.308 + Hodgdon Superformance

Rosie6781

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Does anyone have reloading data for .308 and the Hodgdon Superformance powder?

Even though they are selling .308 superformance rounds on the shelves, I'm beginning to think they may be using other powder for the .308 load...

Enlighten me....

Rosie
 
As far as I know, Superformance powder offered to reloaders is not appropriate/well matched for the .308 (only works for specific calibers and specific bullet weights - e.g., 300 WSM and 165 grain loads). As such, you will probably not find published data for the .308 WIN using this powder.
 
Judging by the Hodgdon burn rate chart, superformance is a rather slow powder that falls in trhe same grouping as your belted magnums and whatnot as it is #126 on the list and is one spot "slower" than H4831. Most "go-to" powders such as Varget and RL15 are listed as #'s 99 and 97 respectively, and even H4895 is listed at #87. I'm no expert as I have only been handloading for a year or two but IMO by referencing the Hodgdon burn rate data it looks a little bit too slow for .308. On the other hand I am now strongly considering trying Superformance in my 6.5x55 swede lol. Here's a link to the hodgdon burn rate chart if you'd like to reference it yourself, just my $0.02...
http://hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html
 
It's too slow for even the heaviest bullets in the 308 if you want high MV's, but would be ok with 180gr and heavier bullets. You'd be using a full case with all bullet types

In general though, just because a powder doesn't (or doesn't yet) have any load data published, doesn't mean it can't be used with other bullet weights or even cartridges. This is a relatively new powder and load testing is slow and expensive - more loads will come along. The other thing is that Burn Rate Tables are not absolute, i.e. a powder's burn rate can switch several places with several other powders depending on the cartridge-bullet combination in use, and tables do not show "speed" just "sequence", i.e. #80, 81 and 82 might be practically interchangeable, while a big jump occurs at #83. For example, I have found Superformance to be most defintely faster than H4831SC in the 7X57, pretty close to H4350 in fact, and so I have chosen to start with H4350 data for trying out Superformance where load data does not exist.

Do this:

- load up five with a max H4350 load;
- load up five more with a H4831 starting load
- load up five more with Superformance with a load between that amount used for H4350 and H4831;
- compare the average MV's.

This will tell you where Superformance falls with respect to H4350 and H4831 for that cartridge-bullet combination.
 
Velocity also is not a fair indicator of pressure... I have also heard such things as new "generations" or "lots" of powder having slightly different characteristics ie: H1000. I'd sit tight and wait for the pro's to figure it all out personally.
 
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