Published: 2026 | Last updated: May 2026
Hodgdon H322 is a fast-burning, single-base fine-cut extruded powder from the Hodgdon Extreme series – the powder most associated with benchrest competition accuracy in small-bore precision cartridges. Its benchrest pedigree in 6mm PPC and 222 Remington is documented over decades of world records and national championships, and the specific combination of Extreme series temperature stability with fine-cut extruded grain geometry that produces near-ball-powder metering performance accounts for its sustained competitive relevance.
It sits in a specific and well-defined burn rate position: faster than Hodgdon Benchmark and IMR 8208 XBR, slower than Hodgdon H4198 and IMR 4198. This places it at the fast end of the Extreme series lineup, specifically suited to the smallest capacity precision benchrest cases and the 223 Remington with light varmint bullets where the case is too large for H4198 and too small for Benchmark to burn efficiently.
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 H322 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 H322 is a single-base, fine-cut extruded powder. The single-base formulation – nitrocellulose without nitroglycerin – is the chemical basis for the Extreme series stability advantage and the clean-burning behavior that benchrest competitors specifically rely on for session-to-session consistency.
The fine-cut grain geometry is the defining metering advantage over other fast-rifle extruded powders. The grains are significantly smaller than those of IMR 3031 or IMR 4064 – fine enough to flow through volumetric measure drums with minimal bridging and shearing. Charge-to-charge variance of ±0.05-0.1 grains on quality equipment is achievable – substantially better than typical extruded alternatives and approaching the performance of Hodgdon Benchmark’s micro-grain geometry.
Bulk density is 0.893 g/cc – specific and consistent for this Extreme series formulation. In 6mm PPC and 222 Remington at working charge weights, case fill runs 92-98%, producing the near-complete case fill that eliminates position sensitivity and contributes to the low standard deviations that benchrest accuracy requires.
The Pro Tip in the original article about pushing load density is sound benchrest guidance: H322 burns cleanest and most consistently when the case is near-full. At reduced charges where case fill falls below 88-90%, combustion becomes inconsistent – visible as soot on case necks – and extreme spread increases. This is a common characteristic of fast single-base extruded powders in small cases.
Strengths:
- Extreme series temperature stability (~<0.5 fps/°F) – the specific reason for its benchrest dominance; a load developed in spring behaves identically at a summer match in extreme heat or a fall hunt in cold mornings
- Fine-cut grain geometry meters at ±0.05-0.1 grains – substantially better than standard extruded powders; competitive with ball powders for practical single-stage precision loading
- Near-complete case fill in primary small-bore benchrest cases – produces consistent ignition and low extreme spread
- Single-base clean burning at working pressures – less carbon per round than double-base alternatives at equivalent pressures; benchrest shooters run extended strings without accuracy degradation from fouling
- Most documented benchrest accuracy record in North American small-bore precision shooting
Limitations:
- Burn rate limits to small-capacity cases – in 308 Winchester with standard 150-175 grain bullets, the burn rate is too fast; Hodgdon Varget or Hodgdon H4895 are appropriate there
- Dirty burning below the optimal pressure node – loads well below maximum or in cases with poor case fill produce soot and elevated extreme spread
- Not appropriate for 308 Winchester with 155-grain loads as listed in the original bullet table – the burn rate is too fast for 308 Winchester at standard pressures
- Metering is better than standard extruded, not at ball powder levels – ±0.05-0.1 grain is excellent for extruded but Accurate 2230 at ±0.04-0.07 grain is slightly more consistent for high-volume production
Technical Characteristics
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hodgdon Powder Company |
| Series | Hodgdon Extreme |
| Type | Single-Base Fine-Cut Extruded |
| Bulk Density (g/cc) | 0.893 |
| Grain Shape | Fine Extruded / Short Stick |
| Coating | Temperature Insensitive Extreme Series Stabilizer |
| Burn Rate Category | Fast Rifle |
| Temperature Stability | ~<0.5 fps / °F (Extreme series) |
Burn Rate Positioning – The Fast Extreme Series Slot
H322 occupies a specific and well-defined position among the Extreme series fast-rifle powders:
| Powder | Type | Density (g/cc) | Burn Position | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon H4198 | SB Short-Cut | 0.865 | Faster | Extreme |
| Hodgdon H322 | SB Fine-Cut | 0.893 | Reference | Extreme |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | SB Micro-Grain | 0.920 | Slightly Slower | Extreme |
| Accurate LT-32 | SB Fine-Cut | ~0.905 | Slightly Faster | Standard |
| Alliant Reloder 7 | SB Extruded | 0.880 | Faster | Standard |
| Vihtavuori N130 | SB Extruded | 0.855 | Slightly Faster | Standard |
| Hodgdon H4895 | SB Short-Cut | 0.880 | Much Slower | Extreme |
The original article’s comparison table shows Hodgdon Benchmark density as 0.905 (corrected to ~0.920 g/cc) and Hodgdon H335 density as 0.985 (corrected to ~0.980 g/cc).
The key positioning insight: H322 and Hodgdon Benchmark are the two Extreme series options in the fast-rifle class. H322 is faster – better matched for the smallest cases (6mm PPC, 222 Remington, very light 223 Remington loads). Benchmark is slightly slower – better matched for 204 Ruger and 223 Remington with standard 40-55 grain varmint loads. The two complement each other rather than compete directly.
Temperature Stability – The Benchrest Advantage
~<0.5 fps per degree Fahrenheit is the Extreme series performance for H322. The implications for benchrest competition are specific:
A competitive benchrest shooter develops their 6mm PPC load in March at 50°F. The national championship is shot in July at 95°F. With a standard non-Extreme powder at 1.0 fps/°F, the 45°F temperature increase produces 45 fps velocity change – which at 200 yards produces approximately 0.5-1 inch of vertical. In a sport where winning group sizes are measured in thousandths of an inch and scores are decided by single shots, this is disqualifying.
With H322 at <0.5 fps/°F, the same 45°F increase produces less than 22 fps – producing approximately 0.2-0.4 inch of vertical at 200 yards. Combined with the powder’s near-complete case fill in 6mm PPC producing minimum extreme spread, this is the combination that benchrest world records are built from.
| Powder | 45°F Competition Swing | At 200 yards | At 400 yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon H322 | ~<22 fps | <0.3″ | <0.5″ |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | ~<22 fps | <0.3″ | <0.5″ |
| Vihtavuori N133 | ~22-30 fps | ~0.3″ | ~0.6″ |
| Accurate LT-32 | ~30-45 fps | ~0.5″ | ~1″ |
| Accurate 2015 | ~27-45 fps | ~0.4-0.8″ | ~0.8-1.5″ |
Burn Rate Comparison and Competing Powders
vs. Hodgdon Benchmark: Benchmark burns slightly slower and is also Extreme series. The two are complementary: H322 is better matched for 6mm PPC, 222 Remington, and very light 223 Remington loads. Benchmark is better matched for 204 Ruger and standard 223 Remington varmint loads with 40-55 grain bullets where H322’s burn rate is slightly fast. Both are Extreme series – no stability difference.
vs. Hodgdon H4198: H4198 burns faster and is better matched for 221 Fireball and 22 Hornet where H322’s burn rate is slightly slow for the even smaller cases. Both are Extreme series – the choice follows case capacity and bullet weight.
vs. Vihtavuori N133: N133 is a single-base extruded powder at a comparable burn rate – known for exceptional clean burning and Vihtavuori’s tight lot-to-lot consistency. Temperature stability is somewhat better than standard powders but typically not quite at Extreme series levels. For European market access or shooters who specifically value Vihtavuori’s manufacturing consistency, N133 is the competitive alternative. In the North American market and specifically for year-round competition across extreme temperature conditions, H322’s Extreme series guarantee is the differentiating advantage.
vs. Accurate LT-32: Accurate LT-32 is a single-base fine-cut powder at a slightly faster burn rate without Extreme series additives. It is specifically calibrated for 6mm PPC benchrest competition where some shooters find its slightly faster burn rate produces better accuracy in their specific rifle. For year-round temperature consistency, H322’s Extreme series coating provides approximately 2-3x better seasonal stability.
vs. Accurate 2015: Accurate 2015 is a single-base short-cut powder at a slightly slower burn rate – more versatile across 222 Remington, 30-30 Winchester, and 45-70 Government applications. H322 is more precisely matched for 6mm PPC benchrest where the Extreme series stability specifically matters.
Recommended Cartridges and Applications
Hodgdon H322 is most effective in small-capacity precision benchrest and varmint cases where the fast Extreme series burn rate and near-complete case fill produce minimum extreme spread.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6mm PPC | 65-75 gr | Primary benchrest application |
| 222 Remington | 40-55 gr | Classic precision varmint |
| 223 Remington | 40-52 gr | Light varmint loads only |
| 22-250 Remington | 40-52 gr | Light varmint – verify data |
| 204 Ruger | 24-32 gr | Light bullets – see note |
| 7mm TCU | 100-120 gr | Metallic silhouette |
| 6.8 SPC | 90-115 gr | See dual-pressure note |
| 45-70 Government | 300-350 gr | Trapdoor and lever-action only |
6mm PPC is the application that built H322’s reputation. The case capacity, bore diameter, and standard 65-70 grain benchrest bullet weights align with H322’s burn rate, producing near-complete case fill and the consistent ignition that delivers sub-0.1 MOA groups at 100 yards in the best benchrest rifles. This is not marketing – it is documented over decades of competition results.
204 Ruger note: H322 is at the faster end for 204 Ruger at standard 32-40 grain bullet weights – Hodgdon Benchmark is slightly better matched. For very light 24-28 grain bullets in 204 Ruger where the effective case volume reduction shifts the optimal burn rate faster, H322 may be appropriate. Verify from current Hodgdon data.
6.8 SPC dual-pressure note: 6.8 SPC has two chamber specifications (SPC and SPC II) with different headspace dimensions. Load data must be developed for the specific chamber in your rifle. Confirm chamber specification before developing loads.
45-70 Government pressure tier note: The three-tier pressure framework applies here as with any fast powder in the large-bore 45-70 case – Trapdoor (~14,000-20,000 PSI), lever-action (~28,000-40,000 PSI), modern single-shot (~50,000-60,000 PSI). H322 is documented for the lower pressure tiers. Verify from current Hodgdon data for the specific tier.
Bullets
Hodgdon H322 is optimized for light-to-standard precision benchrest and varmint bullets in small-bore calibers.
| Brand | Model | Weight | Cartridge | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berger | Target | 64-68 gr | 6mm PPC | Benchrest Competition |
| Sierra | MatchKing | 52-69 gr | 6mm PPC / 223 Rem | Precision Target |
| Hornady | V-MAX | 32-55 gr | 204 Ruger / 223 Rem | Varmint |
| Nosler | Ballistic Tip | 32-55 gr | 204 Ruger / 223 Rem | Varmint |
| Speer | TNT | 50-55 gr | 223 Rem | Varmint |
| Sierra | BlitzKing | 40-55 gr | 223 Rem / 222 Rem | Precision Varmint |
| Berger | Varmint Explosive | 40-52 gr | 222 Rem / 223 Rem | Match Varmint |
| Barnes | Varmin-A-Tor | 36-50 gr | 223 Rem | Lead-Free Varmint |
| Hornady | NTX | 32-35 gr | 204 Ruger | Lead-Free Varmint |
| Lapua | Scenar | 69 gr | 223 Rem | Long-Range Competition |
Note on the 308 Winchester 155-grain MatchKing entry in the original article: This is incorrect. H322’s burn rate is too fast for efficient combustion in 308 Winchester with 155-grain or any standard-weight bullets. Hodgdon Varget or Hodgdon H4895 are the appropriate Extreme series choices for 308 Winchester.
Have you loaded Hodgdon H322? Your practical data on charge weights, benchrest accuracy in 6mm PPC, temperature stability across a competition season, or comparison with Benchmark or N133 helps other reloaders more than any spec sheet. Leave a comment below.
Primers
Hodgdon H322 as an Extreme series single-base powder ignites consistently from standard benchrest and standard small rifle primers. Magnum primers are not required in standard applications. For cold-weather use below 10°F, CCI 450 provides additional brisance assurance.
For AR-15 semi-automatic 223 Remington platforms, CCI No. 41 mil-spec cup primer is required to prevent slam-fire from the free-floating firing pin.
| Primer | Type | Application |
|---|---|---|
| CCI BR-4 | Small Rifle Benchrest | 6mm PPC and 222 Rem benchrest |
| Remington 7-1/2 | Small Rifle Bench Rest | Classic benchrest pairing |
| Federal GM205M | Small Rifle Match | Competition precision |
| CCI 400 | Small Rifle Standard | General development |
| Winchester WSR | Small Rifle Standard | General small rifle use |
| CCI 450 | Small Rifle Magnum | Cold weather below 10°F |
| CCI No. 41 | Small Rifle Magnum (Mil-Spec) | AR-15 semi-auto platforms |
| Fiocchi Small Rifle | Small Rifle Standard | Volume production |
| RWS 4033 | Small Rifle | Premium European precision |
| Ginex Small Rifle | Small Rifle Standard | Cost-effective general use |
| Sellier & Bellot V361607 | Small Rifle Standard | Consistent international option |
Metering and Equipment Compatibility
Hodgdon H322’s fine-cut grain geometry produces substantially better metering than standard extruded powders. On quality equipment like the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Measure, Redding Competition BR-30 or Redding Competition 10X, ±0.05-0.1 grain variance is achievable – competitive with ball powders for the volumes involved in benchrest loading.
For precision benchrest single-stage loading: throw slightly under target weight with a quality measure, then trickle to exact weight using a Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler on a RCBS MatchMaster for ±0.02 grain charge consistency.
For auto-dispenser loading: the RCBS MatchMaster Digital Powder Scale and Dispenser and Lyman Gen 6 Compact handle H322’s fine grains efficiently – shorter dispense times than coarser extruded powders.
Reloading Safety Notes
All charge weights must come from current published Hodgdon load data for H322 specifically. Do not substitute Hodgdon Benchmark, Hodgdon H4198, or Vihtavuori N133 charge weights without independent verification.
Load density guidance: the Pro Tip about targeting near-full case fill is valid. Loads with case fill below 88% produce elevated extreme spread and carbon fouling from incomplete combustion. Work up to near-maximum charge weights where case fill reaches 92-98%. If working charges leave the case under 88% full, H322 may be slightly too fast for that specific cartridge and bullet combination – Hodgdon Benchmark may be more appropriate.
[45-70 Government] and [6.8 SPC] pressure considerations: see the application notes above for tier matching and dual-pressure spec requirements.
Start 10% below the listed maximum and work up in 0.2-grain increments for small benchrest cases. Watch for flattened primers, stiff bolt lift, ejector marks.
See the overpressure in reloading guide for systematic pressure sign identification.
FAQ
Why does H322 win more benchrest matches than any other powder?
Three factors combine: Extreme series temperature stability that eliminates seasonal load recalibration, near-complete case fill in 6mm PPC that produces minimum extreme spread, and fine-cut grain geometry that allows consistent charge weights from volumetric measures. In a sport where hundredths of an inch separate winners from losers, these three properties in a single product are unusually powerful.
Is H322 appropriate for 6mm PPC or does N133 have an accuracy advantage?
Both are used competitively at the highest benchrest levels. N133 is specifically praised for its exceptional clean burning and the extremely tight lot-to-lot consistency of Vihtavuori’s single-facility manufacturing. H322’s Extreme series stability may provide a marginal advantage in competitions that span wide seasonal temperatures. The practical recommendation: load development in the specific rifle determines the final choice – the powder that produces the lowest extreme spread in your barrel at your competition conditions is the right answer.
Can H322 be used for 223 Remington with 69-77 grain heavy match bullets?
No – the burn rate is too fast for 223 Remington with heavy 69-77 grain bullets. The burn rate is appropriate only for light 40-52 grain varmint loads in 223 Remington. For heavy 69-77 grain 223 Remington match loads, use Hodgdon Varget or Ramshot TAC.
Conclusion
Hodgdon H322 holds its legendary status through genuine competitive results accumulated over decades – not through marketing. The combination of Extreme series temperature stability at the fast end of the rifle powder burn rate spectrum, fine-cut grain geometry that approaches ball powder metering performance, and the specific burn rate that optimally fills 6mm PPC benchrest cases is a combination that competing powders have not displaced despite decades of trying.
Choose Hodgdon H322 if you load 6mm PPC for benchrest competition or 222 Remington and light 223 Remington for precision varmint work where Extreme series year-round temperature stability and benchrest-level accuracy are the priorities. Choose Hodgdon Benchmark if 204 Ruger and 223 Remington with standard 40-55 grain varmint bullets are the primary applications where the slightly slower burn rate is better matched. Choose Vihtavuori N133 if exceptional clean burning and Vihtavuori’s lot-to-lot consistency are the priorities and Extreme series stability is secondary. Choose Accurate LT-32 if the slightly faster burn rate position specifically produces better accuracy in your 6mm PPC rifle and Extreme series stability is not the priority.
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 H322, share your results in the comments.
Editorial note: Originally published 2026, revised May 2026. The revision corrected density errors in the comparison table – Benchmark corrected from 0.905 to ~0.920 g/cc; H335 corrected from 0.985 to ~0.980 g/cc. Removed the AI-generated artifact at the end. Added the 308 Winchester limitation – H322 is too fast for 308 Win standard loads; removed the incorrect 308 Win 155-grain MatchKing entry from the bullet table. Added the 45-70 Government three-pressure-tier safety note. Added the 6.8 SPC dual-pressure spec warning. Added the 204 Ruger caveat noting Benchmark is better matched for standard 32-40 grain loads. Added the temperature stability table with benchrest-specific 200-yard impact figures. Extended the Vihtavuori N133 and Accurate LT-32 competitor comparisons. Extended the bullet and primer tables with full internal links. Added three community data disclaimer blocks in the correct blockquote format.
