Author Topic: IMR 4046 Rifle Powder  (Read 1766 times)

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Offline DeeGee

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IMR 4046 Rifle Powder
« on: August 26, 2005, 12:43:38 PM »
Been a reloader for well over 50 years now.  Thought I'd try the above mentioned rifle powder instead of my usual Varget.  Not a very enjoyable experience.  I though Varget was somewhat difficult to meter with some degree of consistency until I tried to throw IMR 4046.  Sure hope this "stuff" shoots better than a consistant drop.  Had to measure every throw and no two were the same. (weight each throw)   Every drop of the powder handle sounded as if I were cracking walnuts.  Again, sure hope this IRM shoots better than it meters.   Rats, rats, dirty rats.  
DG

Offline Redhawk1

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IMR 4046 Rifle Powder
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2005, 01:31:58 PM »
I use IMR4064 for a couple of my rifles. Very good powder in my opinion. :D
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Offline sharps4590

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IMR 4046 Rifle Powder
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2005, 03:21:48 PM »
I've used IMR 4064 in such divergant calibers as 375 H&H and the 6.5 Swede, all with good results.  All stick powders are going to shear in your measure to some degree and throwing light then trickling up to weight is how it's done.  No, they don't meter like ball or flake but no one I know argues with the effectiveness of IMR or Hodgon powders.  I suppose it's the price one pays to use stick powders.

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Offline DeeGee

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« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2005, 02:36:38 AM »
Appreciate the comments.  Sorry I typed the wrong number, should have been 4064 as both of you did say.  Hope it shoots.  Right now I'm just happy I didn't buy the 8 lb. can.   Heading for the PD prairie and should have enough data to see how the 4064 performs in my .243. (newly purchased Ultra)  Thanks again.  
DG

Offline Redhawk1

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« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2005, 08:37:23 AM »
Quote from: DeeGee
Appreciate the comments.  Sorry I typed the wrong number, should have been 4064 as both of you did say.  Hope it shoots.  Right now I'm just happy I didn't buy the 8 lb. can.   Heading for the PD prairie and should have enough data to see how the 4064 performs in my .243. (newly purchased Ultra)  Thanks again.  
DG


In my 243, I use 38.0 gr. of 4064 with a 87 gr. bullet. Extremely accurate, my son was shooting soda bottles at 200 yards consistently. My groups are sub MOA.  :D
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Offline while99

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« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2005, 05:08:01 PM »
IMR-4064 is one of my all-time favorites.  It doesn't meter well through my old RCBS Uni-Flow measure so I hand-weigh every charge.  In my experience it gives just as good accuracy and velocity as Varget and ReLoader 15; it just doesn't meter as well.

All I know is what works for me.

Offline Snowshoe

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IMR 4046 Rifle Powder
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2005, 06:22:10 PM »
I weigh each charge and find very good accuracy with my 8x57, and my .30-30. I used to use it in one of the 3 .22-250's I loaded for, the other 2 liked Varget better.
Snowshoe

Offline Lloyd Smale

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« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2005, 01:20:48 AM »
try benchmark if you want a powder that does pretty well in a measurer
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Offline DeeGee

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IMR 4046 Rifle Powder
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2005, 03:04:09 AM »
Another comment or two.  I am using V-Max's, 87 gr. that I Moly coated.  Found that with 38.5 gr. of IMR 4064 I get 3100 f/s.  I'll give this recipe a try very soon in SD.   Also I use the RCBS Uniflow powder drop unit. And yes, I ended up weighing every charge.  Actually, don't have much more to do anyway.  
DG

Offline ajj

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« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2005, 06:27:21 AM »
Just as an experiment someday you might try throwing fifteen or twenty charges without doing a weight check except to peek in the necks with a flashlight to be sure they're all approximately the same volume. Then, fire those for accuracy at the range you expect to use them. I'm not making any predictions about your load or your rifle, just saying that any surprise will be a pleasant one. Good luck and good shooting.

Offline june6th1944

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IMR 4046 Rifle Powder
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2005, 09:46:23 AM »
I've used IMR 4064 to load a .30-06, .30/30, and 8mm Mauser with outstanding results.  Sub-1" groups in the .30-06 at 100 yards out of a Remington 700 ADL 22" barrel.  Very versatile medium burning powder.

Offline Bullseye

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« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2005, 10:53:47 AM »
Even though I love my powder measure, it is reason like this that I also have a Pact Powder Dispenser and Electronic Scale.

Offline cal sibley

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« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2005, 05:38:42 PM »
Ah yes, the infamous IMR4064.  It can really be a heartache.  I once hung up on the long grains and had to hit my handle so hard that the plastic cylindrical powder hopper flew right off the rest of the powder dispenser.  The metal top of my powder measure landed on my Mitutoyo caliphers and smashed the glass in addition to the mess requiring over an hour to clean up.  I learned half the cuss words I know while using that powder.  Yet, I have rifles in 3 different calibers that thrive on IMR4064.  I try to be more careful now, especially with where I place my calipher in case it happens again, and I'm sure it will, but I simply love the results I get from using 4064.  It's terrific with medium capacity cases, so what's a guy to do?  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
RIP Cal you are missed by many.