7.62x54r H4895 Charge Weight Question

[jaysny87]

I've never used this powder before and my local shop had a bottle on the shelf so I decided to give it a shot. Now I'm looking through some load data and there seems to be a pretty large discrepancy between different published data.

For a 180 bullet Hornady lists a starting load of 34.0gr. And a max load of 42.8gr. Where as the Hodgdon data says to start at 42.0gr. And max at 45.4gr.

Should I go with the conservative Hornady recommendation or the Hodgdon data. Normally I would go with the powder manufacturer data but the large spread has me second guessing.

Any input would be helpful.
Thanks,
-Jake.

[Shepard]

I looked in my book and your first powder list is very conservative, but the safest. I'd use common sense and start low and work my way up, especially if your new to using H4895.

[gandog56]

Since Hodgdon makes the powder, I would go with the Hodgdon recipes. My favorite load is a 150 grain bullet over 45 grains of H4895.

[Grindl]

Jayz ; I thought about this as a new M-N reloader and it got me into my books and burn rate charts . One burn chart puts it below H-335 , and I've run some test groups with H-335 and it's pretty "sporty". And showed a very narrow load bracket between really good , and scattered all over the place .

The other chart shows H-4895 above Benchmark , and I've been loading 5.56 AR rounds with a buddy at 25gr Benchmark for 2870 or a little hotter . Quick , but they don't "bite", recoil-wise.
I also agree with Shepard about being very cautious about working from the bottom up . H-4895 appears to be towards the hotter side , fps-wise ,and the guys here have taught me that slower is better for accuracy , which means lighter loads to match-up speed to your barrel.
Hodgen also has you setting the OAL on the short side , compared to the majority of all the PPU & Russian Blue Box Match I've checked . PPU 182 Match and the Russian Match are setting the OAL at 3.010 / 3.012..I've done this , and all my reloads are set to this , and accuracy has improved greatly . And setting the longer OAL will reduce chamber pressure and should "extend", (slow down) the burn...If I understand the physics correctly .

[jaysny87]

Thanks for the input guys.
I worked up 8 different load increments after averaging a handful of different sources in addition to the 2 mentioned before. Next time I'm able to make it out to the range I'll post some results. I still Left some breathing room on the top end for safety sake. That way if I don't achieve desired results and don't have any pressure signs I still have room to play.
-Jake

[jaysny87]

Finally got to go to the range and put in some trigger time. i worked up several loads for my M44 Sporter and got some pretty good results.
still room to play but overall im pleased with this powder. The fact that its temp stable is a big plus here in Texas.

Five shot groups at 100 yards off bipod and sandbags. M44 sporter.
this one was just over 1/2" center to center.
42.5gr charge H4895


it opened a little bit on this increment but still acceptable.

[farmerboy78]

Great groups!

[Marauder 1]

Nice grouping.. I might have to try some of that if I can find it here in Commiefornia

Seeya
Mark

[jaysny87]

Thanks guys, I'm pleased with the performance of this powder. I'd really like to chronograph these rounds. I've never owned one before. In the past when my buddy (who has one) isn't available to go to the range I've asked guys if I could shoot a few through theirs for 20 bucks but I think it is time I buy one of my own. Does anyone have any suggestions for an affordable chronograph?

[Shepard]

Thats the way you do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great shooting, keep it up.