Changing powders without starting over

[The Alaskan]

So...I'm getting back into reloading after a decade out of the game. I recently found a couple boxes of reloads I made for my M1 Garand, along with the load data for it. (This dates back to when I was competing in DCM Service Rifle with it.)

That load is 47 grns of 4064, which is not a powder that you would call "readily available" in Alaska. Furthermore, 4895 was normally the powder I used for my 243. 4895 IS readily available in my area, well most of the time.

I would like to use just one powder for both rifles. Is there a way to approximate a matching load in 4895, without starting over completely, or am I just going "back to the drawing board" with the M1 if I want to swap powders?

On a related note, I have a similar problem with pistol powder. I have two lever guns, one in 357M, one in 44M. I have been loading the 44 with H110, which is now made entirely of unobtainium. H110 hasn't been seen in a retail establishment in going on two years now. I've seen it online TWICE in two years and at prices I would never even consider paying-even if I had the money.

SOOO...what powder is a good alternative that can be used successfully in both calibers (used in 32-20 as well would be a huge bonus, but not necessary)...that is also obtainable?

 

[rcmodel]

Any reloading manual will give you the comparison charge weight between 4064, and 4895.

47 grains of IMR-4064 would be about the same as 47.1 grains of IMR-4895 with a 168 grain bullet.
(According to Hornady #6 manual.)

That does not mean however that those loads will shoot in the same place without sight adjustment.

.357, .44, and 32-20 can be well served with Alliant 2400.
Even Unique if that's all you can find.

However, all pistol powders have been very scarce everywhere for at least two years now.

All any of us can do lately is keep looking until you find something suitable.

rc

 

[The Alaskan]

Thanks, RC.

I was just perusing my old manual (Lyman 46th ed. from 1994), but I need a new manual. Most of my pistol bullet weights (cast lead WFN 180grn for 357 and 312grn for 44) aren't even listed. I guess they didn't exist back then.

As far as pistol powder...yeah you're right, all I can do is pick one that is available, buy every single can of it I can get my hands on, and hope like heck it works. Sucky thing is, for my purposes, I'm looking for velocity more than accuracy, and H110 seems to give the highest velocities in the bullet weights I use (which are typically the highest available in that caliber.)

I have 72 rounds left for my 44 and when it's gone, it's gone. I don't even practice with it anymore.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I am not sure if this will help much but I use both 4064 and 4895 in my M1A's (308). I have found the 4895 does better on the short ranges, say under 300 yrds but 4064 seems to do better on the longer ranges. Both can be exchanged back and forth but if you are really concentrating on your follow thru, the 4064 rounds have a different recoil than the 4895. 4064 is a bit more of a whack than 4895. I think that is mostly due to the difference in the operating speed of the action.

Since you are reloading for the Garand, Hornady 8 has a special section for reloading for the Garand. I believe Sierra 5 also has a section for it, but did not check.

Good luck and let us know if you notice much difference between 4064 and 4895.

 

[savanahsdad]

. I have two lever guns, one in 357M, one in 44M. I have been loading the 44 with H110, which is now made entirely of unobtainium. H110 hasn't been seen in a retail establishment ?

Have you seen W296 ? it is the same thing , I have seen one or the other at shows lately, never at the same time , seems it is selling as fast as they can bottle it , in either bottle , I just paid $78 for a 4# keg of W296 my old 8# keg had a price tag on it of $98 , , it ain't getting any cheaper,

 

[2011redrider]

So...I'm getting back into reloading after a decade out of the game. I recently found a couple boxes of reloads I made for my M1 Garand, along with the load data for it. (This dates back to when I was competing in DCM Service Rifle with it.)

That load is 47 grns of 4064, which is not a powder that you would call "readily available" in Alaska. Furthermore, 4895 was normally the powder I used for my 243. 4895 IS readily available in my area, well most of the time.

I would like to use just one powder for both rifles. Is there a way to approximate a matching load in 4895, without starting over completely, or am I just going "back to the drawing board" with the M1 if I want to swap powders?

On a related note, I have a similar problem with pistol powder. I have two lever guns, one in 357M, one in 44M. I have been loading the 44 with H110, which is now made entirely of unobtainium. H110 hasn't been seen in a retail establishment in going on two years now. I've seen it online TWICE in two years and at prices I would never even consider paying-even if I had the money.

SOOO...what powder is a good alternative that can be used successfully in both calibers (used in 32-20 as well would be a huge bonus, but not necessary)...that is also obtainable?

http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/2,65.html
Recobs has it in stock right now in 1 Lb bottles.

 

[maxxhavoc]

As far as a W296/H110 alternative, I have had good luck finding IMR 4227, which has similar applications. A little less velocity, but good accuracy in 30 Carbine and .357.

 

[The Alaskan]

http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/2,65.html
Recobs has it in stock right now ... is absolutely not an option. I wish it were.

 

[The Alaskan]

I am not sure if this will help much but I use both 4064 and 4895 in my M1A's (308). I have found the 4895 does better on the short ranges, say under 300 yrds but 4064 seems to do better on the longer ranges. Both can be exchanged back and forth but if you are really concentrating on your follow thru, the 4064 rounds have a different recoil than the 4895. 4064 is a bit more of a whack than 4895. I think that is mostly due to the difference in the operating speed of the action.

Since you are reloading for the Garand, Hornady 8 has a special section for reloading for the Garand. I believe Sierra 5 also has a section for it, but did not check.

Good luck and let us know if you notice much difference between 4064 and 4895.

Hey thanks for the input. I had heard that there were Garand-specific reloading manuals out there, but I didn't know which ones they were. I never thought of different powders giving more or less recoil. 4064 has more recoil than 4895...that explains a lot.

 

[The Alaskan]

As far as a W296/H110 alternative, I have had good luck finding IMR 4227, which has similar applications. A little less velocity, but good accuracy in 30 Carbine and .357.

4227 is obtainable on a semi regular basis, so I'm thinking I'll hav eot go that route. I've never seen 296 anywhere.

Sucks because, for me, I'm looking for the highest velocity for the most penetration (brown bears) at very close range. he H100 seemed to be the fastest of the pistol loads. BUT, it's not a perfect world and we all have to make sacrifices.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Did some looking, mainly in Lyman 49. Powder choices that make 1,000 fps in the 357 & 44 include Accurate #9, Blue Dot, 2400, N110 and 4227. Of those, Blue Dot, 2400 and 4227 also work for .32-20 in a strong revolver.

 

[Bigdog57]

My 'go to' powder for .357 Magnum is Lil Gun. Gives me the same velocity as other powders but with less felt recoil, and the manufacturer states it has approx. 75% of the pressure, so less punishing on the gun. Accuracy has been very good from my Ruger Securitysix revolver. Maybe a good choice if you can find it.

 

[Toprudder]

I prefer H110 for full magnum loads in my 357, but I was also getting pretty good velocity using BE-86. 1050 fps, 158gn plated SWC, Ruger GP100 5" barrel.