Best powder for 7x57 mauser?

jj, H414 tends to be slightly faster than W760. Several years ago, there was a lot of commercial powder released by Higginson's. It was labeled H414 SL 10. SL 10 stood for slow lot batch 10. It was advertised as being the same as W760 and the same loading tables could be used with it. That started the myth.
This wasn't the complete truth. H414 SL 10 was actually slower than W760, so the tables would be safe.
H414 SL 10 wasn't then and isn't now, normally available to the average hand loader. It was developed for the "light magnum" craze at the time for commercial cartridge loaders. What Higginson was selling,was the over production remnants.

H414 SL 10 is fantastic powder by the way. It is the most consistent and least temperature sensitive powder I've ever used. Even better than Varget. It's to bad it isn't available off the shelf and that Higginson's doesn't carry it or any other surplus powders any more. Maybe the surplus powder market has dried up? It's just to bad. I hope my batch will last long enough.
 
sunray said:
"...velocities with the 140 are in the 2900 fps area..." Not with IMR4831 they aren't. Max velocity for a 140 is 2759fps.
"...the 150 is around 2800 and the 160, 2700..." You must be looking at a very old manual. Neither even comes close to those velocities with any powder.
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You are not only wrong, but you aren't even close. :rolleyes:

It is no trick at all to get these 7X57 velocities in a modern-action rifle, which is what Eagleye posted.

Ted
 
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Why not? said:
You are not only wrong, but you aren't even close. :rolleyes:

It is no trick at all to get these 7X57 velocities in a modern-action rifle, which is what Eagleye posted.

Ted
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Thanks Ted, you saved me the trouble of coming to my own defense. I have easily reached the stated velocities in my Ruger #1 & 77, and my Remington 700 "Classic". Brass lasts forever, and no excess pressure signs at all. Regards, Eagleye.
 
The Brazilian military load drove a 140 grain bullet at 2900fps from a 29 inch barrel. I bought a case of reformed stuff from International some years back and chronied it, the load was actually a bit more substantial than that. The powder in the cases was some sort of extruded type that wasn't very uniform in size or shape. It was acceptable for accuracy by military standards though.
 
I've heard from good sources W760 and H414 are the same,different lots though. I've had pretty large swings in burning rates with different lot numbers in even IMR4350. Some Norma and Reloader #####-cross as do ADI and Hogdson.
 
bearhunter said:
jj, H414 tends to be slightly faster than W760. Several years ago, there was a lot of commercial powder released by Higginson's. It was labeled H414 SL 10. SL 10 stood for slow lot batch 10. It was advertised as being the same as W760 and the same loading tables could be used with it. That started the myth.
This wasn't the complete truth. H414 SL 10 was actually slower than W760, so the tables would be safe.
H414 SL 10 wasn't then and isn't now, normally available to the average hand loader. It was developed for the "light magnum" craze at the time for commercial cartridge loaders. What Higginson was selling,was the over production remnants.

H414 SL 10 is fantastic powder by the way. It is the most consistent and least temperature sensitive powder I've ever used. Even better than Varget. It's to bad it isn't available off the shelf and that Higginson's doesn't carry it or any other surplus powders any more. Maybe the surplus powder market has dried up? It's just to bad. I hope my batch will last long enough.
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Hey Bearhunter,

I was told that directly by the Hodgdon rep for Canada 15 years ago at the Canadian shotshow in Hull.

He told me Hodgdon did not make any ball powder, they purchased and repackaged Olin, and they are interchangeable. ???
Maybe this has changed since then??

H414 same as W760
H110 same as W296
HP38 same as W231

Cheers,
JJ
 
my information came from Tom Higginson about the same time. He challenged me to try the same "max" load of W760 and H414 in the same case in the same rifle. The H414 flattened the primer, which was from the same box.
 
Funny stuff. eh?
Why would he tell me that, could be dangerous.?

I have been using H414 for years maybe I will try some loads with W760 and see how it goes.

Cheers,
JJ
 
Mount Sweetness said:
Keep it coming boys, leaning towards Win760 as I will be most liking using 140gr bullets.

Bullet recommendations for whitetail hunting?
- obviuosly everyone love Nosler Partitions
- Does anybody have positive things to say about Sierra Gamekings on deer.....or Hornady Interlock.....etc etc?
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Hornady Interlock is all I'm using anymore. Started out with the Interbond but in the cartridge the standard cup core is plenty enough IMO.
I only have one experience with the GK (not in 7mm)and wasn't very impressed. I'll let others comment who have more experience with it. THey are too soft like a factory Federal bullet load.
 
downwindtracker2, Upon doing more research W760 vs H414, you are CORRECT. They are made to the same specs and are of course completely interchangable. Why I had the results I did, I can't explain. The only thing I can surmise is the difference between lots being at opposite extremes of the specs.
Again, you are CORRECT. H414 and W760 are the same powder.
 
bearhunter said:
downwindtracker2, Upon doing more research W760 vs H414, you are CORRECT. They are made to the same specs and are of course completely interchangable. Why I had the results I did, I can't explain. The only thing I can surmise is the difference between lots being at opposite extremes of the specs.
Again, you are CORRECT. H414 and W760 are the same powder.
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Bearhunter, what is your source for this info? Not that I don't believe you, but we should post the source of info for folks reading this thread. Just like you got different results, someone who take this as gospel might run into trouble when they start dumping 760 in their cases at will.

Cheers!
 
I have always regarded W760 and H414 as basically the same powder. Just like any other commercial powder available, there are lot-to-lot variations. However, in using both of them extensively, I have yet to see a significant difference in the performance of the two. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Actually, I read an article in the latest (October) Handloader magazine article. There is an article on page 29, concerning Winchester and Hodgon Powder Interchangeability. They list four Hodgdon powders and the Winchester powders they duplicate.
After my own experience with H414 and W760 and being a natural sceptic, I went back and checked some reloading notes again. They verified my previous statement about H414 being slightly faster.
I do know that powder is often made by different manufacturers and sometimes even in different factories and countries, thereby being subject to a vast range of quality controls. It's the only explanation I can give for my results and of course the word of Tom Higginson. Tom was a bonafide expert and never steered me wrong with propellant advice in the 20+ years I knew him. He wouldn't have said it if he didn't believe he knew it.
 
Noel said:
Must have..:p Either there or shooting those whiskey bottles at Calaway. Still can understand why they won't let you use your own guns at the gallery.:rolleyes:
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Shooting WHISKEY BOTTLES???... Do they let you empty them first?
 
Normally no, most the folks use the little laser gun to hit the target. It falls over and then a jet of water comes flying out to hit you in the face. Was pleasantly suprised this is my kids favorite spot to play when we go there. Who needs rollercoasters when you can shoot stuff.

I guess the 22 didn't blend in too well....
 
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