Load data for H380 question

hairygrump

hairygrump

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I have a can of H380 sitting on my bench. Looking at data from the Lee manual its listed to work with 150g & 180g cast bullets in .303 british and 30-30 win. My question is if this data would be applied to jacketed bullets as well, or is there a problem with the slower burning powder when used with non cast bullets. Ive been searching high and low for an answer to this so if anyone out there has any answers, Im very curious to know.
 
hairygrump said:
I have a can of H380 sitting on my bench. Looking at data from the Lee manual its listed to work with 150g & 180g cast bullets in .303 british and 30-30 win. My question is if this data would be applied to jacketed bullets as well, or is there a problem with the slower burning powder when used with non cast bullets. Ive been searching high and low for an answer to this so if anyone out there has any answers, Im very curious to know.
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I do not have access to the Lee Data, but I have used H380 and Jacketed bullets in several P14 303 British rifles with good success.
I will give you some of my loads, with the understanding that you would start 10% below and work up safely

150 Grain Jacketed [.311 or .312" diameter] 47.5 grains of H380
174/180 grain Jacketed [.311 or .312 diameter] 45 grains of H380
200 Grain Jacketed [.312 or .313" diameter] 43.5 grains of H380

In no instance did H380 give the highest velocities, but it was quite acceptable, and usually very accurate.
Also it meters so nicely, due to the spherical shape. Use Magnum primers with this powder. [I prefer CCI 250's]

H380 is a bit slow for the 30-30 Winchester. In these days, Leverevolution is the way to go in this case. Eagleye.
 
It would be excellent powder for the 303 with jacketed bullets. It is a bit slow, so would be ideal for 180 gr bullets. Use magnum primers to ensure accuracy.

It meters perfectly, so no need to weigh each charge.

For 180gr, start with 42gr and work up, in 0.5 gr increments, looking for the load that groups best.
 
All the Canadians here are very lucky to have Ganderite and Eagleye in the forum with their experience and vast knowledge.

I have never used H380 and learned a little today.
 
dan belisle said:
Data for cast and jacketed bullets is not interchangeable. More friction with jacketed bullets. Tread carefully. - dan
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And thats what I was wondering, if the difference in bullets would add up to higher pressures in the chamber.

Thanks for the info gents. I have a couple hundred 303 cases to process now and somewhere to put that H380!
 
good info

I just got 8lb of H380 and that's a lot as I have only been using it in my 22-250.

I think it should work fine in my 325WSM as well, but if it works for 303 as well then perhaps I should pick up another 8lbs.
 
For what it's worth:

Quote>> H380
This was an unnamed spherical rifle propellant when Bruce “B.E.” Hodgdon first used it. When a 38.0 grain charge behind a 52 grain bullet gave one hole groups from his 22-caliber wildcat (now called the 22-250), he appropriately named the powder H380. H380 is also a superb performer in the 220 Swift, 243, 257 Roberts and other fine varmint cartridges. << End Quote

There is plenty of load data on this page (67 different cartridges): https://www.hodgdon.com/h380/
 
I have burned a lot of H380 in several 220 Swift rifles over the years.
I discovered that a 55 grain Sierra, chased by 42.5 - 43 grains of H380 would
flirt with 3950 fps in a 26" barrel, and often make a ragged hole at 100 meters.
I shot a good wolf on an iced over lake several years ago...he was out at
375 yards, and sitting on his haunches, At the shot, he just tipped over
and quivered for a few seconds, DRT. He weighed 111 lbs. Eagleye.
 
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