While organizing the storage room for the reloading supplies I can across an almost full 1lb. can (metal can !) of this powder and can't remember why I bought it or for which rifle caliber I bought it for.
Looking at a burn rate chart, and I realize this is not the only criterion for reloading, it has a burn rate almost identical to RL-7 which is my favorite go to powder for my .223/5.56 loads.
I understand that the formula may have changed when Hodgdon acquired the line. I think when that happened the packaging changes to the polymer cans.
What has been your experience with this powder, particularly in the .223/5.56???
Excellent powder for the 223 and similar sized cases.
I've never loaded it behind anything heavier than 52 gr bullets.
Looking at Hodgdon's data, it looks to do well behind bullets up to 69 grains.
It's a good powder for the .223. It has pretty long kernels so it isn't going to meter very well. You might want to use a long drop tube to give it a chance to stack up nicely in the case.
Matt
Meters fair, good in 223 with light bullets (40s). I like it for various small rifle cals because the charge weights are relatively low meaning somewhat more shots per pound.
I used several pounds of it in my .223 with 40 grain Vmax.. A great p. dog and gopher load.. I also have H4198, but have been shooting it in my .222.. As stated it does meter abit rough...
Very good experiences. Use it in the 45-70 withe 350 gr. bullets and in the .223 rem with 50-55 gr. bullets.
Back in the day when the .222 Rem was the king, 4198 powder was just about tailored to the cartridge and was very widely used in it. The .223 is somewhat a longer version of the .222 rem and works just as good in the .223 for velocity, accuracy and efficiency.
With 22 gr. of imr4198, cci 450 and a 55 gr. bullet I am closing in on 3400 fps from a 22 inch barrel. 23 gr of imr4198 grains with a 50 grain bullet garners me 3500 fps. Both loads chronoed many times from my bolt gun with different bullet stiles to find velocity and other pressure indicators were good, safe and sane.
Still have quite a few loads made up with imr4198 to shoot, it was my go-to powder for the .223 for a good long while before I discovered other powders and acquiring a semi-auto chambered in .223/5.56...
I used to use it in my .45-70 when I had one, and it was my 'go-to' powder for the .222. I've used a bit in .223, but I load large numbers of those and prefer ball powders for that. I also use it in cast bullet loads for rifles, where it is very effective. Good stuff.
I use it in 218 Bee, excellent accuracy. Since I weigh all my powder charges, I don't worry about how it meters. Good for smaller capacity cases.
Jerry
Use in both of my smokeless muzzle loaders.
I use it for light loads in alot of calibers...
for kids, 30 grains of it in 30/06, with 150 grain bullets, or 30 grains of it in a 270 with a 130 grain bullet...
30 grains in the 260 Rem, 6.5 x 55, 6.5 x 57 with bullet weights from 85 to 140s...especially love it , 30 grains in the 260 with 85-90-100 grain bullets for targets of opportunity while out hiking the hills and trails here near home in Oregon..
plus it sees a lot of use at times in 223s at my load bench...
I'm getting low when I am down to 8 lbs of it...