Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 60% 4895 loads in the 223 ?

I've read here that IMR 4895 or H4895 can safely be loaded down to 60% of max and velocity is linear. Has any one here tried 60% or other considerably reduced loads with 4895 in the 223? How's it shoot? Thanks.

Go to Hodgdon's website and look for "Reduced Loads".
They have data for numerous cartridges that can be loaded with reduced charges of 4895.
I used to load a 30.06 down to 30-30 velocities for kids and it always shot just fine.......

FYI there is a thread over in the "Predators and Varmints" section on this website that Seafire has posted up reduced 223 loads with BlueDot powder if you're interested.
Good Luck,
-Ted

Thanks, I tried some of the Blue Dot/223 loads a a while back and they worked. I used up what Blue Dot I had but I've still got plenty of 4895.

IIRC, the 60% loads of H4895 were for use in Blackpowder cartridges like the .45-70 as a substitute for Blackpowder.

ADI GIVES reduced load data to Hodgdon... ADI proofed it, not Hodgdon...

I can philosophize on why ADI ( Australian Defense Industries) picked 4895...

however, both ADI and IMR ( both carried by Hodgdon) have other powders that are better suited for reduced powder charges... Such as either 4198, SR 4759, 4227, H 322, 3031...

so H 4895 is FAR from my first pick for that type of service...

That being said...... nowadays, it is what powder you can get or have....Using H 4895 is very far from my first choice for that type of service.. but if I had 8 pounds of it and nothing faster.. I can guarantee ya, I'd be burning it for my 223 needs and on the look out for the powders I desire...

but my rifle certainly is not going to sit quietly in the gun cabinet, while I look for 4198.. while sitting on tons of 4895...

I do find the smaller the case, the more consistent H 4895 is...with reduced charges... example, I'd trust it more in a 223 vs a 243....

so with current powder lack of availability.. you have some, by all means use it..

Seafire, you probably have plenty already but knowing how you love SR 4759, it is my understanding that it is being dropped from the IMR line-up.

When Hearing that many months ago... I called Hodgdon direct..

they informed me that was strictly an internet rumor with zero credence...it is a good seller and they have no intention of dropping it...

they did tell me that 8208 has not been selling well and they are considering putting that on the chopping block...

Oh Please!

Seafire, thanks for correcting that. I think my confusion came when I found out they had dropped IMR4007SSC from the line-up and when I went over to the website I noticed that both it and SR4759 were no longer pictured. Apparently when I looked down the listed powders I didn't notice that 4759 was still there. Sure glad to know that as it makes some dandy reduced loads.

over the years I have shot lots of 60% H4895 loads, in several calibers, and found that was just a good starting place.

The accuracy got better when I started to increase the powder charge.

Then along came Seafire with this Blue Dot nonsense and that was the end of H4895 reduced loads.

Now I keep a folder with his BD stuff and I just pick a velosity I want to use and go from there.

As far as the small amount of powder in the case goes I tried shooting with the powder forward near the bullet and back near the primer and could tell no difference.

4198 will work much better for reduced loads if you can get some of it.

Blue Dot works well also.

Red Dot works for VERY reduced loads too.

I've read that guys have had good success with Trail Boss for reduced loads because it's volume fills more of the case than a load like 60% 4198. I have not tried TB yet personally though.

Trail Boss is essentially a smokeless powder that duplicates Black Powder load equivalency...essentially for the 1000 to 1200 fps kind of loads......