I saw lots of VV133 that are only good for fire forming, and others that shot the lights out. I really don't think it is any better or worse than any one else. I will say I think is one of the hardest to stay in tune with..... jim
The random quality of H4895
- Thread starter Curious
- Start date
I saw lots of VV133 that are only good for fire forming, and others that shot the lights out. I really don't think it is any better or worse than any one else. I will say I think is one of the hardest to stay in tune with..... jim
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
The more I learn the more I learn how dumb I am.
Picking up my new chambered and installed BRA barrel tomorrow. Trashed the old/new one because I just could not get it to shoot with H4895 and any bullet. Varget had some promise but after I did near 1,000 rods in frustration.
Education is learning how much you don't know.
Picking up my new chambered and installed BRA barrel tomorrow. Trashed the old/new one because I just could not get it to shoot with H4895 and any bullet. Varget had some promise but after I did near 1,000 rods in frustration.
Education is learning how much you don't know.
TZaun
Gold $$ Contributor
Boy is that true. I look back now and wish I had done a whole ton of stuff different. This site and the information that is given so generously by the guys that have "been there, done that" is so invaluable. Thanks to everyone. I donate $100/year to the site and, at times, I feel like a tight-ass.
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
I am still learning every day too. Im thankful, because as soon as you stop learning it will get boring, then I'll have to find a new hobby.
Isn’t this shit hard enough without having to deal with lot to lot variation in powders?
rwj
Gold $$ Contributor
Yup... but everyone could do it if it were easy... being difficult is part of what makes it interesting!
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Dont ever start tuning with components that you do not have enough of to wear out the barrel with.
In theory that’s the best way to achieve consistency but the hard part can be testing the individual components to test the accuracy/quality before buying from that same LOT.
Alex that bad lot of H4831 you got if any of the boys from east coast comes to the nationals send back here by them to me.LOL
I may have seen the variance in H 4895 in person today. After 104 rounds on my new BRA barrel, I cleaned it well with Iosso. After cleaning with Iosso, I like to shoot several loads before I trust the barrel in competition. I had some loads ready for fire forming and I shot 7 of those and then decided to shoot a few loaded with 2 lots of H4895 and Bart's 105 gr. VLD. I loaded both with 30.6 gr, and the bullets seated about.008 into the lands. The older lot of H 4895 registered 2918 average for three rounds, but the rounds from the new jug that I just opened averaged 3011 fps !!! This was shot in 95 degree / high humidity LA weather. This was measured on an Oehler 35 set at 10 feet in front of the muzzle. I expected some variation but not this much. I guess for the upcoming match I will shoot a reduced load of the new lot or perhaps use Varget. Puzzled in LA !!!!!!! Good shooting.... James
James, I have a new lot of H4895 that is hard to hit 2900 without pressure. The next new lot was easy to hit 2977 with 31.0 gr and 2997 with 31.1 gr. and well over 3015 with 32.2 gr. and no pressure or hard bolt lift. The H 4895 seems to vary as much as Varget now... jim
I have written an e-mail to Hodgdon about this variation from lot to lot but have not received any response yet. It may not be a big deal to some folks who are better suited financially to buy other powders, but having just bought an eight pound jug of powder with shipping and hazmat puts a large hole in my shooting budget. I only have 1/2 pound of the older lot of H4895 left, and I guess I will have to waste bullets trying to make the new lot shoot. It seems to me that a company as large as Hodgdon should be able to get their suppliers to do better than ~100 fps variation from one lot to another. My old lot was from 2017(velocity 2918) and the new one is from 2018 (velocity 3011). Both were Australian powder and I hope that the powers at Hodgdon will address this situation. Good shooting...James
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
I called and tried to get them to care when I used to fight with Varget issues. We are .001% of their sales.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Buy a 55 gallon drum. Then you won't have the lot to lot variation, or switch to VV powder 
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
VV is not the answer. Was just talking with a top sr shooter about large 133 variations.... Its just part of shooting.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
The discussion of the "magic batch of powder" is as old as precision shooting.
I would bet that VV has the best track record as far as consistency over time as any company in the industry.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
That could simply be the air density changing the velocity. Not the powder or bullets.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
Can you imagine if someone made a device that would measure the variations in lot to lot in the same brand of Primers?
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