300wsm h4350 05 h4831

[Engrmikl]

Hi Guys
I am a new loader with an FN SPR 300 WSM 24" barrel for long range shooting. Not so much for hunting, It weighs 16lbs. I am going to run some 210 and 220 SMK to start since the guy who built my rifle did my first load of ammo with these. I have Federal Magnum primers and virgin Federal and Winchester brass. Looking at H4831 or H4350 powder. Which is the better for the heavier bullets?
Thanks for the help

 

[lloydsmale]

its about a toss up. Whichever gives the best accuracy in your gun is the one id pick. Id also give re19 and re17 and the imr 4831 and 4350s a try. Mine does its best with h4831sc. but then im shooting lighter hunting bullets.

 

[Engrmikl]

Thanks I was hoping not to have to have two or three different powders but so far everything point to trial and error. So probably will buy a few pound of several.

 

[sourdough44]

I use H-4350 with my 300 WSM, but I top out with 180 grn bullets.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

I use both. Prefer H4350 but H4831 works too.

208 A-Max

 

[Engrmikl]

Which one of the two is a smaller grain. I will be using a hopper type powder feed. (Horndy LNL) Going to use it as a single stage until more comfotable. Anyway I here that the larger grain powders have trouble in the rotor. I saw the H4831 SC and was leaning to start with that.

 

[lloydsmale]

if you must use a powder drop id stick with the sc powders.

 

[northernexposure]

All the above powders "seem" to work well in the 300WSM. Myself, I have had great results using the H4350 and the 208 A-max... though it's of the coarse grain and you spoke of using the finer grain powders.
Lately, with the powder supplies dwindling, I have been looking into other powders that seem more available in my area. This past weekend, I went out with some "testers" loaded up to see if any showed promise.
Results are as follows...

My usual groups are 1 1/2 inch @ 200 yds using the 208 A-max with 58.5 grn of H4350 and CCI mag primers. (yeah, I know... I suck) using a Tikka T3 Varmint SS with 23 3/4" Varmint contour barrel.

Tried:

#1 Superformance. 208 A-max with 57 grn of Superformance and CCI mag primers. No signs of pressure... and grouping was 2 1/4 @ 200 yds. 5 shots

#2 Hodgdon H380. 208 A-max with 56.5 grn of H380 and CCi mag primers. Once again, no signs of pressure and grouping was 2 1/4 @ 200 yds. 5 shots

As you can see, there are many powders available... it's just a matter of finding the sweet spot that "your" firearm likes.

I also tried a heavier load with the H4350 at 59 grn... BIG signs of pressure and I only shot two before I boxed the rest.

NOTE: H380 and Superformance are of the small grain style. OAL was 2.900 and it was hotter than Hades here that day (31c).