13 February 2010, 23:03
PendletonCowboyIs powder scalable? IMR 4198. Can you estimate bullet loads?
I have came across several occasions where the load data is missing for the bullet grain that I need. It seems there is more data for the heavier loads than the light ones. So I ask you, can you scale the load data down or up for that particular powder to the bullet you are trying to load for? To me it seems logical and doable. Below are the bullets I would like to scale to given the data I have for the 80,90 and 100 grain bullets for a .243.
Speer IMR 419850 grain - 13.0 - 15.0?55 grain - 13.5 - 15.5?60 grain - 14.0 - 16.0?70 grain - 15.0 - 17.0?80 grain - 16.0 - 18.0 (Data from Speer)
90 grain - 17.0 - 19.0 (Data from Speer)
100 grain - 18.0 - 20.0 (Data from Speer)
Thanks for the feedback!
13 February 2010, 23:24
muckThis is what "working up" a load is about.
Drawing from your experience reloading and loading for this rifle in particular. Start working up using data for the next heavier bullet's starting load. Observing signs of excess pressure. Then backing down the load.
muck
13 February 2010, 23:33
bartsche
Your number logic is really in error unless I'm having a bad sat. morning.

roger
13 February 2010, 23:35
SR4759quote:
Originally posted by PendletonCowboy:
I have came across several occasions where the load data is missing for the bullet grain that I need. It seems there is more data for the heavier loads than the light ones. So I ask you, can you scale the load data down or up for that particular powder to the bullet you are trying to load for? To me it seems logical and doable. Below are the bullets I would like to scale to given the data I have for the 80,90 and 100 grain bullets for a .243.
Speer IMR 4198
50 grain - 13.0 - 15.0?
55 grain - 13.5 - 15.5?
60 grain - 14.0 - 16.0?
70 grain - 15.0 - 17.0?
80 grain - 16.0 - 18.0 (Data from Speer)
90 grain - 17.0 - 19.0 (Data from Speer)
100 grain - 18.0 - 20.0 (Data from Speer)
Thanks for the feedback!
It would be inversly proportional but only over very small intervals
14 February 2010, 00:22
Jim C. <><quote:
Can you estimate bullet loads?
Assume you mean powder charges? If so, you sure can. But, will the results be something you can depend on, NO.
14 February 2010, 10:13
homebrewerammoguide.com lists 24 loads for 55-grain bullets, none of which use IMR-4198. They list two for 60-grain, again not using IMR-4198. Must not be a good powder for that case with such lightweight bullets...
14 February 2010, 13:03
seafire2I am one of the few guys that load IMR 4198 in a 243..
With 100 grain bullets, the max was listed as 31 in the older IMR brown data sheets...with a 100 grain bullet and 32 grains with an 80 grain bullet..
In the 243, the max load is seldom accurate enough with IMR 4198....
however I have found that a load of 30 grains of IMR 4198 with ANY bullet weight is a very accurate load in any of my 243s...
want to reduce velocity a little more.. moving down to 25 grains is still a very accurate load..
even down to 20 grains works relatively well..
or if you still want to go with fastest velocity with this powder, just take the 31 grain load for the 100 grainers, and work up from there with lighter bullets..
IMr 4198 is a good economic accurate powder..
14 February 2010, 13:19
PendletonCowboyThanks for the replies and info. My objective is some reduced/youth loads for my 2 starting children to get familiar with their rifles before deer season and work into the heavier loads as deer season approaches.