Modern Muzzle Loaders in dire need of Blackhorn 209 as shortage spreads into competition season
Muzzleloading enthusiasts using the high-performance Blackhorn 209 powder from Hodgdon are feeling the hurt this spring as the powder is unavailable around the country. Starting in early 2021, blackhorn 209 was not available for several months. When we look at production timelines for years past we can see that Blackhorn 209 is produced seasonally and made available during the early spring, summer, and fall months for the hunting seasons. In 2021 this was not the case, powder was available in small dots around the country in mid to late autumn and then disappeared. Many a muzzle loading hunter took to the forums to complain about the issues with availability impacting expensive guided hunts.
With another year of competitions starting in the next month, and hunting seasons just a few short months away, shooters want to know, “where is the Blackhorn?”
In an unofficial correspondence, shooters are reporting Hodgdon is aware of the issues but “cannot do anything to change the production timelines for Blackhorn 209”. According to Ebbie Roberts, a passionate muzzle loading enthusiast, Hodgdon is saying that once these issues are fixed there won’t ever be a shortage like this again. Could there be a major issue with production like we saw with GOEX last year? The limited availability of major mechanical components could explain the delay, but no one but Hodgdon can say for certain.
When will Blackhorn 209 be back in stock?
We don’t have any official word on what is going on with Blackhorn 209 production. Theories include increased demand for smokeless powders due to an increase in gun ownership, cultural distress in the US, a trucker shortage in the US and Canada, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Who Makes Blackhorn 209?
It’s important to note that Hodgdon doesn’t manufacture Blackhorn 209 on their own, the powder is produced across the Montana border in Canada. Issues with production can, and lately have, compounded when crossing national borders, Blackhorn 209 may be the latest product to succumb to these issues.
Hodgdon purchased Blackhorn 209 from Western Powders in October 2020. Combine the transition of business properties with supply chain issues and ever-increasing demand for the clean-burning powder in performance muzzle loaders, and Hodgdon has a real mess on its hands. When purchasing Blackhorn 209 Hodgdon pledged not to change the formula and ensure powder was available. While many of Hodgdon's issues are well outside their control, shooters are feeling frustrated with the brand.
It’s not just Hodgdon feeling the burn, no matter what you like to shoot, or even do, it’s hard to find equipment, parts, and materials to do much of anything right now and those items you can find are being struck by serious price increases. Last fall, we saw retailers pushing Blackhorn209 for as much as $80 for a 10z bottle, a far cry from the $35 seen before 2020. I’m right there with you hoping we see a resolution to this and all of the other shortages hitting muzzleloaders right now.
UPDATE; Hodgdon Customer Service Technician Curtis Danielson sent the following to a forum member.
‘Since we do not manufacture this product, we have no control over how much is produced in a given year.
We have explored every option with our Blackhorn209 manufacturing partner to produce more product but we do not believe we will receive enough Blackhorn209 to satisfy consumer demand in 2022.
We know Blackhorn209 is the recommended powder for the CVA Paramount muzzleloader. Hodgdon is in the process of developing load data for Pyrodex and Triple 7 loose powder in the CVA Paramount and will release this data as soon as it is complete.
Hodgdon is committed to supplying propellants to muzzleloader hunting and shooting enthusiasts and will continue to do everything in our power to meet current demand.
I would recommend Pyrodex or Triple seven in the mean time
Thank You for using our powders!
Curtis Danielson
Customer Service Technician
Hodgdon Powder Company’
