Reduced loads using H110

[Newtmaker]

Hobie has pointed out to me that reducing loads too much using H110 can lead to potential problems. I did some research on this and found he is absolutely correct. Now my question is, does this also apply to Lil Gun and 296 powders. Some say H110 and 296 are the same. Load comparisons show that Lil Gun is very similar as well.

I have shot all three powders at or close to the max loads and although they shoot OK, I have found that a grain or two less gives me much better accuracy and only a hundrfed fps or less in velocity drop.

Anyone with further insight I would much appreciate input.

Walt

[3leggedturtle]

Hodgdon's pamphlet used to have h110 loads for a 32/40 (yes 32/40) giving from 9-11 grains under a 196gr lead bullet. Why is this okay, cause theres no way that will even come close to filling the case? Incidentally I loaded 357Max with 1 grain less than the starting load and got hangfires and fail to fire.

[BenT]

296 is the same as H110 . Are you a grain less than starting loads ? I do know from experience that hangfires happen if you don't use magnum primers. I thought if light loaded there would be pressure spikes. It maybe because it's harder to ignite you might get hangfires like Todd.

[Hobie]

As a rule, yes, use magnum primers with ball powders. Lil'Gun is a ball powder but sometimes you can get by with using non-magnum primers. The thing is, that more often you will get more velocity variation if you don't use the magnum primers. Best to use them. The big exception is in the .22 Hornet. It SEEMS that you can often use non-magnum pistol primers with Lil'Gun and get better accuracy.

Here's the thing. If the manual gives you a starting load, it is there for a reason. Maybe you can find data that supports using less of any given powder but until you do, FOLLOW THE MANUAL.

Don't be so surprised when I'm right.

[AJMD429]

When researching to see if I could determine the 'four essential powders' I ruled out H110 and 296 due to their labeling and load data often warning against 'reduced loads'. I'm sure they're good powders, but if I can do without ones that sensitive, I prefer to do so; someday the powders I have on hand may be the only ones I can use.

I think 5744 and SR4759 may be ones that are actually better than others for reduced loads, but others here have FAR more reloading experience than I do.

[TedH]

The big exception is in the .22 Hornet. It SEEMS that you can often use non-magnum pistol primers with Lil'Gun and get better accuracy.

I can tell you for a fact that in my similarly sized 218 Bee that standard primers deliver noticeably better accuracy than magnum primers with H110, LilGun, and H4198. They also strangely produce higher velocity than the magnum primers. My theory is that the extra oomph of the mag primers actually starts to push the bullet out of the case before the powder is ignited, therefore making a larger combustion chamber once the powder lights, and the corresponding reduction of pressure.

[Hobie]

The big exception is in the .22 Hornet. It SEEMS that you can often use non-magnum pistol primers with Lil'Gun and get better accuracy.

I can tell you for a fact that in my similarly sized 218 Bee that standard primers deliver noticeably better accuracy than magnum primers with H110, LilGun, and H4198. They also strangely produce higher velocity than the magnum primers. My theory is that the extra oomph of the mag primers actually starts to push the bullet out of the case before the powder is ignited, therefore making a larger combustion chamber once the powder lights, and the corresponding reduction of pressure.

I would buy that. I didn't mention the Bee because I couldn't remember the data. I also load it with small pistol primers and Lil'Gun but under the 40 Hornady VMAX instead of the 35 gr. VMAX I've been using in the Hornet.

[Ben_Rumson]

Here's an H110 load that doesn't recommend a magnum primer nor offer a starting load:
Hodgdon # 26 Data Manual....
.30M1 Carbine 110gr bullet
Small Rifle Primer
No starting load.. Just 14.0gr H110

Question about H110.. Neck sized cases will have increased case capacity...Could this increased capacity be enough in essence, to amount to a load reduction of any significance to be concerned with?

[BenT]

Here's an H110 load that doesn't recommend a magnum primer nor offer a starting load:
Hodgdon # 26 Data Manual....
.30M1 Carbine 110gr bullet
Small Rifle Primer
No starting load.. Just 14.0gr H110

Question about H110.. Neck sized cases will have increased case capacity...Could this increased capacity be enough in essence, to amount to a load reduction of any significance to be concerned with?

I think it only list that load because your dealing with a semi -auto and that is the load that with work the action realiably. I use 13 grs in my 32-20 which has titch more capacity that the 30 carbine with no problems. By the way I just used that 30 carbine load and it worked fine.

[the telegraphist]

296 and H110, I start at 4% below max no more, then work-up slowly. Mag primer also with the large cases.

[milton]

Loading 296 in my 32 H&R mag with standard primers gives no problem.Of course that is with a case full of powder and a 115 gr bullet!

[piller]

I have used Li'L Gun in my .480 quite a bit, and no it should not be used with reduced loads. It starts to give a lot more variation in average velocity when the loads are close to the lower end of the listing on Hodgdon's website. Like 296/H110, it gives me better consistency and accuracy when loaded just about 1 grain short of maximum. Hot, fast ball powders have been sensitive to load variations in my experience. The rod powders seem to give me the best reduced oads, but that is just my experience.