AA1680 for 38-55/255 gr boolit

[Texas by God]

Does anyone do this? Or is it a bad choice? I want to push the boolit around 1500 fps max. Thanks in advance,
TbG

[curator]

While I haven't used AA1680, I have used WC680 which is a non-canister type of military powder (for the 7,62X39 cartridge) WC680 seems to work as well as IMR4227 or SR4959 with cast boolits in .32-40, .38-55, .40-65 .303 British and .30-30 WCF with reduced (target) loads. 1500 fps is just about right assuming you are using a 255 grain slug. I have found it to raise pressures sharply as I increased either charge weight or boolit weight. In large cases like .45-70, my WC680 seems to be somewhat position sensitive. YWWV.

[Texas by God]

Thanks. All I'm finding is .375 Win level loads and I don't want that much power. I want to regulate my sights for around 1400 fps with the receiver sight down. I'm only using the Lee 255gr. I may try H335 per the Lee book- I have that on hand.

[ole_270]

Thought you had tried 4198 with good luck? It shows a fairly wide range of velocities in the 38-55. I've also had good luck with 3031 at 1600, depending on your barrel length you might try 30-32 gr 3031

[Texas by God]

I want to try 4198 but the cheapest I find it around here is $33/# and I'll pass on that. I like 3031 but it's starting velocity is higher than I want. I guess what I want is halfway between my fun Unique loads and my not that fun 3031 loads

[RAT MEAT]

Check out Hodgdons online reloading data and/or Hornady #8 reloading manual...AA1680 has the widest loading range of all the powders in that burn range for the 220 gr, 375 Win, 1800-2300 fs and 28-41.2 gr powder...that powder isn't listed for the 38-55 but you should be able to extrapolate just by comparing the powders that ARE listed...they ARE essentially the same case..and get yourself a burn rate listing.

Drop the lowest AA1680 load by ≈10-15% and you'll be well on your way to your target velo with the 255 gr...that is if you have a chrono to work up your loads.

1680 did fire in my Sharps with no visual problems using C.P. 265 gr bullets...no targets just firing two rounds with the beginning load for the 375 Win in the Hornady #8.

[Texas by God]

I'll dig out my burn rate chart and see what I can figure out. I'm not certain this is a reduceable powder. Like you said it's not listed for 38-55 and the starting load for the .375 Win is way above what I want.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[ole_270]

I want to try 4198 but the cheapest I find it around here is $33/# and I'll pass on that. I like 3031 but it's starting velocity is higher than I want. I guess what I want is halfway between my fun Unique loads and my not that fun 3031 loads

Just checked. Powder Valley has H4198 for $26 and change. If you can get some buddies to make an order, you can split the haz charge. I think I saw where precision reloading was waiving the haz mat charge right now