Why did I not try this sooner...

[watercam]

Ran out of Varget for Palma loads finally. Could not obtain any and so purchased 8 Ibs. of IMR 4064. Every load from 46 - 47.3 grains shot very well with great vertical. Two loads (46.6 and 47.3) showed SDs of 2 and 4 respectively. Velocities of 2985 and 3045 respectively. Think I will be OK!

 

[OIF/OEF]

Thanks for the info brother. Did the powder burn pretty clean for you. Heck with numbers like that it wouldn't matter lol...Thanks for taking the time to post your results always good to have a backup plan right


Very Respectfully

 

[memo43]

Good powder for 308's. I would be lying if I said it wasn't.
I prefer 4064 over varget for my 308

 

[watercam]

Hard to tell regarding cleanliness without shooting a match but we are certainly not the first ones to use it. Worst case scenario I run a wet patch through the bore at the end of each day. Next time I'm out can perhaps try 4166...

 

[bigedp51]

The military switched from RL15 in the M118LR sniper ammunition to IMR-4064 for their Mk 316 MOD 0 sniper ammunition to improve accuracy in the hotter climate of Afghanistan and Iraq.


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 41.7-grains (2.7 g).

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.

 

[Outrider27]

Sometimes being old has it's advantages; I remember 4064 being one of the first powders you would try in your .308 when looking for an accuracy load, going back about 40 years.

 

[ARW]

It is also a very good powder for the 220 swift and 22-250.

Alan

 

[chkunz]

Also IMR 4895 is a good powder for the 308 and has a burn rate close to IMR 4064. IMR 4895 has been widely used by folks shooting the M14 to give the proper port pressure for the operating system.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Why.......I remember back when I used 39.0 grains of IMR3031 in my M1A :-\. Let's see, how long ago was that :'(. Darn me, I've run out of toes and fingers! (Got the load from Homer Pierson.)

Dan

 

[gilmillan1]

I am interested in using 4064 with the 200 hybrids. anyone has experience with this combo? Using lapua small primer brass?

 

[clowdis]

I'd like to know how to get 47.3 gr. 4064 in a .308 case along with the bullet?

 

[Scott Harris]

I am interested in using 4064 with the 200 hybrids. anyone has experience with this combo? Using lapua small primer brass?

Yep, works great. I use about 43 grains with a 220 FB

 

[watercam]

Clowdis,
I am using Lapua Palma brass. My throat is such that I only have about .100" of shank (SMKs and Fullbores) in the neck and even at that I am compressing the load a tad. Just makes my seating depth. Thank goodness for long drop tubes! The barrel was originally throated for 185s and then I went back to 155s. Throat lengthened out and after 2000 rounds I am jumping about .035" to the lands. Seems to shoot well for now, no telling what is going to happen in the next 1000 rounds.
In any event, THAT'S how! When this barrel refuses to work I have a Winny with shorter throat standing by to take over while I get a new barrel on my Barnard.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

I am interested in using 4064 with the 200 hybrids. anyone has experience with this combo? Using lapua small primer brass?

Might be a little hot! Instead, might try 48.00 grains of H4350. My favorite 600 yard load for many years using Winchester LR brass for HP 600 yard event.

Dan

 

[watercam]

Not hot in any way. These are loads for 155s men. Hodgdon shows a max of 47.5 gr., I chose 46.6 @ 75* and will not have to worry about any hotter conditions. Primers never flattened and I have more velocity than I need.
I'm good!

 

[clowdis]

MTM<
Glad to hear that 4064 is working for you. There were several powders that worked in Palma rounds for years before Varget showed up and now with that powder being kinda rare, people are rediscovering the ones that worked in the past. Am probably moving to 4166 myself since it seems to be available and Varget will probably continue to be in short supply.

 

[Ont0001]

IMR 4064 should always be a viable choice for the 308w. Probably produced some of the most accurate groups I've shot with this cartridge.
I did end up switching to Varget and lastly AR Comp as I found the 4064 pretty temp sensitive.
Nice thing about the 308W is that there are so many bullet/powder combination choices available to put a smile on any reloaders face.
Still believe if not shooting in high temp swings,this powder can produce hammers.
Maybe worth doing a temp test on your tuned 4064 load to verify the window.
Regards
Gord O

 

[watercam]

Ont0001 and Clowdis (and everyone else who's used this powder),
I have heard much about 4064s temp sensitivity. I worked up the load @ 75*. Matches I attend run from freezing to 100+. With Varget I would drop the load .3 grains when I knew temps would be above 90 but I had it at a maximum level to begin with. The new powder is shooting well for me from 46.0 to 47.3 with Hodgdon max @ 47.5 (this is Palma sling, not F-class). I am hoping that I have a built in buffer @ 46.6 but I am all ears as to your (and anyone else's) experiences!
Thanks.

 

[LoganDon]

Guys, now you have let the cat out of the bag. I have been using IMR4064 for over 50 years and it works. Over the last couple of years, it is one powder that I have been able to generally source locally as all the younger shooters are enamoured with some of the new "miracle" powders. Now I'll have to check my personal supply of 4064 and run in Monday to see if any is left on the shelf.

 

[amlevin]

Sometimes being old has it's advantages; I remember 4064 being one of the first powders you would try in your .308 when looking for an accuracy load, going back about 40 years.

I'm old too. When everyone abandoned IMR 4064 for Varget, and then Varget disappeared from the shelves when hoarding became a national sport, I just used the IMR 4064 that everyone had turned their noses up at. Was the first powder to return to the shelves too as everyone was still searching for Varget.

A lot less expensive than Varget too, when you can find Varget.