IMR-4166 powder review in Propellant Profiles in Handloader No.296

[DR Owl Creek]

I just received my Handloader Magazine No. 296, for June, 2015. In the "Propellant Profiles" section (pp. 16-17), R. H. VanDenburg did a review of the new IMR-4166 powder, which is one of the replacements for SR-4756, SR-4759, SR-7625, and PB. If you aren't a subscriber, the magazine should be on newsstands soon, or you can possibly get a copy online at: www.handloadermagazine.com

Dave

[texassako]

I have not read the issue, but I have the Hodgdon 2015 annual. They state it is sort of a modernized IMR 4064.

[Yodogsandman]

Great time to sell a new powder...when they can't keep up with the normal powder production! Manufacturers, get back to work and stop this foolishness!

[JSH]

I guess I am lost. A replacement for one of the four mentioned?
A modern 4064?

[dougader]

It most certainly cannot be a replacement for those relatively fast burning powders. It is, as stated above, more along the lines of 4064 but less temp sensitive and a bore cleaner along the lines of the cfe powders.

I ordered a pound to try with my last order from powder valley, which should be here tomorrow.

[texassako]

I just received my Handloader Magazine No. 296, for June, 2015. In the "Propellant Profiles" section (pp. 16-17), R. H. VanDenburg did a review of the new IMR-4166 powder, which is one of the replacements for SR-4756, SR-4759, SR-7625, and PB. If you aren't a subscriber, the magazine should be on newsstands soon, or you can possibly get a copy online at: www.handloadermagazine.com

Dave

I went and had a look at my digital copy of the magazine, and I believe you misread the opening paragraph. The Handloader article stated they dropped dropped 4 unprofitable powders and then added the unrelated Enduron powders to keep their number of powders about the same.

[wrench man]

As much 4064 that's hit the shelves in the last week I'm wondering if they're trying to liquidate it in favor of 4166?, wouldn't surprise me if Varget went with it too?

[DR Owl Creek]

I went and had a look at my digital copy of the magazine, and I believe you misread the opening paragraph. The Handloader article stated they dropped dropped 4 unprofitable powders and then added the unrelated Enduron powders to keep their number of powders about the same.

Sorry, but I wasn't trying to suggest IMR-4166 was a direct replacement for any of the powders that are being dropped. I probably should have used different terminology. What I wanted to do was to give everybody a heads-up about this Propellant Profiles article so you could check it out, and to get an independent review of what it is without all the company marketing hype, along with suggested applications and some load data for it.

From IMR-4166's burn rate which places it as a medium burn rate rifle powder, it couldn't be a direct replacement for either PB, 7625, or 4756, which Hodgdon marketed primarily as faster burning shotgun powders. From 4166's small grain size and bulk density (.910g/cc), it also couldn't be a direct replacement for a bulkier, fast burning rifle powder like 4759 either.

The article said that IMR-4166 is #94 on Hodgdon's burn rate chart, so it's slightly faster than 4064 (#95). That would also place it between IMR-4895 (#89) and RL-15 (#97).

My take on 4166 is that if you want to load up a bunch of those dreaded J-words which most people use, and you can't find your usual powders like the various 4895's, 4064's, or RL-15, this new 4166 might give you another OK alternative. I suppose that with the shortage of medium burn rate rifle powders over the last two or three years, Hodgdon just thought this was a good business move.

Dave

[9w1911]

I purchased 15lbs of RL15 from a man selling it all for one powder, he was sold on 4166. I got the RL15 for 210 I was happy.

[Oleman]

LOL is it good on Wheaties.

[BCB]

It most certainly cannot be a replacement for those relatively fast burning powders. It is, as stated above, more along the lines of 4064 but less temp sensitive and a bore cleaner along the lines of the cfe powders.

Indeed to that!!!...

I read the article and I don't know that it was all that informative though...

Good-luck...BCB

[osteodoc08]

I picked up 2 pounds yesterday to give it a go. In my applications the velocities are mid range and on paper, nothing is new under the sun. It's worth a try and I'll see how well it works.

[dangitgriff]

Well, any range reports/updates on this “new” powder?
I just picked up some last weekend to try out with some cast/gc 174-grain .312’s for the old No. 5 Enfield. Hodgdon has a published load on their website for a jacketed 174 & 180 grain bullet.
R/Griff

[swheeler]

Some of the Enduron "new technology powders" have been recalled. I don't know if 4166 is one of them though.

[soflarick]

I've used it in Garand safe and 308 plinking loads. Recoil was pleasant. Accuracy was better than expected, considering I didn't work up the loads; just ballparked mid-range charges with bullet weight. Read somewhere that it's pretty darn good in an 8 Mauser, but I have not yet tried it in that cartridge. I will keep using it. It is not a 4064 replacement. It's a faster powder. I read a few things about it, as well as load info, and it seems to me it's not going to be a velocity powder, but within its range it may do quite well. I did not chrono the loads, so I can't be sure of what I read about the pressure curve and claimed velocity. I have Quickload, so I run data through there in addition to what multiple books state.

If you're in the Columbus, Ohio area, I'd be happy to share some.

Dang, what mold are you using for the Enfield? I intend to cast boolits for them, but haven't yet gone down that path. Meaning, I know diddly about good mold profiles for Mk I and Mk IV Enfields.

[dangitgriff]

Thanks for your offer, but I don’t live near Columbus, though I do have an uncle who lives in Etna.
I got these cast from a kind member on CB, he sent them to me free of charge. Just mic’d one and it is actually .311:

[dangitgriff]