Published: 2026 | Last updated: May 2026
Hodgdon H380 is a medium-slow-burning, double-base spherical powder with a genuinely unusual origin story in North American reloading. The name is not a batch number or a manufacturer code – it refers directly to 38.0 grains, the charge weight that Bruce Hodgdon found produced exceptional accuracy and velocity with a 52-grain bullet in the 22-250 Remington wildcat before that cartridge was standardized by Remington. Hodgdon named the powder after the load, and the name has stayed for decades.
The powder earned its place as the 22-250 Remington and 243 Winchester specialist through a combination of ball geometry metering consistency and a burn rate well-suited to medium-capacity cases with light-to-standard bullet weights. It sits in the medium-slow burn rate territory between Hodgdon H4895 and Hodgdon H4350, covering the case-volume range where the classic varmint cartridges operate most efficiently.
The honest context: H380 carries temperature sensitivity of approximately 1.5-2.0 fps per degree Fahrenheit – standard double-base ball powder behavior without the Extreme series stabilizer package. For the high-volume varmint hunting and 22-250 Remington applications where it has its strongest record, this sensitivity is manageable. For precision competition across wide seasonal temperature swings, it is a real limitation that the original article acknowledges but does not fully quantify.
This article is based on published manufacturer specifications, established load data, and documented field reports. Specifications and performance figures can vary between lots, rifles, and conditions. If you have loaded Hodgdon H380 in practice – leave a comment below: real-world experience from the reloading bench is what separates verified data from manufacturer claims.
Powder Description and Technical Profile
Hodgdon H380 is a double-base, spherical powder. The double-base chemistry – nitrocellulose plus nitroglycerin – provides the energy density that drives 22-250 Remington 50-55 grain bullets past 3,700 fps from 26-inch barrels at appropriate pressures. The nitroglycerin content also contributes to reliable cold-weather ignition in the hunting conditions where H380 is most commonly used.
The spherical geometry produces the metering consistency that defines ball powders. Charge-to-charge variance of 0.04-0.07 grains on quality equipment is achievable – the practical minimum for volumetric metering. For a prairie dog hunter loading 500 rounds per session, this metering consistency eliminates the scale verification overhead that extruded alternatives require.
Bulk density is approximately 0.930-0.950 g/cc – high for the medium-slow burn rate range, reflecting the dense packing of spherical grains. In 22-250 Remington with 50-55 grain bullets, case fill at working charge weights runs 88-96% – the range that supports consistent ignition and low standard deviations.
The powder produces what experienced 22-250 Remington shooters describe as a firm, progressive push through the bore – a pressure profile that builds steadily rather than spiking sharply. In the medium-capacity 22-250 Remington case, this progression extracts velocity efficiently from the 26-inch barrels typical of dedicated varmint rifles.
Strengths:
- Ball geometry metering (0.04-0.07 grain variance) enables high-volume production; prairie dog hunters loading 200+ rounds in a session benefit directly from this consistency
- Burn rate precisely calibrated for 22-250 Remington with 50-55 grain bullets – the historical application that established the powder’s reputation
- High bulk density (0.930-0.950 g/cc) produces good case fill in medium-capacity varmint cases
- Double-base energy density drives 22-250 Remington 50-55 grain bullets to 3,650-3,750 fps from 26-inch barrels at appropriate pressures
- Deep published data library in 22-250 Remington, 243 Winchester, and associated medium-capacity varmint cartridges
Limitations:
- Temperature sensitivity of 1.5-2.0 fps/°F – standard double-base sensitivity; substantially more variable than Hodgdon Varget or Hodgdon H4895 across seasonal temperature swings
- 308 Winchester application is marginal – the burn rate is slightly slow for 308 Winchester at standard bullet weights; Hodgdon Varget or Ramshot TAC are better matched
- 30-06 Springfield application is limited – the case is too large for H380’s burn rate with standard 150-180 grain bullets; pressure development is inefficient. This should not be a primary powder choice for 30-06 Springfield
- 6.5 Creedmoor at this burn rate is sub-optimal – the burn rate is slightly too slow for 6.5 Creedmoor standard loads; Hodgdon H4350 is the appropriate choice for that cartridge
Technical Characteristics
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hodgdon Powder Company |
| Heritage | Named after Bruce Hodgdon’s 38.0 gr / 52 gr / 22-250 load |
| Type | Double-Base Spherical (Ball) |
| Bulk Density (g/cc) | ~0.930 – 0.950 |
| Grain Shape | Spherical |
| Coating | Graphite and Deterrent |
| Burn Rate Category | Medium-Slow Rifle |
| Temperature Sensitivity | ~1.5-2.0 fps / °F |
The H380 Origin – Why the Name Matters
The naming convention of H380 is more than historical trivia – it tells you something about how this powder was developed and validated. Bruce Hodgdon did not commission a laboratory study to specify the powder’s burn rate. He found a load that produced exceptional results in a specific cartridge – 38.0 grains behind a 52-grain bullet in the 22-250 Remington wildcat – and named the powder after that load.
This origin means H380 is among the most specifically application-validated powders in the Hodgdon lineup. The burn rate position was not derived from first principles and then tested in multiple cartridges – it was discovered empirically to produce outstanding results in one cartridge and then confirmed across adjacent ones. The implication: H380 in 22-250 Remington with 50-55 grain bullets is not simply one option among equals. It is the historical development platform for the powder, and the application where its properties are most precisely matched.
Temperature Stability – Application-Specific Assessment
1.5-2.0 fps per degree Fahrenheit means different things in different H380 applications:
Prairie dog shooting at 0-300 yards: Temperature variation of 40°F across a morning session (60°F to 100°F) produces 60-80 fps velocity shift. At 300 yards on a 4-inch prairie dog, this variation produces approximately 1-1.5 inches of vertical shift from morning to afternoon – manageable and predictable. Most prairie dog hunters adjust their shots empirically as conditions change rather than recalculating firing solutions.
Precision varmint at 400+ yards across seasons: A 100°F seasonal swing (Texas summer at 105°F, same rifle in January at 25°F) produces 150-200 fps velocity variation – approximately 4-6 inches of vertical at 400 yards. For precision shots at the edge of prairie dog range in extreme temperature conditions, a temperature-corrected drop chart is required.
General hunting at 200-300 yards: Within the ±50°F range typical of a single hunting season, velocity variation is 75-100 fps – producing less than 2 inches of vertical shift at 300 yards on deer-sized game. Fully manageable without load recalculation.
| Powder | 100°F Seasonal Swing | At 300 yards | At 500 yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon Varget | ~30-50 fps | <0.5″ | ~1″ |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | ~60-80 fps | ~1″ | ~2″ |
| Hodgdon H380 | ~150-200 fps | ~3-4″ | ~6-8″ |
| Winchester 748 | ~120-180 fps | ~2-3″ | ~5-6″ |
Burn Rate Comparison and Competing Powders
| Powder | Type | Density (g/cc) | Key Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon H4895 | Single-Base Extruded | 0.880 | Slightly Faster – Extreme stability |
| IMR 4064 | Single-Base Extruded | 0.890 | Slightly Faster – versatile, deep data |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | Double-Base Extruded | 0.920 | Similar – higher velocity, extruded |
| Hodgdon H380 | Double-Base Spherical | 0.940 | Reference – 22-250 Rem specialist |
| Winchester 748 | Double-Base Spherical | 0.950 | Similar-Faster – 223 Rem, 308 Win ball |
| Ramshot TAC | Double-Base Spherical | 0.985 | Slightly Faster – 223 Rem, 308 Win |
| Hodgdon Varget | Single-Base Extruded | 0.910 | Slightly Slower – Extreme stability |
| Hodgdon H4350 | Single-Base Short-Cut | 0.860 | Slower – Extreme, 6.5 Creedmoor |
vs. Hodgdon Varget: The most important practical comparison. Varget burns slightly slower, belongs to the Extreme series with ~<0.5 fps/°F stability, and is specifically the benchmark for 22-250 Remington with heavier 55-69 grain match bullets and 308 Winchester standard loads. H380 typically produces higher peak velocities in 22-250 Remington with 50-55 grain light bullets from its faster burn rate and double-base energy. Varget is more thermally stable and meters adequately from its short-cut geometry. The choice: maximum velocity with light varmint bullets favors H380; year-round precision consistency favors Varget.
vs. Alliant Reloder 15: Reloder 15 is a double-base extruded powder at a comparable burn rate with somewhat better temperature stability than H380 and higher velocity from its energy content than single-base alternatives. Its extruded geometry meters with ±0.1-0.15 grain variance versus H380’s ball geometry 0.04-0.07 grain variance. For a precision 22-250 Remington shooter who hand-weighs every charge and wants slightly better seasonal stability, Reloder 15 is a legitimate alternative. For high-volume production loading, H380’s ball metering is the practical advantage.
vs. Winchester 748: Winchester 748 burns slightly faster than H380 and is more specifically calibrated for 223 Remington and 308 Winchester – the cases where H380’s burn rate is at the edge of optimal. H380 is better matched to 22-250 Remington and 243 Winchester where the slightly slower burn rate is more efficient. Both are double-base ball powders with comparable metering performance.
vs. IMR 4064: IMR 4064 is a long-cut extruded powder that is one of the most versatile medium-speed single-base rifle powders available, with a deeper data library than H380 across a wider range of cartridges. For 22-250 Remington with 50-55 grain bullets, IMR 4064 produces comparable accuracy with lower velocity from its single-base energy. For a reloader who values the versatility of IMR 4064 across multiple cartridges and hand-weighs every charge, the metering disadvantage is irrelevant. For dedicated varmint press production, H380 is more practical.
Recommended Cartridges and Applications
Hodgdon H380 is most efficient in medium-capacity varmint and hunting cases where the burn rate produces the progressive pressure development that varmint and deer-sized game hunting require.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 22-250 Remington | 40-60 gr | Primary application – historically matched |
| 243 Winchester | 70-100 gr | Varmint through light deer |
| 257 Roberts | 100-120 gr | Near-maximum standard loads |
| 6mm Remington | 80-100 gr | Varmint and deer loads |
| 6mm ARC | 90-108 gr | Verify current Hodgdon data |
| 250 Savage | 87-100 gr | Classic lever-action standard |
| 25-06 Remington | 90-100 gr | Light-bullet applications |
| 308 Winchester | 150-165 gr | Standard loads – see note |
308 Winchester note: H380 is documented for 308 Winchester with 150-165 grain bullets and produces functional loads. However, Hodgdon Varget or Ramshot TAC are typically better burn rate matches for 308 Winchester precision and hunting loads, producing lower standard deviations at the same pressure level. H380 in 308 Winchester is a functional alternative when specific powders are unavailable, not the first-choice recommendation.
30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor are absent from the application table because the burn rate is not appropriate for these cartridges at standard loads. 30-06 Springfield with 150-180 grain bullets requires powders in the IMR 4350 to Hodgdon H4831SC burn rate class. 6.5 Creedmoor with 140-143 grain match bullets requires Hodgdon H4350 class. Using H380 in these applications will produce higher peak pressures at lower velocities from inefficient combustion. Do not use the original article’s 30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor recommendations without verifying specific published Hodgdon data for those exact bullet weights.
Bullets
Hodgdon H380 is optimized for light-to-standard weight varmint and hunting projectiles in medium-capacity bore sizes.
| Brand | Model | Weight | Cartridge | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | V-MAX | 40-55 gr | 22-250 Rem / 243 Win | Varmint Hunting |
| Sierra | BlitzKing | 40-55 gr | 22-250 Rem | Precision Varmint |
| Nosler | Varmageddon | 40-55 gr | 22-250 Rem | Field Pest Control |
| Hornady | NTX | 35-50 gr | 22-250 Rem | Lead-Free Varmint |
| Sierra | MatchKing | 52-69 gr | 22-250 Rem / 243 Win | Precision Target |
| Nosler | Ballistic Tip | 55-100 gr | 22-250 / 243 Win | Open-Country Hunting |
| Nosler | Partition | 85-100 gr | 243 Win | Big Game Integrity |
| Sierra | Varminter | 40-55 gr | 22-250 Rem | Classic Varmint |
| Barnes | Varmin-A-Tor | 36-50 gr | 22-250 Rem | Lead-Free Varmint |
| Berger | Varmint Explosive | 40-52 gr | 22-250 Rem | Precision Varmint |
The classic pairing – Hornady V-MAX 50-55 grain in 22-250 Remington with H380 – is one of the most documented varmint shooting combinations in North American reloading. The near-explosive terminal performance of the V-MAX at 3,700+ fps impact velocities on prairie dogs at 300+ yards is the application this combination was built for.
Have you loaded Hodgdon H380? Your practical data on charge weights, accuracy nodes in 22-250 Remington, temperature behavior in summer varmint conditions, or comparison with Varget helps other reloaders more than any spec sheet. Leave a comment below.
Primers
Hodgdon H380 as a double-base ball powder with a deterrent coating requires adequate primer brisance for consistent ignition. Standard large rifle primers work for standard-temperature applications in moderate-capacity cases. Magnum primers improve consistency at temperatures below 40°F and in larger-capacity cases at maximum charges.
The original article’s “Expert Pro Tip” recommending magnum primers even when the manual lists standard primers is broadly practical advice, though it should be implemented carefully: switching from standard to magnum primers in a developed load requires reducing the charge by 5% and working back up, as magnum primers add brisance that can push near-maximum loads over pressure limits.
| Primer | Type | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Federal GM210M | Large Rifle Match | Competition precision – gold standard |
| CCI BR-2 | Large Rifle Benchrest | Competition lowest SD |
| CCI 200 | Large Rifle Standard | 22-250 Rem, 243 Win standard |
| Federal 210 | Large Rifle Standard | Consistent general use |
| Winchester WLR | Large Rifle Standard | Hunting loads general use |
| Remington 9-1/2 | Large Rifle Standard | Traditional standard primer |
| CCI 250 | Large Rifle Magnum | Cold weather below 40°F, large cases |
| Federal 215 | Large Rifle Magnum | Maximum cold-weather ignition |
| Winchester WLRM | Large Rifle Magnum | Magnum-size cases maximum charges |
| Fiocchi Large Rifle | Large Rifle Standard | Consistent European alternative |
| RWS 5341 | Large Rifle | Premium European precision option |
| Ginex Large Rifle | Large Rifle Standard | Cost-effective option |
Metering and Equipment Compatibility
Hodgdon H380’s ball geometry is the dominant practical advantage at the loading bench. On a Dillon XL 750 or Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, charge-to-charge variance under 0.07 grains at normal cycling speeds makes high-volume varmint ammunition production practical.
For precision single-stage loading, the Redding Match Grade 3BR and Redding Competition 10X produce consistent charges with H380’s spherical grains. The RCBS MatchMaster and Hornady Auto-Charge Pro auto-dispensers handle the fine spheres efficiently.
Static electricity management applies as with all ball powders – ground the drop tube or treat the hopper in dry winter conditions.
Reloading Safety Notes
All charge weights must come from current published Hodgdon load data for H380 specifically. Hodgdon publishes free load data online. Do not substitute Hodgdon Varget, Alliant Reloder 15, or Winchester 748 charge weights without independent verification.
Temperature protocol: loads developed at maximum charge in cool varmint season conditions may produce elevated pressure in summer heat. At 1.5-2.0 fps/°F, a 40°F temperature increase adds 60-80 fps and corresponding pressure. Validate maximum charges at the highest expected firing temperature.
Do not use the magnum primer substitution without charge reduction: if your validated load used standard primers and you switch to magnum primers, reduce the charge by 5% and work back up. Magnum primers add enough brisance to push a near-maximum standard-primer load over safe pressure limits.
Start 10% below the listed maximum and work up in 0.3-grain increments. Pressure signs: flattened primers, stiff bolt lift, ejector marks.
See the overpressure in reloading guide for systematic pressure sign identification.
FAQ
Is H380 still competitive with modern powders for 22-250 Remington?
Yes – for 22-250 Remington with 50-55 grain varmint bullets, H380 produces velocities and accuracy that are genuinely competitive with modern alternatives. The historical matching to this cartridge and bullet weight combination is not marketing nostalgia – it reflects a real burn rate alignment. For heavier 60-69 grain 22-250 Remington match bullets, Hodgdon Varget is typically a better match.
Can H380 be used for 30-06 Springfield?
Published Hodgdon data exists for 30-06 Springfield with certain bullet weights, but H380’s burn rate is at the fast end of what 30-06 Springfield uses efficiently. IMR 4350, Hodgdon H4350, or IMR 4831 are more appropriate for 30-06 Springfield hunting loads. Use H380 in 30-06 Springfield only if specific published Hodgdon data exists for your exact bullet weight and you understand it is not the burn-rate-optimized choice.
Is H380 appropriate for 6.5 Creedmoor?
No – the burn rate is too slow for efficient 6.5 Creedmoor loads at standard bullet weights. Hodgdon H4350 is the benchmark for 6.5 Creedmoor precision loading. Do not use the original article’s 6.5 Creedmoor listing without verifying specific published Hodgdon H380 data for the exact bullet weight.
Conclusion
Hodgdon H380 earns its place as a specialist powder through the combination of genuine historical validation in 22-250 Remington and 243 Winchester, ball geometry metering that enables productive varmint ammunition loading sessions, and the double-base energy density that drives light varmint bullets to maximum velocities in medium-capacity cases.
The temperature sensitivity (1.5-2.0 fps/°F) and the limited application range beyond the core varmint cartridges are the honest trade-offs of a traditional double-base ball formulation.
Choose Hodgdon H380 if you load 22-250 Remington or 243 Winchester with standard-to-light varmint bullets at volume and want ball powder metering with maximum velocity at this burn rate and historical application validation. Choose Hodgdon Varget if year-round temperature stability is the priority, you load heavier 22-250 Remington match bullets, or 308 Winchester is a primary application. Choose Alliant Reloder 15 if slightly better seasonal stability than H380 with extruded powder accuracy in 22-250 Remington is the priority. Choose Winchester 748 if 223 Remington and 308 Winchester are your primary cartridges and ball powder metering is required.
Editor’s note: Published load data and manufacturer specifications are the starting point – not the final word. Field experience from reloaders who have actually worked with this powder is the most reliable guide to what it does in practice. If you have used Hodgdon H380, share your results in the comments.
Editorial note: Originally published 2026, revised May 2026. The revision removed 30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor from the primary recommended application table – H380’s burn rate is too slow for 30-06 Springfield standard loads and inappropriate for 6.5 Creedmoor standard loads; both were retained as FAQ cautions. Added the temperature stability table with specific inches-at-distance for varmint shooting conditions. Added the H380 origin section explaining why the name reflects a specific empirical development load. Added the primer switching warning (5% charge reduction required when moving from standard to magnum primers). Added the Alliant Reloder 15 and Winchester 748 competitor comparisons. Corrected the density to the working ~0.930-0.950 g/cc range. Extended the bullet and primer tables with full internal links. Added three community data disclaimer blocks in the correct blockquote format.
