Cast bullet rifle use with H110?

[Dutchman]

I have a couple pounds of Hodgdon H110 but I'm not loading any .30 Carbine or .44 Magnum. It seems to be one of the few powders with very narrow applications. Why is that? Can it be used for cast bullet applications in cases like .30-06?

danke doo
Dutch

[Bass Ackward]

H110 has a reputation for blowing rifles AND handguns which is why you you see warnings not to go below certain charge levels in any cartridge where it is used.

[C A Plater]

Not if you like your rifle. Inconsistent ignition in less than case filling volumes often leads to wildly varying pressures. Rapid disassembly of firearm may ensue.

[eka]

Sounds like you don't have a .44 mag. rifle, but I'll have to say, that stuff sure does shoot good in my Marlin 1894 .44. The rather sharp recoil has surprised a few people as well who were not expecting such from a handgun cartridge in a rifle. That being said, I haven't really found a whole lot of other applications for it in my other calibers. With all of the admonitions about reduced loads etc. I've just left well enough alone and reserved it for my 1894.

However, here are some published loads from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 for H110:

30-30: 175 Gr. Boolit = 11.0-13.0 187 Gr. Boolit = 13.0-15.0 grains

.308 Winchester: 175 Gr. Boolit = .15-.17 grains

.357 Mag Rifle: 150 Gr. Boolit = 13.6-15.6 Mag. Primer 158 Gr. SWC = 16.0-17.0 Mag. Primer 180 Gr. Boolit: 14.0-15.0 Mag. Primer

.44 Mag. Rifle: .225 Gr. Boolit = 22.0-24.0 Mag. Primer 245 Gr. Boolit = 22.0-24.0 Mag. Primer.

I'm sure others have tried this in other calibers and applications successfully, but that is about all this book lists for this powder, with the exception of a few Contender barrel loadings.

Keith

[felix]

Be very leary of using it in less than a case full. Personally, I will not chance it. Any time, with ANY powder, if you get an unexplained sticky case on one shot, and the a perfectly smooth ejection on the next, and/or vice versa, you are in SEE territory with that particular load. .. felix

[MT Gianni]

Those post a few years earlier convinced me to use it only in pistol cartridges. Gianni

[Scrounger]

I would bet it'd work OK in a rifle cartridge if you used a filler. Say about the same amount you would use for a starting load with 2400, then fill to base of bullet with kapok or your favorite filler.

[felix]

Yes, the only safe way, for sure. However, the Kroger tom cat told the Piggy Willy there is no Safeway. ... felix

[Scrounger]

I've never understood this urge to use powders in applications for which they weren't designed. There are so many different powders that some of them are surely better choices for usage in different cartridges. Is it a desire to discover a load no one else has mentioned? Or perhaps to use what you have on hand and save the purchase of a different powder? False economy, given the potential bad results of misuse. It would seem to make a lot more sense to trade that powder for some other kind. I would be glad to trade rifle type powder for H110 anytime.

[grouch]

I've used it in rifles for years. It gives me very good accuracy in 30 - 30, 30 - 06, 30 - 40 Krag, 303Br. and 257 Roberts. I've shot more than 20lb of it - without fillers - and seen no sign of poor ignition or pressure spikes. No guarantees of course, but one of my friends started using it for cast loads in 1962, and I've certainly liked what I've seen.
Grouch

[Scrounger]

I'm not surprised, I've used it in rifles too. You just have to use enough to generate a certain amount of pressure with it. Trouble comes when guys try to make light loads with it. Too many new guys getting into reloading without doing enough reading and getting an education from the bottom up. They just want to jump right in without putting in a couple of years learning the basic stuff.

[Dutchman]

Or perhaps to use what you have on hand and save the purchase of a different powder?


This is pretty much the reason to use a powder that was otherwise sitting around collecting dust. I've used H110 in .30 Carbine and .44 Magnum but have never seen cast bullet rifle data for H110. From the replies here I'll not be trying it. I have no desire to go where only fools tread:).

Right now I'm using a lot of Unique & 2400 followed by SR4759 (vintage 1973), Rx7 (vintage 1982). For the most part I've been happy with Unique and 2400.

thanks for the answers!!

Dutchman

[eka]

Dutchman,

H110 is really great powder for the intended purpose. It just doesn't lend itself to the versatility that powders like 2400 and Unique do. The loads I've used it in are for the most part on the stout end of things. I'll be glad to look for some data on handgun calibers for ya if you are interested. I don't think I would hesitate to use the RCBS data. I've found it to be pretty conservative. When I started loading for my 1894, I couldn't decide between H110 and 2400. I just flipped the coin and went with H110. Turns out the gun loves it. But, if I had started off with the 2400, I probably wouldn't have given the H110 a try. I have just fallen in love with the 2400 because of it's versatility in so many different calibers. I buy it in 8 lb. jugs.

Keith

[Newtire]

H110 is great for full power .32-20 loads and of course the M-1 carbine (which it was designed for they say. I'm not taking any chances with reduced loads because of the warnings.