Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

M

mstang1988

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 6, 2011
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Austin, TX
#1
I've been doing a lot of reading about reloading, have the equipment and am fixing to order components. .308 700P

I want to load
155 Sierra Palma's
175 SMK (Main load)

I plan to order 8lbs. What do you recommend if I'm going to order 8lbs to start? I do care about temp. stability as we have a wide range of temps here. F 15-115.
 
#2
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

Either powder is great, I have had very nice groupings using H4895 under the 175 SMK. I wouldn't hesitate to get either one.
 
#3
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I don't reload....yet but from my research/searching you may want to order a small amount of both powders and do a few of your own test.

Your rifle might like one or the other, both, or it might not like either for whatever reason. That being said I've heard many use the 4895 under 175 SMK's.

Whatever you get please post your results, it's always nice to have more data to learn from.
 
#4
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

A bit more information. My rifle shoots FGMM and Southwest Ammunition ammo great. I've heard FGMM is similar to 4064 if not 4064 and I read a really old post saying Southwest uses 4895.
 
#5
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

Federal uses a canister grade powder for their loads. Remember they are buying by the railroad car no the can. It is close to the properties of 4060.
 
#6
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneteam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Federal uses a canister grade powder for their loads. Remember they are buying by the railroad car no the can. It is close to the properties of 4060.</div></div>

Agreed, that was my "similar" comment.

One more datapoint. I have heard one of the two powders can be used in 5.56. Have an AR-15 with 18" Noveske SPR 1:7 twist. Wondering if I should consider this in my powder decision.
 
#7
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

Buy an lb of each and try them as no two rifles shoot the same. Its better to waist 20 bux on an lb of powder you didnt like than to spend 150 on 8 lbs that you cant get to shoot in your rifle. The worst thing thats guna happen is your guna have to spend more time at the range shooting and testing your loads. I hate when i have to shoot my rifle more.
 
#9
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

Yeah, I don't know that I would plunge and buy eight pounds until I was sure it worked very well in my rifle?

My personal opinion; never liked 4895 in anything. Basically, I look for a powder that gives me 95/105% full case. It always seems that 4895 rattles around in a loaded cartridge when loaded to max. However, a lot of people claim fine accuracy with 4895?

I would look at those powders that show the highest velocity, buy a pound of each and find out what's going on. Some people focus on temperature stable powders and some care only about accuracy; maybe at reduced velocity? I want both; highest velocity, best accuracy. It is easier to hit a target with a fast bullet, everything relative, and you have less wind drift at higher velocity. You have plenty of time to spring for 8 lbs. when you get everything sorted out. BB
 
#11
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

Think of Varget as "modern" 4064. Much better choice and easier to handle. Good for .308 and 5.56. 4895 is better for lighter bullets in .30-06, in my experience. Don't get 8# of anything until you try Varget.
 
#12
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I think the general consensus is... don't buy 8 lbs of powder. Buy a pound of both maybe some varget too. Test them out. I did with varget and imr4895 and have settled on the varget.
 
#13
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I find 4064 very consistent and accurate with 175s..but the long sticks makes it meter like shit..Varget meters real good but my gas 308 and shorties seem to prefer the 4064.
 
#15
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I could never get 4064 to perform well pushing chamber pressure to add MV, especially above the 168s. Varget was more tolerant to pressure in tight groups but not providing the MV compared to RL-15, especially in shorter tubes. RL-15 also being something to nanny if your pushing pressure across temp/environment. Generalizations across 4 rifles. I haven't play'ed with 4895 enough.

There is allot of your own opinions to be made in your reloading process without focusing on inital bulk powder purchase. If your looking for factory velocity in a handload, either Varget or 4064 will work in the end. I'd start with Varget & the 175SMK in step load, even in a 1:12 tube. I believe this to be more jump tolerant or forgiving in your initial loads for accuracy eval given the two stated pills (or work compared to the 155 palma). One thing at a time to make any sense of it.
 
#16
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I just performed my first reloading for 30-06 on an S1050. I used one pounders of IMR 4895, IMR 4064 and Varget. Not sure what your using for a powder measure but it was my experience that IMR 4895 flowed the best through the modifed (polished)Dillon measure = +/- .1 grns. The IMR 4064 was next for consistency and Varget was the worst, leaving sticks falling onto my shell plate. Kind of surprised because I thought 4064 was the most coarse.

Not sure if my findings are relevant for you, just something to consider regards powder flow. Moot point if you are loading for ultimate accuracy and trickling each load.

I have not done my ladder testing yet to determine best accuracy. I hope it turns out being the IMR 4895 based on ease of use in my measure, if so than I'll be buying an 8 pounder.
 
#17
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I use SMK 175s in my .308 had good results with both 4895 and 4064. Id do like alot of people are saying and get a pound of each and do a couple ladder tests. 4064 is what i use now mostly because it almost fills the case and i always liked that better (call it superstition) when 4895 always leaves some room for more in the case. 4064 dosent meter very well but if your going for really nice loads anyway youll be weighing each charge regardless.

Happy shooting!
 
#20
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I will be metering with a chargemaster 1500 combo and verifying using my 505. Managed to luck into the reloading equipment for an amazing deal. Will be loading with RCBS rock chucker.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pmclaine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just performed my first reloading for 30-06 on an S1050. I used one pounders of IMR 4895, IMR 4064 and Varget. Not sure what your using for a powder measure but it was my experience that IMR 4895 flowed the best through the modifed (polished)Dillon measure = +/- .1 grns. The IMR 4064 was next for consistency and Varget was the worst, leaving sticks falling onto my shell plate. Kind of surprised because I thought 4064 was the most coarse.

Not sure if my findings are relevant for you, just something to consider regards powder flow. Moot point if you are loading for ultimate accuracy and trickling each load.

I have not done my ladder testing yet to determine best accuracy. I hope it turns out being the IMR 4895 based on ease of use in my measure, if so than I'll be buying an 8 pounder.</div></div>
 
#22
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneteam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget can differ from lot to lot. If you find some that your gun likes, buy all you can of that particular lot#. </div></div>

I had heard that they had been working hard to get lot-to-lot consistency better.. have you seen that not to be the case recently?
 
#23
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I've been using 4064 for years, with great accuracy. It seems like I can throw 42.5-43 grains in just about any 308 and it's sub-moa. I've tried Varget several times and never got the tiny little groups I get with 4064.
For metering, I use a chargemaster and just set it a few tenths short of what I want, then I just tap the nozzle to trickle it up.
 
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#24
Re: Powder! IMR4064 or H4895?

I'm guessing you'll probably see 4064 work best on 168's and 4895 will work best on 175's. I used 4895 on 175 smk and 178 amax loads, then tried rl-15 an haven't looked back. Rl-15 + Hornady 178 amax= winner (for me at least)
 
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