Hodgdons Superformance?

[Sapphire]

Any experience? I know a guy who knows a guy who's unlces nephew is evidently using it in a 243 and getting some fantastic accurracy and speeds without pressure signs....

Just curious...

 

[Elk Chaser]

I'm working up a load in my Tikka T3 300 WSM using Superformance with 165 Accubonds. So far I'm up to the book max of 72 grains and I'm averaging about 3180 FPS with no pressure signs and 3/4 MOA accuracy. I'm going to play with higher charges in the next week or two and see what happens to both accuracy and speed. My gunsmith is pushing 165 Sciroccos to nearly 3300 FPS out of his 300 WSM so that gives me hope. I believe the Superformance powder is designed to work best with light for caliber bullets.

 

[Sapphire]

Thanks Chaser, good to know. I was going back and forth on using the Barnes 200/180/168.... trying to decide if the heavy weights with better B.C.'s had the advantage over the 168... or if the 180 was a good middle man... etc...etc...

Heck, even the 150's......

Must not be many people working up loads with this powder yet.

 

[RockZ]

I worked up some loads in my browning bar 300wsm with 165 bt's and got 3000fps with 70.5gr.
I think the short barrel is keeping me from getting full burn of the powder and max velocity .
I was dissapointed with the speed, but I did get some good accuracy.
I'm going to chrono some H4350 loads and see how those look.
It may have just been a slow day for my chrono.

 

[RockZ]

I measured the barrel on my BAR. Browning says it's 23", but 2.5" is the BOSS.
I guess for a 20.5" barrel 165gr BT's at 3000fps with a load that's 1.5gr less than published max is pretty good.
Especially since it's shooting .5" 3 shot groups.

 

[Sapphire]

20.5 inches??? That is the shortest "stock" 300 barrel I've ever heard of... 24" is the shortest advocated..... huh.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Yoshie]

I loaded with some superformance for my .243 WSSM. I believe that you need to follow manufacture specs extremely close. Hodgdon gives load data for 70, 80, and 90gr bullets. I loaded up some rounds for 58gr VMAX bullets. I used 50 - 55gr of powder the velocity never exceeded 3750 fps and i hit pressure signs around 55gr. But Hodgdon does say that IF the powder works in your gun it works extremely well.. it just doesnt work for my cartrige / bullet. I will try to reload some 75gr VMAX and see how that goes.

FYI i was using a 243 wssm olympic ar-15 with a 24" stainless ultra match barrel.

 

[coloradohtr]

300 WSM superformance
I could not find any data for 180 loads so I worked up some of my own. I have two 300 WSM s. A 700 Remington short action and a custom 700 long action.
In the short action I started with 68 1/2 grains of superformance with a 180 sst, 180 interlock SP, Sierra BT and a Ballistic Tip. Then 69, 69 1/2 and 70 grains.

SST 68 1/2 grains shot 2941 FPS. 2 in. 3 shot groups at 100 yd. Seat 2.850 primers where showing no cratering and a little flat. Bolt was not tight or sticky.
SST 69 grains shot 2977 FPS. 2 1/2 in.
SST 69 1/2 grains shot 2987 FPS. 1 3/4 in.
SST 70 grains shot 3019 FPS 3 in. The primer was flat and the bolt was snug to lift.
All of the bullets shot close to the same groups and Vel. 70 grains in my rifle was a little hot. FYI 24 inch barrel. Fed 215M primer.
The custom rifle got better groups 1 to 1 1/4 in. and a bit more Vel. App. 40 FPS. more. 25 in. barrel. Seating 2.975 10 thousands from lands. It did not show as much pressure as the short action. FYI in this gun IMR 4350 is faster and groups much better. In the short action 100 V is the best powder in that gun.