IMR4895

[polebilly]

In the Berger reloading manual I couldn't help but notice that IMR4895 consistantly beat H4895 and VARGET in velocity. Granted, all these loads were compiled from Quick Loads and not necessarily from real life shooting. Do you think it's possibly correct. Have we been missing something? Hay, just putting it out there.

 

[Dgd6mm]

polebilly,
I'm not speaking for every bullet load configuration taken off QL, but my experience is that the chrono is usually a little faster. Ballistic charts also back up the chrono pretty well.

 

[Larryh128]

I have seen the IMR version of several powder speeds, 4895, 4350, 4831 be slightly faster, slightly more accurate in several rifles. I load some of it yet but mostly Hodgdon because of them being extreme powders. There is quite a bit more change in the IMR powders from winter to summer. If I was only looking for the best velocity in cold weather only, I would probably use the IMR. The same load can & has gone pretty warm in the summer.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I use imr 4895 in all my rifle loads from 223 right up to 7mmRM and have not seen enough change in POA to POI ro make me want to change. This is out to 200 yards, if I was able to shoot further my mind might change.

 

[Shynloco]

What Larryh128 says is good advice. But just remember one thing, people sometimes rely too much on what a manual and QL gives as numbers and forget they are ONLY recommended baseline numbers and MAY NOT perform the best IN YOUR PARTICULAR RIFLE. They are like anyone up here "recommending" a certain load and until you try them out, you simply won't know for sure and they may or may not be the hot ticket for you. Theres no magic or guarantees behind this stuff so until you try, you won't know for sure. I've tried lots of loads that others and manuals recommended and even using the same make and model rifle as they did. Some were very liable, others not so much. Hate to sound like a broken record, but the unless you try them out, ya won't know. Good luck and most of all, have fun and be patient in your testing. And remember to change only one thing/setting with each load you make up (i.e. powder load, bullet seating depth, etc) and test. Changing more things doesn't give you an accurate picture of how well you particular rifle will perform with a specific load.

 

[L.Sherm]

Shynloco is 100% correct. I bought a Sako 338 about 8 years ago and started working up a load for it , looked in my nosler manual and RL19 looked like the powder with best speed and accuracy. Iwas using 210 part. got to about 2800fps and it wouldn't go any faster no matter how much powder I feed it. Gun was telling me it didn't like it so I switched to imr 4350 and it came alive. It know shots a 210 part. at 2950 fps. and very accurate. It's like a recipe if it's good you'll eat it if not you won't. I also have great luck with imr 4895 in my Rem. 722 222 Rem. Mag

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

IMR 4895 is a excellent powder in the 30-06 and 308 Win.
Used by many Palma Match shooters for years.

One of my most favorite loads
308 Win
IMR 4895 @ 43.6
165 Sierra GkHP
RWS primer
WW Brass

30-06
IMR 4895@ 50.0
175gr Berger hunting VLD
Fed 210 M
WW brass

338 Win
Reloader 19 is a excellent powder in the 338 Win with 225gr
With 210gr Part the old IMR 4350 is also excellent.
Reloader 17 is also getting a good results in the 338 Win.

 

[K22]

IMR-4895 is an excellent powder in some calibers such as the 308 and 223. In addition it can be used it a large number of other cartridges since its one of the most versatile powers available.

However I'd never select a powder strictly based on attending the highest velocity. Accuracy is my number one criteria because if I can't hit it; it does matter how fast it's going.

 

[BigDMT]

Every IMR version of powder vs. Hodgdon version of powder I have tried ended up with the same results. IMR is always faster. whether it is 4198, 4895, 4350, or 4831...The IMR versions of those powders have always been faster than the Hodgdon in my experiences.

So yes, I would say that your Berger manual is correct. BUT, like others have already said, it depends on what your rifle likes

P.S.
IMR 4895 is probably the one powder on that list which consistently shoots well in my varmint rifles. Only bad thing is it doesn't meter well in a measure because it is an extruded powder. I like to find loads with ball or sometimes spherical powders in my varmint rifles for ease of throwing accurate and repeatable charges when loading a ton of rounds.