Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles H4198 and the .222Rem?

I'm still using the IMR 4198 I have on hand, but it isn't available anywhere I've looked.

I have seen H4198 for sale but even Hodgdon doesn't give data for it for the .222.

Anybody using this, and have some practical advice?

All else fails, and I still have some IMR4895 to keep me shooting, but it's not my best load.

I just went to Hodgdon's web page. . . <https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=54>

They have data listed, but I had to do a little more searching than usual. Try them again.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00034imr8060238/imr-4198-smokeless-powder-1-lb

Here you go, I think 5lbs is the max you can order for 1 powder, to offset the hazmat fee some. Maybe there's other powders they have you want also.

Kent

I followed your link and went right to it. But I was on that page right before I posted the OP, and the only powder maker they listed for the .222 was IMR

Anyway... thanks....

Thank You!!!

2 pounds of IMR 4198 will last me a while. Also orderd 2 of the HP38 pistol powder to try. Supposed to be the same as W231, which I haven't used for decades, but there is no Unique available either...

It's been a good week.Lot of things rolling my way, and this will help a lot...

Thanks to all....

For future FYI.... in my reload bench experience... IMR 4198 load data is pretty interchangeable with H 4198...unless you think you need max velocity...
then start a little lower and work up...

I have a bunch of IMR-4198, mostly for the 444 & 45-70. I use it in varmint rifles with lighter bullets at times.

I've had some very good results using H4198 the lil ol .222, about as good as H322. Either one will do. But LT-32 is the magic.

If you think LT-32 is the magic, try VVN130........it's the "Pixie Dust" for a 222

H4198 has pretty much been my go to powder. My varminter loves it.
I have plenty, but also have a pound of IMR4198 for backup.

H 4198 is my go to in my .222.

I dusted off my bench and got enough powder remnants to load up 5 triple deuce cases and shot a sub half inch group! lol

4198 and 222 peas & carrots

H-322 is the one that works for me.

I’ve used H322, BLC2, both 4198’s and I’m sure others in 222…. A few years ago I started using TAC in all 3 of my 222’s.

I prefer Benchmark in the .222

Ive run 4198 in my 788 Rem 222 for a long time. 20gr with 52 Sierras get me just under 3200fps and shoots really well. Sorry that is IMR4198.

I use IMR 4198 or H322 with the same results. H322 meters much nicer. H4198 gives me less velocity than IMR 4198 but all seem to work equally well in the accuracy department.

love H 322 and Benchmark... both work real well....

in both the 222, 223 and 22.250...

I see they have AA2200 in stock. I like that very much for the 222 Remington. I shot up 16 pounds of it, lots of it in my 222 with 40 and 50 grain bullets. Good stuff.

I bought a 722 222 a year or two ago and have not rung it out like I should have. These were a couple of loads I've tried. I think I'll be looking for 4198 (H or IMR). I'm out of 35 grain V-max bullets right now. They went out to PD shooting and never came back. I have lots of 40 grain though.

222 Remington 722 35 grain Hornady V-max 7 ½ BR 23 grain H322 0.44 MOA
222 Remington 722 40 grain Hornady V-max 7 ½ BR 26 grain H335 0.65 MOA

H4198 was the first powder I ever reloaded with. Started with 19.5 grains under a 50 grain Sierra semi-pointed in my 788 .222 and it worked so well I never changed until I ran out and went to IMR4198. Ran it the same way and never missed a stroke.

Revisiting this thread....

on varmint cartridges in the 222 and 223 family, my favorite is Blue Dot... this season I am getting by with a charge of 11 grains with a 40 grain V Max...

even a couple pounds of Blue Dot doesn't seem to last me that long....and that is 600 rounds out of a pound of powder...

Shortages now... but there wasn't when Trump was in office....

What velocity are you getting with the 40gr. bullets?

right around 3000 fps....depending on the rifle and its barrel length...last I chronographed it a few months ago.. 3050 fps MV.

222 Remington cartridge many many different powders shoot well in this cartridge for me , if you can find some BL-C2 that is my favorite but they all seem to shoot well in a 222 Remington as i stated. have fun,Pete53

For the 222 I don't find any difference between IMR 4198 and H 322 but give the nod to 322 because it meters much nicer.

Walt Berger sat world records with the 222 prior to the invent of the 6 PPC. His powder was H335. I was in his garage and he offered to sell me the remants of the 20 lb keg that he had left, After he started shooting the 6 PPC.

Use 7 1/2 primers and you will see some velocity with accuracy in the extremes never possible with IMR 4198. I shot the barrels out of many used 40X 222 barrels on P. dog towns Shooting sierra 50g lead tip blitz which are very, very accurate!.

There is an article about H4198 & the 222 in one of the Hodgdon Annual reloading manuals. I'll try to find it as I believe it contains some pretty good information.

Here is a link for the loads H4198 on the calculator f . https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=54

The first rifle I ever bought was a Winchester 70 .222 with a heavy barrel. This was in 1973. I was young and stupid at the time and did not realize what I had. with a 3x9 scope off a sandbag at 100 yards that gun consistently shot groups between .25 - .3 inches center to center. I was using H4198 and a 52 gr bullet.

This was not a target rifle, just a hunting rifle off the shelf with no modifications. Boy, I wish I had that gun back.