H335 5.56 load preferences

[Jamie Jackson]

Powder has been a challenge to come by! Understatement I know...

 

I have finally located some H 335. I did search here and found some interesting info on heavier weight bullets.

 

I will be loading 55 gr bullets and will be chronographing my work. My 1995 version Bushy twist rate is 1:9, 16" barrel.

 

Do any of you guys have any "pet loads"?

 

 

An aside...during my search here on TGO I also found reference to using H335 for 7.62x39. I had never considered this powder for the x39. But low and behold it's listed in the Hogdon Load Data Center.

 

Have you guys tried any H 335 for 7.62x39? ...125 gr bullets are what I have on hand.

 

 

I unfortunately (or fortunately I guess since I do have a job :cool: ) work most weekends, so I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet Mr.David at the local gun shows to be able to pick up components from him...One day...

 

 

 

Appreciate your thoughts in advance folks. :hat:

[jaysouth]

Which reloading manual are you using?

[Jamie Jackson]

LOL. My physical manual is a Hornady from 1987.

 

I went to the Hodgdon data online for Min & Max data:  https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

 

That's where I looked up the 7.62x39 btw.

 

I'm really just seeking personal preference loads or an quirks folks may have encountered. It's my first go with this particular powder.

I've used IMR 3031 (excellent results but a PIA as it's extruded), AA 2230, and Win 748...I've had AA 2230 on backorder for more than a friggin' year now...such is the current nature of the component situation.

 

But I have no doubt TGOer's have experience with H335...good, bad, and indifferent. But I appreciate learning what I can from the members here.

 

And Yes, I know, I should purchase a newer physical manual... :ugh:

[Jamie Jackson]

Just an update;

 

I loaded up 8 different loads of H335 ranging from 21.8 grs to 25.0 grs.

Bullets were Extreme 55 gr fmj.

Trimmed and prepped range brass.

Primers were Tula Small Rifle KVB 223.

OAL 2.20"

 

Temp was 37 degrees and very overcast at ORSA today.

 

Rifle: 1995 version Bushy...twist rate is 1:9...16" barrel...old Vortex flash hider.

 

Velocity ranged from an average of 2487 (21.8) up to 2866 (25.0).

 

All rounds functioned without issue and no signs of pressure were noted.

 

I was only shooting at 50 yards and not shooting for accuracy. Some rounds were off sandbags and some loosely "propped" by my elbows. All rounds clustered at point of aim...but the surprise was a 1" or less cluster with the 25.0 gr rounds. This group was one of my elbow propped groups, so I am looking forward to seeing what this load actually does when tested for accuracy at 100 and 200 yards.

 

I just wanted to share the info in case it can be of use to anyone.

Any suggestions and/or thoughts are welcome.

Edited January 13, 2015 by prag

[leroy]

Prag... I want to say that we used 25.5 grains of H335 as an accuracy load in a turnbolt 223 using military cases, standard primers, 52 to 55 grain match bullets, and a heavy 1 to 9 twist barrel... As i remember, ya could lay a dime over a 5 shot group... The other "pet" load was 26.5 grains of Ball C2...

 

Hope this helps...

leroy

[Jamie Jackson]

Thank you Leroy.

 

I had seen on several reload data sites where folks were using powder charges greater than 25 grs in bolt guns without issues and having good accuracy results. I greatly appreciate the firsthand information.

 

As I mentioned, I was pleasantly surprised with the casual accuracy achieved during my chrono session. I'm certain I'll edge up a bit towards 25.5 grs just out of curiosity, but I'll definitely load up more rounds at 25 grs and test out the accuracy potential...as usual the problem will be that the rounds work out better than the shooter. LOL. 

 

 

btw...is the powder you're referring to when you said "The other "pet" load was 26.5 grains of Ball C2"  Hodgdon BL-C(2)?  https://www.hodgdon.com/rifle.html

 

Options are a very good thing these days!  Thanks again.

 

...

[leroy]

prag...

 

Ball C2 is Hogdon BL-C2...

 

Glad to help...

leroy

[stumpy]

H335 is one of my favorite powders in the smaller capacity cases.  Some time back I worked up loads for 7.62x39 in an AR with the common 125-128 weight bullets.  Like your experience I found that the higher charge weight I loaded, the tighter the groups became.  Apparently this powder likes to be pushed to the pressure limits, and that is where it shines.  

 

There was also a much older group size issue I had been having with a H&R Handi-Rifle in 30/30.  I had tried 150-170 weight bullets with all burn rates of powders, fast to slow, and charge weights from start to max.  Also tried factory loaded ammo, but got the same results as my handloads.  That rifle kept thumbing it's short little nose at me.  Groups ranged from disappointing to awful.  Then came the day I read about another loader using a light weight bullet (Sierra 125 gr. flat nose) over H335 (in a different 30/30 rifle) and bragging about his group size.  Why not try it, says me.  Got all the components and assembled slightly reduced loads, also some that went toward the other poster's reviewed load.  WOW!!! The rifle suddenly said - "I like it.  I love it.  I want some more of it!"  Groups that had been in the softball (and larger) size range suddenly went to 2" (lighter loads) and as powder charges increased groups shrank to just over 1", 5 shots at 100 yards.  Not only did the Handi-Rifle love this load, a Marlin 336A also responded to it (and put venison in the freezer with this load).  I also tried other powders behind this bullet but none gave me the results I found with the H335.  Bottom line, as long as you do not pass the pressure barrier this powder will give you both speed and accuracy in the smaller cases.  Your rifle (and brass) will tell you when you have reached that point.  Some may question whether the Handi-Rifle simply needed a lighter weight bullet.  I later loaded 150 and 170 grain bullets over H335 and saw immediate improvements in group size.  Still, both rifles shine with the 125 Sierras.

 

As for using H335 in .223, not yet.  I still have some bulk AA2230S to plow through before going anywhere else in the .223.  When that is gone, I have H335 waiting to be loaded in those cases.  

 

Stumpy

[Jamie Jackson]

This is great info stumpy. Thank you!

 

I would like to, plan to actually, try this powder with 7.62x39 down the road. Would you mind sharing the general charge range you used?

 

I also load for my 336 (.30-30) and hadn't even considered this powder for that application. Good to hear.

 

I've had AA2230 on backorder from MidSouth for over a year now, which is why I picked up this H335 when it became available through them.I am very pleased I did.

 

Much obliged for the info.