Anyone use H380 for .223 loads?

McClintock · March 23, 2009, 09:39 AM

Hi, all.

Had a brain fart the other day and accidentally bought a pound of H380 instead of H335 when shopping for .223 reloading supplies. I must have been thinking about reloading the 22-250 (at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it

). Just wondering if anyone uses H380 in their .223 loads. I'm guessing it isn't a popular choice for .223 because I can't seem to find much published load data for it, but I thought I'd ask before I take it back.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
McClintock

**Unclenick** · March 23, 2009, 11:17 AM

You can run it with heavy bullets, like the 77 grain Sierra MatchKing and heavier. It takes all that bullet weight just to let a full case (not compressed) reach normal pressure for the cartridge. I would use magnum primers with it to help the ignition. It is too slow to do a good job with the more common 50-55 grains bullets. With the light bullets you'll get a lot of unburned powder, lots of muzzle flash, peak pressures not much above 40,000 psi in a full case, and possible secondary pressure spikes near the muzzle.

McClintock · March 23, 2009, 12:08 PM

Thanks, UncleNick, much appreciated.

Sounds to me like it's more trouble than its worth. I think I'll just take it back and exchange it for some H335 or Varget.

Thanks again! As usual, TFL comes through for me once again!

Cheers!
McClintock

Inspector3711 · March 23, 2009, 08:06 PM

Mine likes H322

McClintock · March 24, 2009, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I'll definitely re-examine my choice of powders before I take the H380 back.

Cheers!
McClintock

crowbeaner · March 24, 2009, 05:27 PM

If you load for a 22-250, 243, 257, 308, or 30/06 you'll want to hang on to that H380. Just be advised that the newest data published by Hodgdon is about 4 grains hotter than the loads I've used for years. I don't know if H380 has been detuned, lawyerproofed, or the new data is made by the same techs that test IMR powders, but H380 is good stuff in just about everything BUT a 223. Get a Hodgdon #25 or #26 manual and go by that data.

March 23, 2009, 09:39 AM	#1
McClintock Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: The Bald Prairie of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 305	Anyone use H380 for .223 loads? Hi, all. Had a brain fart the other day and accidentally bought a pound of H380 instead of H335 when shopping for .223 reloading supplies. I must have been thinking about reloading the 22-250 (at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it ). Just wondering if anyone uses H380 in their .223 loads. I'm guessing it isn't a popular choice for .223 because I can't seem to find much published load data for it, but I thought I'd ask before I take it back. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Cheers! McClintock

March 23, 2009, 12:08 PM	#3
McClintock Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: The Bald Prairie of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 305	Thanks! Thanks, UncleNick, much appreciated. Sounds to me like it's more trouble than its worth. I think I'll just take it back and exchange it for some H335 or Varget. Thanks again! As usual, TFL comes through for me once again! Cheers! McClintock

March 23, 2009, 08:06 PM	#4
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	Mine likes H322 __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

March 24, 2009, 05:27 PM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	If you load for a 22-250, 243, 257, 308, or 30/06 you'll want to hang on to that H380. Just be advised that the newest data published by Hodgdon is about 4 grains hotter than the loads I've used for years. I don't know if H380 has been detuned, lawyerproofed, or the new data is made by the same techs that test IMR powders, but H380 is good stuff in just about everything BUT a 223. Get a Hodgdon #25 or #26 manual and go by that data. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

March 23, 2009, 11:17 AM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	You can run it with heavy bullets, like the 77 grain Sierra MatchKing and heavier. It takes all that bullet weight just to let a full case (not compressed) reach normal pressure for the cartridge. I would use magnum primers with it to help the ignition. It is too slow to do a good job with the more common 50-55 grains bullets. With the light bullets you'll get a lot of unburned powder, lots of muzzle flash, peak pressures not much above 40,000 psi in a full case, and possible secondary pressure spikes near the muzzle. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 24, 2009, 04:41 PM	#5
McClintock Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: The Bald Prairie of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 305	Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I'll definitely re-examine my choice of powders before I take the H380 back. Cheers! McClintock