H4895 Replacement

[sfonelson]

Hey All,

Since I cannot get 8 pound jugs of H4895 anymore, what do you guys recommend as a replacement?

I load for .223 and 30.06.

I need semi auto and bolt action applications for the 30.06 and just semi auto applications for the .223.

I currently have IMR 4831 which seems to work well for my bolt action 30.06, but I have read that the powder is a little too slow burning for semi auto applications.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks!

[highpower790]

IMr4895.4320

[rm1911]

Imr 4895 is THE 30-06 powder. It is magic. I shoot 47-48gr with 150's and 165's. Very accurate. Velocity is very good. And honestly, I don't really care about another 100fps when I get great accuracy.

As for autos, it depends. For modern sporting autos like the Brownings and Remington's I'm sure they're designed to use factory hunting ammo. However garands cannot shoot factory '06 (unless it's labeled garand safe. Federal makes some. So does privi. But neither is cheap. Surplus can be had from CMP or other sources. But it's not going to be around forever. )

For the past year (obviously) imr 4895 was unobtanium but lately I've been checking gunbot and it's popped up on occasion. Seems rifle powders are coming back and are actually hanging around for a while. Hopefully pistol powders are next. You should be able to find something suitable for '06. Also I've heard, though never used, 4064 is very good too.

[Enfield47]

IMR 4064 is a good alternative and a great powder - you won't be dissapointed. I have used it in .223 for my ARs and it worked fine but I ended up switching to Benchmark so I could use the 4064 for my .30-06 and .303 British. It is a great performer for both my M1 Garand and 1903A3 using 47.5 gr with a 150 gr M2 bullet.

[Jeff213]

3rd recommendation of 4064 here. I use 47gr of 4064 under a 168gr hornady bthp match bullet in my garand, and it shoots GREAT.

Another option would be varget, except that stuff is way harder to get than 4895 right now.

With 4064 you will have to trickle the last half grain or so because it meters poorly, at least out of my lyman powder measure.

[milotrain]

AA 4064 is short grained and throws fine.

[Fjold]

BL-C(2)

[billetmann]

RL15. Or XBR

[blockfort]

Call Hodgdon and ask, the guy who answers tech questions is one of the most helpful and knowledgeable people I've ever spoken with.

[sfonelson]

Thanks a lot for the replies! I ended up ordering an 8 pound jug of IMR 4064.

[OldShooter32]

I second (or third) 4064
4831 is good for '06 too. Garand or bolt. It is too slow for .308 though, and you have to watch the metering: Big grains can put you a bit over easily.
IMR 4895 is best for .308 gas-guns, IMHO.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

IMr4895.4320

another vote for 4320 here as well

[knucklehead0202]

BL-C(2)

BL-C(2) is a great powder! I use it for .308 in my brother's FAL and it is Phenomenal! Nevermind all the loads for my weird old bolt guns, but I plan to work a load for our Semi-auto Ljungman using this powder as well, because it seems to work well in just about everything. I also have a ton of it so we'll be loading BL-C(2) till kingdom come. Otherwise, 4895, 4064, varget, rl-15, 4320, all kinda in there and seem to work well in the right volumes.

[thenodnarb]

Another vote for 4064. it will work from a semi auto .223 all the way up to 7mm rem mag. I developed a load for my ar with it, and I use it in 30-06, 308 and I plan to use it in 303 and 7.65 argentine as well.

[krwada]

Comparable to H4895

1. Varget, (good luck getting it)
2. IMR4064, (very good medium powder more available)
3. RL-15, (very good ... very difficult to find)
4. AA4064, (Accurate Arms version of IMR4064)

As always ... start with the minimum load, work your way up all the while checking for signs of over pressure.