Universal clays

[Eric Grims]

Here is a recent communication I had with hodgden FYI:
Dear sirs,
I understand that Universal Clays is discontinued and will be replaced with a new and different powder. I shoot viintage side by side shot guns (mostly 16
gauge) and relied on universal to provide low pressure loads that were easy on our antique guns. To date I have found no available alternatives. Can you give me any information on whether you will have recipes for low pressure shotshell loads available to us using the new available powders or any other powders you manufacture?
Regards,

REPLY:
Universal is by no means discontinued. It was out of production for over a year following a fire in the building which was involved in the processing of Universal. It has been back in procuction for several months now and it is being distributed through our normal distribution system. We are planning a change in the location of manufacture of Universal. There are massive transportation issues with getting powders from Australia to the US. We will begin making Universal in the plant that produces the IMR line of powders. The Universal made in this plant will be exactly the same in performance and density as Universal from Australia. This change should help ease the high demand for Universal by producing much higher amounts of powder and getting it to market faster.

Mike Daly
Hodgdon Family of Fine Propellants
Hodgdon Smokeless Powder
IMR Powder Company
Winchester Smokeless Propellants
GOEX Blackpowder

[Dean Romig]

Hooray for that news!! Thanks Eric!

[Angel Cruz]

Good freaking news...

[Paul Harm]

Unique works in the 16ga.

[George Lang]

Any hint or idea if they will continue to make 7625 &/or 4756??

[Daryl Corona]

I'm pretty sure 4756 has been axed. Not sure about 7625 but I think that's gone too.

[James Halvorson]

SR4756, SR7625 and PB are gone.

[Rich Anderson]

I have seen International clays on the shelves recently and have been told you can substitute the data. Fortunately I have an ample supply of Clays and 7625.

[Richard Flanders]

I had to pass on 3 huge cans - 12#? - of PB at a Denver gunshow last year because I couldn't get them home. That hurt I can tell you. Still have a few large jugs of 7625 but it won't last forever.

[CraigThompson]

I have eight pounds of SR7625 that'll be saved exclusively for the 10 gauge .

I've got four 8 pounders of Universal Clays on backorder , two 8 pounders of International Clays and two 8 pounders of Unique as well . Not all for me but most of it is .

Whichever I get it'll be used for the 12 , 16 , 20 and 28 .

Which reminds me I have an 8 of 296 ordered as well for the 410 .

This whole state of affairs irritates me beyond belief . Back when I still shot competitively and didn't buy at dealer cost , each year I'd ride up to Fairfax R&G and get a case of each gauge PC wads , a 10 of AA452 , a 10 of AA473 , an 8 of 540 , an 8 of 296 , three sleaves of WIN209's and about 30-40 bags of shot . Generally that would get me thru skeet , trap and dove season .

Now one needs to plan about a year or so in advance to make sure they have what they need and that isn't 100% .