H414 powder
- Thread starter lyman54
- Start date
H414/W760 are powders that prefer to be used at close to full-throttle. Reduced loads tend to have large velocity spreads.
It will also be dirtier when used at reduced levels. There are better powders for your 303 Brit with cast.
Regards, Dave.
It will also be dirtier when used at reduced levels. There are better powders for your 303 Brit with cast.
Regards, Dave.
Several years ago I experimented with a range of reduced loads of H414 for cast bullets - .303 and .308 - and it was a mess. Brass failed to expand/seal, there was heavy soot and lead (?!@) blowback, and velocities were extremely inconsistent. I've had infinitely better results with Unique and Trail Boss. I learned the hard way!
No H414 for cast bullets in my old Hodgdon manual. Most likely just not tested though. Appears nobody else has either. Kind of odd considering H4831 is everywhere and it burns slower. That indicates nothing though. Only ever used H414 for .243(I think it was) and not cast bullets.
However, Steve at .303British.com gives several cast 180(5 grains won't matter) grain loads using IMR4895, IMR4320 and IMR4064.
However, Steve at .303British.com gives several cast 180(5 grains won't matter) grain loads using IMR4895, IMR4320 and IMR4064.
Thanks guys. I used the starting load of 42gr. Too much I know for cast. I had a scope mounted but it wouldn't stay put so accurcy was zero. so I put back the original peeps and will try that. I won't use this powder again. It is very dirty and does seem to cause quite a bit more of a kick. Live and learn I guess, should have done my research earlier.
I got excellent results with 303 cast bullets using shotgun powders. I was plinking to 100 yards.
For higher velocity, a fast rifle powder in the range of 2400 to 4198 would be best.
H414 would be very good with a heavy jacketed bullet at full power.
For higher velocity, a fast rifle powder in the range of 2400 to 4198 would be best.
H414 would be very good with a heavy jacketed bullet at full power.
I almost only use ball powders and have never used a magnum primer. They are a marketing gimmick
I use h414 & cfe 223 for my common reloads. Clays for my 9mm. 243, 30-06 always worked fine with a standard large rifle primer. 204, 9mm always worked fine with a small rifle primer. I have not seen any need for a magnum primer. Some guys do. I will say I have not seen everything and there may be a situation where they are needed. By the way a period or exclamation mark would have worked at the end of your sentence. A Ellipsis just makes you look pretentious. If you have something to say. Say it don't leave us hanging.
Magnum primers provide a more efficient powder burn ,in particular with ball powders.I've had groups shrink in half by simply switching primers.The little 7.62x39 is one case.Also recommended in sub zero weather for better ignition by many gun writers and experienced hunters/reloaders.But feel free to use what is working for you,magnums are all I use in everything but cast..your mileage may vary....Harold
I was just out yesterday shooting 200gr cast with H4198 loads and it was the best grouping cast bullets out of a surplus rifle I've ever had. It was a Savage No. 4 Mk. 1* with 2-groove barrel. The load that works very well for me was 23gr with a .314" 200gr GC'ed cast bullet from pure WW, water dropped. With my eyes, I have a hard time staying under 2" at 50yds with jacketed bullets in this rifle. The H4198 loads shot three sub-2" groups for me. I had to adjust the rear ladder to 400 yards for the bullets to hit PoA because of the lower velocity.
I tend to use magnum primers for reduced cast loads but haven't noticed much of a difference compared to regular. I have a couple bricks of WLRM on my shelf and am just using them up as I tend to use CCI for everything else. With as little as 10gr of shotgun powder in a large case (45-70, 300WM) I've never had a hang fire or any issues with standard primers. Some powders (H4831, H110, and GOEX) I always use magnum because that's what all the manuals recommend but they're the same cost as regular primers for me so it doesn't matter. I worked up loads with magnum primers and had enough that I didn't want to bother having to adjust the load if I switched so just kept using what I had. I've never had an issue setting off ball powders in the winter (down to -20'C) with standard primers in 223 or 308. YMMV
I tend to use magnum primers for reduced cast loads but haven't noticed much of a difference compared to regular. I have a couple bricks of WLRM on my shelf and am just using them up as I tend to use CCI for everything else. With as little as 10gr of shotgun powder in a large case (45-70, 300WM) I've never had a hang fire or any issues with standard primers. Some powders (H4831, H110, and GOEX) I always use magnum because that's what all the manuals recommend but they're the same cost as regular primers for me so it doesn't matter. I worked up loads with magnum primers and had enough that I didn't want to bother having to adjust the load if I switched so just kept using what I had. I've never had an issue setting off ball powders in the winter (down to -20'C) with standard primers in 223 or 308. YMMV
I have found loads with ball powder that would give me click/bang or just click unless I switched to a magnum primer. These were usually loads involving a low to medium power powder charge and a light bullet. Magnum solved the problem.
