Author Topic: IMR4166 powder  (Read 5793 times)

robert69

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IMR4166 powder
« on: March 10, 2015, 11:19:25 AM »
Hi all,
I want to know if anyone has any experience with the new IMR 4166 powder.
I am in the process of trying it in a .308 Winchester.
I presently use IMR 4895 with 150 and 155 grain bullets in a bolt action.
I have not shot it as yet, but it appears to be slightly more bulky than 4895.
I just use the .308 for target shooting.

kmitch200

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2015, 03:51:46 PM »
Looks like you're the one that's going to do the testing.  ;)  Keep us posted.
I didn't even know it was created until I saw your post. For 308 I've been using IMR4064, R15 & Varget.
Good accuracy with all but I need to kick the speeds up a bit. 
You can say lots of bad things about pedophiles; but at least they drive slowly past schools.

robert69

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2015, 09:04:48 PM »
Well, my first experiments with IMR4166 went well.
I was shooting a new Savage 12BVSS, 308 Winchester, with barrel broken in with the break in procedure that I have been using for years. The barrel is 26 inches.
I shot 60 rounds with 41.5 grains IMR4166, and Berger 150 grain HPFB, Federal 210M primers.
My last two groups were .375 (3 rounds) and .425 (4 rounds). I was out of the loads by then.
In cleaning the rifle with Butch's bore shine, the procedure is 3 wet patches, a wet bore brush 5 cycles, wet patch and dry patch 2 times.  I then put 2 wet patches down the barrel, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
One dry patch, and no blue on the patch.  I don't have a bore scope, but in looking down the muzzle, I could not see any copper wash.  So the claims about CFE with the powder seems to work. Velocity at 2550fps with that load at 8 feet with a Oehler 35p.  It was a mild load. I only target shoot, so I like to
keep the loads around 2500-2650fps.
As time goes on, I will report the rest of what I find.
Hodgdon has their 2015 manual out, and has a lot of loads.  Their website has the info, also.

alfsauve

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2015, 09:21:03 PM »
Neat to hear what dedicated target shooters do.   

Quote
In cleaning the rifle with Butch's bore shine, the procedure is 3 wet patches, a wet bore brush 5 cycles, wet patch and dry patch 2 times.  I then put 2 wet patches down the barrel, and let it sit for 15 minutes.


My head is spinning.   I clean my guns at least once every couple of years whether they need it or not. ;)

Will work for ammo
USAF MAC 437th MAW 1968-1972

GASPASSERDELUXE

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2015, 10:19:44 AM »
Lets hear it for ALF.

Sponsor

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #5 on: Today at 02:29:23 AM »

MikeBjerum

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2015, 01:56:37 PM »
Yea, but remember that Alf has crossed to the dark side.  Cleaning for him only involves tossing them in the dishwasher.
If I appear taller than other men it is because I am standing on the shoulders of others.

robert69

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2015, 12:04:55 AM »
Well here is my recent work with IMR4166 powder.  With reference to Hodgdon data, 4166 with 150 grain bullets and 41.5 grains of IMR 4166 should yield around 2570 fps in a 24 inch. In my 26 inch 12bvss I got avg 2648 fps, checked with a MagnetoSpeed chrono as well as a Oehler 35P chrono registering 2633 fps measured at the same time at 6 feet from the barrel.  That load is a starting load from their data, a CCI br2 primer, and a Berger 150 grain FBHP. The groups were good, 10 rounds 3/4",but I will drop the powder down 1 grain and see what happens.  My regular load of IMR 4895 at 41 grains shot 2614 fps. With that load I get 1/2" 10 round groups. I like to keep the velocity around 2500-2550 for target shooting, and that velocity is what my 3 bolt rifles shoot best at.  But, the good news about the powder is it most definitely reduces copper fouling in my three rifles. All three rifles have 26 inch barrels. Much easier to clean.

alfsauve

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Re: IMR4166 powder
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2015, 05:13:26 AM »
Robert,   glad you worked out a good load.    I don't shoot enough rifle rounds to warrant reloading at this time, but I salt away the recipes for .308 and 5.56 as well as components just in case.

26 inches:  The last rifle I had with a barrel that long I cut it off.  ;)
Will work for ammo
USAF MAC 437th MAW 1968-1972

 

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