What's this powder suited for?

ScottRiqui · February 17, 2012, 02:24 PM

When my skipper transferred to Italy and couldn't ship his gunpowder, he gave a bunch of it to me. I recognized the pistol powders and will have a use for them, but I don't reload any rifle calibers except .223. In with everything else was eight pounds of IMR4895 and sixteen pounds of WC860.

Are there any calibers/loads where these powders are really popular? I'd like to be able to give/trade them to someone that can use them.

griz · February 17, 2012, 02:37 PM

4895 probably is useful in more rifle rounds than almost anything else. It is great in 223, 308, and most middle of the road rounds. It also has applications in many others, like the 30-06 and larger rounds. I have not used 860, but I understand it is a slower powder well suited for the big magnum rounds and smaller screamers such as the 25-06.

Kayser · February 17, 2012, 02:44 PM

IMR4895 is a superb powder for 308 and 30-06. It was developed back in the day specifically for M2 ball (Garand ammo). It does wonders for my bolt action 308.

PawPaw · February 17, 2012, 03:04 PM

From Jeff Bartlett's GI Brass:

Quote:

WC-860 Original application is U.S. .50 Cal. BMG ammo, used for the Ball M33 and API M8 projectile. A ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H870 or AA8700 data.

On the other hand, IMR 4895 was designed for the .30-06 and is still a very standard powder in that caliber. It has a lot of useful applications in other calibers as well. I currently have IMR 4895 data for .223, .243, .30-30 .308, .30-06, and .45-70. It's a great cast bullet powder as well.

When I get a new caliber, one of the first things I do is work up a load with IMR 4895. It's a standard powder on my bench and I buy it in 8 lb jugs.

BIGR · February 18, 2012, 02:14 AM

IMR 4895 is one of my favorites for the 22-250 varmit rifle that I have.

chris in va · February 18, 2012, 02:19 AM

8# of 4895...lucky. Use it in your 223 loads.

February 17, 2012, 02:24 PM	#1
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,896	What's this powder suited for? When my skipper transferred to Italy and couldn't ship his gunpowder, he gave a bunch of it to me. I recognized the pistol powders and will have a use for them, but I don't reload any rifle calibers except .223. In with everything else was eight pounds of IMR4895 and sixteen pounds of WC860. Are there any calibers/loads where these powders are really popular? I'd like to be able to give/trade them to someone that can use them.

February 17, 2012, 02:44 PM	#3
Kayser Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Illinois :( Posts: 551	IMR4895 is a superb powder for 308 and 30-06. It was developed back in the day specifically for M2 ball (Garand ammo). It does wonders for my bolt action 308. __________________ ----------------- Box Of Truth Afficionado!

February 17, 2012, 02:37 PM	#2
griz Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,395	4895 probably is useful in more rifle rounds than almost anything else. It is great in 223, 308, and most middle of the road rounds. It also has applications in many others, like the 30-06 and larger rounds. I have not used 860, but I understand it is a slower powder well suited for the big magnum rounds and smaller screamers such as the 25-06.

February 18, 2012, 02:14 AM	#5
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,231	IMR 4895 is one of my favorites for the 22-250 varmit rifle that I have.

February 18, 2012, 02:19 AM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	8# of 4895...lucky. Use it in your 223 loads.