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H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:40 am
by BrentD
For the last couple of years, I have shot Blackpowder at the Nationals. I think I am the only one there that does. It's fun, I don't do well, but I enjoy it and I don't take CLA very seriously except as serious fun. But one reason I haven't done well is the barrel on that rifle (a rebored Marlin 1893) has been pretty crappy, so it's been relined, and thus I need to work up new loads for it. I'll certainly do black again, but I would like to find a good smokeless load for practicing - so maybe I can be a little better and not suffer in the fun department.

I have H4198 and H4895 on hand. I use the Lyman 250 grn flatnosed bullet. Can anyone recommend one of these powders over the other? Hodgon's website shows a max load of 24 and 26 grs respectively, with bullets of that weight, but I don't know if they are referring to cast or jacketed bullets. I'm not interested in max loads anyway. So, which powder should I start with?

I also have Unique on hand. I don't like using it a lot, because it would be easy to double charge, but it might make a good practice load. Any suggestions for that?

Re: H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:00 am
by Jason
I assume that you're asking about 38-55 loads. The Hodgdon data is for a Lyman cast bullet (non-GC). The H4198 load gets higher velocity with slightly less pressure, so I'd start with that and work up first if I were you. If you can find a load that shoots well and has enough pressure to seal the chamber well without being toward the upper end, your brass would last pretty close to forever if you only size it down 0.003" between loadings. :)

Re: H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 11:26 am
by BrentD
Yes, it is a .38-55. Don't know how I missed including that information.

Thanks.

Re: H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 6:09 am
by DonM
Brent most of the gong shooters I know that shoot the 38-55 use 4198, with a couple that use RL7. When I had a 38-55, 4198 and 5744 worked well.

Re: H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:32 am
by 40-65rl
Brent,

I shoot 18.5 grains of H4198 in my Marlin Cowboy 38-55 with good results. It was the recommended load several years ago and printed on the powder can but they have since raise the charge a couple of grains. Not sure why, the old load shoots great.

Dick

Re: H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:35 am
by BrentD
Dick I was looking at my can of 4198 this morning and they had 28!!! grns of powder listed with a 255 jacketed bullet Winchester brass and a CCI 200 primer. I'm not going anywhere close to 28 grs. I'll start with 18 and see what happens.

thanks,
Brent

Re: H4198 or H4895?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:48 am
by GTS
Brent,

I shoot a Lee 250 gr bevel base bullet. I shoot them as cast (they drop at .380) with 20:1 alloy, pan lubed with SPG, over 20 gr H4198. This has been a great load in the past. YMMV

Greg