H4895 reduced loads

[grovey]

After a little online research and comparing 221 fireball loads to 222 rem loads I ran the numbers thru a online reduced load calculator. I tried a few different reduced H4895 loads based on these numbers. When I tried them , the best group was tightening up with the lowest load I put together @ 12.2 gr.
I noticed a fair amount of smoke coming from the chamber after firing these rds. I even blew threw it and a noticeable puff of smoke came out of the muzzle. lol. CCI 400 primers is what I loaded these rds with as that's my go to primer for this case. Can I assume I'm not getting all the powder burnt here? Am I flirting with a load that's too low, or perhaps I need a primer change to something hotter? I've loaded three more @ 12.2, and three more @12.0. According to the numbers I ran ... my targeted speed of 1800fps is achieved at 11.8 gr.

 

[gpoldblue]

After a little online research and comparing 221 fireball loads to 222 rem loads I ran the numbers thru a online reduced load calculator. I tried a few different reduced H4895 loads based on these numbers. When I tried them , the best group was tightening up with the lowest load I put together @ 12.2 gr.
I noticed a fair amount of smoke coming from the chamber after firing these rds. I even blew threw it and a noticeable puff of smoke came out of the muzzle. lol. CCI 400 primers is what I loaded these rds with as that's my go to primer for this case. Can I assume I'm not getting all the powder burnt here? Am I flirting with a load that's too low, or perhaps I need a primer change to something hotter? I've loaded three more @ 12.2, and three more @12.0. According to the numbers I ran ... my targeted speed of 1800fps is achieved at 11.8 gr.

I don't know what kind of accuracy you're looking for,but in a .222 I'd try about 5.0gn of Unique. I have personally used 6.0gn of Unique in .223 Rem with a 45gn bullet and got 1900-2000fps and .5" to .6" 5 shot groups at 100yds. I got that load from an old American Rifleman magazine years ago. I don't have any experience loading H4895 down that low,but I think a little faster burning powder will serve you better. Good luck.

 

[Tree rat]

Unique is great for reduced loads. I load the 223 at 22 mag velocity with 45 gr. Hornet bullets. I've used it everything I shoot including my .358 win. & Whelen. My 22-250 with a Hornet bullet at around 1800 fps . Never needed filler with it.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Blue Dot rules for reduced loads. Anything from 4 to 12 grains works well in the Triple Deuce.

 

[grovey]

I used H4895 because it's what I have on hand, and Hodgdon lists it for reduced loads. Also, I've tried it in my 223 a few yrs back with some success. I'm not a fan of using those super hot powders for this, and I have no use for those besides this app.

 

[JRR]

I have had good luck in several calibers using Rel 7 and 4227. These work really well for rifle cast bullet loads at the 1600-1800 fps range.

 

[gpoldblue]

I used H4895 because it's what I have on hand, and Hodgdon lists it for reduced loads. Also, I've tried it in my 223 a few yrs back with some success. I'm not a fan of using those super hot powders for this, and I have no use for those besides this app.

Well...sounds like you had your mind made up before asking for suggestions. ANY of the suggestions CAN be a super hot powder if used inappropriately. You do what you think is right for you. Good luck.

 

[grovey]

Sorry,
Not out to ruffle any feathers and I do appreciate the input, but I didn't ask for a powder recommendation. This was a use what's on hand kinda experiment and I remember H4895 used to be a common reduced load powder choice. It was the loads I tried and the smoke I mentioned that had me concerned about the charge and or primer choice.

After I loaded 2 ( one lower than before ) more charge weights to shot again I thought maybe I should stop before I shot them, and ask someone about the loads I described. I ran the numbers on the calculator I found online, but thought someone on here might have a program to calculate it.

 

[Zero333]

As long as your minimum charge weight is 60% of the max with that bullet with h4895, you have nothing to worry about.

I ran around 22 or 23 gr of h4895 with 75vmax in a 243w and I don't remember it being very smoky.

The only time I had smoke was when I had excess oil or other solvent in the barrel, chamber and action.

 

[243winxb]

221 fireball loads to 222 rem loads

What are you loading? 223?

I found reduced "Hodgdon Youth Loads" make for shorter head to datum measurements. The resulting extra head clearance may cause case separations when using the same brass for full power loadings.

My lot of CCI 400 show pressure signs, starting at mid-range loads with different combinations of bullet and powder.

The firing pin strike can set the shoulder back .006" If pressue is low, brass will not expand fully to the chamber.

Yes, more info then you ask for.

 

[grovey]

I was trying to reduce 221 fireball. From comparing 221 to 222 (because I couldn't find a H4895 load for a 221) I came up with 21.5 as a max load. From the calculator I used 11.8 would be the 60% load suggested as the starting load by hodgdon. Hodgdon also says this formula is for cases that H4895 is normally used in.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Sorry,
Not out to ruffle any feathers and I do appreciate the input, but I didn't ask for a powder recommendation.

Over time, other readers will greatly outnumber the original contributors to most reloading discussions. Just because the OP doesn't care about better powders for a given application, doesn't mean that dozens of future readers of this thread will not.

So for their benefit, I mention again that Blue Dot is a much better choice for reduced loads than H4895. And yes, I have extensive experience experimenting with various powders for reduced loads. All the powder will burn. There is enough pressure to expand the case to the chamber and seal the breach. Accuracy is excellent.

 

[grovey]

You know how those OP's are. You can take them to water, but... I do agree Berger fan, and I found old info on the hot powders... but I don't want to invest in another lb of powder I'll never use the half of just to tinker. I'm cheap and poor, so keeping multiple rifles fed is challenging . Thanks to all for the advice.