How does H380 perform in 22-250?

acdundore · December 31, 2013, 02:25 PM

I recently got a Ruger American in 22-250, but it has an odd twist rate of 1:10. Because that is a rather fast twist rate I was thinking of using 60gr Hornady V-max bullets with some H380, but I don't know how that will perform. I know everyone says varget is great, but I'm afraid that because it is not spherical, it will get caught in the powder measure of my Hornady LnL Ap press, which I've heard many people complain about. And of course, all that can go wrong will. So I was just wondering how that load will work or if anyone else has any good loads that worked for them in a similar twist. Anything will help. Thanks!

Jimro · December 31, 2013, 02:52 PM

H380 was so named because Bruce Hodgdon's first group using that powder in his 22-250 (a wildcat at the time) grouped 3/8ths of an inch. At least that is the story I heard.

Should be fine.

I wouldn't worry too much about the twist rate. A 22-250 isn't going to push a 55 grainer so fast that it flies apart from that twist. Hodgdon lists load data for the 60 gr VMax, but nothing heavier than that.

Jimro

57K · December 31, 2013, 02:57 PM

That's partially correct, Jimro. Mr. Hodgdon got very small groups and very good velocity; the charge was 38.0 grs. so he dropped the decimal point and named the powder H380.

FrankenMauser · December 31, 2013, 03:02 PM

Unless you want to push 40 gr HPs are 4,000+ fps, that 1:10" twist won't be a problem. And, even if you do want light-speed varmint bullets, there are a few on the market that can handle it. (I've been out of the "laser-beam .22" game for too long, and lost touch with the current bullets; but other members could make some recommendations.)

acdundore · January 1, 2014, 11:21 AM

What about CFE 223? I'm hearing nothing but good things about it. It's supposed to burn really clean and produce an accurate shot, at least I heard.

SVTCobra306 · January 1, 2014, 12:09 PM

Yep, 38.0 gr H380 with a 55 gr bullet is the old standby for 22-250, and my data all agrees that is the load that Bruce Hodgdon named the powder for. I have used it, it does indeed group very well. I like to shoot 50 gr out of mine (1/12 twist Savage) so I use Varget, but I have put together and tested rounds with H380, and though it is a bit dirty it does work very well. I would strongly consider working up with magnum primers as it's a spherical powder with a somewhat large case.

ligonierbill · January 1, 2014, 04:26 PM

I use H380 under Sierra 55 HPBT and 53 Matchkings plus 50 and 60 Noslers. All shoot sub MOA, but my best load is a 40 Nosler over 36.5 TAC. Repeatable one-hole groups at 4,000. My Remington is a 1:12 barrel.

A_Gamehog · January 16, 2014, 09:10 AM

Varget (low pressure load) near start load from Sierra's manual. Longer barrel life.
WLR primers (wolf also)
Rem brass
60 V-max

1-12 Savage shoots less than an inch @ 200 If my vision is working. (Diabetic)

Those 60 V-Max are like unobtanium.. Not made anymore?

Try this for your LNL progressive>

53 V-Max
Big Game (Ramshot ball powder)
Wolf std primers
Rem Brass.
Very accurate and clean burn.

603Country · January 16, 2014, 09:59 AM

The really good news, at least to me, is that you can shoot heavier bullets in your 22-250 than the slow twist barrels will allow. The specific bullets that I'd love to shoot but can't are the 65 gr Sierra GK and the 60 gr Nosler Partition.

William T. Watts · January 16, 2014, 03:29 PM

I have a very nice looking piece of walnut surrounding a model 70 Winchester Classic Featherweight with a 1-14 twist that I wished were a 1-12 twist. I have been thinking about rebarreling to a faster twist to handle heavier projectiles. Wish I had done my homework before purchasing but it's a little late now. The rifle absolutely will not group a BT bullet at all, only flat base bullets will work well, best grouping is a FB 53gr Sierra HP with IMR4064. I would love to be able to use the 60gr Nosler Partition, it would make a perfect rifle for a women or a child!! I have given some thought to having the rifle converted to an 22/250 AI, does anyone know someone they would trust with a rifle that is in 100% without blemish condition? Would this extra powder capacity be enough to stabilize the 60-65 gr projectile, curious!! I've never gotten H380 or any of the double base powders to shoot well in anything, I've had better luck with single base IMR3031/4895/4064/4350 for my 22/250,307,308,30/30,30/06,338/06.. For 270,280,7mmRem mag H4831 & IMR7828 have done well.. William

December 31, 2013, 02:25 PM	#1
acdundore Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2013 Posts: 13	How does H380 perform in 22-250? I recently got a Ruger American in 22-250, but it has an odd twist rate of 1:10. Because that is a rather fast twist rate I was thinking of using 60gr Hornady V-max bullets with some H380, but I don't know how that will perform. I know everyone says varget is great, but I'm afraid that because it is not spherical, it will get caught in the powder measure of my Hornady LnL Ap press, which I've heard many people complain about. And of course, all that can go wrong will. So I was just wondering how that load will work or if anyone else has any good loads that worked for them in a similar twist. Anything will help. Thanks!

December 31, 2013, 02:52 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	H380 was so named because Bruce Hodgdon's first group using that powder in his 22-250 (a wildcat at the time) grouped 3/8ths of an inch. At least that is the story I heard. Should be fine. I wouldn't worry too much about the twist rate. A 22-250 isn't going to push a 55 grainer so fast that it flies apart from that twist. Hodgdon lists load data for the 60 gr VMax, but nothing heavier than that. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 31, 2013, 03:02 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,423	Unless you want to push 40 gr HPs are 4,000+ fps, that 1:10" twist won't be a problem. And, even if you do want light-speed varmint bullets, there are a few on the market that can handle it. (I've been out of the "laser-beam .22" game for too long, and lost touch with the current bullets; but other members could make some recommendations.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 1, 2014, 12:09 PM	#6
SVTCobra306 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 434	Yep, 38.0 gr H380 with a 55 gr bullet is the old standby for 22-250, and my data all agrees that is the load that Bruce Hodgdon named the powder for. I have used it, it does indeed group very well. I like to shoot 50 gr out of mine (1/12 twist Savage) so I use Varget, but I have put together and tested rounds with H380, and though it is a bit dirty it does work very well. I would strongly consider working up with magnum primers as it's a spherical powder with a somewhat large case. __________________ Former US Army Paratrooper (1/509th PIR and 2nd BCT 82nd ABN DIV) 2 time OIF Veteran NRA Certified RSO/CRSO NRA Certified Pistol Instructor

January 16, 2014, 09:10 AM	#8
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	Varget (low pressure load) near start load from Sierra's manual. Longer barrel life. WLR primers (wolf also) Rem brass 60 V-max 1-12 Savage shoots less than an inch @ 200 If my vision is working. (Diabetic) Those 60 V-Max are like unobtanium.. Not made anymore? Try this for your LNL progressive> 53 V-Max Big Game (Ramshot ball powder) Wolf std primers Rem Brass. Very accurate and clean burn. __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"

December 31, 2013, 02:57 PM	#3
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	That's partially correct, Jimro. Mr. Hodgdon got very small groups and very good velocity; the charge was 38.0 grs. so he dropped the decimal point and named the powder H380.

January 1, 2014, 11:21 AM	#5
acdundore Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2013 Posts: 13	What about CFE 223? I'm hearing nothing but good things about it. It's supposed to burn really clean and produce an accurate shot, at least I heard.

January 1, 2014, 04:26 PM	#7
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	I use H380 under Sierra 55 HPBT and 53 Matchkings plus 50 and 60 Noslers. All shoot sub MOA, but my best load is a 40 Nosler over 36.5 TAC. Repeatable one-hole groups at 4,000. My Remington is a 1:12 barrel.

January 16, 2014, 09:59 AM	#9
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	The really good news, at least to me, is that you can shoot heavier bullets in your 22-250 than the slow twist barrels will allow. The specific bullets that I'd love to shoot but can't are the 65 gr Sierra GK and the 60 gr Nosler Partition.

January 16, 2014, 03:29 PM	#10
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	22/250/308/307/270/280/30/06/338/06 I have a very nice looking piece of walnut surrounding a model 70 Winchester Classic Featherweight with a 1-14 twist that I wished were a 1-12 twist. I have been thinking about rebarreling to a faster twist to handle heavier projectiles. Wish I had done my homework before purchasing but it's a little late now. The rifle absolutely will not group a BT bullet at all, only flat base bullets will work well, best grouping is a FB 53gr Sierra HP with IMR4064. I would love to be able to use the 60gr Nosler Partition, it would make a perfect rifle for a women or a child!! I have given some thought to having the rifle converted to an 22/250 AI, does anyone know someone they would trust with a rifle that is in 100% without blemish condition? Would this extra powder capacity be enough to stabilize the 60-65 gr projectile, curious!! I've never gotten H380 or any of the double base powders to shoot well in anything, I've had better luck with single base IMR3031/4895/4064/4350 for my 22/250,307,308,30/30,30/06,338/06.. For 270,280,7mmRem mag H4831 & IMR7828 have done well.. William Last edited by William T. Watts; January 16, 2014 at 04:43 PM.

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