IMR 4198 for Speer TNT HP 50's?

alwayspackin1 · December 4, 2009, 04:00 AM

just a quick question.

i scanned through my hornady manual looking for an idea on a commonly recommended powder for light .223 loads, and IMR 4198 was all over the place.

bought a couple pounds of it to have around, and decided that i would load some Speer TNT 50gr. HP rounds.

now, Hornady lists it for their bullets up to the 60's, whereas Speer no longer lists it after the 45gr bullets.

anybody load this combo?

just curious if i am going to have to use more of my Varget. hate to, as i use it for the bigger rounds, as well as for my .308

hodaka · December 4, 2009, 05:33 AM

I rarely use Speer bullets but I have used a bunch of IMR 4198 with 52-55 Sierra and Hornady bullets with a .223. It is a very good powder. I would start around 19 gr. then work up. You should find a sweet spot around 20 gr. Isn't that the range you are seeing in the Hornady manual? Check Hodgdon's website for confirmation.

margiesex · December 4, 2009, 10:21 AM

Hey there - the ole' reliable Sierra 50th Ann. manual gives you a bunch for 50 grain bullets and 4198.

By the by, 4198 is just a great powder - used to use it all the time in my .222 - and God willing, will again.

Here you go:

For either a 50 grain: semi-pointed, spitzer or blitz - IMR - 4198 starts with 2800 FPS at 19.8 grains and goes to 3200 FPS with a max load of 22.0 grains.

Sounds like a pretty good spread to me. Hope it works out for you.

God bless.

Margiesex

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

alwayspackin1 · December 4, 2009, 04:19 PM

well, i figured that to a degree, a 50gr. FBHP should be in a lot of ways, pressure-similar to a 50gr flat-base Hornady Vmax. i know that all bullets are created equal, however.

thought about using the load data for a 55gr hornady FB bullet, asi have read that it is usually safe to use the load data for a heavier bullet when in doubt.

am i misinformed?

December 4, 2009, 04:00 AM	#1
alwayspackin1 Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Location: Southeast Arkansas Posts: 99	IMR 4198 for Speer TNT HP 50's? just a quick question. i scanned through my hornady manual looking for an idea on a commonly recommended powder for light .223 loads, and IMR 4198 was all over the place. bought a couple pounds of it to have around, and decided that i would load some Speer TNT 50gr. HP rounds. now, Hornady lists it for their bullets up to the 60's, whereas Speer no longer lists it after the 45gr bullets. anybody load this combo? just curious if i am going to have to use more of my Varget. hate to, as i use it for the bigger rounds, as well as for my .308 __________________ *The glass is not half full, nor is it half empty. You simply have twice as much glass as you need.01/01/09*

December 4, 2009, 05:33 AM	#2
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I rarely use Speer bullets but I have used a bunch of IMR 4198 with 52-55 Sierra and Hornady bullets with a .223. It is a very good powder. I would start around 19 gr. then work up. You should find a sweet spot around 20 gr. Isn't that the range you are seeing in the Hornady manual? Check Hodgdon's website for confirmation. Last edited by hodaka; December 4, 2009 at 07:21 AM. Reason: Changed 18 to 19

December 4, 2009, 10:21 AM	#3
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	The ole' reliable... Hey there - the ole' reliable Sierra 50th Ann. manual gives you a bunch for 50 grain bullets and 4198. By the by, 4198 is just a great powder - used to use it all the time in my .222 - and God willing, will again. Here you go: For either a 50 grain: semi-pointed, spitzer or blitz - IMR - 4198 starts with 2800 FPS at 19.8 grains and goes to 3200 FPS with a max load of 22.0 grains. Sounds like a pretty good spread to me. Hope it works out for you. God bless. Margiesex And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

December 4, 2009, 04:19 PM	#4
alwayspackin1 Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Location: Southeast Arkansas Posts: 99	well, i figured that to a degree, a 50gr. FBHP should be in a lot of ways, pressure-similar to a 50gr flat-base Hornady Vmax. i know that all bullets are created equal, however. thought about using the load data for a 55gr hornady FB bullet, asi have read that it is usually safe to use the load data for a heavier bullet when in doubt. am i misinformed? __________________ *The glass is not half full, nor is it half empty. You simply have twice as much glass as you need.01/01/09*