confused

[Beekeeper]

I have tried to read everything I can about the diferences between surplus and regular powders.

Is 4895 surplus the same as IMR4895 or H4895?
Was considering purchasing some surplus but have no idea as to what is what.
Is there a listing of similarities?
Where does one look to find the similarities? (ie : web ,powder companies ,etc)



Jim

[Lead Fred]

IMR is military grade "H" is a tad slower civilian grade.
They are very close on the powder burn chart.

Being surplus Its most likely IMR

[405]

Agree, usually IMR 4895 is closer to milsurp. There have been several "4895" surplus powders show up over the years. All will be similar but not identical. The more recent ones tend to be a hair slower than IMR 4895. Having said all that, unless you are pushing the pressure envelope (plus 60,000 psi)with Jbullet loads all the "4895" powders seem to work well. Use a chronograph! Find a start load for the most conservative 4895 load and work from there. Check in several load manuals. Compare results with the chronograph. With most cast bullet type loading there will be no issue at all! Kinda like sweating and fretting about a listed 500 gr. mold that drops a 505 gr. bullet when working at blackpowder pressures. Or how much weight is added to a 500 gr. bullet when adding 1/2 gr. of dacron filler. :roll: