Did some testing over the last couple weekends. Shooting a Remington 700 SPS Varmint (24") .308. Running the RCBS 30-180-FN cast AC with 50-50 PC and both Hornady and Sage's copper gas checks. And the Lee 312-155-2R WCWW from the mold and PC with Hornady checks. All sized to .311"

I tried three loads each with H4895 and one with the Lee only of IMR 3031 (28.5gr because my Lyman CBH #3 says it could be the most accurate load). 5 shot groups at 100 yards:

RCBS 180FN 11BHN
H4895 Hornady checks first, Sage's 2nd:
32.0gr 1 3/4" and 2"
33.0gr 1 3/8" and 1 3/8"
34.0gr 1" and 7/8" 2160fps


Lee 312-155 2R 15BHN (softened by the PC)
IMR 3031
28.5gr 1 1/8" and 1" 1938fps

H4895
33.0gr 2" and 2 1/2"
34.0gr 1 1/4" and 1 1/2"
35.0gr 1" and 1 1/8" 2260fps

Lessons learned:

1. 34.0gr of H4895 with the RCBS could make a good deer hunting load. At 11 BHN- expansion should be decent.

2. Hornady and Sage's checks shoot to the same POI.

3. 35.0gr. of H4895 with the Lee shoot make a fun target load while saving a little precious lead vs the RCBS 30-180.

4. Lyman was right that 28.5gr of IMR 3031 is a pretty good load but I like the additional 300fps of 35.0gr of H4895

Hope someone finds this useful!

Be safe!

John