US 869 338 Edge

[WV Sendero]

Just got ahold of 4lbs of US 869 and I'm trying to get some load data for it and the 300 smk. I have seen loads as high as 108 grs posted online, does that seem right? What would you guys suggest starting at and where did most of you start seeing pressure signs? How did velocity and accuracy compare to H100?

 

[supercrossbmx69]

I have not tested any us869 in a edge considering I've never owned one, but I have in other calibers. All I have to say since I've never tested it in the edge is watch out for its temp sensativity...

 

[dig]

Hope this helps, tried for a long time to get 869 to shoot in a 338-378 as it's readily available. I could not duplicate accuracy of H100 or Retumbo. Velocity was on par however extreme spread and standard deviation where high. I did test in very warm weather however. Pretty disappointed, I wish you better luck. I have about 3 pounds left.

 

[WV Sendero]

I have been using H1000 and like it but I am down to 2.5lbs of it and as you guys know that doesn't take long to burn up in an Edge. I came across the US 869 for $20/lb so I bought 4lbs of it so I would at least have something to shoot in my Edge even though it wasn't the ideal powder. I would like to give it a try through spring and summer and save my H1000 for hunting season in case I can't get anymore. I just wasn't real sure where to start on the loads.

 

[WV Sendero]

I have not tested any us869 in a edge considering I've never owned one, but I have in other calibers. All I have to say since I've never tested it in the edge is watch out for its temp sensativity...

Did you have more trouble in warm or cold weather or just trouble using the same load in varying temps?

 

[supercrossbmx69]

Trouble with same load in varying temps. I chronyed a load in 75-80 degrees temps and then using the same load in 30-35 degree temps with close to 100 fps difference. In my shooting app, I can put in the load data that their is 100 fps difference and it will take it and give me a dope with the velocity differences in my rifle, but what if the temp outside is 20 degrees, you keep the ammo in your pocket, and load it in your rifle... Likely the temperature of the powder will not be 20 degrees so your shooting app will be off. In a hunting situation this could end up in a missed animal... Hope this makes sense to you.

Us869 does add a bit of velocity in some chamberings. But when you get to the cooler hunting temps, normally with its temp sensitivity, your often along or below the velocity levels that the other, slower, temp stabile stick powders so for that reason is why I no longer plan to use it. Us869's biggest value is the fact that I can go to almost any sporting goods store and find it. But as you can see, it has it's downfalls aswell.


But I'd imagine the powder will act differently in different expansion ratio chamberings so the only thing you can do is test in your rifle to see what happens and see for yourself if this powder meets your needs.

Another thing I realized that I'd say is a good thing with us869 is it does not heat up the barrel as fast as the stick powders do, which is imagine would save some barrel life!


I would think us869 would be too slow for the edge but I've been wrong before

But anyways, just start at a safe starting point an work up to see how it works. Just be sure not to find a max load in 30 degree temps, and then shoot that hot load this summer in 70-80 degree temps as this will end in a very bad situation!!

Best of luck, Tyler

 

[WV Sendero]

Trouble with same load in varying temps. I chronyed a load in 75-80 degrees temps and then using the same load in 30-35 degree temps with close to 100 fps difference. In my shooting app, I can put in the load data that their is 100 fps difference and it will take it and give me a dope with the velocity differences in my rifle, but what if the temp outside is 20 degrees, you keep the ammo in your pocket, and load it in your rifle... Likely the temperature of the powder will not be 20 degrees so your shooting app will be off. In a hunting situation this could end up in a missed animal... Hope this makes sense to you.

Us869 does add a bit of velocity in some chamberings. But when you get to the cooler hunting temps, normally with its temp sensitivity, your often along or below the velocity levels that the other, slower, temp stabile stick powders so for that reason is why I no longer plan to use it. Us869's biggest value is the fact that I can go to almost any sporting goods store and find it. But as you can see, it has it's downfalls aswell.


But I'd imagine the powder will act differently in different expansion ratio chamberings so the only thing you can do is test in your rifle to see what happens and see for yourself if this powder meets your needs.

Another thing I realized that I'd say is a good thing with us869 is it does not heat up the barrel as fast as the stick powders do, which is imagine would save some barrel life!


I would think us869 would be too slow for the edge but I've been wrong before

But anyways, just start at a safe starting point an work up to see how it works. Just be sure not to find a max load in 30 degree temps, and then shoot that hot load this summer in 70-80 degree temps as this will end in a very bad situation!!

Best of luck, Tyler

Thanks for the info. I will probably just use it for warm weather range time and stick to the H1000 for hunting and cold weather shooting.

 

[supercrossbmx69]

Thanks for the info. I will probably just use it for warm weather range time and stick to the H1000 for hunting and cold weather shooting.

That works.

As for finding powder, I'm not sure how often you check the powder websites, but it's a heck of a lot easier to find powder online then at local stores. Only downfall is you have to pay hazmat fees but it's well worth it considering powder is **** near impossible to find. Not sure if you check some sites but if you don't I can give you the 5 main powder sellers to watch if you'd like. I have all of them saved on the home screen of my iPhone and check them every day.

 

[WV Sendero]

That works.

As for finding powder, I'm not sure how often you check the powder websites, but it's a heck of a lot easier to find powder online then at local stores. Only downfall is you have to pay hazmat fees but it's well worth it considering powder is **** near impossible to find. Not sure if you check some sites but if you don't I can give you the 5 main powder sellers to watch if you'd like. I have all of them saved on the home screen of my iPhone and check them every day.

Good idea, what sites do you use?

 

[joseph floerke]

I have not tested any us869 in a edge considering I've never owned one, but I have in other calibers. All I have to say since I've never tested it in the edge is watch out for its temp sensativity...

this i shot 103gr in a 338 lapua i hated it now i shoot h1000.

 

[supercrossbmx69]

Good idea, what sites do you use?

Alliant Powder


Bullets.com


Powder Valley, Inc.

Alliant Bullseye Smokeless Powder

Out of all these sites the one I get the most powder from is powder valley. I actually got a bunch of h1000 from them not to long ago.

 

[WV Sendero]

Alliant Powder


Bullets.com


Powder Valley, Inc.

Alliant Bullseye Smokeless Powder

Out of all these sites the one I get the most powder from is powder valley. I actually got a bunch of h1000 from them not to long ago.

Cool, thanks

 

[Bravo 4]

Just got ahold of 4lbs of US 869 and I'm trying to get some load data for it and the 300 smk. I have seen loads as high as 108 grs posted online, does that seem right? What would you guys suggest starting at and where did most of you start seeing pressure signs? How did velocity and accuracy compare to H100?

I had tried some several years ago in my 338 Edge with the 300 SMK. Looking at my notes it says max load at 102 grains of 869 with the bullet 10 thousands off the lands. Didn't get the accuracy I got with H1000, not bad just not what I thought the rifle was capable of. Never checked velocity, accuracy was priority.