IMR 4895 - Good "Universal" Rifle Powder Choice?

[TDH]

I use Imr 4895 in .223, 308. 3006 and 7.62x39 and I tried it in 7.62x54r when I was trying to get it to shoot decently. If I can't get that then I try to find H 4895 or Varget. They are all so close together in burn rate it really doesn't matter. the only rifle cartridge that gets anything else is the M1 Carbine and I use WW 296 for them. All pistol cartridges get a dose of WW 231 from .380 to .45.

[Merle]

I use Imr 4895 in .223, 308. 3006 and 7.62x39 and I tried it in 7.62x54r when I was trying to get it to shoot decently. If I can't get that then I try to find H 4895 or Varget. They are all so close together in burn rate it really doesn't matter. the only rifle cartridge that gets anything else is the M1 Carbine and I use WW 296 for them. All pistol cartridges get a dose of WW 231 from .380 to .45.

For handguns I find Unique to be the most useful, it works for mild to moderate loads. I seldom load powderpuff nor bear busters, so it is more than suitable!

[rugersworld]

Right now it is difficult to standardize on one powder for multiple cartridges, given the shortages.

[STAHL]

For pistol ammo I use HODGDON clays. I load 25 auto to 45acp. Works especially well with my 357 and 9 mm.

[jimb16]

I keep both 4895 and 4064 on hand. I use both for jacketed loads. For cast, I use Red Dot or Unique and 4895 for heavier loadings.

[JasonA]

IMR 4895 for all my jacketed stuff in .30-06. I mostly load cast. 17.5 of 2400 is my goto load. 11.5 of unique is also one of my pet loads. I use the unique in all of my pistol loads except .38 special. 3.5 of bullseye for those. I have a small supply of 4895, unique, and 2400, and one lb of bullseye. Wish I could find more of the 2400 and unique. Starting to get a little concerned about those two. BTW, I have a few loads for cast bullets that use 26grains ( I think) of the 4895. If anyone is interested I can look it up.

[ireload2]

People that sell powder and bullets will try to show their product used in as many different applications as possible.

IMR4895 is one of the most popular and flexible propellants. How it is good in most of the rounds that you name. However it is generally too slow for best use in the 45-70 unless you are going to develop loads with higher pressures and higher velocities than the SAAMI loads. If you chose the lighter loads a faster powder will leave less unburned powder.

[25-5]

I have great success with Varget for the A303, Garand, and M1A. Both 4895's are fine too!

[DocAV]

From over 40 years of reloading Military Calibres ( from 6,5 Japanese to 30/06 in case capacity) I have found that IMR4895 or its Aussie Analogue (AR2201, then AR2206, Now AR2206H (for Hodgdon) was the Best all round Powder, although the smaller 6,5s liked IMR 3031 Better.

Horses for courses...If I had to have only One "Rifle" Powder, it would be AR2206/IMR4895...This would of course, exclude all the Small capacity ( 5,56 and M1 Carbine and 7,62x39) cases, and the Very large cap. cases ( .45/70 etc).

Doc AV
AV Ballistics Technical Services
Down Under....

[Jerome Cooper]

4895 has worked the best for me in my Garands. I find that the best powder for me in my 94's with the 30-30 is 3031. In the 45 ACP Bullseye has worked well, but Red Dot also does a good job with a wide range of bullet weights. J. Cooper