Author Topic: ?? Hodgdon 4198 ?? (Read 477 times)

Wlscott · « **on:** July 24, 2004, 04:06:42 PM »

I am testing a load for my 45-70 using a 405 grain cast bullet and Hodgdon 4198.

The bullet is cast from a Lee mold (459-405 & 457-405), uses 32.5 grains of H4198, and a Federal LR Primer. I chronographed this load on a hot (100+), sunny day and got an average of 1375 fps. Today I chronographed it again, and got 1356 fps. Today was about 65 degrees, overcast and spitting rain. This is a very accurate load in my rifle, an H&R Single Shot Rifle with a 22" barrel.

After the first five shot group, I looked down the barrel and could see a lot of unburned powder in the bore. I HATE wasting powder. Can I apply a heavier crimp to help this problem? Or will I have to go to a faster powder?

Also, is H4198 that sensative to temperature? If I lost about 20 fps with a forty degree drop in temp, what's this thing going to be doing when I am hunting in thirty degree weather?

Question, comments or smart remarks welcome :wink:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2004, 03:02:43 AM »

Try a Federal Large Rifle Magnum primer. It should ignite more of the unburnt powder. Also try a little heaver crimp. I switched to the Federal Large Rifle Magnum primers in my 45-70 also for the same reason and it helped me. I am using IMR 4198 myself.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2004, 07:25:29 AM »

Id go with CCI mag primers. H4198 is not temp sensitive,Its a extreme powder for extreme weather, a very good powder. I have used H4198/Varget in ten below out and Hog hunting, tried a few shots at the range beforehand using the factory rounds first, in this temp, shot all over the place, then tried my handrolled using my marlin 450 guidegun using 350gr interlock on top of 50gr H4198, CCI mag primers, lee factory crimp(heavy) 2180fps...Very accurate and reliable in extreme weather. I hit mark three times with my handloads,I knew what I was using for the hog hunt, worked great. Man that was a cold hunt that year, all my hunting crew scored German boars. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2004, 07:53:28 AM »

I used H4198 all the time and I do know that varying the crimp tension can make a big pressure difference...also using different brass and a different primer will give the same results...my handloads for the Nosler 300 grain PP was on the warm side for my 1895GS ...so I didn't have any unburnt powder left in the chamber...I put these over the chronograph from 65 deg...down to 20 degrees and didn't have over 11 fps difference on the average...

Mac

Wlscott · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2004, 10:11:45 AM »

Well, I have some loaded differently to see if I can get more of the powder burned without affecting the accuracy I'm getting out of this load.

I loaded up five with a different powder; H4227. Little bit faster powder, same crimp, same primer.

Five are loaded exactly the same as before (32.5 grains of H4198, Federal LR primers) but with a heavier crimp.

Five are loaded with 31.5 grains of H4198 and a CCI large rifle MAG primer.

And five are loaded up with 32.5 grains of H4198 and an even heavier crimp.

I'll see what happens. If I can't get more powder burned and still have the same accuracy, I'll just have to settle for wasting a little powder because this load is very accurate.