Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Powder - H380 ?

Question on H380 powder for all of you that are much more experienced than I. I have bought this powder to try for the simple reason that it is much less mess to get thru the measure than the extruded types like 4064, 4350, etc.<P>Its so easy to use that if it shoots as well I will never go back. Am planning to use in cals like 270, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. Any comments either way on using H380 ? Thanks.

Well, feeding through a powder measure is one criteria to rate a powder, but not the one I would pick.<BR>The optimum powder is probably not H380 for the cartridges you mention, in fact it is probably one of your least favorable choices as most of the larger capacity cases like the ones you mention would be at their optimum capacity, accuracy, velocity, and expansion ratio with slower burning powders. <BR>Also, keep in mind that ball powders are more prone to pressure spikes in hot temperatures than most of the extruded powders. <BR>Other than all that BS, if it works for you, go for it.- Sheister

I'm with Sheister. If you want a better choice, try Win 760, or H414, for the '06 and the .270. For the .300 Mag, the choice is very narrow. AA2700 ? E

Not to disagree with Eremicus, but I've found H4831 to be the best all around powder for the cartridges you mention. If you get the short cut version (H4831SC) it feeds slightly better through a measure, but will still need to be "topped off" most of the time.- Sheister

My favorite powders for the .270 have turned out to be either the H or IMR versions of 4831. Having said that, please note they are not interchangeable. In my rifle they run about 1 gr. different. <P>IMR4831 has been my long time favorite. It is a hassle trying to meter it through a powder measure, but I just throw a light charge and trickle in the rest. <P>You indicate you are new to reloading. Let me try to steer you in the right direction. <P>Use one brand of brass, from the same lot if possible. <P>Use one brand of primer for all your preliminary testing.<P>Use one brand and bullet weight.<P>Use several different powders. Look in several reloading manuals and see the powders they recommend for the caliber you are using. Try 2 or 3 powders. Work the loads up using the data in the manuals. <P>When you find a powder that works best, you can stay with it and try bullets of the same weight from other manufacturers. Just drop the powder charge10% and work up again each time you change bullets.<P>The thing to remember is to change one component at a time. Leave everything else the same. That way, if you keep good records, you will be able to duplicate your <BR>results when you hit upon a combination that works well for you. <P>Finally, invest in several reloading manuals. Read the articles in them. Follow the instructions they suggest. <P>Have fun and be safe.