H4895 with 123gn or 120gn ELDM's

[StoneHendge]

This may be the answer for a temp insensitive powder. Ran a ladder of 4 shots each 26.0 to 27.5 in 0.3 grain increments out of a 22" JP barrel. 123 gr Scenar in 7x Lapua with a Fed GM205M. Velocity was only an average 2334 for 26.0 gr which had me thinking it wasn't going to get fast enough, but velocity increases were ~40 fps per 0.3 gr step. Magneto went wonky on me and didn't record 26.9, but otherwise highest sd was 12 and highest es was 31. 27.2 on top (2492/5/10) and 27.5 (2530/10/20) on bottom. Ammo stored at 70 and ambient temp 65-67.

IMG_20201118_094355_copy_193x365.jpg

27.5 *felt* a little hot with a noticable increase in pulse/blast (it felt like what XBR feels like when playing around near max) and it did leave very light ejector marks, so more testing is in order at 27.2. it's not going to win any speed competitions and CFE used to give me 2600, but a blasting load that I'm working on for my 243 LBC to use up my stash of CFE gave me 2720 and was MOAish at 85 degrees 2 weeks ago. It was 2660 and 2 MOA yesterday at 66 degrees.

I'll note that my barrel generally hits max (with comparable velocities) around 0.7 grains below the top end of what others post at "normal" temps (ie, 27.8 gr XBR and 30.8 CFE are it's limits with 123 Scenars).

[Mark611]

Sounds promising,

[mopar_4life]

[Mark611]

Well I ran 26.5gn of H4895 with the 123gn ELDM's and 120gn ELDM's over the week end, 120's were only in the 2350fps range from my 24'' 1in8 twist, but no pressure signs, my next load will be 27gns and 27.3gn to see what I get! I got lucky today and found 3- 1lb containers of IMR 8208XBR! At my local shop! But I would like to use the H4895 if I can because I have 16lbs of it!

[mopar_4life]

I like to keep 16 pounds of H4895. I use it in 223 and expect to with 6 Grendel.

[BluteEhre]

I know this is an old post but thought i should add this as it was a warning in my rifle.
27gr of H4895 under the 123 Eld-M at 2.26" no41 primer just gave me very disturbing ejector marks, basically burrerd up the case head.

I intended to shoot 27,27.3 and 27.6. So much for that.
Velocity at 27gr was 2430 out of my 20" barrel.

[BluteEhre]

I just revisited this. Only shot 3 rounds each to try to get a baseline.
25.5gr Average 2281 Fps SD 10.6 Spread 15fps .825" group
26gr Average 2397 Fps SD 3.5 Spread 7fps .510" group
26.3gr Average 2381 SD 43.1
Spread 81 .9" group

Things got goofy at 26.3gr, another knarly looking mess on one of the case heads and crazy spread. Obviously hitting a pressure spike in this rifle.
Very happy with things at 26gr and if this is one of the better temp stable powders it may end up my go to for this bullet. Have tried alot of combos and this is the most promise ive seen even if its a small 3-shot sample.

Much more promising than the Hornady Black factory ammo. It tends to group around 1.5" and comes up about 150fps short of advertised velocity.

[Mark611]

Old post indeed, but I got a lot of useful info out of it and a little testing myself, since this post started I have not been able to do any reloading due to my place of work, 10hrs a day 7 days a week, but I have acquired some different powders to try, AA2520 and Tac, according to some book data the 2520 look to be the best powder for the job? between the 2, I'm starting to get some free time, so I'll try get some load data from my 24''rifle and my 18''rifle just to see the difference

[Mark611]

I got to range today! Loaded 40rnds with Hornady brass, CCI41 primers, 28.5gns of AA2520, from my 18'' 1&8 BCA, this combo ran 2290's ave, Switching to my 24'' Sanders 1&8 I got an ave between 2420 to 2450's, bullets set to mag length, no real pressure signs, I'm thinking my next loads I'll try 29gns and see what I get? accuracy @205yds from the 18'' was pretty good but not so good from the 24'' barrel. is there anybody else using this powder in a 1&8 twist 18''? if so what are your results! PS forgot to add this was with 123ELDM's