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Posted: 10/30/2011 5:20:12 AM EDT
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I loaded a hundred rounds of .223 55 gr Sierra FMJ with IMR4198 powder and took them to the range, I wanted a clean burning powder. My AR is a S&W MP 15 this is first time I loaded .223 so I was real carefull not to go to a real high pressure round. It shot really nice as I was trying to get a good zero at 100yds. The gun powder really burns clean I took the AR home and cleaned it was really surprised how clean inside it was. Didn't take me very long to clean it and now I have to go load another 100rds. My final target had 14 shots into a 2 3/4" group at 100 yds. New time I go I will put finishing touches on zero as I want it 1.7" high at 100yds which calculates out with 2.9" from scope to centerline of bore to a 4" drop at 300yds. This is quite a little rifle, accuracy is just great.
fknipfer1 |
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Quoted:
I loaded a hundred rounds of .223 55 gr Sierra FMJ with IMR4198 powder and took them to the range, I wanted a clean burning powder. My AR is a S&W MP 15 this is first time I loaded .223 so I was real carefull not to go to a real high pressure round. It shot really nice as I was trying to get a good zero at 100yds. The gun powder really burns clean I took the AR home and cleaned it was really surprised how clean inside it was. Didn't take me very long to clean it and now I have to go load another 100rds. My final target had 14 shots into a 2 3/4" group at 100 yds. New time I go I will put finishing touches on zero as I want it 1.7" high at 100yds which calculates out with 2.9" from scope to centerline of bore to a 4" drop at 300yds. This is quite a little rifle, accuracy is just great. fknipfer1 You chose the perfect gunpowder to achieve high pressure. Compare the maximum published charge weights for IMR 4198 to slower gunpowders with better case fill. Be careful when throwing charges of IMR 4198 from a drum measure, especially maximum charges, it's extremely easy to get one grain and more throw to throw variation with this one. I bought one pound to load .30 Carbine and .45-70, and it's the last pound. I have other things to do than rassle charge weights. |
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Being an old retired guy I don't use anything except my RCBS 750 grain scale, one round at a time and I always have same accurate loading. Gotta have something to do in the afternoons. So I powder up one round at a time. I have a load now for H4198 so I will try that powder and I will load 20ea of these and Chrongraph them. Since I was following the book I was to excited about the first rounds so I shot them. I have a lot of H4198 and IMR4198 so I will be happy with that and shoot them up with this powder.
I just shoot once a week, so I am in no hurry I cleaned a 100 rounds of brass today and order 200 rds of Sierra 55gr FMJBT 1355 bullets. This seems to be a pretty good round I got them for $14.25 per hundred and $9.00shipping. I didn't think that was too bad a price unless someone can point me in a different direction for lower prices. With shipping the cost per bullet is .1875 ea. Shipping is He%& fknipfer1 |
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20.0 grains of IMR-4198 or 20.5 grains of H4198 is a maximum load in my rifles with 55 grain bullets. I use these same charges with 52 grain match bullets with excellent results. I never use these powders with any heavier bullets. It works great in carbine gas systems too.
Old reloading data is way too hot for my rifles. I have old NRA articles that show 22.0 grains of H4198 being loaded with 55 grain bullets. That load would blow primers in my rifles. Because these two powders are the fastest burning powders listed for .223 and lighter bullets, proceed with caution. As AeroE pointed out, these powders are a thin diameter long grain extruded type and do not lend themselves to consitent thrown weights from most measures. Double check often. |
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Like I said before I load each round one at a time with a 750 RCBS electrical scale so I am pretty sure of my loads. I think I have learned about my RCBS scale is if you put the powder in in one pile you can change the weight registered by just distributing the powder over the bottom of the pan. I put load in, weigh it and then take pan a gently tap in on table re weigh it and it is usually .1 grain lower than pile weight. I leave it there and wait for 15 to 30 seconds and it it doesn't change I add the .1gr and load.
Lyman, Modern Reloading and Sierra all three say 21.7 or 21.8 is the top load for the IMR 4198 powders I loaded at 21.5 grains and they shot fine, no split brass, no extruded primers, no sticking brass etc. etc. after I shot I inspected brass and they were all fine. Now Modern Reloading says 21.0grs is the max for H4198 and 19.0 is the low, so I will start at 20.0 and try that load with a chronograph and if it is good I will go up from there. I like the 4198 powder series as they are so clean burning. After shooting 80 rds the other day I took rifle home and cleaned and couldn't believe how little powder residue was in it. Well thanks for all you comments and I appreciate the advice. fknipfer1 |
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