Hodgdon H322 has earned a legendary status in the world of precision shooting, often cited as having won more benchrest matches than all other propellants combined. As a foundational member of the Hodgdon Extreme series, this single-base, extruded powder was engineered to provide match-grade accuracy in small-to-medium capacity rifle cartridges. Its reputation for consistency and reliability has made it a staple for competitive shooters and varmint hunters alike.
- Main Application: Precision target shooting and varmint hunting with cartridges like 6mm PPC and 223 Remington.
- Key Advantage: Exceptional temperature stability and fine-grained geometry that flows through measures with superb precision.
- Burn Rate: Fast-intermediate rifle propellant, positioned between Vihtavuori N130 and Accurate 2015.
- What This Guide Covers: Technical specifications, burn rate positioning, competitive analysis, and optimized pairings for bullets and primers.
Best For: Benchrest competitors and varmint hunters who prioritize extreme accuracy and temperature-independent performance.
Powder Description & Technical Profile
Hodgdon H322 is a fine-cut, extruded (stick) propellant known for its high chemical purity and physical uniformity. Unlike larger stick powders, the kernels of Hodgdon H322 are exceptionally small, allowing them to pass through volumetric measures with the consistency usually reserved for spherical powders. This makes it an ideal candidate for high-volume reloading where every charge must be identical to the last.
The expert “feel” of Hodgdon H322 is one of rapid but controlled energy release. It is specifically optimized for small-bore, high-pressure cartridges where it can achieve a complete burn in shorter competition barrels. While it is a “dirty” burner at extremely low pressures, it cleans up significantly as it approaches its optimal pressure node, leaving minimal carbon residue in the bore.
Pros
- Unrivaled accuracy pedigree in the 6mm PPC and 222 Remington.
- Extreme series technology ensures velocity remains stable from sub-zero to triple-digit temperatures.
- Short-cut grains offer superior metering through the RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure 3.
- Highly versatile for light-to-medium bullet weights in 223 Remington.
Cons
- May not provide enough velocity for heavy-for-caliber bullets in larger cases.
- Can be soot-intensive if the load density or pressure is too low.
Technical Characteristics
The physical and chemical design of Hodgdon H322 reflects its purpose as a high-precision propellant.
| Property | Specification |
| Manufacturer | Hodgdon |
| Type | Single-Base Extruded |
| Bulk Density (g/cc) | 0.893 |
| Grain Shape | Fine Extruded / Short Stick |
| Coating | Temperature Insensitive Stabilizer |
Temperature Stability & Burn Rate Analysis
As an Extreme series propellant, Hodgdon H322 is specifically designed to resist the effects of environmental temperature swings. This is critical for competitive shooters who may develop a load in the spring but must rely on it during mid-summer matches. This stability is achieved through proprietary deterrent coatings that keep the burn rate linear regardless of ambient heat.
In the burn rate spectrum, Hodgdon H322 sits in a “sweet spot” for small-capacity, high-accuracy cartridges. It is faster than IMR 8208 XBR and Hodgdon Benchmark, but significantly slower than the fast varmint powders like IMR 4198.
Stability Table
| Powder | Type | Thermal Sensitivity |
| Hodgdon H322 | Single-Base Extruded | Ultra-Low (Extreme Series) |
| IMR 8208 XBR | Single-Base Extruded | Low (Competitive Standard) |
| Hodgdon H335 | Double-Base Ball | Moderate-Sensitive |
Powder Comparison
Comparing Hodgdon H322 to its peers highlights its specialization in precision small-bore applications.
| Powder | Burn Rate | Density | Primary Cartridges |
| Accurate LT-32 | Faster | 0.905 | 223 Remington, 6mm PPC |
| Alliant Reloder 7 | Faster | 0.880 | 222 Remington, 45-70 Government |
| Hodgdon H322 | Target | 0.893 | 6mm PPC, 223 Remington |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | Slower | 0.905 | 223 Remington, 6.8 SPC |
| Hodgdon H335 | Slower | 0.985 | 223 Remington, 308 Winchester |
Performance, Metering & Equipment
One of the standout features of Hodgdon H322 is how it behaves in reloading equipment. While traditional extruded powders are often difficult to meter, the fine-cut kernels of Hodgdon H322 slide through measures like the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Measure with minimal “crunching”.
For the ultimate in precision, pairing Hodgdon H322 with the RCBS MatchMaster Digital Powder Scale & Dispenser allows for extremely rapid charge drops that are consistent to within 0.04 grains. When it comes to cleanup, this powder is surprisingly gentle on barrels, provided it is used within its intended pressure ranges.
Recommended Cartridges and Applications
Hodgdon H322 is the undisputed champion of small match cartridges but has found secondary uses in several specialized hunting applications.
| Cartridge | Primary Application |
| 6mm PPC | Benchrest Competition (The Standard) |
| 223 Remington | Light Varmint Loads (40-55 grain) |
| 222 Remington | Varmint Precision |
| 204 Ruger | High-Velocity Varminting |
| 7mm TCU | (Equivalent Class) Metallic Silhouette |
| 6.8 SPC | Modern Sporting Rifle Performance |
| 45-70 Government | (Equivalent Class) Light 300gr Bullet Hunting |
Bullets
Because of its faster burn rate, Hodgdon H322 performs best with light-to-midweight projectiles for a given bore diameter.
| Bullet Brand | Model | Weight Range (Grains) |
| Sierra | Sierra MatchKing Bullet | 52-69 (223 Rem), 155 (308 Win) |
| Hornady | Hornady V-Max Bullet | 32 (204 Ruger), 40-55 (223 Rem) |
| Nosler | Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet | 32-40 (204 Ruger), 40-50 (223 Rem) |
| Barnes | Barnes TTSX Bullet | 50-55 (223 Rem), 300 (45-70) |
| Berger | Berger Target Bullet | 64-68 (6mm PPC), 52-55 (223 Rem) |
| Speer | Speer TNT Bullet | 50-55 (223 Rem) |
Primers
Consistency is the soul of Hodgdon H322 performance. For small-capacity match cases, a high-quality benchrest primer is essential to minimize velocity spreads.
- CCI BR-4 – Small Rifle Bench Rest (Ideal for Match PPC)
- Federal GM205M – Small Rifle Match
- CCI 450 – Small Rifle Magnum (For High Load Densities)
- Remington 7-1-2 – Small Rifle Bench Rest
- CCI 400 – Small Rifle Standard
- Winchester WSR – Small Rifle
- Sellier-Bellot V361607 – Small Rifle
- Fiocchi Small Rifle – Standard Small Rifle
- RWS 4033 – Small Rifle
- Ginex Small Rifle – Small Rifle
Conclusion & Expert Verdict
Hodgdon H322 remains the gold standard for anyone seeking absolute precision in small rifle cartridges. While newer powders have entered the market, the decades of trophies and world records attributed to this propellant speak for themselves. Its unique combination of easy metering, extreme temperature stability, and match-grade accuracy makes it a powder that is difficult to replace once a shooter finds their “magic” load.
Expert Pro Tip: When working with Hodgdon H322 in the 223 Remington, don’t be afraid to push the load density. This powder often shows its best consistency and cleanest burn when the case is nearly full. If you see soot on your case necks, it’s a sign that the pressure is too low for the powder to seal the case against the chamber walls; increasing the charge toward the maximum published data often solves this while simultaneously shrinking your group sizes. Would you like me to create a detailed load work-up plan for your next varmint rifle?
