Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Hodgdon 4831 sc metering

I haven't tried this powder yet. I have been a user of IMR 4831 and like it alot except for the fact that I have to trickle each and every powder charge. The Hodgdon 4831sc is close in burn rate, and it is less temperature sensitive. plus short cut. How much better is it when it comes to metering?

It's a bit better but if you're the type that has to have each charge to within 1/10 th of a grain, you'll still be trickling.

It's not at all like ball powder or Varget....A good powder measure will throw H-4831 SC +/- 3/10 ths of a grain....or there abouts.....

Yes I am that type. A ball powder would be ideal, but the challenge is finding one with the right burn rate that isn't terribly temperature sensitive. MagPro is the right burn rate, but I don't know where to find how temperature sensitive it is.

Check the Ramshot line. Hunter is of similar burn rate to H4831 and is reportedly very temp insensitive.

I think the short cuts meter very well, but I'm not horribly picky about a 1/10th grain.

The Ramshot line is the best of all worlds IMO. If your rifle likes any of those, you'll be happy.


Travis

+1

Stick powders don't meter with a hoot--I have a Harrelson (sp?), a Hornady, and a RCBS--none of them are satifactory even with Hodgdon's shortcut powder.

But with the Lee scoops, a trickler, and a balance beam scale, I've become pretty quick at charging cases with extruded powder--not too far behind a electronic powder measure ( I know no one will believe that, but I am...... )

Casey

I do believe that a lot of handloaders who object to metering that's not accurate within 1/10th of a grain would be amazed if they meter-loaded some rounds with H4831SC and shot them at a target.

Plus or minus 2-3 tenths of a grain doesn't matter in big game rounds, especially with a temp-resistant powder.

Unless you are shooting "way out past Ft Mudge" as Jeff Cooper used to say. I'll bet you have some detailed records of chrono data on reams of loads, some measured, some not. The measured to the tenth loads will most often have a lower ES. You're right, it matters not a whitt at a 100, or 300, but way out there....

But if you're a real hunter there are very few times than kind of shooting is called for. 99.9% of the time you can get a lot closer unless you have buck fever.

There goes another good thread into the [bleep].

Point/Counterpoint

I have a 300 WSM which shoots 2" groups @ 100 yds with 68.4 gr W760 measured to the exact charge weight. Bumping the charge to 68.5 gr W760 shoots 1/2" groups.

I have run W760 through my Harrell's Measure & while the average charge may be 68.5, the swing individually can be as much as 1.5 grains.

So, how can the inconsistency of dropped charges magically shoot as accurately as a perfectly measured charge if the rifle exhibits such a lack of tolerance of off-weight charges?

What does it do bumped to 68.6?




How is it that bad? I don't see that much variation throwing charges of 4064 or 3031.




I won't use a load that sensitive, even if I'm weighing every single one. Other factors between shooting sessions could make it go from good to bad.

Don't know, haven't tried it.

Hmmmm, that's a point to ponder.

Such as?

Still won't make a [bleep].


Travis

Thanks!!!! I've never tried any of the Ramshot powders, but I will now.

While you guys are almost certainly right about the real world differences when it comes to real world hunting applications, the small differences do make a difference to those who pay attention to such things. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have gone to the trouble of getting a hunting rifle and load that will consistently and comfortably shoot groups from 1/4 to 1/2 moa. It wasn't easy nor inexpensive. I am not about to use loads that will not perform to those standards. Call it pride, nit picking, being anal, or not having enough to do - - - - what ever. In the end, do what ever you want - - - - you are the only one you need to please. I choose to do things to the extreme (for some) when it comes to hand loading. I find it rewarding and safer to pay attention to the little things.

Back to H-4831sc. In 25-06, 270, and 7mm mag, I do not think you will find a better powder. I do measure mine down to tenths. But I have a dispenser and I still trickle by hand so all are very uniform. I might be anal.

Reloder28,

You got lucky, or the temperature changed, or the air conditions chasnged enough to affect parallax.

There isn't any way 1/10th of grain makes that much difference in a .300 WSM--and 760 is definitely not temp-resistant. Ihave seen accuracy change considerably with exactly the same 760 load at temperatures only 20 degrees apart.