Thread: Loading IMR 4895 in 308

Hi all I’m still very new to reloading but have had some exceptional help so far but it’s time to fly out of the nest and start some basics myself.
I have a tin of IMR 4895 powder and a heap of 165gr Hornady BTSP projectiles so thought I’d try get a reasonable hunting load out of what I already have. Was keen to know if anyone is loading something similar and what sort of results I should be expecting.
Cheers Matt

Online rules

As above, shouldn't go too far wrong with about 44-45gns of 4895 behind a 165gn projectile.

Cheers that showing quite different information what I’ve been looking at.

The powder's about perfect for the weight of the bullet so there's no reason there that it cannot work well. But you gotta figure out how much to use, how deep to seat the bullet, which brass to use and how to prepare it etc... there's plenty of other ways there to stuff it up after picking an appropriate powder. Attention to detail at every step of the way and you'll get good results.

Thanks @Pommy that’s good to know. The rifle I’m running them in has been liked everything that’s been thrown down it so far so hopefully I can keep it that way ��. Will put up an update once I’ve loaded some up and done some testing at the range.

assumably you already have a load of similar type???? use that to set your seating die..... it wont be far off ideal as the die will hit olgive in similar place giving similar bullet jump... as good of place to start as any...

Greetings.
As part of a wider test I chronographed 43 grains of AR2206H (H4895) behind the 165 grain Hornady Interlock projectile. The cases were CAC and the primers Federal 210. Velocity was 2,575 fps in a 20" barrel. AR2206H and IMR4895 are very close in speed and within a few fps for the same load so your result should be similar. The CAC cases weigh a little over 160 grains with a fired primer and other .308 cases can run as heavy as 187 grains so check weigh your cases to see where they fit and don't mix your brass. If your cases are on the heavy end I would reduce the load by at least 1 grain and chronograph to check that velocity is in line with the Hodgdons data after allowing for your barrel length at 25 fps per inch of barrel difference.
Regards Grandpamac.

Thanks @grandpamac that’s great information. I have a a few different batches of brass so will check weights of all before I start.
I’m running an 18inch barrel with a 1-10 twist rate. I’ve previously been running a 150gr sst with 2208 getting 2600fps and shot extremely well. Only reason I’m trying this load is due to the supply that I have.

Greetings Again,
The test mentioned included the chronographing of .308W loads with 3 different projectile weights and a total of 5 different powders which I wrote up for an article in HZ Guns and Hunting. I tested AR2206H and AR2208 with the 150 grain Hornady Interlock, Winchester cases and 44 grains of both powders. Velocities were 2,675 fps for AR2206H and 2,560 fps for AR2208. Bullet impact varied a little with the 125 grains shooting 30mm high and the 165 grain 50mm right compared to the 150 grain at 60 metres (a convenient range for chronographing on my range. Screens were at 3 metres. The article was on the NZ Guns online platform and might still be available through their facebook page. All loads shot well bar the usual odd flier.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by mattstr

Cheers that showing quite different information what I’ve been looking at.Attachment 206575

Greetings again,
Where did this data come from? Curiosity and a damp morning had me looking through my various data sets. As a WAG perhaps it is Hornady?
GPM.

@grandpamac that gives me a great insite thanks I will try and track down that article and have a read through. The brass Il be using will be just over 160.
Correct that information was from Hornday. My Speer manual says similar with 43grains being max load.

Il be be loading up some this afternoon and hopefully hit the range weather dependant.
Be interested where you would start this load based on the different recommendations suggested
Thanks a lot for your time
Matt

Greetings again,
Starting from scratch with a new powder in your rifle I would load 2 each of 39, 41 and 43 grains and chronograph each pair. What you are looking for is the velocity compared to the data after allowing for your shorter barrel length at 25 fps per inch. I would expect around 2,500 to 2,550 fps based on my results. Happy loading.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by mattstr

Cheers that showing quite different information what I’ve been looking at.Attachment 206575

Hodgdon data uses Winchester brass. In my experience has a larger internal capacity than most other brass meaning you'll need a higher charge weight to get the same pressure/velocity than brass with a smaller internal capacity. Hornady data uses Hornady brass which in my experience has on average a smaller internal capacity than Winchester, that's why the charge weights are higher on the Hodgdon data. Internal ballistics is a whole other topic do we should leave it there

Try and use at least the same brand of brass in your load development and final load, it'll save you many headaches.

Same advice as always, start low at the minimum charge weight and work up through the charge weights paying attention to pressure signs and you'll be fine.

Thanks all for such great feedback a lot taken onboard here. The brass I will be using is winchester. But have some other brass going forward which weighed a lot heavier than what I’m using so guessing by that will be higher pressure due to thinker case as @ratedM forMagnum discussed in his comment.
I have spent the evening getting my loads sorted and will post an update on how they shoot tomorrow.