IMR 4895 - Good "Universal" Rifle Powder Choice?

[MilSurpFan]

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?

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[Reload1]

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.

[Buntlineguy]

It's my first choice. I use it in all my rifles from .223 to 45-70. Saves having to stock several other types.
B

[Aussie48]

You could also try IMR 4064 It's Aussie AR2208, IMR 4895 is our AR2206H

[Andy]

1) 30-30
2) 30-06
3) 7.62x54r
4) 7.92x57 / 8mm Mauser
5) 45-70

It wouldn't take long to come up with 10 powders in the 4198 to BL-C(2) range that would "work" with all of those cartridges, and for a wide variety of bullet weights, but for most of them, they would be far from optimum.

[jmoore]

30-30 and 45-70 will likely need their own powders for best results. The other three can probably be loaded effectively with 4895. (I use 4064 as my GP ~.30 caliber rifle default powder.) WHich isn't to say that I don't have plenty of other choices on hand! The more exacting the load requirements, the greater the need for flexiblity in choosing the optimal components for a particular firearm.

[Merle]

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?

It gets my vote for the single most useful rifle powder out there.
Just like Unique is the single most useful pistol powder.
At least it is true for my purposes.

[Gun Surfer]

Ditto to what Merle is saying on IMR 4895 and for me its Bullseye in pistol, although Unique is also very useful. IMR 4895 is the most useful in my .30 caliber loads, and works well in the 7.62 Russian. Can work in .45-70 but perhaps not optimal.

Bullseye, the powder used in the original .45 ACP loads, for me has been the most accurate across the widest array of bullet types, lead or jacket. Also very good in 9mm, .38 Spec, etc. (Don't tell about the danger of double loading, use proper precautions, and several premier pistol powders are subject to same risk. Yes its dirty, so I clean the gun, big deal.)

[Merle]

Ditto to what Merle is saying on IMR 4895 and Bullseye. IMR 4895 is the most useful in my .30 caliber loads, and works well in the 7.62 Russian. Can work likely in .45-70 but perhaps not optimal.

Bullseye, the powder used in the original .45 ACP loads, for me has been the most accurate across the widest array of bullet types, lead or jacket. Also very good in 9mm, .38 Spec, etc. (Don't tell about the danger of double loading, use proper precautions, and several premier pistol powders are subject to same risk. Yes its dirty, so I clean the gun, big deal.)

Back when I shot a light loads for 38 spl & 45 ACP Bullseye was my powder of choice. Nowadays I choose Unique, as I mostly shoot mid to upper loads & mostly larger calibers. Unique works better for that.

[Gun Surfer]

One std .45 ACP load is the 230 gr FMJ with 5.0 gr Bullseye, one of the most accurate I shoot & not a light load.