I've been reading up on powders that might be suitable for the 250 Savage Ackley Improved. Among others I've looked at, one that keeps cropping up is Hybrid 100V.

This powder isn't available in my area however the numbers claimed in the Hodgdon data in many cases are extraordinary. Often around 200fps than any other powder with the same or lower pressures.

For example, in the 257 Roberts with 115g bullets, at equal pressures 100V bests every other powder by near 200fps. Ironically the nearest Hodgdon owned powders are old-timers IMR 4350 and 4831.

There are other examples where it bests all other Hodgdon powders by well over 100fps.


What is the story with this powder and can anyone explain how it does so well in certain combinations?

Anyone used it? Any good war stories to tell about it?

I tried it in a .243 Win with 105 AMAX. I wasn't getting anything close to what Hodgon's load data site was claiming. It also didn't group as well as Win 780 or H1000.

I used it in a 300 WSM and it does what Hodgdon lists.

Load is 64 grains 100V, WLRM primer, WW case 180 Sierra GK five shot velocity was 2972.

Same load but with a 180 Barnes TTSX five shots went 3030
FPS

Rifle use for this test was an FN Patrol Bolt Rifle 24 inch barrel.

The grooves cut into the Barnes bullets must reduce drag by a large amount to have a 60 FPS difference.

I use it in a Ruger 6mm Rem. With its 22" barrel, it will push 95 grain Ballistic Tips at just over 3200. Accuracy with that load is great.

It does what Hodgdon says it will in a 257 Bob.

None of them are "Hodgdon's" powders, just what Hodgy re-sells; they don't manufacture any smokeless powder.

I don't have the traces with me at the moment, but the way it is accomplished is by the progressive burn curve.
Not sure if i've posted them on this site or not, but I have Pressure Trace data from testing Superformance in the Creedmoor. Normal burn curves in a rifle rise very steeply, and fall off very steeply. Superformance which has a very progressive burn curve, rises the same then almost plateau's before falling off. So rather than a sharp peak, you have more of a "table top-esque" curve. More complete burn gives more push. At least with Superformance, in the appropriate application, works very well with shorter barrels, and more speed at lower peak pressures.

My bob is pushing the Hornady 100gr. To 3030 fps out of a 20" barrel. It shoots tight clusters too. I'm happy with it.

I tried it in my last .257. Accuracy was miserable. I went back to H4831 for 100s and H414 for 120s. It might work great in a different rifle.

So here is a "classic" burn curve, 4350 like all the cool girls use in the Creedmoor.


And here is a progressive burn curve when using Superformance.

Darkker,

Very cool.

Thank you for posting.

Yes that is interesting.

Ta.

It does well for accuracy and velocity in my .257 Roberts with 100 grain TTSX.

My experience with my 257 Roberts has been very positive. GS Custom HV 100's and Hybrid 100 V rock.

Grafs has the 8lb containers on sale if anyone is interested. Comes out to $16.25/lb before shipping.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5555

Bobnob, have you made any progress with the 250AI?

I've only fired mine a few times, and have not reached a load yet. I did use the Hybrid 100V in a few test loads, half grain increments. I started to see some pressure signs at 2950 - 2964 fps with 120 gr NBT. That was seated to the lands, I'm going to back off the lands, and switch over to Berger 115's now. Be interesting what you've found with the 100V.

I've got a bit of fire forming left before load workup.

Burr I cannot get any 100V.

However I've found R17 is well suited to the 250 AI. My rifle has a 25 inch barrel, and I've come up with a variety of loads that are accurate including the 117g Hornady BTSP and 115g Nos BT, up towards 3000fps.

And it works well with lighter bullets too.

Varget worked pretty good too as did H4895 with the light bullets.

Try Brownell's- they show in stock on both the 1lb and 8 lb canisters.

Haven't tried it in my Roberts, but it is incredible in my 270WSM. Accurate and significantly higher velocity than any other powder that I have tried.

He's in Australia so that's probably why he can't get it. Many of Hodgdon's powders are made by ADI in Australia and imported into the U.S. but H100V is made in the U.S. in Florida so I doubt it's imported to Australia. I've had good luck with H100V in the 7 mm rem mag with 120 gr TTSX's in the past. I've heard that it's pretty temperature sensitive though so I'm not going to buy any more, I'm trying to move to more temp stable powders.

All I can add is that I've used H100V on a regular basis since it was introduced. Can use it for a majority of different cartridges I reload with decent results.

As mentioned already, Graf's has a 8lb container for $130 (usually sells for around $170)....ordered my 2nd 8Lb container a couple of weeks ago to take advantage of the reduced price.

Gave another retired shooting buddy a pound of H100V to try that is quite an experienced reloader/shooter.....on board of directors for two private shooting ranges. After trying it, he was favorably impressed enough with it to tell another very serious shooting buddy about H100V. He will buy some to try. He will phone him back after trying the H100V saying something to the effect...."how come we'd never heard of this powder.....worked darn well for me."

another good experince with 100v in a 257 bob