Being that H380 is right next to RL15 (RL-15 is #87 and H380 is #88) on my powder burn chart, has anyone tried it in a 308? I have 8 pounds of it and don't shoot a 22-250 anymore and was wondering how it would work. I'm sure that there are much better choices but thought about using it to fireform brass and break in new barrels. If anyone has any experience (good or bad) I sure would like to hear them. I have about 600 Hornady Match (168grs) that I intend to shoot. I shoot the Lapua/175mk/Varget/br2 load when I am serious. How 'bout it guys?

Thanks, Keith

I think you are in for a treat!! Sometimes H380 seems to burn slower than the manuals show but, I've read where the accuracy is excellent (especially) with 180 grainers. Check hodgdons website for loads and (i think) be preparedto smile!

I don't see where it mentions H380 and a 308. Could you be more specific?

Thanks, Keith

H380 is not listed for the .308 in Hodgdon's latest book (#27). From books 25 and 26, the following loads are listed.

Bullet Start MAX Velocity@MAX
150 47.0 51.0 2876
165 45.0 48.0 2704
180 43.0 47.0 2624

Ed

My shooting buddy and I used to use H380 all the time for our .308 target loads with Sierra 168 Matchkings. For several years our standard load was 47.0 grains of H380 and that 168 grain bullet. Excellent groups were the norm, but velocity was only 2460 fps from a 24" barrel.

When I tried bumping it up to 48+ grains I could reach 2575 fps, but the primers were flattened.

Sierra lists H380 loads from 41.4 grains to 48.2 grains and velocity from 2400 - 2700 fps for their 168 grain bullet.

We were starting to shoot some 600 yard/meter matches at the time and I wanted more velocity so I switched to Varget and haven't ever gone back. That H380 metered well through the powder measure and produced great groups, I just couldn't hit the velocity I wanted.

Hope this helps, glad I kept my old loading notes. I'd use it again in a heartbeat if I had a supply of the stuff and velocity wasn't a priority. Regards, Guy

[ 12-27-2002, 00:48: Message edited by: m700 ]

I found in my testing of the .308 with 165 to 170 grain bullets that H-380 was the powder of choice.

Loading range was:

H-380 From 41.3 grains to 51.0 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer