No luck with H414

[Renton83]

I was loading my 243 with 36g of IMR3031 and 70g bullet for awhile and getting great groups. I was unable to buy more of that powder from my store so I got H414 which I read works well in 243win and fills the case more being a slower powder. Well I've tried literally every load with it and my groups are almost twice the size. I have not changed anything else, I also use WLR primers which are supposed to be good with ball powder. So am I doing something wrong or is it possible that my rifle just doesn't shoot well with this powder? I've shot over a hundred rounds with this new powder trying to get it to group and am frustrated.

 

[Galil5.56]

Funny, my .243 hates "faster" propellants, but loves H414/WW760 and any type of 4350... Likes IMR 4831 too. I can say for me, CCI 250 Magnum primers made a huge difference using H414, over 200's in any type of climate. Really cut down group sizes, and fliers. Also, my rifle seems to shoot best on the higher velocity end of the spectrum; the faster the better it seems. Only really bad groups I got was when I pushed Rem 80 gr Power-Lokt bullets a bit too fast... Some 'exploded' in mid air, in a puff of gray smoke.

Wishing you better luck.

 

[Renton83]

Hmm maybe I will try magnum primers, cheap solution.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have never heard WLR primers are any better with ball powders than any other primer. You might be thinking of WLP primers which are rated for both standard and magnum use being good for ball powders in handguns.

 

[Renton83]

I read on tests done that Winchester large rifle primers are supposed to be the hottest of the non magnum primers. I'm hoping switching to magnum primers gives me better results otherwise I'm just going to try another powder like IMR4064 or IMR4350 which I can get

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I hope switching primers helps. That should be a quick easy fix.

 

[GooseGestapo]

With the 70gr bullet, you probably won't see the accuracy you were getting with 3031 from H414.
I've only used H414 with 95-105gr bullets in .243.

I recently was loading for a Savage, and it was fantastic with the 65gr Vmax over 42.5gr of IMR4064. 5-shot groups ran just over 1/2" and velocity was 3,700fps.
My experience is that with bullets 70gr and lighter, the .243 prefers the mid burn rate powders, also more accurate with the extruded powders. Back in the '70's, I had a Rem788 that shot very well with a 80gr bullet and H4895.
But, It's hard to beat 4350 or 4831 with a 100gr bullet.

 

[Ifishsum]

I've had good success with 75gr bullets and H414 in the .243 - and I always use magnum primers with ball powder FWIW.

 

[spitballer]

The 2015 Hodgdon Annual Reloading Manual has an interesting article about primers starting on page 60. From the data I discerned that regular primers may actually have more spark, which could explain compatibility problems when used with ball powders.

 

[Renton83]

So I tried magnum primers and it does make a difference. Much more consistent and tighter groups. I also tried using heavier 88gr bullets and these seem better suited to the powder.

 

[Tinybob]

I've been playing with H414 today. Awesome results with Speer SPBT 100gr and 39.5gr H414! Used WLR primers. Stacked three in one hole and the rest of the six were within an inch. Not to good with Nosler 90gr BT though.