62gr FMJ BT .223 and H4198

[filter777]

I have reloaded 55gr 223 with H4198 with good success and there is load data out there to support it.... however, not so much with 62gr. What I don't understand is that you will find load data for 55 gr and 63 gr, but nothing at all for 62gr. What's the deal? Is that 1 grain from 62 to 63 going to make that much of an impact? Anyone out there use this powder to load their 62gr fmj? Recipes welcome.

 

[Reloadron]

+/- 1.0 grain of bullet weight won't matter for the same bullet designs. You don't mention bullet manufacturer but their website might be a good starting point for load data. The Speer #12 Reloading Manual does reflect a 62 grain bullet (.224 Diameter) but unfortunately does not reflect H4198 in their load data. I seem to see more IMR4198 loading than the H4198 loading overall. Anyway with a difference in bullet weight of 1.0 grain for the same type bullets I would not worry about it. Especially going from a 63 to a 62 grain bullet.

Also, I have never used it but have read somewhere at some point that H4198 was about as fast a powder as you would want in 223 and tends to work better in bolt guns. I have no clue if there is any fact to that because I never tried it. If you have been working with it in AR rifles and it works then I would stick with it.

Ron

 

[243winxb]

Bullets of the same weight may have different bearing surface. Longer = more pressure.

 

[J_McLeod]

Most of the time, a few grains of bullet weight won't make much difference. Another example is 124/125gr in 9mm. If it's the same bullet type, it's the same load.

I tried H4198 in my AR. Can't remember if it was 55 or 62gr. I couldn't get it to cycle reliably and gave the rest to a buddy for his 300 BLK. Hope you get better results, let us know.

 

[rskent]

Welcome to the High Road

Sorry I can't be much help to you on the powder. With light bullets I use 335. I can say that I use the same load for both 52 and 53 grain bullets.

 

[filter777]

Thanks to all you guys for all your feedback. Much appreciated. I will work up a safe load for this 62gr bullet and report it here. I have heard all the negative input concerning the H4198 for the 223. And the IMR 4198 is somewhat faster burning, from what I understood, and therefore a better powder for the 223. I really didn't get a chance to check on pressures. Again, thanks to all. You will hear back from me soon.

 

[243winxb]

IMR 4198 in autos

I used IMR 4198 in Mini14, M16 and Armilite AR180 with 50, 55 gr bullets, no problems. Currently loading it in an Axis 223. But it does not go thru the measure as well as some other powders. It will not produce top/highest velocities.

 

[filter777]

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I would work up some loads and report it here for anyone interested. I loaded up some test rounds with H4198 and the 62gr FMJ projectile (not XM855 although there shouldn't be much of a difference). The test rounds were as follows: [email protected] gr, [email protected] gr, and [email protected]. All had OAL of 2.230 ~ 2.240. All loads performed well and had no issues cycling the AR. No FTF, FTE, and no jams of any kind. I also did not experience any noticeable high pressures either through cycling or by visual inspection. The AR is set up with a full auto milspec bolt, carbine length gas system, and 16" 223/556 barrel w/ 1:7 twist. Respectively, the average fps were as follows, on the low end avg @19.5gr = 2820 fps, at the mid range 20.5gr = 2852 fps, and at the high end load of 21.0 gr, the calculated average was 2949 fps. I have decided to continue loading these rounds at 19.5 gr with an OAL of 2.230. I hope this info was helpful to some of you. Great day at the range today... keep safe.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If you're using lead core 62gr FMJ I can't see an issue with using the 63gr data. If you're using an M855 or M855A1 pull down bullet, find a different powder. The steel penetrators in the M855 and M855A1, along with the copper core of the M855A1 are going to increase the length of the bullet. More bearing surface, more pressure, making either of the 4198 powders a pretty poor choice. Personally I won't use 4198 with any bullets over 50gr if the ammo is to be shot through a semi-auto. Too many cycling issues in my experience with the rifles I've tested H4198 in.

 

[filter777]

That's a good point regarding the SS109 projectile... I typically use H335, Benchmark, or Win 748 for those loads. My favorite was pulled WC844 when it was inexpensive, plentiful, and available back in the day. These are a lead core fmj 62gr bullet. And yes, the 63gr data would not be an issue. Most of what I read was in regards to cycling the bolt. Many stated that during their tests, they encountered issues with H4198 but not with the IMR 4198. I never had issues with the H4198 loading ot for 55gr, and now the same goes for the H4198. I agree... many better powders for that application, but unfortunately, that is all I could get my hands on for the time being. Thanks for the feedback.