Most versatile rifle powder

Ricky Bobby · February 16, 2013, 10:41 AM

Like the title says ... Which one is it?

black mamba · February 16, 2013, 10:48 AM

Burning rate has a much wider range in rifle powders than in pistol powders, so no single powder will be as effective for all rifle cartridges as in pistol cartridges. But for all cartridges that are not significantly overbore, the 4895s will do just about everything.

hooligan1 · February 16, 2013, 10:52 AM

IMR 4350 get a lot of play but, that's why there are so many powders because there isn't one that is suitable for everything.

reynolds357 · February 16, 2013, 10:57 AM

If I were limited to only one powder It would be IMR 4350. If I was allowed to have two powders it would be Big Game and Magnum. I can load about half of what I shoot with 4350. I can load 90% of what I shoot with either Big Game or Magnum.

SL1 · February 16, 2013, 11:14 AM

H-4895 apparently burns stably over a wide range of pressures. So, it can be loaded-down better than the powders that are designed for max performance at high pressures. In that sense, it seems to be the most versatile.

On the other hand, with so many cartridges designed for max performance, powders like IMR-4350 and H-4831 seem to be able to produce near-maximum performance in more cartridges than can be done with H-4895.

So, what it really boils down to whatever is your particular definition of "versatile."

SL1

jdscholer · February 16, 2013, 01:20 PM

I've used H or IMR 4895 in .222 Rem on up to 30-06, so it gets my vote. jd

Chick · February 17, 2013, 08:43 AM

I have had my best luck on cartridges from 7mm08, 308, 280 Rem and 30-06 with IMR 4064. The IMR 4895 always has shot larger groups out of my rifles. The firearms involed with Winchester Mod 70, Rem Mod 700, M1A, and Mauser 98.

February 16, 2013, 10:41 AM	#1
Ricky Bobby Member Join Date: October 23, 2011 Posts: 48	Most versatile rifle powder Like the title says ... Which one is it?

February 16, 2013, 10:52 AM	#3
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	IMR 4350 get a lot of play but, that's why there are so many powders because there isn't one that is suitable for everything. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

February 16, 2013, 01:20 PM	#6
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I've used H or IMR 4895 in .222 Rem on up to 30-06, so it gets my vote. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 16, 2013, 10:48 AM	#2
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Burning rate has a much wider range in rifle powders than in pistol powders, so no single powder will be as effective for all rifle cartridges as in pistol cartridges. But for all cartridges that are not significantly overbore, the 4895s will do just about everything.

February 16, 2013, 10:57 AM	#4
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	If I were limited to only one powder It would be IMR 4350. If I was allowed to have two powders it would be Big Game and Magnum. I can load about half of what I shoot with 4350. I can load 90% of what I shoot with either Big Game or Magnum.

February 16, 2013, 11:14 AM	#5
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	H-4895 apparently burns stably over a wide range of pressures. So, it can be loaded-down better than the powders that are designed for max performance at high pressures. In that sense, it seems to be the most versatile. On the other hand, with so many cartridges designed for max performance, powders like IMR-4350 and H-4831 seem to be able to produce near-maximum performance in more cartridges than can be done with H-4895. So, what it really boils down to whatever is your particular definition of "versatile." SL1

February 17, 2013, 08:43 AM	#7
Chick Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 140	I have had my best luck on cartridges from 7mm08, 308, 280 Rem and 30-06 with IMR 4064. The IMR 4895 always has shot larger groups out of my rifles. The firearms involed with Winchester Mod 70, Rem Mod 700, M1A, and Mauser 98.