Hodgdon H4895 is perhaps the most famous and versatile propellant in the history of modern reloading. Originally derived from surplus military powder used in the 30-06 Springfield during World War II, it was the very first powder sold under the Hodgdon brand. As a member of the renowned “Extreme” series, Hodgdon H4895 is a single-base, extruded propellant engineered to deliver consistent performance regardless of environmental conditions.
- Main Application: Ideal for a vast array of cartridges from 17 Remington to 458 Winchester Magnum.
- Key Advantage: Noted for its extreme temperature stability and the unique ability to be used in reduced-power “youth” loads.
- Burn Rate: Versatile intermediate rifle propellant, positioned near Accurate 2495 and IMR 4895.
- What This Guide Covers: Technical specifications, the 60% reduction rule, 4-way competitive analysis, and optimized component matches.
Best For: Reloaders needing a “universal” rifle powder, competitive service rifle shooters, and those developing reduced-recoil loads for new shooters.
Powder Description & Technical Profile
Hodgdon H4895 is a single-base, tubular (stick) powder with a relatively short-cut grain geometry. This physical structure allows it to meter significantly better than older, long-grain extruded propellants through devices like the Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure. Chemically, it is designed for a highly consistent burn rate, making it the standard by which many other intermediate powders are judged.
The expert “feel” of Hodgdon H4895 is characterized by its predictable pressure curve and immense flexibility. It is the only powder Hodgdon officially recommends for their “60% Rule,” where a load can be safely reduced to 60% of the maximum listed charge to create low-recoil practice rounds. This makes it an indispensable tool for mentoring young hunters or those sensitive to heavy recoil.
Pros
- Superior temperature stability ensures zero point-of-impact shift between summer and winter.
- The most versatile powder on the market for reduced-load applications.
- Excellent ignition characteristics across a wide range of pressures.
- Proprietary coatings reduce copper fouling in the bore.
Cons
- Does not meter as perfectly as spherical powders like Accurate 2230.
- Can reach maximum pressure quickly in smaller cases if not careful with work-ups.
Technical Characteristics
| Property | Specification |
| Manufacturer | Hodgdon Powder Company |
| Type | Single-Base Extruded |
| Bulk Density (g/cc) | 0.880-0.910 |
| Grain Shape | Short Tubular |
| Coating | Extreme Series Temperature Stabilizer |
Temperature Stability & Burn Rate Analysis
Hodgdon H4895 is a cornerstone of the Hodgdon Extreme line. This means it is specifically formulated to be “thermally insensitive”. Whether you are hunting in 100°F desert heat or -10°F arctic conditions, the velocity of the bullet remains remarkably consistent, typically varying less than 0.5 FPS per degree.
Its burn rate is the definition of “intermediate”. It is slow enough to safely fuel the 30-06 Springfield but fast enough to be efficient in the 223 Remington. This wide functional window is why it has remained a best-seller for decades.
Stability Table
| Powder | Type | Thermal Sensitivity |
| Hodgdon H4895 | Single-Base Extruded | Ultra-Low (Benchmark) |
| IMR 4895 | Single-Base Extruded | Moderate |
| Accurate 2460 | Double-Base Ball | Moderate-Sensitive |
Powder Comparison (4-Way Analysis)
To understand the versatility of Hodgdon H4895, we must compare it to powders that occupy the same functional space in the reloading world.
| Powder | Burn Rate | Density | Primary Cartridges |
| Alliant Reloder 10X | Faster | 0.890 | 223 Remington, 222 Remington |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | Faster | 0.905 | 223 Remington, 6mm BR |
| Hodgdon H4895 | Target | 0.895 | 308 Winchester, 223 Remington |
| IMR 4064 | Slower | 0.875 | 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield |
| Hodgdon Varget | Slower | 0.900 | 308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor |
Performance, Metering & Equipment
While Hodgdon H4895 is an extruded powder, its “short-cut” nature allows it to pass through mechanical measures with reasonable consistency. For the highest precision, equipment like the RCBS MatchMaster Digital Powder Scale & Dispenser or the Lyman Gen 6 Compact Touch Screen Digital Powder Scale and Dispenser is recommended to ensure exact charge weights.
In terms of barrel life, Hodgdon H4895 is known to be relatively “gentle” compared to high-energy double-base powders. It produces less intense heat at the throat, which can help extend the competitive life of a precision rifle barrel.
Recommended Cartridges and Applications
The versatility of Hodgdon H4895 is unmatched, making it suitable for nearly every common short-to-standard action cartridge.
| Cartridge | Primary Application |
| 223 Remington | Benchrest & Varmint Precision |
| 308 Winchester | Service Rifle & Hunting |
| 30-06 Springfield | General Purpose & Garand-Safe Loads |
| 243 Winchester | Varmint & Youth Hunting |
| 7mm-08 Remington | All-Around Big Game |
| 30-30 Winchester | Classic Lever Action |
| 45-70 Government | (Equivalent Class) Modern Big Bore |
Bullets
Hodgdon H4895 works best with light-to-mid-weight bullets for a given caliber, providing a stable platform for high-accuracy projectiles.
| Bullet Brand | Model | Weight Range (Grains) |
| Sierra | Sierra MatchKing Bullet | 52-69 (223), 150-168 (308) |
| Hornady | Hornady V-Max Bullet | 40-55 (223), 110 (308) |
| Nosler | Nosler Partition Bullet | 60 (223), 150-165 (308) |
| Berger | Berger VLD Target Bullet | 52-73 (223), 155-168 (308) |
| Barnes | Barnes TSX Bullet | 50-62 (223), 130-150 (308) |
| Lapua | Lapua Scenar Bullet | 69 (223), 155 (308) |
Primers
Because Hodgdon H4895 is an easy-to-ignite single-base powder, standard primers are usually sufficient. However, in extreme cold, a magnum primer can provide added insurance for consistent ignition.
- CCI 200 – Large Rifle (Standard)
- CCI 400 – Small Rifle (Standard)
- Federal 210 – Large Rifle
- Federal 205 – Small Rifle
- Winchester WLR – Large Rifle
- CCI BR-2 – Large Rifle Bench Rest
- RWS 5341 – Large Rifle
- Sellier-Bellot V361607 – Small Rifle
- Fiocchi Large Rifle – Standard
- Remington 9-1-2 – Large Rifle
Conclusion
Hodgdon H4895 is the quintessential “desert island” powder. If a reloader could only own one rifle propellant, this would be the strongest candidate due to its incredible versatility across disparate calibers and its unparalleled safety in reduced loads. While it may not always produce the absolute highest velocity in every cartridge, its reputation for extreme accuracy and temperature stability makes it a foundational component of any reloading bench.
Expert Pro Tip: For those reloading for the M1 Garand, Hodgdon H4895 is widely considered the safest choice for the long-term health of the operating rod. Its pressure curve matches the military “M2 Ball” specifications perfectly, ensuring the rifle cycles reliably without the excessive port pressure often caused by slower-burning modern powders. Would you like me to create a custom reduced-recoil load profile for your next range session?
