AR Reloading Using H4198

UTTransplant

UTTransplant

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I liked the numbers I saw for use with the powder H4198 so I decided to give it a try as my first run on the new AR. I found a load that was really accurate (21.8gr behind a Hornady 55gr BT getting 0.151") and loaded over 400 rounds of it for use when I went home to see my parents. Got to the range and it had turned my AR into a single shot. For some reason, it didn't cycle the round completely. The number I started with was 20.5 and the docs stated 21 was getting 3150fps. So, 21.8 isn't too far off. The thing is, though, I had 3 rounds that showed signs of excessive pressure. 2 of them jammed in the chamber and didn't want to come out and the third gouged the base and popped the primer clean out.

So, while I'm busy pulling 350 bullets, I'm wondering if anybody else can help me explain this. I don't think there was too much pressure because many of the cases didn't even leave the chamber until I cycled it by hand.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've got 2lbs of this powder and would rather not have to try and sell it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
I'm not real familiar with H4198...but if memory serves me, that load sounds a little "hot" to me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Were the cases full-length resized?

Did any of the primers flatten out?

Did you go to a much colder climate, or clean the rifle and lube it excessively?

Lots of things could be causing this, but if you're unsure, pulling the bullets might be the best thing to do. Powder is CHEAP, compared to gun (or face) damage.

Can you post some pics of the fired rounds, and of the ones that didn't operate the action?
 
I'll do that when I get home from work tonight. I also had some rounds I bought from Roy Tipton a couple years ago and they fed flawlessly. I tell you what, I sure wish that guy was still in business. I'd be buying up his stock.

Edited to add: On another note, I used CCI 400 SR primers in all of them and on a few the rounds were misfires. I checked the primer and it was ever so slightly indented and would fire on the second try. Is this common for these primers?
 
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In looking at Hodgdon's website, they show 21.0 gr. of H4198 under a 55 gr. bullet as a MAXIMUM load. If you want to stick with that powder, you may want to "dial it down" a little.

Also, when I'm working up something new, I load 10-15 rounds and take them to the range to try them BEFORE I start production loading. It saves pulling bullets.

Personally, I like slower burning powders in my 223's. W748, AA2230 and H335 are among my favorites.
 
I am not sure the loads are too hot it sounds more like not sizing the case quite enough maybe? If the rounds are not firing occasionally that may mean the chamber is not completely closed.Not sure what's up but I have my doubts that the load is too so hot that its causeing all these prblems.
 
I tried the IMR 4198 in my RRA. Did the same thing as far as single shooting the rounds. Tried different mags. Still did it. I had to get right up to max before It would cycle 1/2 @@s. Started to show signs of xs pressure signs. Was using remington 7 1/2 primers and remington cases with 55grain v-maxes. Shot very good groups. But turned it into a single shot. Changed powder and worked like a champ. I would try some different powder. Like h-335 or Imr 3031.
 
pressure curve...... or pressure spike......
I am not sure what to call it......
4198 is a "fast" burining powder...
I suspect it is reaching it's pressure too quick to make
the ar-15 cycle properly..........

someone who knows more about ar-15's could tell you more....
I would recommend that you DO NOT increase the powder charge of 4198 as I suspect you enough pressure for safety reasons .... (maybe more than enough)
but the pressure is happening quick and maybe falling off before it reaches the gas block

If you want to use the 4198 maybe a 40 gr bullet would be better suited to the powder......
I really like Ramshot TAC powder...... I think it would work well with your 55 gr bullets all the way up to the 69 to 77 gr bullets....... It is about the same "speed" as h335 but i
like it better..

Maybe d-tech or Dan Carey or some of the ar-15 gurus could explain it....(the single shot cycling)
 
Quote:
In looking at Hodgdon's website, they show 21.0 gr. of H4198 under a 55 gr. bullet as a MAXIMUM load. If you want to stick with that powder, you may want to "dial it down" a little.

Also, when I'm working up something new, I load 10-15 rounds and take them to the range to try them BEFORE I start production loading. It saves pulling bullets.

Personally, I like slower burning powders in my 223's. W748, AA2230 and H335 are among my favorites.



+1 I have found the slow burning H335 ad the W748 to be the most accurate for me also. I am not a speed man, it is accuracy #1 speed #2.
 
Like said above- use a different powder- not sure I know anyone loading with this powder for AR-15's. prob for a reason? try more conventional AR powders like W-798, H335 -Ramshot TAC or the like and see how you like them. Definetly sounds like your rifle is short stroking- not getting enough gas thru the tube to cycle the bolt completely.
 
I always used 4198 in my .222 bolt gun with no problems, then I tried the same load in my .223 ar and found the same problem you're having, ie. short stroking. I switched to aa2460 and haven't had a single problem since. I'm thinking it's not creating enough gas pressure to cycle properly.
 
You didn't state or at least I didn't see it, what barrel length your AR Has.. If its a 16" the pressure curve previously mentioned may well be the problem with the fast powder.
I'm currently chasing the same issues in my 16" 17 remington upper(full length gas tube).. Great groups with RE7 and 4198 and Blc2--but won't cycle.. Longer barrel should give enough pressure to overcome the fast burning powder thing.

Later
DF2
 
I'm running a 20" barrel on a RRa Coyote. I love the rifle and the 4198 was giving me excellent accuracy, so I'm annoyed over having to use something else.
 
Unfortunately, you are probably going to have to go to another powder.

My EA (AR-15) will cycle shooting 22 gr of 4198, but it has a lot of rounds through it. Two of my buddies RRAs will not cycle and do exactly what yours did. We went to H335 or 2230 and the problem was solved in theirs. Their RRAs were just being broken in. We have not tried the 4198 in theirs since they were broken in to find out if it would work. In both cases we were able to find loads that shot very close to the accuracy of 4198.

If you can, borrow a little 335 or 2230 and see what your AR likes and burns the cleanest.

You are correct in that 4198 is an accurate and very clean powder in a 223. However, it's burn rate may be a little fast for most 223 ARs.

I wouldn't fret about being stuck with a couple of pounds of 4198. The way things are going, keep it a couple of years and you will likely be able to sell it for a profit.

Jim
 
There are so many good powders for the .223 that you will probrably find something better accuracy and speed wise. I have tryed a bunch 9 if I counted right and none were bad really. Some move the bullets along faster but all were very accurate in the several .223's I tryed them in. You do not have a problem you have an opportunity. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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