Thread: Loading IMR 4895 in 308

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

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.

I'm interested in this one brass approach as it is commonly stated. Genuine question here - How much does it really matter for hunting, especially for meat for the table?

Why I ask:
1. Anecdotally, most hunters by far are taking their shots, and kills under 200m with many, possibly the vast majority, under 100m
2. If you are killing for meat, high velocity disintegrating style projectiles are not your friend for body shots. Slower
2000-2600fps, or even down into the mid teens with cast, are going to kill effectively and give a cleaner carcass. So case capacity is hardly an issue if not chasing max velocity
3. Under 200m a 50-80fps velocity variation at the muzzle from different combustion pressures arising from different case capacity is not going to give a meaningful difference in POI, all else being equal.

So I understand the potential importance to bench rest shooters and long distance hunters, or to those wanting reliable head or neck shots where an inch variation might really matter, but for the vast majority of us, should we care?

I do sort and keep my rifle brass in bagged batches of the same headstamp. But I load them all the same if I have an established hunting load. There is more variation in my shooting ability than I will ever get from brass variation I think. The only exception I have personally found is loading 22 Hornet to max loads with frangible tipped Hornady projectiles. Some case brands simply won't seat the bullet over a full charge and allow the round to load in the mag. But that is a different issue I think.