IMR 4198 and 308 Win

[rduckwor]

Considering working up a load with this powder for 308. Interesting that I haven't found any recipes on line at the Winchester site or other places. Is the burn rate too fast for heavier cartridges? Advice? Unsafe?

Thanks,

RMD

 

[JDGray]

I find data up to 150gr pills in my Lee Second Edition.

 

[MEHavey]

Is the burn rate too fast for heavier cartridges? Advice? Unsafe?

It's not unsafe, just not very efficient since it builds up pressure too fast to really use enough powder to get things going in normal-length barrels. (For that very reason, however, it is useful for SOCOM-like carbines.)

Case in point:

Using a standard 24" barrel, a 150-FMJ and a 55,000psi pressure limit, RL-17 gives you a full case, decent burn, and 2,900fps

Using IMR4198 you can only get 2,750fps before busting that pressure limit.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When you can't find load data for a caliber/powder combination especially from the powder manufacturer there's usually a very good reason. It's only dangerous if you ignore the pressure limits and load too "hot" for the caliber.

 

[257roberts]

There is load data for it on hodgdon's website

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

speer reloading manual 14 has a few loads for it in 308

good for carbines or light bullets there are much better powder choices for heaver bullets IMHO. I use it with 110g V-Max

 

[rduckwor]

Yes, I found the data for the 110Gr Barnes there, but was curious as to why no heavier projectiles were listed.

As for my reloading books, I will check the Speer. Forgot I had it in the bench out in the garage.

Thanks all,

RMD

 

[Cherokee]

IMO 4198 is not for the 308. The powder is too fast. It can be used but not efficiently

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

The exception being w/ a short barrel and light bullets. I am using it w/ my 20" barreled Scout and 110gr. V-max for coyotes. Am getting close to 3000fps.