H414 and .308 Win

[J_McLeod]

I loaded up my first batch of .308 tonight. I wanted to use H414 since it's the only powder I have that's not also useful for .223. I was a little surprised to find Hodgdon had data for a 165gr and 175gr, but not the 168s I wanted to use. No worries, I have some 165s too. So I put the starting load of 48.0gr of H414 into a case and it was above the bottom of the case neck. So it looked like it would have been a compressed load at the start and I didn't want to mess with that. I put the H414 back and loaded some Hornady 168s with 8208 XBR instead. Has anyone else loaded .308 with H414? What were you results?

 

[Shmackey]

I've never met anyone who used H414, so I'm no help there. But I can tell you that you're going to love the results from XBR. My trusty cans of Varget and H4895 have been collecting dust ever since I discovered it.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Use the 165gr data for H414/W760. Start a half grain or full grain lower than published start charge. Bearing surface will be different than the Hornady soft point they used, but even at the published start charge you shouldn't have any surprises. H414/W760 is a good powder to work with.

 

[Steve in PA]

Don't reload .308, but I do reload .30/06 and H414 is by far my favorite powder to loads in my rifle.