IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

[Hunt]

So I'm reading http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2012/02/cartridges-762-nato-long-range-match_04.html (great read by the way) and see that IMR4064 (mk316) is the new proclaimed low ES powder for 175s. I've had great luck with it in the past but favored Varget and RE-15 in its place. However, I'm wondering if it isn't worth a second look.

What are folks actual experiences with IMR4064 and is it truly temp insensitive as the post says?

 

[former naval person]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

It gives me the best in my .243 with the long 117's. Tried most of the rest...RL 22 and 25, 4831SC, H1000, Retumbo. Guess that is where my barrel's node places me.

 

[bowslngr]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

It could be just me, but I have not found anything that works better than IMR4064 for the 175-178s. -- so I agree with what you read.

 

[2clicks]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I can't speak for temp insensitivity but I've had great results in .308 168 & 175 & 243 87 vmax also with IMR4064. Honestly I use Rl15 Varget IMR4895 they all shoot... I look for the best deal and stock up when i can for cheapest price. Last week I got #8 win 748 for 132$ it shoots great in 223 I'm betting it shoots in .308 too. IMR 4064 I think its worth using or tuning a 178 with it. Especially if you paid $124 for #8 like I did for it last time...

 

[Chance]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

Never used it in the .308, but my 30-06's have always liked it over H-4350...the supposed powder to use for that caliber. I worked well in everything from 160gr. Nosler partition to 180gr. SMK.

 

[turbo54]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

It's been a long while since I last worked with 4064, but from memory, I believe it was absolutely interchangable with Varget in my Savage 10FP 308. The same charge weight yielded the same MV and POI at 600 yards. Varget always grouped a little better though.

Varget has always worked so damn well for me, I wouldn't consider switching to something else to save a few bucks. 8lbs loads about 1200 cartridges. $20 across 1200 rounds is $0.017/round, or less than the cost of a primer. I shoot about 2500 rounds/year, so $40/year??

I have tried some other powders to see if they can dethrone varget - haven't found one yet. My latest attempt was 8208xbr. The hype led me to believe I'd maintain velocity, but maybe be able to simply THROW charges in match ammo. Nope, not unless I'm willing to give up ~125-150fps!

46.34gr Varget + 178 match Hornady = 2745fps from my 24" Savage.

 

[MarshalTex]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

4064 is my personal fav. I am loading 43.5 grns behind 168grn amax w/ an avg of 2810. I am punching 5 shot dimes with it. I have a p[ost around here somewhere with pics....

 

[High Binder]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I shot a lot of 4064 but the local store had more Varget on hand during the big stock up 2 years ago. So I switched to Varget and haven't looked back but still have 26lbs of 4064 on hand.

They're both pretty good in .308 but Varget meters better. If I were you I would develop loads for both. It's worked well for me.

 

[hrt4me]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I switched from Varget to IMR 4064 years ago for my .308 match loads and am still working with 26 lbs from the same lot

 

[okiefired]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget has always worked so damn well for me, I wouldn't consider switching to something else to save a few bucks. 8lbs loads about 1200 cartridges. $20 across 1200 rounds is $0.017/round, or less than the cost of a primer. I shoot about 2500 rounds/year, so $40/year?? </div></div>

8lbs. of varget for $20 huh.

okie

 

[turbo54]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: okiefired</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget has always worked so damn well for me, I wouldn't consider switching to something else to save a few bucks. 8lbs loads about 1200 cartridges. $20 across 1200 rounds is $0.017/round, or less than the cost of a primer. I shoot about 2500 rounds/year, so $40/year?? </div></div>

8lbs. of varget for $20 huh.

okie </div></div>

You misunderstood. The $20 is the price DIFFERENTIAL between 4064 and Varget. Thus, it is $0.017/round cheaper to load with 4064 than Varget.

 

[okiefired]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

Oooookay....gotcha.

okie

 

[blakheaven]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I have shot 4064 for years and I learned a lot shooting it (my first powder I ever truly stuck with for longer than a shooting season). But there are way to many better powders out now.

As for weather consistency I should know cause I shoot in Oklahoma, the weather can be in the 70's one day and teens the next (already seen that happen twice this year) and 4064 is consistent I guess..meaning its better than Varget I think but no matter what powder you use the weather is going to effect it and shooting 4064 I did have to redope in different weather conditions, sometimes a whole MOA at 100 yards for temperature.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

Shot IMR 4064 versus Varget on Saturday.

190gr Noslers. The Varget had a lot larger "Happy Spot" and higher velocities (150+ fps) without pressure issues. Got to compile a lot of velocity data from both powders and look foward to sorting it out more this evening.

You never know until you try . . . .

 

[Hunt]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I'm interested in your findings.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I had to get back to the house to look at everything.

The memory is a terrible thing, even worse at half-a-century.

Groups shot at 200yds.

5 rounds fired temp: 44
Load 1 2605 HIGH 2627 date: 2/11/2012
Load 2 2588 LOW 2588 bullet: 190 Nosler
Load 3 2599 AVERAGE 2607.8 OAL 2.8
Load 4 2620 MEDIAN 2605 Powder IMR 4064 42.0
Load 5 2627 STANDARD DEVIATION 15.77 text: .5" Vertical, Windy, 1.5 width

5 rounds fired temp: 44
Load 1 2603 HIGH 2621 date: 2/11/2012
Load 2 2612 LOW 2603 bullet: 190 Nosler
Load 3 2620 AVERAGE 2613.2 OAL 2.82
Load 4 2610 MEDIAN 2612 Powder Varget 42.8
Load 5 2621 STANDARD DEVIATION 7.46 text: Best group, windy conditions, spread 1.5", elevation .5"

42.5gr Varget to 43.1, 3 groups, none were over .5" tall, spread in the wind. Bolt stiffness at 44.5gr.

IMR-4064 was a node at 42.7, 43.0 43.3. 43.6 was issues with hard bolt lift, too hot.

If you notice, at ~44deg temps, the IMR-4064 might have issues when July comes around. I've never had issues with Varget's Winter-to-Summer loadings except once at OKC when it was 107deg in the shade. The load held the 10-ring but couldn't buy an X.

 

[Woodlanddude]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

In my experience 4064 yields great groups out of 308 and 30-06, but fails at temperature stability. I have seen lots have a 200fps variation in 30-06 over 150 sgk's.
Temperature spread of 70 degrees. In contrast to some, IMR 8208 XBR has replaced reloader 15 and H-4895 as well for most of these applications. I still use H-4895 for light hunting bullets in my deer rifles.

 

[Quackaddict]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

Running 4064 under 70grn NBT's in a 243, has produced the best accuracy and scorching velocity compared to Varget. Have some RL-17 loads worked up now to see if I can get to 3750-3800...

 

[josie6637]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

Tag

 

[bowslngr]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

Terrific info...but let us not forget the original question was in reference to 175s, not 190s.

This is in reference to 1lnbrdg's comments above.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I have 1K Nosler CC 175's on order. I'll update when they come in, I can do the work-up & go shoot them.

 

[95LTZ]

Re: IMR4064...why the chosen powder for

I just picked up 8 lbs. yesterday for use in my M1 Garand. I may experiment a little with other calibers time permitting.