.223 & IMR4895

[highpower790]

So I am a highpower competitor just beginning to test IMR4895 in place of Varget,and while I have plenty of Varget eventually my supply will run out.
Last week I shot a match(200yds)loaded at 22.5gr powder with a 75gr hpbt,LC brass and REM 7 1/2 primer.Velocity was unknown,but sight settings were 1/2min off my Varget load with 2gr less powder.Im thinking that when I chronograph during a match this Sun velocity will be around 2700fps at 22.5gr of powder.Match will be shot using 23gr.
No pressure signs were visible last week.Primers were rounded at the outside edge,no cratering,nice firing pin strike.
Chrono numers to follow.
Barrel...Krieger 1:7.7 /20"

[highpower790]

The following are from this morning at Richmond Rod and Gun Club.My chrono numbers in order from 1-12...2798,2805,2788,2780,2736,2754,2709,2723,2726, 2756,2733,2744=avg2754
Load used 23gr IMR4895 Horn75gr hpbt,L.C.brass,Rem 7 1/2primer
Shots taken during slow prone phase of match shows a drop off on velocity after shot #4.Time alowed in between shots was 45-60secs,overcast,temp 63
No signs of any pressure.primers still maintain a rounded edge.Next session will include a 1/2gr increase in powder which willl bring me to 23.5,hopefully a little closer to 2800fps.

[milotrain]

I tried to get away from IMR4895 because of how long it's stick was. Are you throwing those (SD spread from thrown or weighed?). I'm going to keep my eye out for AA4064, I think it'll serve me well for the .223 and .30-06.

[highpower790]

I tried to get away from IMR4895 because of how long it's stick was. Are you throwing those (SD spread from thrown or weighed?). I'm going to keep my eye out for AA4064, I think it'll serve me well for the .223 and .30-06.

Milo all charges thrown from RCBS powder measure,so I expect +/- .2 spread on powder charges.Its my opinion that powder drop was a little easier than Varget.Groups were nice and tight and had to settle for a 8x 99 in rapid sitting.

[milotrain]

Excellent news. Further testing with Johnny showed that +/- .2 didn't seem to show any problems in group size, so I'm beginning to operate under the assumption that all thrown charges of all powder types are totally acceptable for all but +600 shooting.

[highpower790]

Excellent news. Further testing with Johnny showed that +/- .2 didn't seem to show any problems in group size, so I'm beginning to operate under the assumption that all thrown charges of all powder types are totally acceptable for all but +600 shooting.

For what we do using a service rifle our numbers are perfectly acceptable!
I powder drop for 600

[mark501w]

I've found it to as accurate as any. Stick powders don't bother me In fact that's primarily what I use.

[highpower790]

With supplies of Varget still low Im preparing for a future change.when I get down to my last jug of Varget Ill buy some IMR4895 if Varget has not returned .

[Gunsrruss]

Powder .223

I have been using 24.2gr of WCC846 on a 77gr Nosler competition with OAL of 2.25...I use this because I like the way ball powder measures. I get .1 +/- with my Pact powder dispenser. I have always used surplus powder on .223 .

[highpower790]

Twenty years ago I shot nothing but surplus...now supplies of surplus arent there.
Over time ,as my skill has increased I turned to fresh powder,something that could help give me higher scores.Sure ball powder will measure great through a powder drop,but isnt temp stable...this will produce lower scores.

[Gunsrruss]

I've heard all that....

Twenty years ago I shot nothing but surplus...now supplies of surplus arent there.
Over time ,as my skill has increased I turned to fresh powder,something that could help give me higher scores.Sure ball powder will measure great through a powder drop,but isnt temp stable...this will produce lower scores.

Yep, I've heard all the stories about temp. sensitive and this powder is better than that. I try not to drink the Kool-aid when it comes to powders and primers. You will be chasing your tail all the time. The surplus works for me and I'm sitting on 30 LBS of it.

[highpower790]

Tested IMR4895 at 24gr with a 75gr bullet today,unfortunately no chrono numbers.Results were postive ,groups were tight.No pressure signs,primers are still rounded at the edge.

[phish]

Tested IMR4895 at 24gr with a 75gr bullet today,unfortunately no chrono numbers.Results were postive ,groups were tight.No pressure signs,primers are still rounded at the edge.

That is the load Anna Kinney at First Strike used to test and zero an upper I bought from her. I popped two spotters with it and got as high as First Leather before life happened.

[SMarquez]

I checked out IMR4895 load data for .223 since I use it for .308, 30-06 and 6.5 x 55. For .55gr plinking it seems that it has lower velocities. I went with Varget. I can get it pretty easily, I don't usually have to wait more than a week.

[highpower790]

If Varget were plentifull I wouldnt bother with 4895,although I have enough to get me by,Im preparring to use 4895 when needed.
Phish...Its nice to hear somebody else has used a similar load,I had my chrono setup and can only think I was shooting to high over the photocells to not have any numbers show .Im looking to see 2800fps with a 75bthp.