Uses for IMR 4198

**OldSchoolRanger** · April 20th, 2019, 11:07 PM

I was recently offered a 8 lb. jug of IMR 4198, at a very reasonable price by one of the older members of a gun club I belong to. It was an offer, I couldn't refuse. I load most of the common classic rifle calibers, Ex. .223, .243, 30-30, 7mm-08, 7x57, .308, 30-06, and 45-70. Right now, I'm playing around with loading 7.62 x 54R for a new to me, Russian Mosin-Nagant. I know I can use IMR-4198 for .223, 30-30, 7.62x39mm, and 45-70.

What I want to know is: has anybody used IMR 4198 for loading .308Win and 7.62x54R with 150 grain bullets? If so, can you point me in the right direction, backed up by (a loading manual) documentation? I have no intention of hurting myself, if I can't find a reliable recipe to reload the 308 or 7.62x54R, I'll just use up the IMR 4198 in loading for the classic rifle calibers I mentioned previously, that I have documentation from a reloading manual for.

BTW, I'm aware that you can load the 308 with 110gr bullets using IMR4198, but I'm trying to use it for 150gr bullets.

Thanks for any help.

**Xringshooter** · April 21st, 2019, 08:57 AM

I checked my Speer, Barnes and Hornady manuals and did not find any loads for 150 gr bullets using IMR4198.

**cephas** · April 21st, 2019, 10:50 AM

FWIW from older manuals. 308 Win. 150 gr jacketed bullet.
Lee's "Modern Reloading" 1996: 31.9 start-35.5 grs. max.
IMR's "Handloading Guide" circa 1980's. One load, 35.5 grs.
COL 2.70 and pressure listed 51300 CUP.

**Delkal** · April 21st, 2019, 11:46 AM

4198 is to fast to use in .308Win, 30-06 and 7.62x54R. And probably the 7mm's too. You might find some data on it but even at max pressure you will get reduced muzzle velocity compared to what you can get with a proper burn rate powder

Since 4198 burns fast it gives a quick pressure spike (which is the listed max load) but the powder doesn't keep burning to push the bullet out. I would expect about 200 or 300 FPS decrease in velocity at max compared to what you can get with a slower powder. Its not worth flirting with high pressures to get reduced performance. On the other hand 4198 should be great for reduced loads for kids or inexperienced shooters. Look for a reduced load around 2000 fps (you might even be able to go lower). With luck you can probably find an accurate load that doesn't kick much.

4198 is the perfect powder for some of the other cartridges you reload. So it will not go to waste.

**OldSchoolRanger** · April 21st, 2019, 02:13 PM

cephas - Thanks for the information regarding the 308 from the Lee manual. I completely forgot about that reloading manual

Delkal - Thanks for the info regarding reduced loads. If I can't get decent performance from the Lee loading, I'll use the powder like you recommended on my other calibers.

Thanks to all, for your suggestions, including xringshooter.

It was worth a try.

**Delkal** · April 21st, 2019, 02:37 PM

I did a little looking and I found this post when I searched "4198 reduced load 308". Its about 1/2 way down the page. This is not my data. Just some unknown guy on the internet so verify the data...........but it does seem to be in line with the data Cephas posted. I wouldn't mess with max loads but the 28-30 grain loads look interesting for a very light load for kids or smaller people who might be recoil shy. I don't see a reason these loads could not be used in the 30-06 or 7.62x54 but you might need to bump the load up a few grains to compensate for the larger case capacities.

Some example data as tested in my 22" Ruger Hawkeye using H-4198 and H-4895 which work well for reduced loads. On the H-4895 I am showing all the way up to full power.

Cal______Powder___Chg._____Vel_____Bullet______Pri mer___COAL
308 Win__H-4198__28.0_grs___2122__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4198__30.0_grs___2268__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4198__32.0_grs___2390__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4198__34.0_grs___2512__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"

Cal______Powder___Chg._____Vel_____Bullet______Pri mer___COAL
308 Win__H-4895__34.0_grs___2106__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__36.0_grs___2290__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__38.0_grs___2391__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__40.0_grs___2511__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__41.0_grs___2579__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__42.0_grs___2656__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__43.0_grs___2705__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__44.0_grs___2776__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"
308 Win__H-4895__45.0_grs___2839__HDY 150 SP__CCI 200__2.738"

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ds-for-308-win

**Franchi20/28** · April 21st, 2019, 08:32 PM

4198 is a GREAT powder for cast bullet loads in just about everything rifle.
It is also a good powder for cartridges that need a very fast rifle powder like the 22 hornet.
If you shoot cast bullets you will find lots of data for that burn rate range of powder in the lyman cast bullet books

**OldSchoolRanger** · April 21st, 2019, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by Delkal

I did a little looking and I found this post when I searched "4198 reduced load 308". Its about 1/2 way down the page. This is not my data. Just some unknown guy on the internet so verify the data...........but it does seem to be in line with the data Cephas posted. I wouldn't mess with max loads but the 28-30 grain loads look interesting for a very light load for kids or smaller people who might be recoil shy. I don't see a reason these loads could not be used in the 30-06 or 7.62x54 but you might need to bump the load up a few grains to compensate for the larger case capacities.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ds-for-308-win

Delkal - I was about to say that you posted information for H-4198 (Hodgdon), instead of for IMR 4198. I checked the burn chart and saw that they were right next to each other. I'll give this loading a try, starting with 28.0grs and work up slowly.
Thanks to everyone for your all your help.
Franchi20/28 - I don't shoot cast, but if I ever do, I'll keep your suggestions in mind.

**DucatiRon** · April 22nd, 2019, 12:31 AM

4198 is also good for subsonic 300 blackout if you ever jump into that pool.

**GeneCC** · May 19th, 2019, 01:42 AM

I've seen this powder mainly used for smaller rounds, like 223.

I am not sure that IMR 4198 will handle light loads in these old school rifle rounds. Using Trail Boss or some pistol powders it's possible to make "youth loads".

IMR 4895 has a good track record with light loads. see https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/upl...ifle-loads.pdf