Powder advice, please?

[Canuck Bob]

Here are my calibers 444, 303 Brit, 32 Special, 32-20, 223, 22 Hornet.

With powder suples dwindling by the moment I need to buy what I can and order it in.

I can get H4895, IMR4895, IMR3031, IMR4227, and Leverevolution I think in 8# bottles!

I like powders that are bulky and give a case fill up at least 55% and not peaky near max. I want a double load to spill. As tempting as it is to use something like Unique I think I'll stay with slower rate powders.

I need a do all powder for the medium capacity cases. H4895 seems good as it reduces well and cast will be my major shooting as tin cans are more likely than deer for me. It seems a decent powder for versatility and there are loads for everything from 223 to 444. Peak performance means nothing to me. Decent capacity and good reduced burning are important. There is a brochure stating that up to a 60% reduction of max loads is safe and burns well, agree?

Lil Gun is available in 1# for the hornet.

What do folks think about IMR 4227 for the 32-20 and as a cast powder as well?

[Canuck Bob]

Went to the new Hodgdon site and discovered the new format for load research. It looks like H4895 compares real well with the other options. it regularly outshines the IMR4895 and cartridge to cartridge mtches 3031 obviously a little slower. I read reports that 3031 doesn't play nice reduced, again is this true?.

What is its real world 223 50 grain bolt performance in a 22" barrel?

Does the new australian stuff work reduced as the old stuff did? I suspect so as many sites recommend it but as it is powder always good to ask.

I'm now considering H4895 and IMR4227 with some Lil Gun. It seems ok as beggars can't be too choosy.

Also Winchester standard sm and lg rifle primers as well as they may be available. With Rem 2 1/2 for the 32-20 and 22 Hornet. Opinions?

[6pt-sika]

I've never much cared for 4895 be it H or IMR . For the 444 and the 223 I could make do with H322 or IMR8208 no problem .

I realize those of us in the USA have been spoiled for years with the diversity of powder we've had available to us .

[shooter]

Depends on your guns and what they like, but IMR3031 is my favorite rifle powder. It is what I have the best luck with. I know a lot of people like 4895, and both of those powders are very versatile.

[earlmck]

I think you have it well figured, Bob. The H4895 will get you about all you want from top loads in the 303 and 223; the 4227 will be good for full-power loads in 444 and 32/20. And if you can stand to give up 150fps in the hornet you could skip the Lil' gun. I've happily used 4227 (in either IMR or H persuasions) for cast bullets and fellows I respect use the 4895 for close to full power cast loads, though I have not.

Like you I have read that 3031 is not as useful as 4895 in lower power loadings but I haven't tried it in that manner. I do know that there are a lot of stories that get repeated without ever being tested that turn out to be less than accurate.

[BigSky56]

AA 5744 will work real good in most of your cartridges, I use it in my rifles & handguns. Check with Sixgun or KirkD about 32-20 & 5744. 5744 is made on your side of the Medicine Line. Check accurate arms online version 5.0 load data. danny

[Mescalero]

3031 & 4895 have been friends for a long time.

[J35]

I think with 4895 and 4227 you could find decent loads for everything you list.

I have standardized on the Rem. 7-1/2 for all the small rifle stuff, Hornet included.

For me Lil Gun would be for top end loads only and I rarely go there,
so it would be way down at the bottom of my list.

-----J

[firefuzz]

3031 & 4895 have been friends for a long time.

Yup.

Rob

[3leggedturtle]

Hope this helps. Using less than max loads of H335, am getting from 3100 to almost 3350fps (chronoed)with a 50gr SPP in a 20" barrels 223 handi rifle. In a 223 AI 21" Contender carbine I am getting a touch over 3400fps.

I went with H335 cuz I got 16lbs of it real cheap.

[Canuck Bob]

Like you I have read that 3031 is not as useful as 4895 in lower power loadings but I haven't tried it in that manner. I do know that there are a lot of stories that get repeated without ever being tested that turn out to be less than accurate.

Amen, the internet is a great place but how many times have I read that a 30-30 lever is not an ethical deer rifle!! That is why I ask here for real world advice. I might add I find your advice valuable. I respect your scientific approach and sound safety approach for loading.

I'm checking on current availabiity for the supplier in question and then order it in. I did consider some 3031 and some 4895 and your advice for 4227 in a hornet is good. I have a Handi Hornet with a 9" twist and bought it so I could shoot lower velocity 50-55 grain bullets.

Edit: I appreciate all the advice but I'm trying to keep a major order from a single mail order supplier so I can stock up and be good for a year or two. They show only the powders listed above as available in bulk containers. They also have primers and bullets I want. This way I can average out the shipping and hazmat charges.

[ollogger]

Bob
in todays market, if you can get it buy it!!
ive used 4895 a lot when it was around, 30-30 - 32 WS - 38-55 & more, mostly cast bullets
a few years ago I got a bunch of RL7, works great, even in 32-20, 223 shoots BLC2



ollogger

[mark]

I can get H4895, IMR4895, IMR3031, IMR4227, and Leverevolution I think in 8# bottles!

I have used H4895 and H4227, both with cast and jacketed projectiles.

Fortunately, we don't have many problems down here getting reloading components. The above two powders are used by choice, not necessity. I reload for a 22 Hornet through to a 45-70, with many in between.

For reduced loads I have had great success with Blue Dot, if you can source it.

Cheers Mark

[JerryB]

Canuck Bob, If you can ever get some 5744 grab it, Kirk got me on it for my 32-20, 38-55 and 45-70. It is a great powder, I got a nice big doe with his load for the 38-55 this fall.