Author Topic: H380 and 22-250 (Read 1531 times)

The Blade · « **on:** July 01, 2003, 04:52:41 AM »

I tried H380 for the first time last night. That stuff is AWESOME in the way it meters.

I've read alot about people's favorite 22-250 loads, and many folks like the IMR's. Has anyone had success with H380 when developing accurate 22-250 loads?

I'd just about give away a half inch of accuracy at 100 yards to keep using this powder. It meters sooooooooo smoothly!

The Blade

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2003, 06:10:46 AM »

Be careful with this powder. It is extremely temperature sensitive.

If you develop loads in moderate temperatures and shoot them in warm temperatures you will get pressure signs, blown primers, expanded primer pockets, sticky bolt lift, pitted bolt face, gas leakage.

If you shoot long strings in the same temperature at which the load was developed the gun will heat up very fast and in just a few rounds get hot enough to cause 2nd degree burns.

If you leave your ammo exposed in the sunlight it will also will develop presure signs.

This powder ruined my last Praire dog hunt. Good thing I had a back up rilfe.

Be very careful of the loads publish in the Speer manual for this powder. They will blow primers before you get to max.

Now the positive.

My 22-250 gets amazing accuracy for a rifle that has never been accurized. Does 3/8 inch sound good. The only problem is that I can only use this load during the winter for Coyotes.

My recommendation, find a different powder. I am going to right after buy a new barrel to replace the burned out one and new brass to replace the blown out ones.

The Blade · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2003, 08:04:15 AM »

I had no idea that this powder was so temp sensitive. Thanks for the info. Anyone else have experience with H380?

The Blade

Old Syko · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2003, 11:17:46 AM »

Blade, I've been shooting 38.5gr of H380 behind the Sierra 52gr BTHP Match for more years than I care to admit to and I'm yet to see that first sign of over pressure due to temps any worse than any other load combination. Now, this load will really heat up a barrel in a hurry but at the velocities you get from a 22-250 this is all to be expected. I don't leave ammo out in the sun or in the trunk of the car to cook as I've seen others do. If I'm going to be out in the heat for extended periods the ammo stays in a cooler with a couple freezer pacs until needed.

I certainly don't doubt this is a temp sensitive powder as all powders are to one extent or other. H380 may well be effected more than some others, I truely don't know from personal experience, but I do know that if you take proper precautions as I feel I do, you may never experience a problem.

If you like the way H380 meters but have temp concerns WW760 can be used in some loads and also meters like water but you'll give up a little velocity.

George Foster · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2003, 03:02:01 AM »

Blade,

The load that I use in my 22-250 for my varmint shooting is 39.5gr H380 behind the 55gr Sierra Spitzer. This load will average less than 3/4" five shot groups.

I worked the load up from the Speer manual and went all the way to their 41gr max with no pressure signs in my gun. The 39.5gr load was the most accurate so that is what I have stuck with.

The Blade · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2003, 03:26:13 AM »

Thanks for the input.

My shooting buddy uses H380 in his 270, and has had stellar results. However, until he switched to magnum primers, his groups were less than acceptable.

I've got a pound of H380, and I'm going to give it a try.

Can you overheat a barrel to the point of damaging it by shooting too fast? I know that heating up a barrel can change the point of impact, but I had never known anyone to actually damage a barrel by heating it up during firing.

I can't wait to try out the new Tikka Continental!

The Blade

Duffy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2003, 06:39:32 AM »

Generally if you can comfortly hold onto it and count to five it's ok. If it's stinging a bit better let it cool down some. Over heating a bbl can change the tempering of the metal and what ever you do don't try cooling it down faster with ice or any other source just, let it cool naturally.

tominboise · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2003, 05:58:21 PM »

Turns out my Tikka Continental .22-250 prefers 39.5 gr H380 with a 55 gr bullet. Of course, your mileage may vary, but H380 is a good powder for the .22-250. I've also had good luck with H414.

Tom

bigchast1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2003, 10:11:32 AM »

I have Remington 700 ADL in 22-250, that eats IMR 3031 and spits out
.55" 5 shot groups regularly. The load is as follows: Remington Case trimmed, deburred, primer pockets cleaned and flash hole. CCI BR-2
primer. 35.4 gr of IMR 3031, Nosler 50 gr Ballistic Tip with a COL of 2.425". I have worked this load up in an attempt to hit an egg at 300, and 500 yds at local shoots. If any of y'all got any as good or better loads i would love to try them in my rifle, to see if i can get any better or as good with different loads.