- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
As soon as I heard about Hodgdon’s new Hybrid 100V powder last winter, I thought this might be a useful propellant for the .375 Ruger. We were having trouble getting sufficient velocity from with the Nosler 260 gr Accubond, and while I was looking for an honest 2700 fps, couldn’t get much beyond 2600. The problem was that I needed a burn rate a little slower than H-4350 which was showing pressure signs, but Re-19 was bulking out before the velocity could be attained.
Enter Hodgdon’s Hybrid 100V. Unlike the Extreme powder line from Australia, Hybrid 100V was developed and is produced in the US by the St Mark’s Powder Company, a subsidiary of General Dynamics. The burn rate is said to be between H-4350 and H-4831. What makes Hybrid 100V unique is that it is an extruded powder with very small granules which have rounded edges and flows much like a ball powder. Like the Extreme powders, it is temperature stable, and if you visit St. Marks web site, (http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...marks+powder&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&client=safari) they provide the measurements of air burst over-pressure in temperatures from 140 F to -40F. We’ll see this winter if the claims hold up. The Extreme powders lost their zip in the cold. St Marks also claims that the powder has a low flame temperature and as a result the barrel life of high cyclic rate military weapons is improved. High loading densities, low flame temperture, and stability over a wide range of temperatures are ideal characteristics for a propellant for the .375 Ruger.
After pestering Higginsons for several months, I finally got a case of Hybrid 100V a few days ago. It runs through a powder measure without any issues due to its small granule size and shape. I loaded 260 gr AB’s, 270 gr Hornady IL’s and 300 gr TSX’s in the .375 Ruger. The 260 gr AB’s in the Ruger were first, and I started at 79 grs and increased in 1 gr increments to 83 grs. The maximum load listed on the Hodgdon website was 82.0 grs. The 83 gr load made 2666 fps, and there were no pressure signs on the brass, nor had the velocity increase plateaued. Likewise, the load data recommended a maximum of 78.5 behind a 300 gr bullet, but 79.0 grs, again approached in 1 gr increments from 75 grs, behind the 300 gr TSX produced 2470 fps. The maximum velocity with the 270 gr Hornady was very close to that of the AB, 2662 fps from 83.0 grs. Again, there were no pressure signs on the brass, nor was there a velocity plateau.
A quick trip home and I put together some more rounds. The 260 gr AB made 2734 fps when the powder charge was increased to 86.0 grs. Again, there was no velocity plateau, and no pressure signs on the case, but this load was compressed and I used a drop tube to charge the cartridge. The 300 gr TSX made 2522 with 81.0 grs, but again the load was compressed and I used a drop tube. Last winter I just made 2500 fps with the 300 gr TSX pushed by Win-760, but the velocity had plateaued so pressure was high, Hybrid 100V is a better choice.
From my observations, Hybrid 100V is a great choice for the .375 Ruger. I also tested some .375 Ultra loads, with similar results, an increase in velocity and low pressure. Anyone who loads with Re-19 or similar propellants should give this powder a try. I think you’ll like it.
Enter Hodgdon’s Hybrid 100V. Unlike the Extreme powder line from Australia, Hybrid 100V was developed and is produced in the US by the St Mark’s Powder Company, a subsidiary of General Dynamics. The burn rate is said to be between H-4350 and H-4831. What makes Hybrid 100V unique is that it is an extruded powder with very small granules which have rounded edges and flows much like a ball powder. Like the Extreme powders, it is temperature stable, and if you visit St. Marks web site, (http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...marks+powder&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&client=safari) they provide the measurements of air burst over-pressure in temperatures from 140 F to -40F. We’ll see this winter if the claims hold up. The Extreme powders lost their zip in the cold. St Marks also claims that the powder has a low flame temperature and as a result the barrel life of high cyclic rate military weapons is improved. High loading densities, low flame temperture, and stability over a wide range of temperatures are ideal characteristics for a propellant for the .375 Ruger.
After pestering Higginsons for several months, I finally got a case of Hybrid 100V a few days ago. It runs through a powder measure without any issues due to its small granule size and shape. I loaded 260 gr AB’s, 270 gr Hornady IL’s and 300 gr TSX’s in the .375 Ruger. The 260 gr AB’s in the Ruger were first, and I started at 79 grs and increased in 1 gr increments to 83 grs. The maximum load listed on the Hodgdon website was 82.0 grs. The 83 gr load made 2666 fps, and there were no pressure signs on the brass, nor had the velocity increase plateaued. Likewise, the load data recommended a maximum of 78.5 behind a 300 gr bullet, but 79.0 grs, again approached in 1 gr increments from 75 grs, behind the 300 gr TSX produced 2470 fps. The maximum velocity with the 270 gr Hornady was very close to that of the AB, 2662 fps from 83.0 grs. Again, there were no pressure signs on the brass, nor was there a velocity plateau.
A quick trip home and I put together some more rounds. The 260 gr AB made 2734 fps when the powder charge was increased to 86.0 grs. Again, there was no velocity plateau, and no pressure signs on the case, but this load was compressed and I used a drop tube to charge the cartridge. The 300 gr TSX made 2522 with 81.0 grs, but again the load was compressed and I used a drop tube. Last winter I just made 2500 fps with the 300 gr TSX pushed by Win-760, but the velocity had plateaued so pressure was high, Hybrid 100V is a better choice.
From my observations, Hybrid 100V is a great choice for the .375 Ruger. I also tested some .375 Ultra loads, with similar results, an increase in velocity and low pressure. Anyone who loads with Re-19 or similar propellants should give this powder a try. I think you’ll like it.
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