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Powder substitute for IMR 4064???

Proven Gear

Im looking for info on a powder substitute for IMR 4064 for 308 Win and 284 Win, looking to keep burn rate deviation as low as possible obviously while finding a cleaner powder. Both my loads are for long range precision shooting, the 308 being a 175gr SMK and the 284 being a 180gr VLD. Ive been using IMR 4064 for about 15 years now, but looking at what people are using nowadays that may be better. Flake or ball powder would be ideal since I am using a Hornady powder charge thrower and it hates the stick powder (always over throws, making it necessary to dump some and then trickle the remainder back to target which is time consuming).

Thanks!!!
 
Varget is real close to 4064 and should work in 308. H4350 is widely used in the 284.
 
I haven't been able to find a burn rate deviation chart for years now on modern powders and I never saved the one I found about 15 years ago, which was from Picatinny Arsenal when they and ATK along with Black Hills were developing the 118LR load for the military. Usually ive seen these charts in Displaced Cubic Foot or PSI for deviation. It is the measurement of space displacement difference from one round or powder pile to another with a very very specific amount of powder. Its used to judge how consistently a powder will burn to give the same pressure and burn time, giving the projectile a consistent velocity. IMR 4064 has great (very low) burn rate deviation but it is not very clean burning compared to some more modern powders, but I have never been able to find burn rate deviation specs on these more modern powders.
 
You might look at Viht-135. My favorite and most accurate 308 powder. The kernels are shorter sticks and meters a little better but I still weigh each load. It's not cheap
 
Another vote for H4895. I use a lot of IMR4064 in my M1/1903 .30-06 loads, mainly because I have a good supply of it. But I tried a pound of H4895 and was impressed. It meters pretty well in my Hornady measure, as well.
 
H4895 in the .308, my barrel with the 185 juggernaut loves it. I also shot the 175 smk with it and it was good also. I have a .284 Shehane I have not shot yet, so cannot comment on it.


Don Dunlap
 
I am now using 4064 instead of Varget due to availability issues. I am using the same exact amount of powder with 4064 as I did with Varget. I am getting the same accuracy. I haven't had any temperature issues. I am using a moderately healthy powder charge and haven't noticed that 4064 burns any dirtier than Varget. Ray
 
4895, 4064, and Varget all have very close burn rates as others have stated. Most F/TR .308 shooters I have talked to all say shoot Varget and forget the rest due to it's temperature stability.

My most accurate .308 load is with 4064 but it is very mild. I have jugs of all three on my shelf.

I'm not sure if there is anything "better". IMR has the relatively new Enduron series which is supposed to be comparable to guess what...Varget. At least in terms of temperature sensitivity and burn rate. It may be exactly what you're looking for, it should meter well out of your powder meter for you since the kernels are smaller, and it has a "copper eliminator".

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/10/imr-introduces-new-enduron-powders-4166-4451-7977/


I've tried experimenting with IMR8208 and light weight .308 projectiles. My success was marginal. Don't imagine it would work for the .284


I've used H4831/H4831SC, RL17, and IMR4350 for my .284. Results were good with H4831 equal or slightly better with the SC. And fantastic with the IMR4350. I shoot a 32" barrel, YMMV.
 
Last edited:
Proven Gear said:
Flake or ball powder would be ideal since I am using a Hornady powder charge thrower and it hates the stick powder (always over throws, making it necessary to dump some and then trickle the remainder back to target which is time consuming).
Click to expand...

Have you considered setting your measure to intentionally throw a slightly LOW charge, then trickle up?

While still a bit more time consuming than throwing spot on the first time, it would sure beating dumping powder, just to trickle back up anyway.
 
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