Extinct powders

[meatyrem]

What happened to powders like H-870, and accurate 8700? Are they as good as gone or if one was to look hard enough they could find it? I see a lot of shooters on this sight that use it. It seems if something is working why not keep it coming.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Check out their respective websites, and that should tell you the current status of both of these powders. If a powder is serving a particular niche, the maker isn't going to just drop it cold, not without replacing it with another that they feel is better (for whatever reason). It may or may not be, but there will generally be something intended to replace it in the marketplace.

 

[Trickymissfit]

What happened to powders like H-870, and accurate 8700? Are they as good as gone or if one was to look hard enough they could find it? I see a lot of shooters on this sight that use it. It seems if something is working why not keep it coming.

I spoke with Accurate a few months back, and they told me that their supplier in Europe quit making that and 3100 as well.
glt

 

[meatyrem]

Well, h870 seems to be popular, for the guys who have it. Is there another powder that is similar? Or that is used to replace it? It seems to work well with the large capacity cases, ie- 300 Rum big case weatherby's and the such.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

In the Hodgdon line, Retumbo and 50BMG bracket H870, and our own N170 and N570 both pretty well duplicate the burning rate of H870. In the Alliant line, theres RL-25 and RL-50, which again bracket the H870, but are a bit further apart than Retumbo and 50BMG on their respective burn rates. In any case, there's a number of other powders available that can step in to fill the gap.

 

[Stormrider]

Here is another one that you might want to check out:

Powders

 

[elkaholic]

Well, h870 seems to be popular, for the guys who have it. Is there another powder that is similar? Or that is used to replace it? It seems to work well with the large capacity cases, ie- 300 Rum big case weatherby's and the such.

Hi Meaty......H-870 gave me top velocity over anythig in my ultra as well as good accuracy. You can get the identical powder called (T-870) from Thunderbird Cartridge co. in Az. I have almost 8 lbs. I would sell cheap if it wasn't for the shipping issues.....Rich

 

[meatyrem]

Oh, no need to do that. I take it you can order it from their web site? What can you tell me about temp sensitivity? Does it have low ES? What do you like or dislike, compared to other like powders? Can you tell me how much it costs per pound? Or do they only sell it in 8lbs?

 

[elkaholic]

Oh, no need to do that. I take it you can order it from their web site? What can you tell me about temp sensitivity? Does it have low ES? What do you like or dislike, compared to other like powders? Can you tell me how much it costs per pound? Or do they only sell it in 8lbs?

I think you can get it in less than 8lbs; maybe 2? It gave me better velocity than ANY powder then or now. It was very accurate. I don't know about temp sensitivity on a scale of 1-10, but I don't think it was the best. It is quite dirty (fouling). Price, as I recall, was only about $10/lb?

 

[meatyrem]

Thanks, it's good to hear it first hand how it performs. I'm gonna give it a try. Sounds real good, esp if it is similar to the h-870 that is very popular. Do you know if there is a parent company that owns them or is thunderbird a company all on it's own?

 

[elkaholic]

Thanks, it's good to hear it first hand how it performs. I'm gonna give it a try. Sounds real good, esp if it is similar to the h-870 that is very popular. Do you know if there is a parent company that owns them or is thunderbird a company all on it's own?

H-870, as was many other powders, developed by the military and sold surplus to Hodgdon. When Hodgdon quit selling it, Thunderbird picked it up. It is identical to the old H-870, or at least as identical as the difference in lots allows. As far as I know, Thunderbird is the parent company............Rich

 

[meatyrem]

I just left their site. 8lbs will cost $88! That sounds like some bang for your buck! I was not able to pull up any further info. Sounds like the way to go if one was loading a high number of rounds, or fifty cal.

 

[elkaholic]

I just left their site. 8lbs will cost $88! That sounds like some bang for your buck! I was not able to pull up any further info. Sounds like the way to go if one was loading a high number of rounds, or fifty cal.

Yup! As I said, it gave me almost 100 fps more velocity than ANY other powder.....Rich

 

[cornstalker]

It gave me better velocity than ANY powder then or now. It was very accurate. I don't know about temp sensitivity on a scale of 1-10, but I don't think it was the best. It is quite dirty (fouling). Price, as I recall, was only about $10/lb?

Oddly enough it (H870) gave me the best combined accuracy and velocity in my wife's 7mm RM with 140 grain NAB's. Same velocity as RE22 and better accuracy.

I concur, it is VERY dirty. Chunks, even....

In point of fact, I think I have smoked a batch of ham hocks and the smoker was cleaner inside than a barrel after 10 rounds with H870. Oh well, can't argue with what works.

Still have one unbreached pound, then I will try to switch it over to H100V.