4064 for .303 British

bushwhacker

bushwhacker

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Ran out of Reloader 15 powder, which has been giving me good results. Seems it is unobtainium or
unknown availablility date. I do have a can of IMR 4064. Want to load up some Sierra 180 grain Pro Hunter for my Long Branch and Ross (Yes, I am going to segregate the cases). Only load I can find for 180 grain bullets with IMR 4064 is from Hodgon table - 41 Gr for 2400 FPS Max Load at 45,700 PSI - no starting load stated. The 4064 is 185 on a powder burning chart compared to 178 for SMELLIE's pet load with 4895 compared to 198 for RE15. Has anyone experimented with IMR 4064 for this bullet weight? I was thinking of starting under couple of grains and loading a couple at 39, 40 and 41 to work up.
BIll
 
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Kevy, I bought mine from Budget Reloading. Click on the little banner at the top of the page.

I've got a couple of pounds of 4064 as well so I'm keen to see what folks say about lighter charges. I found it odd that they didn't give a starting load. The risk being that it's because the powder will somehow pressure spike or possibly fail to be set off if the charge is lighter? I can't really see that since other cartridges with roughly the same volume that show similar max loads for 4064 list starting loads so it seems unlikely that it's that critical. But there's no little notes at the bottom to suggest what is going on with the information. Or did they simply only try the one load?

Perspiring minds need to know... :D

Like you I'm thinking to start at 39 and work up in half grain steps to 41
 
IMR4064 should be a good powder for 303. Using a 180 Sierra, in a 26" bbl, with COAL 3.075", Quickload estimates:

39 gr IMR4064, 2400 fps, 40K psi, 90% powder fill
40 gr IMR4064, 2440 fps, 42K psi, 92.8% powder fill
41 gr IMR4064, 2490 fps, 45K psi, 95% powder fill. This is a max load according to Quickload.

Lyman 46th manual says 38 gr start, 42 gr max.
 
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There is a load for 150 Gr. bullets listed on Hodgon table. Max load 44.7Gr. for 2699FPS and 46,400PSI. Again, no starting load. Notice that this powder seems to give highest pressue per FPS. 45700PSI seems too high for me for a Lee Enfield, thats why I want to start lower, am wondering why no starting load too. 1989kevy, it is hard to give good advice where to buy when we don't know where you are. Thanks for the Info. Jethunter.
Bill
 
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Notice that this powder seems to give highest pressure per FPS. 45700PSI
Click to expand...

Went back and looked and I see that you're right. It's not a huge difference from the other suggested powders but it does suggest that it would be better to save the 4064 for other more suitable loading duty. I originally got the 4064 to use for .30-30 and 7mm-08 where the data puts 4064 right in the middle of the pressure/fps range. I might just stick with that and get a slightly slower/ lower peak pressure "happy" powder to use for my 303 and 7.62x54r loading.
 
BCRider said:
Went back and looked and I see that you're right. It's not a huge difference from the other suggested powders but it does suggest that it would be better to save the 4064 for other more suitable loading duty. I originally got the 4064 to use for .30-30 and 7mm-08 where the data puts 4064 right in the middle of the pressure/fps range. I might just stick with that and get a slightly slower/ lower peak pressure "happy" powder to use for my 303 and 7.62x54r loading.
Click to expand...


Lower pressure isn't necessarily better or safer and quite often it doesn't shoot as well.

IMR4064 is an exceptionally "happy" powder for the .303. SAAMI spec on the .303 cartrdige is 49,000 psi and that limit was set in full consideration of the linitations of the enfield actions. When you start reaching a full case close to your target pressure range then there is a very good chance you are looking at an optimal powder.

Most of our rifle powders are not consistent below 40,000 psi, and 45,000 psi usually burns cleaner and more consistently than 40,000 psi.
 
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Thanks everyone. Sized some cases tonight. The Long Branch will not close on cases just sized to fit the MkIII Ross. It was FTR'd in 1952, British barrel. I got it full of cosmolene for $75 when the registry was coming in. Had some "pick up" cases that wouldn't fit into the Ross either without sizing down. Had some Privi Partizan cases that weren't going to neck size down without breaking something, so I left them. Will work up some loads and see what develops.
Bill
 
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