looking for a reliable, versatile powder

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i was just calling it similar to varget in the fact that loaded to the same pressures it seems to produce the same velocities
 
Another vote for H4895. It meters well for me and is supposed to be temp resistant.

I've loaded .223, .308 and .30-06 with it. It has also produced some of my most consistent and accurate loads.

Second, I'd say Varget but good luck finding any.

I have tried IMR 4064 but can't get it to meter consistently.

I also have some BLC(2), 8208XBR and CFE223 that I haven't tried yet. Might be some magic in one of those bottles
 
so, can anyone tell me more about 4166? im interested in its claims, but cant find much info
 
justin22885 said:
so, can anyone tell me more about 4166? im interested in its claims, but cant find much info
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My buddy uses it in his 6.5 CM because H4350 is non existent around here. It seems to do pretty well. Might be a little slow for a short barreled 308. Ive thought about trying it on my 308 with a 26" barrel with some 168gr or heavier bullets.

Dont think Id use it on 223 though. Way too slow of a powder.
 
so, can anyone tell me more about 4166? im interested in its claims, but cant find much info
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IMR 4166 is the fastest of the Enduron powders with a burn rate similar to IMR 4064 but with a higher energy level because it is a double base powder. The granule size is comparable to IMR 8208 and flows well through my ChargeMaster. I load on a single stage press and rarely use a powder measure for rifle loads since I got that thing.

I am just beginning experimentation with it in my old Remington 788 carbine in .308. With a little luck, and weather permitting, I'll be shooting my first test loads on Saturday. I'll let you know how things come out.
 
Poper said:
IMR 4166 is the fastest of the Enduron powders with a burn rate similar to IMR 4064 but with a higher energy level because it is a double base powder. The granule size is comparable to IMR 8208 and flows well through my ChargeMaster. I load on a single stage press and rarely use a powder measure for rifle loads since I got that thing.

I am just beginning experimentation with it in my old Remington 788 carbine in .308. With a little luck, and weather permitting, I'll be shooting my first test loads on Saturday. I'll let you know how things come out.
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i wouldnt mind seeing a temperature variation test if you know how to do those, do you have a chronograph?
 
Yes, I have a chronograph, but I have no intention of doing temperature variation testing. I'll take Hodgdon's (IMR's) word for it.

If you want temperature variation data, get a copy of the latest (2015) Hodgdon Powder loading manual. There is a pretty good write-up on each of the Enduron Powders (4166, 4451, and 7797) in it. They discuss the temperature stability, too. IIRC, the temp testing they did showed a very small difference in velocity from sub-zero to 100 deg. F.
Here's the Hodgdon 2015 manual: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hodgdon-reg-Annual-Reloading-Manual/1588541.uts
 
Another fan of XBR 8208 here, but I use it in 6.5 G and.308. Another cost effective powder to consider is Ramshot Tac. It's produced very good accuracy for me in the Grendel with 120 gr bullets. Check out the Accurate / Western online load data for the calibers you've noted.
 
As I'm sure you know there is always a trade off when trying to use one powder for many cartridges. IMO you will do well with BL-C(2) for loading the 5 cartridges you listed. I'm sure there are others that will do almost as well but I know BL-C(2) will work well. Just a note, W748 is very close in performance if not identical.
 
I know its an older number, but IMR 4895 is particularly versatile. Especially for the cartridges listed. What's neat about 4895, is that it is also useful in lower pressure, lower velocity loads, if one wishes to use it that way.

RL15 is probably the most useful in the cartridges OP listed, except for the x39. It is hard to beat AA 1680 in that cartridge.
 
hmm, i actually found some temperature data on IMR4166.. 0-125 degrees F shows a variation of 29fps
 
Varget and H4895 cross all the lines fairly well. They are also "extreme" powders that claim to be less temp sensitive. That being said 2 separate canisters , as stated dont cost any more or less. Trying to find a compromise usually means you have a compromise that does everything "sorta" OK, but not at the best level.Kinda like the one gun for everything from starlings to moose.
 
i dont see much of a "compromise" being made, the same powders that through load data that seem to perform exceptionally well with 5.56 also seem to be the top performer in .308 handloads as well
 
justin22885 said:
i dont see much of a "compromise" being made, the same powders that through load data that seem to perform exceptionally well with 5.56 also seem to be the top performer in .308 handloads as well
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Then just load IMR 4895 in everything and be done. It's the only powder you need, really.

Ron
 
Reloadron said:
Then just load IMR 4895 in everything and be done. It's the only powder you need, really.

Ron
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ive used 4895 before, i like the powder and it produces good results, but im looking to hand load a LOT of ammunition, like 5k rounds of 5.56 so i can buy the reloading components in bulk, for cheaper so i really need something thats going to meter better than 4895 because im pretty much going to have to rely on the powder dispenser to ensure accuracy
 
The guys have listed a number of powders reasonably suitable for .223, .308, and 7.62x54R.

Me? I load .223 and .308 with Varget. AA2520 metered great but was still not quite as accurate as Varget, Re15, 4064 or 4895. It or other ball process powder would be fine for military grade ammo, and convenient to use.

7.62x39 is the clanger. It is just too small and too high an expansion ratio to benefit from powders used in the others.
 
justin22885 said:
ive used 4895 before, i like the powder and it produces good results, but im looking to hand load a LOT of ammunition, like 5k rounds of 5.56 so i can buy the reloading components in bulk, for cheaper so i really need something thats going to meter better than 4895 because im pretty much going to have to rely on the powder dispenser to ensure accuracy
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Like I said much earlier, I never found a one size fits all, well not very well anyway. The powders that delivered best in 308 never worked out real well in my 223 loads. That gets especially true when loading for example 223 for bolt and semi-auto as well as 308.

So in one size fits all if you find IMR 4895 hard to meter then try Varget. If I am going to load 5,000 rounds of 223? I will find a powder I like in 223 and buy enough to get it done. 5,000 rounds figure between 27 to 30 grains per round depending on bullet. You will get around 250 to 260 rounds per Lb. You are looking at roughly 20 pounds of powder so 3 EA. 8 Lb containers. So what does it matter? Then too you will need large and small rifle primers between 223 and 308 so why worry about it?

Sounds like a pipe dream. :)

Ron
 
7.62x39 and 7.62x54R are just cartridges ive loaded in the past, there are really no cost benefits or reasons to load either of these, so its just 5.56, .308, and to a much, much lesser extent, 8mm mauser

ive heard people say varget was hard to find right now?
 
im well aware of the powder costs and ive been doing cost analysis' based on 5,000 rounds, total estimates with the powder, once fired brass, primers, hornady 75 grain HPBT bullets comes out to about .30-.31 cents per round

also, from the load data ive found it seems most these powders are equally adept at .223 and .308, especially when you consider theyre both for 16" gas operated rifles
 
You should look for TWO "reliable, versatile" powders.

Stock up on each.

That way, when one becomes unavailable, you don't have to start all over on your load development.[/QUOTE

THIS

I've had good luck with both H335 and A2230.
Looking to try BL2 soon as well.
Click to expand...
 
no reason for two powders when most those mentioned handle both calibers about as well as any other... the only other second powder i need to stock up on is handgun powder and so far ive been using power pistol
 
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