M1 Powder Preference

[NotSoFast]

I'd like to ask this in two parts.

First, between IMR4895 and H4895, which do you consider to be the better powder and why?

Now, if you have another powder you prefer for reloading for the M1 Garand, what is it and why did you choose it?

While I have been using H4895 as my powder of choice, I am open to trying other powders and would like to see what powder more prefer than others.

 

[jcwit]

As IMR is now owned by Hodgden I would imagine they are now the same or so close it would make no difference. My latest powder buy was 8 lb. cans of surplus powder that is supposed to be 4895.

 

[NotSoFast]

Just for the record, I understand that IMR 4895 and H4895, while very similar, are not exactly the same. From that I deduce that one can not just swap one for the other but must work up a new load when changing over, which is my intent when I do try IMR 4895.

 

[zxcvbob]

Does anyone use AA-2520? I've got 8# of it but haven't tried it yet. (I can't find the country of origin listed on the label)

 

[jcwit]

Just for the record per Lees Modern reloading 2nd edition
150 gr. jac. bullet starting load
H4895 46 gr.
IMR 4895 45.4
.6 gr. difference

165 gr, jac bullet starting load
H4895 43 gr.
IMR 4895 42.6 gr.
.4 gr. difference

When you get to the max. charges their is more of a difference, however one should always approach them with caution. Some reloaders even work up new loads when changing lot numbers of the same powder however I've neveer done that in my 40 years of reloading.

I've worked up many loads using the burn rate charts for powders. Per the charts H 4895 & IMR 4895 are side by side.

 

[Slamfire]

I have used kegs of IMR 4895 and AA2495 in my M1a's and Garands. AA2495 is Accurate Arms knockoff of IMR 4895. Grain for grain I could not see any real difference over my chronograph.

H 4895, while I have tested it, I have not begun to use what I have. The charge weight is close to IMR 4895, but not exact. Based on the comparison below, IMR 4895 seems to be shorter cut than the H4895. Therefore, I would use the shorter cut powder.

Any on target difference would be based on the weather, or the shooter's mood, maybe a rabbit's foot in your pocket.

AA2520 used to be very popular with the 308 M1a crowd. It shoots extremely well, I have used it both in 30-06 Garand loads and in M1a loads. When they sold the stuff for $64.00 a keg, I used it and I could not see any real differences on paper. It did leave more residue in the gas system than IMR 4895/AA2495.

IMR 4064 is a wonderful powder but it is too long grained for my Dillion; does not meter as well as IMR 4895.

AA4064 is short cut, a little slower than IMR 4064. That might be worth a try. It shot extremely well in 308, should do the same in 30-06.

All things considered, you are not really going to find a "better" powder than IMR 4895 in a Garand. You will find some that work just as well.

 

[Remo-99]

I understand that IMR 4895 and H4895, while very similar, are not exactly the same.

+1
Similar, but not identical.

IMR-4895 is manufactured by General Dynamics-Canada Valleyfield.

H-4895 is nowdays manufactured by ADI-Mulwala.

Many years ago H-4895 was a remarketed surplus powder, but it's not the powder today.

 

[GRIZ22]

I use Accurate 4064 which is a little slower than IMR 4064. I first started using it because I got a quantity for a very low price. I worked up a load that has an es of 20 fps and is very accurate.

 

[jcwit]

Very good write-up slamfire.