My Last Range Day With H380

[jaysny87]

Its been about a week and a half since my last range outing but here it is.

I had heard good things about using Hodgdon H380 for 7.62x54r and decided I would give it a shot. Also my local carrier was out of stock with my usual stuff and I don't like to pay for shipping. They did had a few bottles of H380 on the shelf and I bit.

I worked up 7 different load increments and headed to American shooting center here in Houston.


4 rounds each

I worked them up for my 1946 M44 which I have done some work to



It was very windy blowing from left to right (usual excuses) but other than that it was a beautiful Texas winter day at 65 degrees.
100 yards shooting off sandbags. Four shot groups.


decent but not super spectacular.
the tightest were with the two highest charges.(still well under max load)


That is four shots



My last group would have been even tighter without the flyer.

Better than 180gr S&B which my rifle seems to hate

fourth round hit on another target I had posted next to this one.

Im going to play with it a little more and see if I cant get it to group a little bit tighter. I still have room to play with my C.O.L.. If anyone has any suggestions id be more than happy to hear them.

[TJPike]

Could be that's all you are going to get out of that individual rifle. Unless you have had better success with it in the past. Is that the original barrel, trigger ?

[jaysny87]

Yes it's the original barrel I re crowned it and turned down the bayonet lug. So it kind of looks more like a M38. I installed a timney trigger in as well. Also the cases I used were not fire formed to the chamber (unfired ppu brass) but at 100 yards that shouldn't make a huge difference.

[farmerboy78]

I would slug the bore to find out its nominal size to find the best bullet for your application and accuracy

[jaysny87]

I have slugged it. It's right at .312". These rounds were using 174gr Sierra match kings. I only loaded up to 50gr. with the hottest of these loads and 47gr. At the lowest. I had no pressure signs with any of the cartridges. I was considering breaking down my increments to 1/10th of a grain and working from 49.5gr and up to 50gr. As those were the charge weights that produced the best groups. But I am wondering if I could go hotter since much of the load data I've seen seems to indicate it would be safe.

[farmerboy78]

Hornady makes a hpbt that is .312

[jaysny87]

I knew they made a 150gr SP that is .312". I'd probably buy some too if I could locate them in stock anywhere. I wonder if loading with a heavier bullet could help.

[farmerboy78]

I knew they made a 150gr SP that is .312". I'd probably buy some too if I could locate them in stock anywhere. I wonder if loading with a heavier bullet could help.

The heavier bullets will buck the wind better at distance. The .312 will fill the bore better and should allow for better accuracy. I think I may have some of the .312 hornadys, if so I'll sell them to you reasonably so you can give them a try.let me check though and I'll get back to you.

[ShootnMathews]

The 180 grain Sierra Prohunters in .311" should do well. They have a huge amount of bearing surface which helps with bore alignment and ensures enough land bite for spin for good stabilization. Plus the heavy weigh bucks wind well and thumps wild critters.

[jaysny87]

Thanks for the tips guys. I was considering using the 180gr bullets for the reasons you mentioned but I'd be open to using the .312 Hornady bullets as well. My local reloading shop carries the 180gr. Sierras. I'd might have to stop in there and pick some up before my next reloading session.