgdon Company. Here it is in its entirety: "Hodgdon Powder Company operates following Biblical principles to honor God. Our Mission is to provide quality products and services in a manner which enhances the lives of our employees, families, customers and our communities. In doing so, we will deal with integrity and honesty, reflecting that people are more important than dollars and our purpose is to bring credit to our Lord Jesus Christ."
Even if you do not buy Hodgdon products you might want to send a message to them thanking them for their Mission Statement. If you would like to read a longer history of Hodgdon see the current issue of American Rifleman the official journal of the National Rifle Association. That article tells how Hodgdon propellants are used in non-firearm applications as well. It may be available online. Also, if you have questions about loading/reloading ammunition send me a message on FB. If a member of your family wants to learn how this is done I would love to show them.
One final word to any reader who may have strong feelings against firearms and ammunition: the misuse of any product by a few does not make that product inherently evil. To believe otherwise is to to hold a modern version of the ancient Gnostic heresy. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
