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H380 usage

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22 December 2008, 18:18
1894mk2
H380 usage
I've been given 2lbs of H380. Initial perusal of load data is not that promising as H380 seems to excel in 22-250 and not a lot else. It seems to reside towards the bottom of the velocity charts for some quite high load densities in many of my cartridges.

Anyways I have 243, 270, 7mm08, 7mmRM, 308, 30-06 and 8x60S. As far as I can see it's probably best in the 8x60S?
22 December 2008, 18:59
crabyx78
I use h380 in some of my reloading in 338-06
with out my info in front of me i can't remember but i believe 250gr bullets is what shot best with h380.
22 December 2008, 19:15
vapodog
IMO H-380 is a lot more useful than that and I really don't think Hodgdon markets it well as it sits in a favorable area of the burn rate between BL(C)-2 and H-414.......

The comments on the canister shows uses in 22-250, .243, 6mm Rem, .257 Roberts,.25-06, and .30-06 but the Hodgdon website shows it in a lot more uses.....

For heavier bullets in many cartridges it does seem to be a bit fast making it not the best choice.....

I have a pound of it in my cabinet and its been there a while so it doesn't get used much anymore as I use the .223 almost exclusively as a varmint rifle....when it's gone I'm not likely to replace it however..... even use H-414 in the 22-250 when I load that!


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22 December 2008, 19:58
vines
it has been some of the most accurate in my 7-08 with 140s. but it was not the fastest. and it meters very well to
22 December 2008, 20:06
Stonecreek
I've never had much luck with H-380, but that doesn't mean you can't make good use of the gift. It theoretically falls between IMR 4320 and IMR 4350 in burning rate, but its characteristics are somewhat different. I think you'll find that various lots of H-380 vary quite a bit from one another.

Except for your .270 and 7mm Rem Mag, you should be able to work up some passable loads in all of the other calibers.
22 December 2008, 20:20
swheeler
94mkII; I have used H380(mostly mil surp equiviant) for 40 years as nmy go to powder for 30/06 with 150 grain bullets. It is also what I load in 22/250 and have been using it in the 308 for a decade with 168smk. At one time or another I have used it in the 223 with 69 and 70 gr, 225,7.65x54,8x57 and 35 whelen. If you throw charges this stuff meters like water. .02
22 December 2008, 20:24
rcasto
My chart shows it right in between Reloader 15 and Winchester 760.


RC

Repeal the Hughes Amendment.
22 December 2008, 20:30
Slowpoke Slim
It's the most consistent load for my 22-250, and the second most consistent load for my .223, both shooting 50 gr Vmax bullets.


Si tantum EGO eram dimidium ut bonus ut EGO memor
23 December 2008, 00:36
CoyoteKiller82
I've seen people list loads for 130 gr .277 dia using a reduced charge of H380....I've never tried it. The following is an exact quote from a fella on here that has used H380 in a .270.

H380 at the lowest load for 130's and love the way the low loads shoot with 380 and 130's.
23 December 2008, 02:31
Hot Core
Hey 1894mk2, If you get "hungry" and are at the Range shooting with a buddy, the H380 might just get a FREE BBQ Supper for you with your 308Win.

Fully Prepped/Weight Sorted Fed Cases, Fed BenchRest Primers, Starting Loads of H380 from Hodgdon and a 168gr MatchKing Seated 0.010" Into-the-Lands. It does quite well for me. Big Grin

Best of luck to you.
23 December 2008, 02:34
SR4759
Decades ago H380 was reputed to be the killer powder in a .220 Swift.
23 December 2008, 02:48
700varmint
I use it in my 350 rem mag.
29 December 2008, 03:46
Eatie
I use H380 in my 22-250, .243 and my .308
My favourite is 46gns behind a 150gn sierra game king and set it off with a federal Mag primer.
29 December 2008, 05:15
mad_jack02
I use it in my 257R, 243, 35 Whelen, and soon 7-08. So far I've been able to get very tight groups with everything I've used it in, and it meters well.


Extreme Custom Gunsmithing LLC, ecg@wheatstate.com
29 December 2008, 21:34
cobrajet
I'm in the process of working up several different loads of it in my 220 swift.