Hodgdon Powder Company has announced the purchase of RCBS Reloading, joining the two storied handloading brands together under the same corporate ownership.

According to a press release from Hodgdon, the purchase of RCBS from Vista Outdoors was finalized on Thursday, and the company is prepared to immediately continue shipping RCBS products to wholesalers and retailers.

“This acquisition of RCBS, the leading brand in metallic reloading tools, is a perfect complement to our portfolio of smokeless powder brands for our handloading customers,” Steve Kehrwald, president and CEO of Hodgdon Powder Company, said. “With our world-class ballistics labs, we look forward to providing even more load data to our new RCBS customers.”

Production will continue at the RCBS facility in Oroville, California. Addition of the RCBS team will more than double the number of employees at Hodgdon and greatly expand the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

“For years, our friends have referred to the Hodgdon family and company as ‘The Gunpowder People’ and this acquisition further demonstrates our dedication to the handloader,” said J.B. Hodgdon, co-owner of the company with his late brother Bob. “Our dad Bruce partnered with Fred Huntington from RCBS to conduct Reloading Roadshow events in the 1950s and 1960s. I believe they both are looking down today, proud to have our two great brands together in 2024.”

Established in 1947 by Bruce and Amy Hodgdon, sons J.B and Bob grew Hodgdon Powder Company into the largest U.S. supplier of smokeless and blackpowder substitute propellants. The company distributes propellants under the Hodgdon, IMR, Winchester, Ramshot, Accurate, Pyrodex, Triple Seven, Blackhorn 209 and RCBS brands.

The sale marks another piece of Vista Outdoors sold off during a period of divestiture.

“For more than 80 years, RCBS has demonstrated their manufacturing, innovation and operational excellence,” said Eric Nyman, Co-CEO of Vista Outdoor. “We are thrilled for RCBS and their new ownership with Hodgdon Powder. This transaction joins two iconic brands, and it ensures that RCBS is positioned for success in the next chapter of its history.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

17 COMMENTS

    • And I wish Hogden would buy Mulwex from Thales. It might solve the powder shortage downunder.

      • At this point I wonder if you are better off figuring out how to make cordite.

      • Hodgdon owns Trail Boss flavor powder, great fer cowboy 45 Colt loads, it is actually made down under. Trail Boss has been MIA fer a few years, i doubt it will return in the foreseeable future unfortunately

  2. Can tell where that $50/lb price is going now. At least it seems like some of it is in retail now.

  3. I wonder if the reason you can’t get Blackhorn 209 is because Hodgdon stopped production of it to avoid competition with their Pyrodex and Triple Seven brands.

  5. Well see what gets put out for load data, I am curious to see when syntek/polymer coated lead data starts to trickle in.

    • It’s intriguing to anticipate the emergence of load data for syntek/polymer coated lead. Exciting times lie ahead as this innovative technology unfolds, offering potential insights for ammunition enthusiasts.

  6. This is actually excellent news. A major player in handloading equipment leaves a corporate parent and unites with a privately held company with a strong connection to amateur reloading. I trust the Hodgdon family to look after RCBS more than Vista.

  8. Idk, I’m skeptical when one company or conglomerate buys up multiple companies of the same. it seems they come crumbling down and disappear or they then get purchased buy a foreign shadowy investment group and we’re left scratching our heads.

  9. It’s intriguing to anticipate the emergence of load data for syntek/polymer coated lead. Exciting times lie ahead as this innovative technology unfolds, offering potential insights for ammunition enthusiasts. Sir

Comments are closed.