H4831 SC, Making Your Mileage Vary

[6ShotsOr5?]

When dealing with the lack of Hodgdon H4350, a friend suggested I try H4831 SC. I had a pound already that I bought a year ago and soon found a load I like, then I realized there’s a shortage of that too.

Like most others using Hodgdon H4831 SC, I prefer it to the H4831 which is still slightly available at this time, but appears to be going fast. I’m down to a half pound or so of the SC. Since the H4831 and H4831 SC are supposed to be identical chemically with the same burn rates and I weigh all my charges, I had an idea that could be really dumb — please tell me why — or it could be useful for some of y’all too if you get some H4831 before everyone buys all that up too. I just ordered an H4831 8-pounder yesterday so I’ll tell you the idea now. What I’m planning to do is use the H4831 in my auto-throw, and only use the H4831 SC in my auto-trickler. That’s around 41 gn of H4831 and 2 gn of H4831 SC per round, so the 1/2 pound of SC is going to last twenty times longer than it would have.

I know they each vary by lot number just like all powders, and I realize I have to test for that variance. We all know there are other powders on the chart - that’s a different question. Other than those comments, what are your thoughts?

Also, are there other powders pairs that are the same burn rate and exact same chemistry other than lot number variance for which one is cut smaller and meters better, where the same idea could also be useful?

 

[Bc'z]

Just had a discussion the other day about H4831SC vs h4831.
We're thinking the 4831sc might burn a lil bit quicker due to the smaller kernel size.

 

[Murray Brook]

What benefit do you think that you would get by having 2grs of SC in your load.

 

[Shooter13]

I have 16 lbs of 4831sc and now that I shoot the 30BR not using it, same happened to me on H1000 and 4350!

 

[carlsbad]

What benefit do you think that you would get by having 2grs of SC in your load.

SC trickles better.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Would you try the same thing using two different Lots of H4831; one in the thrower and one trickler? I wouldn't. In general, what you're asking about doing is simply a bad practice, IMO. It's not only two different Lots# of powder, it's also two different kernel sizes; which also means different surface areas on a per kernel basis, a difference in the relative amount of kernel coating, and therefore, slightly different burn rates. The potential for variability and/or making mistakes will only increase when employing such practices.

In fairness to the OP, would it realistically even be possible to shoot the difference? Maybe, maybe not. It would all depend on the precision of the setup and shooter. A very small amount of [trickled] H4831sc would probably not make a huge difference in velocity from a comparable weight of [trickled] H4831 kernels, even if the difference was technically not zero, either. Nonetheless, I would object to the practice on more basic grounds - mainly, that you are introducing more variability and complexity into the system for very little practical benefit. The correct way to address the issue of powder availability is to keep careful inventory and to plan ahead, not to mix-n-match two different powders because you have less-than-optimal amount of either one.

 

[ebb]

I bought some reloading dies and in the mix was a couple of pounds of IMR 4831. When doing ladders with my 6.5-284 the IMR 4831 shot better than H4831. If H4831 is unavailable try the IMR.

 

[Liven The Dream]

4831SC have 8-12ibs. Not using it. Central Oregon trade for H-4350 or Sell.

Will be at March Madness March 17-22 if that helps anyone ?

Don shilorock2msn.com

Sell FF $200 checked 13 Lbs .
1 - 8 not opened there other opened .

 

[Bc'z]

4831SC have 8-12ibs. Not using it. Central Oregon trade for H-4350 or Sell.

Will be at March Madness March 17-22 if that helps anyone ?

Don shilorock2msn.com

I'll trade you a couple pounds.
We could meet at Diamond lake.

 

[Mulligan]

Shortrange BR shooters bled powder.
Heck, they make there own by blending a 50/50 mix of two different powders.

LT-30 blended with LT-32 to make
31. Lots of folks shoot it.
Some blend in different proportions.

Blending powder, in and of itself is not something new in the quest of ultimate accuracy.

CW

 

[rsmithsr50]

in my 300 wm, 4831 and 4831sc did not perform the same at all. I would be not doing this.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Some of the main concepts are consistency and reducing/eliminating variables. By introducing 2 grains of sc you are adding variables. I would stay away from the whole idea of blending powders. Seems risky to me.

If H-4831 is a bit slower than the sc variety and velocity is an issue, than experimenting with magnum primers may be a better alternative. My experience is that a magnum will boost velocity around 30 fps. But beware that magnum match primers can be pricey.

Joe

The issue is metering through the trickler.

 

[Bc'z]

The issue is metering through the trickler.

How can you control how much is being trickled into each charge?

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

The AutoTrickler controls the final powder total. Say you want 43.2 grains total. The auto throw will drop 41 grains plus or minus 1/2 grain, then the auto trickle brings it up to 43.2 +/- 0.02 grains (plus or minus 1 powder grain). If using larger grains, it would be more like +/- 0.05 grains. If you aren’t familiar with the AutoTrickler I can find the link and post it. It works really well but smaller grains are much better.

 

[Carryacolt]

When dealing with the lack of Hodgdon H4350, a friend suggested I try H4831 SC. I had a pound already that I bought a year ago and soon found a load I like, then I realized there’s a shortage of that too.

Like most others using Hodgdon H4831 SC, I prefer it to the H4831 which is still slightly available at this time, but appears to be going fast. I’m down to a half pound or so of the SC. Since the H4831 and H4831 SC are supposed to be identical chemically with the same burn rates and I weigh all my charges, I had an idea that could be really dumb — please tell me why — or it could be useful for some of y’all too if you get some H4831 before everyone buys all that up too. I just ordered an H4831 8-pounder yesterday so I’ll tell you the idea now. What I’m planning to do is use the H4831 in my auto-throw, and only use the H4831 SC in my auto-trickler. That’s around 41 gn of H4831 and 2 gn of H4831 SC per round, so the 1/2 pound of SC is going to last twenty times longer than it would have.

I know they each vary by lot number just like all powders, and I realize I have to test for that variance. We all know there are other powders on the chart - that’s a different question. Other than those comments, what are your thoughts?

Also, are there other powders pairs that are the same burn rate and exact same chemistry other than lot number variance for which one is cut smaller and meters better, where the same idea could also be useful?

What are you loading for, bench (100-200yd), long range target (1000yd +), or long range hunting (400-1000yd), or just hunting (25-400yd) and plinking??
I read your post as trying to make the pound of sc to last as long as possible while making it easier/faster to get the long cut powder weighed and dumped.
Unless you're loading for the benchrest matches, I think it's a great idea.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Good question and I should have been clear there. This is for shooting steel 300-1000 using the new 109 Berger in 6 Creed, just for fun, not in matches. I also found a load with the Hodgdon 4831 SC for the 130 Berger with my .260 Rem which could replace another use of the Hodgdon H4350.