Hodgdon Hornady Superformance Smokeless Gun Powder
Clear Product Overview
Hodgdon Hornady Superformance Smokeless Gun Powder is a cutting-edge double-base spherical rifle propellant co-developed by Hodgdon Powder Company and Hornady Manufacturing. Engineered using progressive burn technology, Superformance delivers velocity increases of 100 to 200 feet-per-second (fps) over conventional rifle propellants without exceeding standard SAAMI pressure thresholds or increasing felt recoil.
First, Superformance features a high-density spherical grain formulation that meters with sub-grain volumetric accuracy through progressive and single-stage powder measures. Consequently, long-range hunters and target shooters achieve remarkably consistent charge weights and low velocity standard deviations across medium and large bottleneck rifle cases. In addition, its specialized progressive propellant technology maximizes thermal expansion efficiency inside the barrel. As a result, it is the premier choice for marksmen loading .223 WSSM, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, .300 WSM, and 7mm-08 Remington. Furthermore, its clean-burning formulation leaves minimal bore residue and copper deposits. Therefore, it delivers flat trajectories, superior downrange kinetic energy, and extended distance capabilities in the field.
Relevant Specifications
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Brand: Hodgdon Powder Company / Hornady
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Product Line: Superformance Spherical Rifle Series
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Powder Name: Superformance
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Powder Type: Double-Base Spherical / Ball Grain
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Burn Rate: Medium-Slow Rifle (Similar class to Hodgdon H4831, IMR 4831, Alliant Reloder 19, and Vihtavuori N160)
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Primary Applications: Bottleneck Rifle Cartridges (.223 WSSM, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, .300 WSM, 7mm-08 Remington, .30-06 Springfield with specific bullet weights)
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Available Sizes: 1 lb Canister & 8 lb Container
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Country of Origin: USA
Real-World Use Information
Handloaders select Hodgdon Hornady Superformance because it unlocks factory Superformance-level velocity output on the home reloading bench. Consequently, big-game hunters gain flatter flight paths and higher downrange impact energy when targeting deer, antelope, and elk at extended distances.
Additionally, its spherical kernel density flows smoothly through volumetric charge drops without kernel cutting or powder bridging. Therefore, handloaders spend less time hand-trickling individual powder charges while maintaining tight group sizes. Furthermore, its progressive energy delivery maintains safe internal pressure curves across published cartridge loadings.
Compatibility & Requirements
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Application Use: Tailored for specific bottleneck rifle cartridges; highly cartridge-sensitive, so use strictly with published Superformance load data.
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Load Data: Always consult current official Hodgdon reloading data tables prior to charging rifle cases.
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Storage: Store powder in its original sealed container in a cool, dry area away from direct heat sources and open flames.
Pros & Limitations
Pros:
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Unmatched Muzzle Velocity: Delivers 100–200 fps velocity gains over standard rifle propellants in compatible calibers.
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Flawless Volumetric Flow: Spherical grain geometry drops with sub-grain precision through volumetric measures.
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Flatter Downrange Trajectory: High velocity output reduces wind drift and bullet drop at long ranges.
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Clean Combustion: Minimizes barrel fouling and carbon deposits in precision rifle bores.
Limitations:
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Cartridge Specificity: Highly optimized for specific caliber/bullet combinations; not a general-purpose powder for all rifle cartridges like .308 Winchester or .223 Remington (standard loads).
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Double-Base Composition: Double-base chemical formula can exhibit slight velocity variances across extreme ambient temperature shifts compared to single-base Extreme Series powders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What cartridges work best with Hodgdon Hornady Superformance?
A: Hodgdon Superformance excels in .223 WSSM, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, .300 WSM, and 7mm-08 Remington according to official load tables.
Q: Is Hodgdon Superformance a ball powder or a stick powder?
A: Hodgdon Superformance is a double-base spherical (ball) powder engineered for exceptionally smooth volumetric metering.
Q: Can I use Hodgdon Superformance powder in any rifle caliber?
A: No. Superformance is formulated for specific progressive burning profiles in designated cartridges. Always consult Hodgdon’s official load data before charging cases.
Shipping & Delivery Information
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HazMat Fee: Requires a Federal HazMat shipping fee per order.
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Shipping Method: Ground shipping only across the USA.
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Restrictions: No air shipping, P.O. Boxes, or international orders.
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Return Policy: All powder sales are final due to safety guidelines.
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Cobber From NY –
Bought this to reload 180gr sst for 30/06. Meters well very consistent on weight. Best of all it performed very well at the range shooting well under 3/4″ in and old Remington semi auto! Can’t wait to see what it can do once I start messing with the seating depth!
Impressed!