.308 military match loads using IMR 4895

[Lefty Trigger]

I have a copy of a Federal military build sheet that shows their match loads using the 175MK with IMR 4064 powder. Did they ever use IMR 4895 in their match loads as well? I was told that the 4895 was the preferred powder and the 4064 is old data but the copy I have is not really that old, dated 2009.

 

[Uncle Ed]

IMR-4895 was the standard powder in the 30-06 in WWII but the military preferred to use recycled ball powders. Look closely at your military build sheets and the powders used in the .308/7.62 ammunition.

The original 7.62mm, NATO, Ball, Special, M118LR was loaded with RL-15 but the double base powder was temp sensitive in Iraq and Afghanistan.

7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 was the replacement and loaded with IMR-4064

Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm, NATO, Ball, Special, M118LR (United States): 175-grain (11.3 g) 7.62×51mm NATO Match-grade round specifically designed for long-range sniping. It uses a 175-grain (11.3 g) Sierra Match King Hollow Point Boat Tail bullet. Produced at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. The propellant's noticeable muzzle flash and temperature sensitivity led to the development of the MK 316 MOD 0 for Special Operations use.

Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 (United States): A 175-grain (11.3 g) round specifically designed for long-range sniping consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.745-grain (2.7 g).[24]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62×51mm_NATO

 

[riflewoman]

The original specification for 30-06 just prior to WW2 called for 4895. During WW2 they loaded it also with ball powder. The best military match ammo was loaded in the 1960s at Lake City with 4895. They loaded a few lots with ball powder and got complaints from the using services of fouling and shifting zeros so they went back to 4895. Civilians found that 4064 shot slightly better in 30-06 Garands and shot as well or better in 308 service rifles. The current Mk316 Mod 0 uses 4064.

 

[Liven The Dream]

The NRA ran a long article on .308 852 Match
.308 with 168 Bullet .
The bottom line to Match 852 with your hand loads was IMR 4895 CCI 250 Primers 40.5 to 41.5 gr. 168 gr Sierra Match King .