Hodgdon Acquires Several Western Powder Brands

Hodgdon Powder Company has acquired the Ramshot and Accurate smokeless powder brands from Western Powders, as well as the Blackhorn 209 muzzleloader brand. The move became effective Oct. 1, and the company immediately began shipping these new products to wholesale and retail customers.

“This acquisition of the Ramshot and Accurate brands further solidifies our portfolio of smokeless brands and products for our handloading end users,” said Steve Kehrwald, president and CEO of Hodgdon Powder Company. “And the addition of Blackhorn 209 to our world-class muzzleloading brands like Pyrodex and Triple Seven uniquely positions us to serve the muzzleloading consumer. With these brands, we also add the capabilities of an additional ballistics lab to continue developing the data our customers demand from our Reloading Data Center tool and publications like our Annual and Basic Manuals.”

Hodgdon Powder was established in 1947 by Bruce and Amy Hodgdon. Today their sons J.B. and Bob have grown the company into the largest U.S. supplier of smokeless, blackpowder and blackpowder substitute propellants. It distributes propellants under the Hodgdon, IMR, Winchester, Ramshot, Accurate, Pyrodex, Triple Seven, Blackhorn 209 and GOEX brands.

“Hodgdon has always been a strong competitor in the reloading powders industry,” said Doug Phair of Western Powders. “The Hodgdon family has built a robust company. Ramshot, Accurate and Blackhorn 209 will make excellent additions to the Hodgdon family of powders.”

“For years, our friends have referred to the Hodgdon family and company as ‘The Gunpowder People’ and this acquisition is another example of our dedication to the handloader and muzzleloader hunter,” said J.B. and Bob Hodgdon, co-owners and sons of the founder of the Hodgdon Powder Company. “We have experience in acquiring the IMR Powder brand in 2003, the Winchester Powder license in 2005 and the GOEX brand in 2009 and we plan to put this experience to use in expanding the reach and customer base of the Ramshot, Accurate and Blackhorn 209 brands.”