IMR 4895 - Good "Universal" Rifle Powder Choice?
Have been digging through reloading data as of late. Trying to decide on powders.
I noticed that IMR 4895 shows up in a lot of applications.
What really caught my eye is that it shows up in C.E. Harris' article on cast bullets for milsurps in the 25.5 gr. range... and in other sources tops out around 46 gr. for '06. (As always, check the books, I'm talking off the top of my head here.)
That's a pretty good range of loadings.
For me I'm thinking of zeroing in on it for the following calibers, anyone think this is a bad idea?
1) 30-30
2) 30-06
3) 7.62x54r
4) 7.92x57 / 8mm Mauser
5) 45-70
Admitted, for 45-70 and reduced loads, maybe 2400 or Unique would be way cheaper to use. But I have to admit, not sure how I feel about using double base powders in rifles. (Thinking it's awful hot for that, leading to barrel erosion, possibly.)
Your thoughts?
4895 is a great all around powder
Like is usually the case, something that is good for a lot of things may not be the best choice for any. When it comes to 4895 it does really well for several calibers and great with some. When you could still find surplus powder I bought lots of 4895 because I could use it in a lot of different guns. Just be careful on either end or pushing it to much and you should be good to go. Bill R.