H4350 VS H4831sc (heat)

[Bug Splat]

I have everything to start reloading for my 6.5-284 but the powder. I'm on the fence between these two. Both show amazing accuracy and both have big wins on the bench and F-class. I want to push my 140-142gr SMK to 2950-3000fps which both will do. H4350 will do it with less powder but I hear it burns very hot and barrel life suffers.

My real question to you guys is H4831sc any better on barrel life then H4530? Is it worth using more powder to save slightly or any on barrel life?

[buffybuster]

Get a pound of both and probably R19 & R22, start load testing and pick the one that gives you the velocity that you want with the best accuracy/consistency.

The barrel's going to last and long as it's going to last. I'd rather shoot 2000 great rounds versus 2500 mediocre rounds. The faster powder is generally going give less barrel life than a slower powder (pressures and velocities being equal).


These days however, I might just take whatever I can lay my hands on.

[Fjold]

H4350 is the most accurate in my gun but to get the 142 SMK to 3000fps out of my 26" barrel the cases only last me three reloads. It's too hot in my gun. Accuracy is not necessarily related to velocity and yeah the bullet may get you an inch less drift at 1,000 yards with 200 fps more velocity but if the SD is good and the loads are more consistent at 2800fps then just hold a hair more right.

I've loaded down to 2800fps and I'm getting more than 7 (so far) reloads on the cases. My loads have a SD of 4.8 fps and will stack bullets on top of each other at 200 yards. (Ask Randall, he was spotting last weekend at the CPRC shoot)

[Bug Splat]

Yeah, I could go with a lower charger but I have heard that the 6.5 really shines at 2950-3000. My goal was to build the flattest shooting, hardest hitting 6.5 1000+ yard gun I could. I guess the real reason I moved away from the 260, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5-47 was because the 6.5-284 was better. What made it better was its ability to push a heavier 6.5 pill faster and farther. If I use a lighter charge the extra money I spent on brass, dies and barrel are kinda wasted.

3000 fps is the finish line. I'm not being greedy with this round as some guys are pushing 142gr bullets at +3100 with this case. It can be done, I'd just like to use a powder that is going to be less harsh on my barrel. If they are all going to burn out my barrel in the same rate then oh well.

I want 3000FPS

[Fjold]

Go wiith a 30" barrel then, it will get you 100fps or so without increasing the powder charge. The 4831SC being slower will get you more push in the longer barrel also so give it try.

[Bug Splat]

Go wiith a 30" barrel then, it will get you 100fps or so without increasing the powder charge. The 4831SC being slower will get you more push in the longer barrel also so give it try.

Damn! I already had my barrel cut and chambered to 28 inches.

I'll work up the load using 4831sc until...

A) I hit 3000 fps
B) Groups open up vertically
C) I hit over pressure signs