IMR4895 or H4895 for normal jacketed and reduced cast boolit loads.

[Scooter22]

I think there was a thread a ways back on this. Santa brought my son a reloading set up. I've used IMR4895 for 40yrs from reduced cast loads to full power in .223, 243, 7mm-08, 30-30, 30-06 and others. I reload to get about factory ammo and have had no problems with IMR. But lately I read somewhere only the H4895 should be used for 5,10,15% reduced loads. So I want to get powder for my son as he's reloading the same rounds. Do I get more IMR or get a 8 pound jug of Hogden that was shown more for reduced loads. and split it with him. I wish I could find the thread.

 

[GooseGestapo]

In 48yrs of reloading, I’ve used exactly 1lb of IMR4895.
I prefer H4895. It has a smaller grain size so it measures and trickles better.

The one pound of IMR was used to load .30/06 ball ammo for my Garands, and showed no improvement over the H.

I’ve never had any complaint. 60% to max.
I loaded some reduced 7mm08 loads for a friends 12yr old grandson. He and son were so impressed at accuracy and performance of the 120gr Vmax bullet at ~2,600fps mv, it’s their “Standard” load now. (Deer average like that in my avatar).
It’s one of the few powders I keep on hand in 8lb kegs.

 

[frankmako]

I use imr 4895 in my loads for years. It has worked well for me in high power rifle and high power pistol silhouette matches. Thousands of rounds shot yearly in 7tcu, 30-223, 30-06, 308, 7-08, and 30-30. I haven't tried to use it for reduced loads. I know h4895 can be used for reduce loads. I have replace most of my 4895 loads with varget. But when I run out of my last 16 pounds of it I am going to use Shooters World Precision Rifle powder. I have been testing Precision Rifle powder and it is a one for one replacement for varget and a lot cheaper in price. In my 7-08 match load I drop the same weight of imr 4895 or varget and can use the same sight setting out to 500 meters.

 

[Laphroaig]

I queried Hogdgon via email on this very topic a couple of years ago. Their reply was (I'm paraphrasing now) that the pressure curves are different between IMR- and H-4895 and they only recommend using H-4895 for reduced loads.

The old timers at our club had been using cast bullet and reduced loads with 4895 successfully for decades in their 1903 rifles. I assume most, if not all, of their powder was of the military pull-down variety. My guess is that the pull-down powder would be closest to todays IMR-4895, but I can't say that for sure.

 

[243winxb]

in the 70s, i used IMR 4895 with cast 173 gr gas checked in a 1903 Springfield 30-06 , a 30-30 M94 & T/C Contender. The reduced loads worked well.

Only data i can find is from the Contender. Loaded 27.5 grs. 1500 fps , 10" barrel.

Shot many cast rounds out of the 1903, but did have to put on a new $25 surplus barrel. Gunsmith headspaced it for $5. The orginal barrel was a little rough.

I did shoot some reduced jacketed loadS with IMR. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/questions-on-reduced-loads.767422/

 

[cheygriz]

I've used a ton of both, and I can't really say I have a preference.

I have loads worked up for both, so I buy whichever is on sale. (in 8 lb jugs)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While I'm sure IMR 4895 is safe for reduced loads Hodgdon does recommend only using H4985 for those reduced loads, probably because they have tested it.

I use H4895 because it generates slightly less pressure for the same velocity and it meters slightly better. I like the stuff and if you bought some you will too. If you chose to stick with the IMR version you won't hurt yourself either.

 

[243winxb]

I've used IMR4895 for 40yrs from reduced cast loads to full power in .223, 243, 7mm-08, 30-30, 30-06 and others.

If you have IMR (Dupont) load data, that you already worked up, i see no reason to change to H.

The H4895 data is in print for reduced loads for jacketed bullets. How it works with cast, no idea?


H is a "new" powder compared to the "old" IMR.

 

[Slamfire]

I have shot both, I can't tell a difference between the two at mid range and full power loads, but if there is a difference on the bottom end, buy H4895. If someone is looking for really reduced loads, then there are even better powders, such as Trail Boss or AA5744. AA5744 is a great cast bullet powder, works great in large cases like the 45/70, according to Accurate, it was developed for the 45/120, which is even more cavernous. I have tried it with cast bullets in 30-06, 303 Brit, 30-30 Win. There is nothing wrong with the powder, but I sure was discouraged with cast bullets. I later found that my Marlin has a throat so deep, that a 170gr FPFB can be seated out to 2.7" before touching the throat! Cast bullets don't seem to do well when they are jumping 0.20 inches.

 

[243winxb]

Hodgdon 30-30 data.

Trailboss lists the highest pressure of the 3 powders with cast. . Not always good for a cast bullet. Worse if a plain base design.

 

[Scooter22]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll have him go with Hodgdon seeing the data is proven safe for the lower loads. Then I'll start using it when my IMR is gone. I don't have any super worked up loads so it won't be a big deal. I just shoot for fun these days mainly at the range. With a couple bad shoulders, reduce cast loads are my go to. Last thing I want is heavy recoil. Thanks again.

 

[GooseGestapo]

The above listed H4895 data is for a PLAIN BASE bullet.
With a GAS CHECKED bullet, you can go all the way up to jacketed bullet maximum. Because of the lower coefficient of friction for the cast bullet, velocities will be higher at equal pressures. I use 28.5gr H4895 with 150-170gr cast bullets in the .30/30. However, for that application, I prefer 30gr RL15...