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IMR 4064 308
bsdoyle
Member Posts: 279 ✭✭
This is a continuation of my post in regard to my rusty-dusty powder.I tried to put 45 grains in a 308 for 110 gr plinkers and it wont fit. Does this verify that it is bad and the weight and volume is screwed up or is this possible. Speer manual says 49 is compressed dosent say that bout 45 and it wont all fit. Maybe somebody has got some 4064 and see if it will fit in a 308 case. Regardless its goin on the lawn. Thanx for all your help. Steve
Comments
In general, the age of a powder does not have a bearing on the size of the grains. Therefore the weight and volume of the powder should remain consistant from new powder to older unless there has been some form of contamination. The fact that your load of 45 gr. of IMR-4064 won't fit has nothing to do with the age of the powder nor does it verify that the powder is 'bad' unless you can determine that there is a contaminant.
I like a challenge occasionally, so I took several examples of .308 Win. cases and a new can of IMR-4064 as well as an older can (+10 yrs) of the same. Weights were checked on a triple beam balance. I used a 4" drop tube in all examples to maintain some consistancy. The top of the case is considered to be full. None of the examples were vibrated to allow for more settling of the powder.
Smallest volume by weight of powder:
7.62 x 51 Nato = 46.1 grains
Largest volume and most common volume by weight:
Winchester Palma .308 Match = 48.2 grains
Nothing real significant can be derived from this simple test, it just generates some information for the sake of discussion.
If you can't get 45 gr. of IMR-4064 in a standard .308 Win. case, I suggest that there may be something other than the powder that is a distinct variable. Something is different and it isn't the powder at least as far as I can tell.
Best.
I'm thinking you answered you own question with the description you give of the powder. Better try a new can. Compare kernels, and see if the ones from the can you have now have fattened up or gotten longer. If so, you either have bad powder or unnamed powder. Neither are good. So, if I were you I would invest in a new can and get some peace of mind for free along with it. -Good luck