H380

[ronc80]

Anyone know of a good starting point and a max for 7mm08 with 22.4" barrel, H380, Sierra Game king 140gr spbt, C.O.L. 2.780
Plus I have read H380 is temp sensitive. Does this mean to stay away from max loads when it's really hot out or did I miss something when reading about it?
Thanks
Ron

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[seokladuckin]

It's a good "old" powder,

If you just have to use it , but there are much better selections out there, like Varget , 6.5 staball , H4350 .

I shot it for years in my 22-250 , but when varget came out I never looked back

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[ShadeTree]

As far as a starting point and a max, Hodgdon is showing 43 as a starting load and 45.7 as max with H380 and a 140 gr Sft SP. That may or may not be a more sticky bullet than your Sierra GK, so you might be able to go higher without pressure, but it gives you a guideline to watch for.

I'm a single base stick powder fan myself, but nothing wrong with ball powders either. Don't be scared of it if that's what you have to use. They are not necessarily inferior, just different.

For example, a whole lot of people I know to this day wont load anything in a 223 but H335. It works, and meters easy out of a powder dispenser.

Yes some of them can tend to spike pressures if a near max load is developed in cool weather, then used in hot temps, but that is something to keep an eye on with any powder really.

If hunting in areas with cold temps, ball powders shape tends to resist easy ignition in cold weather, so mag primers are advisable. But people have been using their favorite old ball powder for decades with no problems.

A lot of people are liking the newer Ramshot line of ball powders for temp insensitivity, accuracy, and clean burning. Ramshot Big Game is only 2 positions on the burn rate list away from H380. Pharmseller on here is a big proponent of that powder in the 7mm-08.

Personally I'd look no farther than 4350 or Varget in the 08 since I have it but lots of powder will work.

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : 7 mm-08 Rem.
Bullet             : .284, 140, Sierra SPBT 1905
Useable Case Capaci: 48.956 grain H2O = 3.179 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.780 inch = 70.61 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.4 inch = 569.0 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H380

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   88    40.68   2559    2036   42442   8704     95.2    1.277
-09.0   89    41.13   2587    2081   43830   8803     95.6    1.258
-08.0   90    41.58   2615    2126   45264   8899     96.1    1.239
-07.0   91    42.04   2643    2172   46745   8993     96.4    1.221
-06.0   92    42.49   2672    2219   48276   9084     96.8    1.202
-05.0   93    42.94   2700    2265   49859   9172     97.2    1.185
-04.0   94    43.39   2728    2313   51495   9257     97.5    1.167  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   95    43.84   2756    2360   53186   9339     97.8    1.150  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   96    44.30   2783    2408   54935   9418     98.1    1.133  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   97    44.75   2811    2457   56745   9494     98.4    1.117  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   98    45.20   2839    2506   58617   9566     98.6    1.101  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   99    45.65   2867    2555   60554   9635     98.8    1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  100    46.10   2895    2605   62560   9700     99.1    1.069  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  101    46.56   2923    2655   64636   9762     99.2    1.054  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  102    47.01   2950    2706   66787   9819     99.4    1.039  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  103    47.46   2978    2757   69016   9874     99.6    1.024  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     98    45.20   2963    2730   69821   9323    100.0    1.022  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     98    45.20   2669    2215   47742   9345     93.2    1.204

I've never run into particular problems with temperature sensitivity with H380. Of course, I don't hunt in extremely hot weather. I do believe ShadeTree has given you an excellent summation of ball powders.

 

[Guy Miner]

Years ago H380 was highly regarded for accuracy loads with the 308 Win. My rifle shot very well with it, but when Varget came on the scene... Well... I stopped using H380. It was good stuff though.

And, it works great in Dad's 22-250 varmint rifle!

But - ya - I think there are better powders. If that's what you've got though, it will work pretty darned well.

Regards, Guy

 

[Tjay]

My Sierra manual shows 38.2 to 46.3 for H380.

 

[JD338]

I've only used H380 in the 22-250. It should be fine in the 7-08. I had excellent results with the 140 gr BT and 48.0 grs RL19 or 42.0 grs IMR4064, both producing sub MOA accuracy.

JD338

 

[ronc80]

Thanks all for your help. I couldn't pass up the price on the H380 it was over $10 a pound cheaper than everything else I have purchased. Just over $25 a pound after hasmat fee and shipping. I came up with that 43 gr to 45.7 for that 140gr sft sp also. Dr. Mike has broken it down for me rather nicely. I only hunt in November and December with a rifle so heat is no problem except I'm working on getting the best recipes for a few different bullets for my rifle and its warmer now then it is during hunting season. I have a date with my rifle on Sunday. The 2 of us our going to put some holes in paper.
Thanks again for all the great info and freely giving out all the knowledge and experience you all have
Ron

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[ShadeTree]

Thanks all for your help. I couldn't pass up the price on the H380 it was over $10 a pound cheaper than everything else I have purchased. Just over $25 a pound after hasmat fee and shipping. I came up with that 43 gr to 45.7 for that 140gr sft sp also. Dr. Mike has broken it down for me rather nicely. I only hunt in November and December with a rifle so heat is no problem except I'm working on getting the best recipes for a few different bullets for my rifle and its warmer now then it is during hunting season. I have a date with my rifle on Sunday. The 2 of us our going to put some holes in paper.
Thanks again for all the great info and freely giving out all the knowledge and experience you all have
Ron

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In todays times and climate, if you got ahold of a fair supply of H380 at that price, shoot it.

I'm a pragmatist by nature. H380 might not be 100% optimal in that cartridge and bullet, but if you have a decent rifle I promise it wont be an abysmal failure either. The goal is of course to get it as good as you can and be able to make a vital hit on game. Do that and the game wont know the difference of what you're using.

I've used H380 in 22-250 with no complaints but found 4064 worked a little better in my rifle. Can't say about it in a 7mm-08 but ball powders can be extra dirty at lower pressures. So if it seems extra dirty, give it a chance up at higher and normal operating pressures and it will likely clean up. You might have to give your rifle a good scrubbing after your initial run up the ladder test session.

Good luck. Hope it works out well for you. Take your time and don't get in a hurry finding the best sweet spot up near the top, and I'm sure it will.

 

[ronc80]

My Tikka is by no means top of the line rifle but I've had a couple sub 1/2 inch groups so far with a couple different bullets. Actually the rifle is probably better than me. I'm getting better by the round. Shooting and reloading.
I've noticed that my rifle likes just above midrange on most powders and bullets that I've tried so far. Groups started to open back up when getting up closer to max.

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[ShadeTree]

I remember now you have a Tikka. Certainly nothing wrong with them. Interested in seeing the results.

 

[ronc80]

Here a couple pretty good groups. Wish I could find some more 175 grain partitions. I'm sure most of these groups would be smaller if the Indian would do his job. The ballistic tips should tighten up (I think) I've got some made up just a few tenths either way of the best grouping. The Barnes ttsx are pretty darn close. Got a few tweeked either way of that one also.

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[Dlallder]

I have been shooting H-380 (47 gr) with 140 TSX in my 7-08 for 15-18 years with no problems. Shot deer in Canada near 0 degrees to 75+ degrees in Texas with no know problems. It also runs good in my wifes 7x57 using 120 Nos BT. Daniel

 

[seokladuckin]

Try Hammer Hunters.


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