IMR 4895 in .223

[conan32120]

my two favorite powders in my .223 gas gun are CFE 223 and IMR 4895 as both seem to work well throughout my bullet weight range however in the 53gr range (hornady v max) IMR 4895 overflows the case at approx. 25.7gr on some cases. Hornady 9th edition states max as 27.1gr and Hodgden online states 26.4 gr as max. I zeroed my beam scale. how can manuals state such high max weight when a .223 case will overflow long before such weight is achieved? would you consider my 25.5gr load which will be compressed to be ok? thoughts?

 

[Zahn]

At 25.5, you are well above the minimum charge (24.1 gr. according to Hornady) in that combination of components. So in that regard, you are OK.

Brass varies quite a bit. Military brass is thicker (typically) , and since the outside dimensions are the same, that means there is less space for powder. And commercial brass also vary quite a bit as well.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I've loaded IMR 4895 in 223.

Two ways to get the longish extruded powder in there;
One is with a drop tube, the other way (that I use) is to just tap the charged cartridge case on the table.
That will settle the powder down enough to seat the bullet - assuming it's not supposed to be a compressed charge..

 

[dh1633pm]

My friend who competed in the State Military Matches used IMR4895 to great results. I would help him by taking his military ammo; pulling the bullets and dumping the powder. Since he didn't need these, I would keep dispose of them properly. He would then weigh the cases and bullets to work his own magic. He would store his ammo in a cooler until he shot. As a good environmentalist, he would provide me the empties for re-use and recycling.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When you are using slower powders is small cases overflow can happen, especially with stick shaped powders. CFE223 is probably a better choice since it's a spherical powder and will take up less room in the case.

I usually use H335 and sometimes Varget for target ammo meant for my .223 bolt action rifle.

 

[Charlie98]

I usually use H335

My first adventure with IMR powder in the 5.56mm had me looking for a better solution... H335 was it.

 

[Ironicaintit]

For me, lighter pills in the 223 worked best with 3031

 

[AJC1]

I run heavy bullets so I run slower powders. If I was using 55 or less I would be using benchmark or at least test it.

 

[conan32120]

My first adventure with IMR powder in the 5.56mm had me looking for a better solution... H335 was it.[/QUOTE
I do have some loads for 335 but my IMR groups are generally tighter in my rifle

 

[carbine85]

I've used IMR4895 for 30+ years. It's my go powder. I load 24.0-24.9 depending on bullet weight.

 

[horseman1]

Like Carbine85, IMR 4895 has worked very well for me. In particular with those 55gr Midway Dogtown hollow points I used to get. At the time, they looked a lot like Noslers. I found a node with my gun at 24.5gr imr 4895 at an oal of 2.257" (but your mileage will probably be different). Used a powder trickler though. Otherwise...crunch and a bit more variation with my powder measure than I would like for a consistent load.

So, I've never had an overflow like in your case. While developing this load, I did go up past 25gr and instead of my powder measure doing the crunch, the seating die did it .
I'm pretty sure I used Hooda's tapping method to get a little more room in the case.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I've used IMR 4895, H4895 and Radway Green (RG) 4895 for at least 30 years. Each is just a little bit different. I've probably got 25-30 pounds of it out there .... had over 50 pounds of it a couple of years ago. 52-62 grain plinking and range and surplus use projectiles are perfect for 4895 imho. It's one of the more versatile and utilitarian powders one can own imho ... and you can never own too much.

 

[conan32120]

Like Carbine85, IMR 4895 has worked very well for me. In particular with those 55gr Midway Dogtown hollow points I used to get. At the time, they looked a lot like Noslers. I found a node with my gun at 24.5gr imr 4895 at an oal of 2.257" (but your mileage will probably be different). Used a powder trickler though. Otherwise...crunch and a bit more variation with my powder measure than I would like for a consistent load.

So, I've never had an overflow like in your case. While developing this load, I did go up past 25gr and instead of my powder measure doing the crunch, the seating die did it .
I'm pretty sure I used Hooda's tapping method to get a little more room in the case.

24.5gr with 55gr w hornady sp is my load too

 

[cfullgraf]

Generally, I like Accurate 2230 in 223 Rem/5.56 with 55 grain bullets or so. I use Varget with 68-69 grain bullets.

I did some testing back in 2007 using 24.9 gr H4896 with Sierra 55 gr Blitz bullets. I know, not the same as IMR4895 but usually loads end up being similar, not interchangable, but similar. I had no trouble getting the charge in the case. (I like H4895 in my Garand ammunition).

Brass varies quite a bit. Military brass is thicker (typically) , and since the outside dimensions are the same, that means there is less space for powder. And commercial brass also vary quite a bit as well.

Not so with 223 Rem/5.56 NATO cases. Commercial cases such as W-W cases are significantly heavier than Lake City cases. I’ve weight 500-600 cases of each around 2005 and seen this is so.

The weight differences vary with different head stamps.

It is known and accepted that 308 Win military cases are heavier than their commercial counter parts. That assumption cannot be applied to all other commercial/military combinations.

Anyway, if your working near maximum loads, I’d stick with the same head stamp cases.