IMR 4198 308 Win

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canadianshooter

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I’m considering using IMR4198 to load some light 150grain 308 Win hunting and practice loads for the kids. I’ve used H4895 with some good success but now have the cheap CanadaAmmo 4198 to use instead. Does anyone have experience with this combination? Also does anyone have an old print IMR powder manual or other older manuals with IMR 4198 load data for 308? Thanks.
 
For .308, IMR 4064. It is just about the best powder for this cartridge especially if you are shooting it out a Garand or any version of the M-14/M305/M1A. Try 41 grns under a 155 to 168 grn boat tail hollow point match bullet. This had been the standard match loading for Large bore Match with those rifles since 1956 or so and it works just fine for me.

Scott
 
Here is some of my load data for 308 Win with IMR 4198 (in a 14" barrel, throated to fit a bullet loaded 2.288" to the ogive). Using Federal brass and CCI 200 primers. These loads were all fired at about 0°C with 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

165gr SST at 2.908 COL/2.281 CBTO, 36gr IMR 4198. Averaged 2423 fps with a 1.60" group, mostly vertical spread. I plan to up the powder charge a bit to try tighten the group up as there are no pressure signs - the primer is still rounded. Barrel twist is 11.25"; it's made from a Green Mountain blank (7.62x51-BLANK).

150gr Hornady FMJBT at 2.81 COL/2.235 CBTO, 37gr IMR 4198. Averaged 2506 fps with a 1.10" group that is very symmetrical - probably an accuracy node right here as the increased powder charges opened up the group. I'm guessing there is a node at about 2500 fps with this 14" barrel. A significantly longer barrel might change your most accurate powder charge. BTW, I'm a believer in the Optimal Barrel Time theory of handloading accuracy.

150gr FMJ, 37.5 gr 4198. Averaged 2562 fps and a 2.9" group. Obviously not good.

150gr FMJ, 38gr 4198. Averaging 2606 fps with a 1.60" group. Group size is tightening up again but starting to see ejector swipes and some flattening of the primer. Pressure may have been ok because the Federal brass is pretty soft but I won't push any higher, especially considering the ambient temp at the time (0°C).

That's all I've got so far. I might have to switch to H4895 with the 165gr but we'll see once I get back to work on this rifle. 150gr and below seems to work decent with IMR 4198. I might try load up some 125 gr bullets for busting gophers. Or maybe just get some cheap Speer Hot-Cor 150gr for $30/100.
 
The old benchrest shooters used IMR 4895 39 gr 168 sierras 168 bergers shoot a little tighter ,can't use Lapua Palma brass with this load
 
Have shot plenty of 123gr steelcore pills using D4198 in various 308's.
Worked quite well for me in autoloaders and bolts.

Avg. just shy of 3000fps with 18.5" barrel.
 
Thanks for the info. I did some more searching online and found that older Hodgdon manuals had 130 grain H4198 loads in the pistol data for a 15” barrel. Not IMR 4198 but similar burn speed shows it has some use. Found the old IMR data as well has 150gr IMR 4198 data 35.5gr max for 2595fps. Interesting to see if blast and recoil are down much.

Rifleman762 what was your subjective opinion of the noise and recoil for your loads? Good to hear someone else is playing with this.

Wouldn’t mind finding IMR4198 125gr 308 Win data as it’s suggested that’s Remington Managed recoil’s load. Receipt how did your come up with your 123 grain load?
 
I use IMR 4198 in my 20 in barrelled .308 with 125g nosler with great results 3050 fps and under 1/2" moa at 100 yards. I use IMR 4064 for any projectile heavier than that. Hope that helps.
My load data for the 125's is 40 g of powder with cci lg rifle benchrest primers.
 
I just had the short 308 at the range today so I can give a good update! It's got similar muzzle blast to the neighboring gentleman's 300 WM. Not nice but not unbearable. Recoil feels similar to a 6.5x55 Mauser I was also shooting.

My 150 Hornady FMJ load with 37gr of IMR 4198 shot 10 shots at 1.82". This time the powder charges were thrown on a Lee measure to save time loading plinking ammo. 2.81 COL. This time it averaged 2522 fps with 107 ES. Federal brass with 54.7gr H2O capacity and CCI 200 primer. 10° C today and minimal wind.

The 165 SST did well with 36.4gr IMR 4198 and 2.908 COL. 0.74" 5-shot group. 2480 fps and 41 ES. It should stay above 1800 fps to 400 yards with 31" of drop; good enough for deer.

I don't think there's much point in going below 150gr in a 30 caliber. The BC gets so bad that any velocity you gain with the stubby bullet is lost too quickly. For 150-yard hunting it would be fine but past that I'd stick with a 150 Sierra Gameking, Speer Hot Cor, or Hornady Interlock/SST.
Just my opinion.

I think I'll try these loads also in my braked 20" heavy barrel. If that barrel likes them it will make for a good plinking gun for beginning shooters.
 
Hogdonreloading dot com lists 125gr projectiles as 36 - 39.5gr H4198.

I believe I settled on 38.5gr D4198 using reduced capacity IVI brass and 123gr steelcore pulls resized to .3085"

As I've said, shot them plenty on my 0-400yd gong field I've got setup. Accuracy was around 1.5moa or so avg. out of 18.5" barrel, little tighter from 10TR 5r 24" barrel.
Made for great .35c (loaded) plinkers or just general range fodder.
Supply on those projectiles unfortunately dried up for me though so I've since switched to .15c 155gr SPFB projectiles and D4064 for bulk 308 loads.
Now I just use the D4198 for 223 and 300blk subs.
 
I used it in 30 06 it works well I think I used 40 gr. With 130gr. Bullet.Get your pressure up for a good burn and reduce muzzle blast and recoil. I don’t think 4895 is a good reduced powder at 60 percent not in 30 30 anyway. It’s a powder that prolly won’t actually blow up your gun if you make a mistake with it.
 
A great powder for reduced loads is n110 vihtavuori. I use 18 gr. With a Berry’s 150 in 30 06 I think it gives me 1400 something FPS but p.o.a. Is different of course. I was able to match factory p.o.a. In 30 30 with 21 gr. N110 and a cheap armscor 110 gr. For practice I bet you could do it in 308 too with the armsc or and more n110
 
Receipt said:
Hogdonreloading dot com lists 125gr projectiles as 36 - 39.5gr H4198.

I believe I settled on 38.5gr D4198 using reduced capacity IVI brass and 123gr steelcore pulls resized to .3085"

As I've said, shot them plenty on my 0-400yd gong field I've got setup. Accuracy was around 1.5moa or so avg. out of 18.5" barrel, little tighter from 10TR 5r 24" barrel.
Made for great .35c (loaded) plinkers or just general range fodder.
Supply on those projectiles unfortunately dried up for me though so I've since switched to .15c 155gr SPFB projectiles and D4064 for bulk 308 loads.
Now I just use the D4198 for 223 and 300blk subs.
Click to expand...

I load those 123gr surplus pulldowns with 35gr D4198 for my .308s.

I don't bother resizing them as they chamber anyway without any pressure signs.
Incidentally many 7.62x39mm rifles have been made over the years with .308 bores and they chamber and fire .310 surplus ammunition without issue. (Mini-30 for example)
I do keep the powder charge on the light side for this bullet weight as added insurance.

Velocity is about 2700fps and theyre quite accurate in my Remington 760 pump and 788 bolt gun.
They are also accurate in my M14 but the port pressure is too low to cycle the action fully. It will eject the case but not throw the bolt back far enough to pick up a new round.
 
diananike said:
I load those 123gr surplus pulldowns with 35gr D4198 for my .308s.

I don't bother resizing them as they chamber anyway without any pressure signs.
Incidentally many 7.62x39mm rifles have been made over the years with .308 bores and they chamber and fire .310 surplus ammunition without issue. (Mini-30 for example)
I do keep the powder charge on the light side for this bullet weight as added insurance.

Velocity is about 2700fps and theyre quite accurate in my Remington 760 pump and 788 bolt gun.
They are also accurate in my M14 but the port pressure is too low to cycle the action fully. It will eject the case but not throw the bolt back far enough to pick up a new round.
Click to expand...

I’ve tested briefly for function in a friends M305 and they seemed to cycle fine. Didn’t do any accuracy testing though.
 
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