IMR 4320 in a 204?

[Muslmutt]

My .17 Rem. loves 4320, and I see 223 loads for it, so....... why not in a .204 ruger? I don't see any data for it, or heard of anyone using it or trying it. Just wondering.

[Snowshoe Joe]

From a burning rate perspective, I don't see any problem. Below is copied from Hodgdon's online burn rate chart. IMR 4320 is #74, in between many of the favorite powders we've come to know and trust in 204. H4895 is #69, BL-C(2) is #83. (This chart is a little dated. No Reloader 10X, has Reloader 12.)


60 Hodgdon H322
61 Accurate Arms 2015BR
62 Vihtavouri N130
63 IMR, Co IMR3031
64 Vihtavouri N133
65 Hodgdon BENCHMARK
66 Hodgdon H335
67 Accurate Arms 2230
68 Accurate Arms 2460
69 Hodgdon H4895
70 Vihtavouri N530
71 IMR, Co IMR4895
72 Vihtavouri N135
73 Alliant Reloder 12
74 IMR, Co IMR4320
75 Accurate Arms 2495BR
76 IMR, Co IMR4064
77 NORMA 202
78 Accurate Arms 2520
79 Alliant Reloder 15
80 Vihtavouri N140
81 Hodgdon VARGET
82 Winchester 748
83 Hodgdon BL-C(2)
84 Hodgdon H380

Don't know why there is no data for IMR 4320. Wouldn't hurt to call Hodgdon and ask.

[glenn asher]

Has anyone tried AA2460 in their .204's?? I've been using the very similar 2230-C in mine, especially on my last PD trip, but my supply is about exhausted, and I'm wondering if the 2460 will serve as a decent replacement.

The 2230-C was/is some dandy stuff, it burns clean and cool, and you can shoot a lot without heating up the rifle a lot, dangnear perfect for PDs. I get slightly better accuracy with H-322 or Benchmark, but the difference isn't worth fussing about for dawg shootin'.

I gotta quit buying non-canister stuff, I usually find out the supply has dried up, just when I get it shootin' good.

[Steve V]

Glenn, I use AA2460 in my 204 loads with 32 gr Hornay Vmaxes. The powder burning chart that I have has it right next to BLC2 which I have seen a lot of guys use. I had 2460 in my powder cabinet when I got my CZ a couple years ago and it digests it very well. The Ruger 77 V/T I picked up this spring also shoots 2460 well. I don't have my load records handy, but I think I use 29+ grs in Winchester brass. I also have a can of 4320 that I have been wanting to play with, but just have not had the time lately

[glenn asher]

Thanks, Steve! I've been using 27.5 2230-C with 32 VMs, for a leisurely 3930 fps, which is plenty for PDs, they don't need much killin', and they still let me overshoot a lot of dogs until I realized how flat they shot After that, it was all downhill, for the PDs, they had a rough go of it. I was STILL not getting airtime, since I was head/shoulder shooting everything I pointed at. Oh well, they didn't suffer much . I guess that 2" high@100 yards is too high, really.

When 2230-C was available, they said to use either 2230 data, or 2460 data, as either would be safe ("C" is somewhat slower than 2230 canister), but that it was more like 2460. I just haven't broken down and bought any. The load I was using has essentially the same velocity as the Benchmark load I also use, but it meters easier, and seems to burn a little cooler, it turned out to be a very good choice on this last PD trip. I'm down to about 3 pounds or so, enough for a little while, anyway.
I guess I'll buy a pound of 2460 next time I go to the funshop, just to see how the old Savage tolerates it. If it works, I'll have to buy an eight pounder at the next gunshow. I could, and probably SHOULD, just use Benchmark, as my .223s seem to work well with it, but a little diversity doesn't hurt, either.

[Steve V]

Glenn, Your'e going to be real happy with 2460. I first bought it on a close out for $6; not really knowing what I was buying. I started playing with it in my 223 14 twist and quickly found out it liked 2460 with the 55 grn VMax. At the time, I didn't know the velocity, but it shot real tight groups and blew up vemin with gusto. Finally got to use a chronograph and was dumbfounded to realize I was shooting the 55 grn at just under 3500 fps out of the 26" barrel. Two years ago, a local gun shop was getting out of reloading components and I fell into a variety of powders, including 2460, for $12 a pound. When I bought my first 204, 2460 was one of the first powders I tried with 32 grn VMaxes. Worked up an accurate load, then checked it out on the chronograph to find out I was getting 4225fps. The first shot out of my 204 Ruger 77V/T this June in Montana sent a 300 yd pd flying with major air time. So, you can see, I'm a big fan of AA2460. I use Federal 205 primers with it in the 204.

[chip-don]

with 32 gr i like 24.5 gr of 2460 that brings vol down to about 3500 fps ,I like to see the hit

[rogn]

Highjacking the post back, I recently found a can of 4320 in the old stuff and worked up a load with a Sierra 39. In this rifle its not the best combination compared to others. A caseful shot safely but accuracy wa not good and I coud see signs of pressure variation, nothing appeared unsafe, but this rifle didnt care for it.