Using a different powder
- Thread starter rodmkr
- Start date
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Hodgdon has H335 data online for jbullets. I would not recommend trying
to go from 4895 (of which there are two flavors, not interchangable) to a
powder with entirely different technology (extruded grain/ball) -
ESPECIALLY when H335 jbullet data is readily available.
www.hodgdonreloading.com
For a 55 gr jbullet, Hodgdon says starting is 23 gr and max is 25+.....
but since you do NOT have cannister grade H335, a prudent plan is
to reduce the starting load for H335 by 10% and then chrono the result.
Use the chrono data to bump up slowly to the normal velocity for the
cartridge and bullet you are using. So, 90% of 23 gr is 20.7gr, a prudent
starting load for W844, necessary until you learn about your particular
batch's performance. It may perform fairly close to H335, or it may
not be very near at all, which is why it was not a cannister grade.
That is the procedure for a jbullet.
For cast, you should probably start even lower until you know if the
bullet will give even remotely good accuracy with that powder and
velocity. I haven't used cast in .223 or an AR (you don't say what
rifle) but I understand that there is a bit of difficulty getting accuracy
and good function with the AR, may take certain powders to get
that combo. For a bolt gun, things are simpler.
The lower starting isn't necessarily for pressure safety, but to see what
the bullet can put up with, depending on design, lube, diameter and
alloy/hardness and fit to the throat. Not everyone has success driving all of the
high velocity rounds at full speed with cast. Personally, I have never
tried.
Of course, you don't say what your requirements/goals are. Plinking
with a bolt gun or a full power that will run an AR? A wide range
of possibilities. A plinking load at lower velocities may be better
served with a shotgun/pistol powder than a powder designed
for full pressures like W844.
Bill
to go from 4895 (of which there are two flavors, not interchangable) to a
powder with entirely different technology (extruded grain/ball) -
ESPECIALLY when H335 jbullet data is readily available.
Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading
Find what you need in four easy steps. Select your cartridge type from the drop-down list. Then select your bullet weight, powder manufacturer and powder type. If you're unsure, or just want options, check as many boxes as you'd like. Click "Get Data" to view results.
For a 55 gr jbullet, Hodgdon says starting is 23 gr and max is 25+.....
but since you do NOT have cannister grade H335, a prudent plan is
to reduce the starting load for H335 by 10% and then chrono the result.
Use the chrono data to bump up slowly to the normal velocity for the
cartridge and bullet you are using. So, 90% of 23 gr is 20.7gr, a prudent
starting load for W844, necessary until you learn about your particular
batch's performance. It may perform fairly close to H335, or it may
not be very near at all, which is why it was not a cannister grade.
That is the procedure for a jbullet.
For cast, you should probably start even lower until you know if the
bullet will give even remotely good accuracy with that powder and
velocity. I haven't used cast in .223 or an AR (you don't say what
rifle) but I understand that there is a bit of difficulty getting accuracy
and good function with the AR, may take certain powders to get
that combo. For a bolt gun, things are simpler.
The lower starting isn't necessarily for pressure safety, but to see what
the bullet can put up with, depending on design, lube, diameter and
alloy/hardness and fit to the throat. Not everyone has success driving all of the
high velocity rounds at full speed with cast. Personally, I have never
tried.
Of course, you don't say what your requirements/goals are. Plinking
with a bolt gun or a full power that will run an AR? A wide range
of possibilities. A plinking load at lower velocities may be better
served with a shotgun/pistol powder than a powder designed
for full pressures like W844.
Bill
Last edited:
fiver
Well-Known Member
4895 will go down but stops operating an AR at about 19grs.
335 would probably be in the 20 range and have a borderline burn consistency, being a ball powder with quite a bit of deterrent on it.
IMO, using data for a faster powder speed is safe.
it's also safe in an AR rifle, it's just a lot harder to get the junk out of the innards when your starting out.
335 would probably be in the 20 range and have a borderline burn consistency, being a ball powder with quite a bit of deterrent on it.
IMO, using data for a faster powder speed is safe.
it's also safe in an AR rifle, it's just a lot harder to get the junk out of the innards when your starting out.