H4831SC in .308 Win?

[RKRNC]

Hi folks. I am relatively new to reloading, and to this forum. Any assistance you provide will be greatly appreciated.

I intend this thread to be educational above all else. I am a teacher, so understanding both the art and science of reloading is important and exciting.

Questions: Can H4831SC be used to reload .308 Winchester? Why/Why Not? Suggested load-data? Suggested reading/websites?

I will generally be using 150 or 180 grain Remington soft points (for targets and "plinking"). Occasionally 150 grain Nosler Ballistic tips (green) for hunting. The ammunition is for a LR-308 with a 24" bull-barrel. I normally use Win. 748 or 760 to reload .308. However, I have a R700 in 300Winmag, and a 1lb can of H4831SC. I'm affraid the powder will go bad before I shoot that much 300wm. Both 748 and 760 have been hard to come by recently.

The "why/why not" is not meant as a challenge to your expertise, but an attempt to gleen some knowledge from it. Again, thanks for passing-on your expertise and assistance.

RKRNC

 

[rg1]

You can use your H4831 with 150-180 grain bullets in .308 BUT powder charges will be heavily compressed and you will only be able to get approximately 46 grains of it, or less, in a .308 case. Velocity will be low for bullet weight. This info is using IMR4831 (NOT HODGDON):
150 Rem SPCL---46 grains IMR4831 Compressed--Velocity-2265fps 32600 cup
150 Rem SPCL--44.5 grains of IMR4895--2780 fps--52000 cup
----------
180 gr Rem SPCL--46.0 gr. compressed--IMR4831--2225fps--36900 cup
180 Rem SPCL--42.5 gr of IMR 4895 compressed--2540fps--50900 cup
__________________
AS you can see it appears that 46 grains of IMR 4831 is about all you can cram into a .308 case. Velocity is 300-500 fps slower than a more appropriate powder for .308. Pressure is also very low for .308. This is just a comparison! DO NOT use data for IMR powder when using Hodgdon. They are different. Your H4831 will last for 20 plus years. I'd save it and use a typical .308 powder for your .308 Win. While this illustration is using IMR powder the results using Hodgdon with nearly the same burn rate will give similiar results. As you can also see, IMR 4831 would be slightly better for the heavier 180 gr. bullet than the lighter 150 grain one. Dont' use this data for Hodgdon powder. IF you use this data using IMR reduce the charge 10 % and work up. This info is from IMR's Reloading Handbook. Please don't red edit my post for correct grammar and punctuation!!!

 

[RKRNC]

I wouldn't dream of it. It is Summer-time, after all. Perhaps I'll re-read in the Fall, and send the red ink then. Or you could ignore my own spelling and grammar errors, and we'll call it even.

Thanks for the info.: very helpfull. I appreciate the quick response. The velocities are very interesting. 300WM being so fast, but so slow in .308.

Again, thanks!

RKRNC

 

[loadedround]

RKRNC: The current Speer #14 Manual does not show any loads for H4831sc for either 150 or 180 gr bullets in the 308 Win. This powder is too slow for use in the 308, and as others have stated, you can not get enough powder in your cases to get any type of decent velocities. Hope this info helps you and good luck on your powder search. My powder choices would have been Reloader 15 or Varget.

 

[USSR]

RKRNC,

Forget about it. Too slow burning for the .308. What with the .308's small case capacity, you simply cannot get enough powder in the case to obtain any reasonable velocity.

Don

 

[The Bushmaster]

H4831SC would only be good with the heavier bullets (175 and up). As much as I like H4831SC for my .30-06, I have to agree with USSR. I would not recommend H4831SC for .308. There is a long list of better suited powders that will preform much better (W-748, BL-C(2), AA 2460, IMR-4320, etc) For lighter bullets H355 comes to mind.

 

[RKRNC]

Thanks, folks.

I'm in agreement that using the H4831SC is not a good choice. I was not aware that powders had such a long shelf life. Economy is always a factor, but it is always outweighed by safety and performance considerations. It is why I asked the question. When in doubt: ask people who know.

When "we" say a powder is "slow or fast", is it safe to assume that we are discussing burn rates? Do the numbers in a powder's title give any clue to the burn rate, or perhaps a chemical make-up?

Thanks for taking the time to spread your knowledge and expertise.

RKRNC

 

[USSR]

When "we" say a powder is "slow or fast", is it safe to assume that we are discussing burn rates? Do the numbers in a powder's title give any clue to the burn rate, or perhaps a chemical make-up?

Yes, burn rate. There are various charts out there (Google Burn Rate Chart) that give you a basic idea as to their suitability for different applications. Nothing in the powders title to indicate burn rate. With the .308, I would look for a powder somewhere in the range between IMR3031 and Reloader 15, with the faster powders better suited for light bullets, and the slower powders best for heavy bullets.

Don

 

[rcmodel]

Do the numbers in a powder's title give any clue to the burn rate, or perhaps a chemical make-up?

No! not even a hint.

You need to purchase a good reloading manual such as the Lyman #49, Hornady, Speer, or other.

They all will clearly explain how to pick a powder, and allow you to pick one yourself just by looking at the charge tables for each cartridge.

Any that won't work, like this one, will not be listed.

rc

 

[dubbleA]

The merits of H4831SC have been discussed and I agree. I understand that that some powders are hard to find so here are a few that will work as well as W748......Hodgdon's Varget, IMR-4895 and Alliant R-15.

 

[RKRNC]

You need to purchase a good reloading manual such as the Lyman #49, Hornady, Speer, or other.

Thanks rc. I'm on it. Thanks USSR, "Burn rate chart" will be my next google.

Thank you to all of you.

There is good news: Cabelas is listing Win 748 in stock today (change from three days ago). It's only in 1lb cans...but better than nothing. I ordered 8 cans. Should last me a good two years +.

I appreciate the gentlemanly quality with which you treated me. I look forward to advancing my knowledge with your help.

RKRNC-Jonathan