IMR 4895

I have a question for you on the forum, about 4895. My father in law taught me reloading back in the early 70's after my return from my senior trip to Southeast Asia, he used IMR 4895. He reloaded every thing from a 300 HH down to a 22-250. I followed suit and have used the same all these years. The question is why all the different powder's used? I have never had a bad apple in all my reloads, as my teacher had strict rules, and they are adhered to the letter to this day, any help please?

4895 is a medium fast burning powder that was designed for reliable use in the military service rifles of the day. It's useful for a wide range of loads, but it's not likely to be the optimal choice these days. Other powders may produce higher velocities, burn cleaner, have less muzzle flash, etc.

Why don't you take a quick look at some of the loading data at: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com

You might also want to buy a copy of the Lyman reloading manual as it explains very clearly the benefits of the different powders:
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-49th-Edition...eloading+manual

It's all about optimizing performance. 4895 will make almost anything go bang but it will not even come close to optimal performance in many ctgs.

Yup. That being said, it is my favorite powder for 223, 308, 30-06, 30-30, and 45-70.

^^^^^^^^^^


What these guys said..
IMR4895 is an extremely versatile powder, and is my favorite as well, it works well in many, many cartridges, but does not optimize performance in them all. If you want to wring out that extra 150fps here and there....they make all those other powders for that....



I love the versatility but I also like the 'tweak' some other powders give me in certain loads....

I was taught by a Early Vietnam vet, same thing I had a 4895 load for all my centerfire rifles that I had in the early 80's. Also a load for all my pistols in Unique. Now I stock 10-12 different powders...

One of my most used powders also. May not give the fastest velocity in some cases but it is very accurate in several of my rifles. And I always prefer accuracy over a few extra feet per sec.

Good powder for sure. But using it as an every man is like saying my old pickup gets me to town everyday. Yes but one could get to town faster in a corvette or maybe I need to take the family to town and need the sedan. Etc. if looking for a middlin do all there are several but if looking to optimize per caliber there may be better choices to "specialize"

+1 what everyone said above. If you look at a burn rate chart and compare the load data for your 300 H&H with different powders, you will find powders listed with much slower burn rates than 4895. Yes, you can load 4895 in the 300 H&H, but it will not be a full case and you will not get much speed out of it, like you could with a slower burning powder.

I think of the 4895s as being "broadband" powders.

+1

I may still have some, but do not have any rifle that has a load built for it using H-4895.

But thus far, three powders seem to cover my bases.

H-Varget bolt action .223, 22-250, 7mm-08, .308
H-4350 bolt action 6.5 Creedmoor, .243
H-Retumbo bolt action 7mm Rem Mag

Chad pointed me to IMR 8208 for .308 gas gun. So there will probably be a fourth powder added to the list. I have no illusion that that will be the end of it. Bout like picking the right bass rig for what the conditions are where you are fishing.

Thanks, fellas great information.

Fireman unless you are using the Varget for heavies in the .223 the 8208 will probably give better performance speed-wise. Varget does not shine in the .223 until bullet weight is 69gr or higher at least by my chrono.

When I started loading, 4895 was described to me as the "Unique" of the rifle world. Can load it in just about anything.

I'm a fan of it in .30-06 and .30-30. I've probably used in a dozen different calibers though.

Have ya'll tried W748 in 50 and 55gr pills? Have not chrono'd but accuracy is quite good with the 50 to 55gr Varmageddon bullets. Hell on wheels for pdogs.