h 322

[ed etheridge]

what is the winchester or surplus # for H322 thanks Ed

[Scrounger]

If I remember correctly, it was 8208.

[bradh]

8208 was the number and I believe sold by Thunderbird Cartridge Company.

[mainiac]

8208, talk about a high value powder!!!! Benchresters will give away there first born, for a jug of it!

[felix]

Only certain lots worked as "required" in the PPC. Ask around on the BR boards for a lot that did not fit their needs. You might get your order filled quicker that you'd think otherwise. Trying to get some from a genuine source could be a joke, because all of it is spoken for even when based upon the lousy chance of getting the "correct" speed. Hodgdon is/has been trying to duplicate that powder in any lot size that meets specs from various manufacturers. They might have a bunch that is not kosher and can be easily had. Ask for it by email only. ... felix

[Houndog]

The original H322 was surplus 8208 and used to be CHEAP!!! What you find for sale today is WW2 ammo pulldown and it's all over the place as far as burning rate and condition. I've seen jugs of the original surplus from Thunderbird ( T32) go for as much as $100 a pound at the big Benchrest shoots! A few benchresters sent Hogdon a jug of the "proper" 8208 from the original surplus powder and an order for 10K pounds IF they would duplicate it. Since Dupont/IMR RIFLE powders are all the same composition, differing only in grain size and coating, duplicating it shouldn't be too hard. Hogdon OWNS the powder plant! At first Hogdon flat said no and their current H322 is exactly the same. It's NOT, not even close!!!!! We've been hearing noises about them reconsidering, and I hope so! I've NEVER shot another powder in the PPC that's as easy to work with over such a large range of conditions.

[mainiac]

In the early 90,s GI -322 used to be available, and that is/was some of the best ppc powder available. I wonder if it was 8208, and they called it 322? Wish i had 100# of it! I remember it being black in color, and it shot in any weather condition, I gave up on chasing the 8208/322 good lots, and just went with V-133, much simpler.

[Bullshop]

Alliant reloader #10 looks to be right at the same burn rate. It is very small extruded grains much like 4227. It may proove to be an accetable replacment. I got a jug before the election, and a good thing too cuz the Sportmans whare house has no more powder.
I have not tried it yet but am not into BR shooting. Bet it will work real good in a 45/70 though. Anybody tried it yet?
BIC/BS

[Heavy lead]

I run reloder 10x out of my .223 with 40 grain ballistic tips, it is fabulous out of a Bushmaster varminter with a 24" barrel, high velocity and great accuracy and very clean. I am generally a fan of reloder powders with j bullets, especially r-22 in the magnums, 270 and 25-06.

[Houndog]

I got some of the pre-release Reloader 10 for testing and found it to be excellent for the PPC, but it was some of the dirtiest powder I'd ever shot! My barrell looked like I'd been shooting black and it was a REAL PITA to clean. I've not shot any of the new formulation but understand Alliant really cleaned it up. One of my shooting buds swears by it in his 6BR F class rifle and has brought quite a bit of wood home with it.

[Heavy lead]

When I had my 222 I always used Reloder 7 in it, had good results with that too. Used a lot of it in 45-70 too, I think the R-10x may be very fine in the big 45 too.

[Three44s]

A full case of RL 15 and the Hornady SX 55 gr. and my CZ527 American in .223 thinks it's gone to heaven ......... as well as sending a bunch of coyotes there in advance!!!

Three 44s

[bearmn56]

I use H322 in a 7.62x39 with 150gr .311dia Speer bullets. I use this powder in the .222 as well. I have found that AA2015 works nearly as well. However, 2015 seems to be a little slower. I remember the 8208 powder being offered really cheap. I wasn't into surplus powder at the time, mostly from ignorance. I did, though, buy a bunch of MR-223 and AA3100 when a friend made a bulk buy and encouraged me to go in with him. Boy, am I grateful. It got me started into surplus and I haven't looke back.

Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[dale2242]

I shot H322 in my XP100 7BR when I was shooting IHMSA. It would shoot sub MOA groups and meters like a dream. I`m trying to work up a load for my 223, as I still have 5 lbs of it.---dale

[mainiac]

when i first started br shooting in 1990, h322 had a bunch of different lots. First it was GI surplus,then was made in scotland,and then was made in austraila. A max load was around 3.5 grains difference. The GI was good stuff, the scotish was HOT, and the aussie needed about 3 grs more to shoot in one hole. Went to VV powder and never looked back.

[MakeMineA10mm]

So, who can tell me if my 8208 is worth anything? I've got two 8-lb kegs with NO lot numbers on them. It is the white bleach-bottle shaped kegs from TCCI (Thunderbird). I bought them about 15-20 years ago...

I think $100 / lb is ridiculous, but I'd trade it for some other powder with some cash kicker, or just sell it outright, if those guys can use it... I'd just shoot it up in 223, so that would be a waste if it's the good stuff.

[felix]

You might have a gold mine there! But, you have to have somebody verify the lot, both lots to be exact in their own gun. You should not break the seals on them if intact. Go on the BR boards and tell them you have it and wish to have the lot(s) tested for the legit stuff. Someone in the area should jump at the chance, and if not, just wait a little longer and retry. Tell them you want an equivalent cash amount of something you can use. ... felix

[mainiac]

Yes, if you go on br central, and post it for sale, it will be bought up as fast as a chicken on a junebug! If I was still serious about benchrest, I would find a way to get it from you.

[hemiallen]

Interesting info. I bought a gallon sized clear jar with white lid of H322 from a benchrest guy when I bought my 243- M 788 remington as he said he sold his PPC gun and didn't need the powder. I used it for some 7TCU loads but liked H335 better......

Anyone around Sacramento use this stuff? I'd rather not work up any loads with an unavailble powder.

Allen

Forgot, this was 20+ years ago, and it was before I saw the thunderbird stuff on the market, which may date it better than my guess of 1985-1987 when I purchased it and the gun.