Never thought of IMR4227 as a versatile powder, but...

[USSR]

Was placing an online order for primers, and wanted to add some powder to the order to spread out the hazmat fee. Pretty slim pickings, but Widener's had 8# of IMR4227 that I could use, so I ordered it. I can use it for: .30 Carbine, .357 Magnum, .45 Colt, and cast bullet loads in my .30-06. Yeah, I guess it will find plenty of use with me.

Don

 

[A Pause for the Coz]

I shoot mostly cast. But if you look in the Lyman cast bullet hand book. 4227 is usually listed as the best performing powder with most calibers.
I have found it to be at least on a par with RL-7 and 4198.
But my 308 win really really likes it.

 

[357mag357]

I was going to load up some 38 specials and noticed you can use it for that as well. I thought that powder would have been to slow to use for the 38 special. Has anyone tried it?

 

[critter]

Great powder for .454.

 

[USSR]

I was going to load up some 38 specials and noticed you can use it for that as well. I thought that powder would have been to slow to use for the 38 special. Has anyone tried it?

No, never used it in .38 Special cases because, as you said, it is a slow burning powder. Found I was getting some unburned kernals in .357 Magnum (although it was a very accurate load), so I wouldn't want to use it in an even lower pressure round. Still, no reason why it shouldn't work if you use a heavy bullet, stuff enough of it in there and use a magnum primer.

Don

 

[87hurricane]

IMR 4227 is what I use almost exclusively for .44Mag. I plan on trying it out in .357 as well.

 

[Jlr2267]

I too found some unburned powder at the low end load in 357, even with a magnum primer. I have a few loaded up a little hotter to evaluate. Worked well in 44 mag however.

A couple other options in the current shortage are Herco and 300-MP...both are still on the shelves here in SC, and both work well for magnum handgun loadings.

 

[627PCFan]

I worked up a load with it using 125gn FP XTP's in 357. Got 1375 FPS in a 5 inch barrel and accurate. A few unburned kernels not a big deal but holy bowtie of yellow flame. they are BRIGHT indoors.

 

[buck460XVR]

IMR4227 is my go to powder for .460 mag revolver and the .357 and .44 mag carbines. I also use it for medium velocity magnum handgun rounds. Seems there is unburned powder residue regardless of powder charge with it, but is is very accurate and consistent outta my firearms.

 

[USSR]

Yeah, kind of easy to overlook a little unburned powder residue when you get spectacular accuracy from a load.

Don

 

[gamestalker]

I get very good accuracy and velocity in .357 mag with it. But I find it performs best at the upper end of the charge table, and with a magnum primer. It has also worked well in 44 mag, same approach though, mag primers, and upper end data. Nothing wrong with IMR-4227 for magnum type applications at all.

I'm still very addicted to H110 / 296 for full house magnum though. No good or bad comparisons to offer, just a personal preference for all the flash bang I guess.

GS

 

[Moreno]

I have used it in 222 Rem and 44 Spl. It has always performed well.

 

[Kurastduuks]

I use 4227 A LOT. But one thing to keep in mind is that it's even slower than h110 /296 so light bullets in 357 aren't usually a good fit

 

[ArchAngelCD]

4227 is an outstanding powder in the 44 Magnum and for some reason it's overlooked.

 

[rondog]

Good stuff, gitcha some!

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I have loaded .32-20, .38 spl, 357 mag and 45 Colt with 4227. The 45 Colt in my model 25 draws attention at the range, like a fire-breathing dragon.

For 38 spl use 9.0-10.0 gr behind a 158 gr lead and a magnum primer. You won't be disappointed. I did try a load behind a 148 gr WC. I won't repeat that load.

Heavy bullets and magnum primers. Seems to work best in compressed loads. Doesn't give the highest velocities, but comes close. Can't be beat for accuracy. And it meters like Bullseye.

 

[WaywardSon]

Heavy bullets and magnum primers. Seems to work best in compressed loads. Doesn't give the highest velocities, but comes close. Can't be beat for accuracy. And it meters like Bullseye.

My experience exactly, (well, except for the part about metering like Bullseye One of the most accurate loads I've ever developed for .357 Magnum used a max charge of 4227 under a 158 gr. JSP. It did have a little flash though

 

[gamestalker]

So it's even slower burning than H110 / 296? I didn't know this, I have always been under the impression H110 / 296 was the slowest of magnum wheel gun powders.

GS

 

[Jesse Heywood]

On hodgdon chart its:
62 Hodgdon H110
63 Winchester 296
64 IMR, Co IMR 4227

I would call it a draw.

 

[40-82]

IMR 4227 is my standard powder in the 38-55.

 

[Walkalong]

I started my reloading journey with Unique in 9MM, W-231 in .45 ACP, and IMR 4227 in .44 Mag.

 

[243winxb]

IMR 4227 is great in the 44 mag. I remember shooting some 1" groups off the bench at 50 yds, with a S&W M29, scoped. Till the mount broke. Only reason i changed, was because the 44 & 410 loads using W296 worked in both. One less powder to have on the shelf.

 

[Walkalong]

Found I was getting some unburned kernals in .357 Magnum (although it was a very accurate load)

I had the same issue with AA 5744 in .357 Mag. Shot great, but would leave a few unburned kernels. The heavier the bullet/load, the better this got, but there would always be a few. Then you run out of space in the case.

 

[bluetopper]

4227 is the absolute cat's meow in 357 Maximum.

 

[prestonjr]

medusa

454 likes the imr 4227 with 300 grain hollow points was thinking of trying 255 grain cast bullets any body with tips