Hi all,

I just bought soem H4831 SC. The SC is for Short Cut. I was told that it didn't matter about that designation, and that it would feed better through my measure. My questions are this, has anyone used this powder? Does it make any difference ballistically?

Thanks!

1Shot

I've used H4831 since before there was a "short cut". The long granules of the old one were a pain. When they went to SC Hodgdon claimed same ballistics. I believe somewhere in there they changed suppliers as I don't recall the first SC being made in Australia. The velocities where I used H4831 remained the same with all the mutations with variances you could attribute to different lots of any powder. Until the recent Australian offering I was never able to get good accuracy. That isn't the case today with either the H4831 or little brother H4350. They do work through a measure significantly better than the old long grained extruded powders. Bob

1shot, I have not noticed any difference in the ballistics or the accuracy between H4831 and H4831SC.

I have used both H4831 and H4831SC. They both shoot the same, but the short cut version meters a whole lot better through my powder measure. It doesn't bridge and each charge is the same.

l Shot -- I talked to the Hodgdon technical expert and he said they can be used as one in the same. Good Shooting.

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Ditto! Like everyone else - my experience with H4831SC has been a welcome relief over the standard (long) version. It throws more accurately with less hangs, weights faster, and is less frustrating to use. I find that most of my big bores like H4831SC over anything else.

1Shot - what caliber/case are you reloading?

Z

Zero Drift,

I'm loading for my new .416 Rigby in Ruger M77. I looked at other posts and it seemed to be the powder of choice. I also have IMR 4350 and I might try that. Would the H4831 be good for my .338 Win. Mag.? I also load for 30.06, .280 Rem. (this is brand new too and I haven't loaded for it yet. I saw in my Nosler manual that it liked RL19 in a 140 gr. spitzer), .257 Roberts and .35 Rem.

Would you agree on that powder for the .416?

1Shot

1shot: You will find H4831 and excellent powder in .338 and .280 with most bullet weights, and in .306 with 180 grains and heavier. Not appropriate for .416 Rem, but a case full will work with the Rigby.

1Shot - I stuff my .338Win with 72gr of 4831SC with a 250gr Nosler bullet. THIS IS HALF A GRAIN HIGHER THAN MAX. I would not suggest that you load over the max of 71.5 and always work your loads up carefully. I shoot across a chrono and I spend a lot of time and care reloading. The half grain tightened up my groups and gave me the best performance without pressure problems. This is on a custom built gun, Mauser action with a heavy contour Douglas barrel. It can handle the pressure. I have a .416 Dakota that I also feed with 4831SC. It likes 94gr of 4831 with a 400gr Woodleigh Solid @ 2500fps. This load knocks things over quickly.

You will find that H4831 gives you excellent load densities and is not heat sensitive. You can begin to run out of case capacity if you shoot longer bullets like Barnes. If you run into this problem, I have also had good luck with 4350. Some other powders to consider are W-760 and RL 15. Both are slow burners like 4831 & 4350.

Z

I have used it. Same ballistics as 4831. Good powder. Shot my all time smallest group with it.

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"If guns are outlawed...only outlaws will have guns!

I find I can get more of the H-4831 SC in a case that is already neck full with other powders. If I can get 90 gr. of a particular powder, I can get 91 or 92 grs. of The H-4831 SC. I do this very carefully to avoid excessive pressures. I am loading the larger cases such as 7mm STW, .340 Wby, .358 STA. The H-4831 regular or short cut is still one of the best powders ever used in my opinion. Good Shooting.

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1Shot,

By ALL means try the H4831SC in your .280. 4831 (any brand) and the .270/.280 class of cartridges are a match made in heaven. I've never seen a .280 that didn't like it (mine LOVES it) and it works well for all bullet weights. Another good powder is Re22, especially with 140 grain bullets on up. I have NOT had as good a luck with Re19, and it is a VERY distant 3rd in my .280. It might work well with lighter bullets, but I've never shot anything under 139 grains out of my .280.