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Old January 29, 2012, 03:46 AM   #1
Ignition Override
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Can't find data for H4831 powder: Win. .308.

Even the Hogdon website has nothing on it.

The data charts from Lee Reloading have data for the .303 British, 150 gr. bullet, but nothing for bullets in the .308 Win. case.

If it is safe, or reliable enough for the .303 case, the why not also for the .308 Winchester? All of my loads have been "minimum start".
My bullets are 170 grain, but most of my targets, literally, are small plastic bottles at 80-100', therefore high accuracy or consistency is not important.

This full 8 lb. jug of sealed powder was sold by a friend, and it would be too bad to use it only for the .303.
Is the problem velocity/consistency, or safety?
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Old January 29, 2012, 04:26 AM   #2
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It's too slow for 308Win.

Technically you could use it, but you would get horrible velocities compared to other, faster burning powders.
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Old January 29, 2012, 04:38 AM   #3
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Thanks.
Am trying to imagine how much slower the muzzle velocity could be, compared to the typical results with other powders.

I suppose that it might be slower than Enfield or SKS velocities, even as slow as an M-1 Carbine (1,900)?
Maybe slow powder works ok in a .303 case because it is longer than .308 and the powder creates more pressure?

Last edited by Ignition Override; January 29, 2012 at 04:44 AM.
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Old January 29, 2012, 09:16 AM   #4
Dave P
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Quickload says if you use a 200 grain bullet, in a 55" barrel, you will burn up most of the powder (some muzzle flash still). Still won't reach critical pressures.

2500 fps, 2900 foot lbs.

You do have a super long barrel, right???

In a 22" barrel, you should see 2100 fps.

I don't know what to use it (4831) for , but this aint it!
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Old January 29, 2012, 09:44 AM   #5
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If Hodgdon has no data for it , I'd guess it isn't the least bit suitable for the .308 Win. . There are literally dozens of powders that are suitable for the .308 however . A man of average intelligence would use one of these .
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Old January 29, 2012, 10:03 AM   #6
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Quote:
I don't know what to use it (4831) for , but this aint it!
4831 works well in the 7mm rem mag and other large case calibers
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Old January 29, 2012, 11:27 AM   #7
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Hodgdon #26 (1993) lists 308 H4831 loads.

150 gr bullet, 46gr H4831, 2166 fps, 28,200 CUP.
150 gr bullet, 50gr H4831, 2525 fps, 37,200 CUP.

165 gr bullet, 50 gr H4831, 2468fps, 39,000 CUP.

180 gr bullet, 49 gr H4831, 2455 fps, 43,200 CUP.

220 gr bullet, 47 gr H4831, 2286 fps, 45,700 CUP.

Looks like you can't get enough in the case to get pressures too high. The max loads with bullets 180 gr and lighter are are about the same pressure as the starting loads with faster powders.
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Old January 29, 2012, 07:47 PM   #8
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Thanks very much for everybody's info and suggestions.
SSA: Even at 49 grains, it fills the case to the top. Out of the question.

In the longer .303 case, the recommended min. 45 "Start Grains" don't leave enough room for the very long, pulled Russian .311, 150 gr. bullet, but there is no data for the shorter, 170 grain bullets.

I have lots of 170 grain .308 match bullets, which my "gun guru" friend/coworker gets for free from other retired Navy Rifle Team members.

Last edited by Ignition Override; January 29, 2012 at 08:31 PM.
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Old January 30, 2012, 04:55 AM   #9
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Hogdon makes an annual loading data supplement n magazine format.I likle it.

In some applications,slower powders are used to get good load density at lower pressures for rifles of lower strength.I do not think 4831 is one of those powders.H-4831 is a good powder in a 30-06 with 180 gr bullets but it uses all the case capacity.Its a good 7mm mag,270,,erc powder

A number of powders work much better for .308.Varget and Re-15 are probably my go-to powders for the 308.

From memory,It seems like H4895 and 4064 should be good,too.Your 8 lb jug is far better to sell or trade if you have not broken the seal.

I will not use powder that does not come in a new,sealed container from a reliable supplier.
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Old January 30, 2012, 05:00 AM   #10
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Don't sell the powder yet...

If you have a large capacity cartridge case--like, any of the belted magnums--H4831 can give excellent results.
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Old January 30, 2012, 08:21 PM   #11
Ignition Override
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Thanks.

I told the seller (friend) about how the "Start Grains" (49-50) filled the .308 case to the neck's edge, and I knew that this was not a good thing.

It looks better in the longer .303 brass, but the very long, pulled Russian 150 gr. bullets would at least touch and slightly compress the powder. Not taking any chances.

He has reloaded for many years (set two records with his AR on the Navy Team:200/600 yards) and told me that we could work out a solution, after I suggested a note at the club to offer a trade.
This guy is very knowledgeable. He sold me several lbs. of WC 852 ("similar to H-380") and 4895, but prefer to save the 4895 (fast burn) in case I learn to reload for the M-1.
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Old January 30, 2012, 08:24 PM   #12
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H-4831 also works very well in .270 Win, 25-06, 6.5x55 and .243 win. It is a slow burning powder with fairly broad applications, just not in small cases with large openings... i.e. .223 Rem, .22 hornet, .308 Win, .358 Win. It can be used in 30-06 with heavy bullets but is really slower than optimal for that useage as well. I remember the first buck I shot, using a 20" barrel 30-06 loaded with 58 gr of H-4831 and a Nosler 165 gr Solid Base bullet, a nice 1 shot kill on a good size 4 point mule deer. The load was very accurate and I thought I was set for life. (according to the reloading manuals, I guessed my velocity around 2800 fps for the load). Then I got access to a chronograph and found out that my load measured just 2400 fps 10 feet from the muzzle. Oh well, the buck was still in the freezer, but I am sure glad it was an 85 yard shot rather than 285 yards. He might still be chasing does in the Okanogan Highlands!
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