223/556 with IMR4198 or H4895 options

[ElKellym]

Dilemma, here is mine and probably others as well

I got my wife a 223 savage that a guy had already built up a round for and got 150 reloaded bullets with it. I took it to the range and 3 shots at 100yards fit in a nickel and the 4th was just outside. The issue was he used CFE223 and I cant find that anywhere.

I also bought a rockriver AR and I want to build some loads for it but the only powder I can find here in Utah ( or anywhere really ) is IMR4198 or H4895 Both are in the Hornady and Nosler books.

Has anyone had any luck with either or? I want to reload more for my wifes but not finding the powder needed and having to re-make a new load up kinda sucks.


Any thoughts, ideas or snide remarks?

 

[alfson]

H4895 is a very versatile and temperature stable powder. For load data go to the Hodgdon's website. There may be powders that work better in specific applications but for a do-it-all, any environment, any caliber powder, H4895 is probably your best choice. The next best alternative would probably be Varget.

 

[SporterII]

H4895. If that Savage has a 9 twist, 69 gr. Sierras and 4895 will shine. Its a very good powder for what you have. Bullet type and rifling twist will be needed to help farther.
You are in luck.

Send me #8 H4895.

 

[groundhogbuster]

H4895 is all I run in my .556/223's. 26gr under a 50gr Vmax shoots bugholes. Same with the 77's but I can't remember the charge weight, but I'd buy 4895 before I'd buy CFE223

 

[ElKellym]

H4895. If that Savage has a 9 twist, 69 gr. Sierras and 4895 will shine. Its a very good powder for what you have. Bullet type and rifling twist will be needed to help farther.
You are in luck.

Send me #8 H4895.

Its the bull barrel model so its a 1/8 twist.. My local gun shop had some Nosler varmageddon 55g FBHP on sale for 20.00 for 250 so I picked those up. Mostly I will jus be plinking steel targets anyways


the Hodgdon powder seems to be the way to go here

 

[Southwind]

To my knowledge, Savage has never put a 1/8 twist barrel on their .223 rifles. The bull barrel rifles are 1/9 twist. I finally found a couple loads to shoot well out of my Savage 1/9 rifle yesterday.

1) 20gr of IMR 4198 on a Midway Dogtown 50gr sp.

2) 26gr of IMR 4895 on a 50gr V-Max.

I have used 4895 in every other caliber that I reload for, but his was the first time using the 4198. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with it. And, with only using 20gr of it per round, it will go a lot further.

 

[ElKellym]

To my knowledge, Savage has never put a 1/8 twist barrel on their .223 rifles. The bull barrel rifles are 1/9 twist. I finally found a couple loads to shoot well out of my Savage 1/9 rifle yesterday.

1) 20gr of IMR 4198 on a Midway Dogtown 50gr sp.

2) 26gr of IMR 4895 on a 50gr V-Max.

I have used 4895 in every other caliber that I reload for, but his was the first time using the 4198. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with it. And, with only using 20gr of it per round, it will go a lot further.

My wifes 223 is a 1/9 the rockriver is the 1/8

I would like to find a powder that will work in both. Im not sure if the twist difference will really matter all that much for what we are doing.

Im using different primers in both as well but that should not really matter.

 

[CMH]

I have used 4895 in every other caliber that I reload for, but his was the first time using the 4198. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with it. And, with only using 20gr of it per round, it will go a lot further.

I came across two 8 lb kegs of IMR 4198 for $99 each locally, so I picked them up for making blaster ammo. At the lower charge weight, they do go a long ways....

 

[MNelson]

I purchased a Savage Model 11 in .223 with a 1 in 9 twist. I shoot IMR 4064 at 24 grains or Varget with same amount and have equal success with both shooting V-Max or Midway 55 grains. Using CCI200 primers and Winchester brass with a C.O.A.L. of 2.320", I can shoot sub 1" groups with either bullet all day. Don't know the accessibility of the powder you have, but here in ARK, we can buy either at Walmart pretty regularly. Just my two cents worth. I also purchased a Savage model 12FV in 22-250 bull barrel, and shooting 40 grain V-Max ballistic tip, behind 36 grains of IMR4064, on a good day, can get 1" groups at 200 yards.

 

[peligro113]

I use 19.8 grains of IMR4198 with a 55 grain FMJ loaded to mid cannelure out of my AR15 with a 1/9 twist it delivers good accuracy...usually 1" or less at 100 yds.


IMR4198 is usually used with lighter bullets in .223 caliber

 

[JeffinTX]

My wifes 223 is a 1/9 the rockriver is the 1/8

I would like to find a powder that will work in both. Im not sure if the twist difference will really matter all that much for what we are doing.

Im using different primers in both as well but that should not really matter.

You can shoot up to the 69 grain bullets in the 1/9. Some may also stabilize the 7375/77 but some don't. The 1/8 barrel will shoot everything up to the berger 82. H4895 will be the powder you'd want. 23-23.5 with 77s, and 24.0 with 80 and 69 grain bullets. Up to 25.5 with the 52/55 grain bullets.

 

[81Z4ME]

I came across two 8 lb kegs of IMR 4198 for $99 each locally, so I picked them up for making blaster ammo. At the lower charge weight, they do go a long ways....

Some people have all the luck!! IMR4198 has been "my" .223 powder since the early 80's when I got my Rem. M700 varmints special in .223. I still use it today in my AR15's. Then I shot 45 grain spritzers for groundhogs and crows, no I shoot 55 grain fmjbt bullets. For the 55 grain bullets I load 21 grains of IMR4198 but your rifle may need a different load so start 10% lower and work upwards to find what shoots best in you rifles.

I did get some really good groups from H335 and 45 grain bullets at one time but stuck with the IMR4198 even though it doesn't meter well through a powder measure vs. the H335.

 

[2ndPanzer]

You can shoot up to the 69 grain bullets in the 1/9. Some may also stabilize the 7375/77 but some don't. The 1/8 barrel will shoot everything up to the berger 82. H4895 will be the powder you'd want. 23-23.5 with 77s, and 24.0 with 80 and 69 grain bullets. Up to 25.5 with the 52/55 grain bullets.

23.5 with 77's is what I use, best load to date. Your 1/9 will probably stabilize the 77, and almost definately stabilize the Hornady 75BTHP ( NOT AMAX) 1/9 AR's have troubles stabilizing, but most bolt guns do not, the extra speed and barrel length help.
24.2 H4895 with a 75 has been a great load for me, and a sleeper load for inside of 300 yds is 25.0 H4895 and the 60 grain Sierra varminter.