SmallCaliberCentral

I have three pounds of IMR 4320 Does anyone have a load worked up with it, I noticed it is a slower burning powder than the 10x, on the burn rate chart. I am using 39gr BK and 26 gr VG. Thanks in advance Wade

It is much too slow for the 204 Ruger, but works just dandy in my .338-06 Ackley with 210gr bullets!

That should give you idea of where IMR 4320 fits into the Grand Scheme of Things concerning small bore varmint cases...... (You'd never be able to get enough powder in the 204 case to give any meaningful velocities, it's just not suited to the 204 case/bore size.)

If my memory serves me right, IMR 4320 was my go to powder in my pencil barreled .17 Remington with 25 gr. Remington bullets. I never tried it in any other caliber, nor have I used that particular powder since about 1987.

IMR 4320 isn't just for large cartridge cases....

In some relatively small caliber cartridges, IMR 4320 give excellent velocity and accuracy. For example, in the 17 Remington ~24.5 grains of the powder will give you ~4200 FPS with a 20 grain bullet and ~ 4K FPS with a 25 grain bullet (24.3 grains of powder). Accuracy will also be excellent.

In addition, IMR 4320 has for years been a staple powder for loading the 22-250 cartridge for good accuracy and velocity. It also works well for heavier bullets (50 Grains +) in the 222 Remington and 222 Remington Magnum cases.

I have no idea if it will work in the 204 Ruger case, accuracy wise or velocity wise, but it might be worth looking at if you have a chrony to monitor velocity increases versus powder charge increases. If you keep adding powder at some point and don't get corresponding velocity increases, you are heading for pressure issues and have reached max velocity possible with the powder/cartridge combination when velocity fails to increase accordingly.

Personally, I would stick with using other proven powders just because the ground has already been covered with some powders. But, if you like adventure and have a chrony, you might find it works with good velocity and accuracy, or it doesn't. If you don't have a chrony and are not comfortable with non-published load development principles, I would stay away from playing with it.

Simply because its not in a reloading manual doesn't mean a powder won't work. Hornady has the Tac 20 cartridge in their 7th Edition reloading manual but don't show any loads with the classic Tac 20 powder - Benchmark. I think they were afraid it might not be a good idea to show in print that it out-strips their own creation (along with Ruger) on the next page - the 204 Ruger - in terms of velocity.... So, according to Hornady, Tac 20 loads with Benchmark do not exist even though it was one of the best powders TK used when developing the Tac 20 case. He got good velocity and accuracy without excessive pressure with Benchmark. Its the only powder I have used in two different Tac 20 rifles for almost 10 years. Hornady ignores it...

Edited for clarity....

-BCB

lanenebraska wrote:Try 39.5g of IMR4320

I don't think it's going to hurt anyone in this case, because I challenge anyone to get 39.5 grains of anything in a .204 Ruger case, BUT... Seeing that recommendation, I feel the need to remind everyone that if you're going to put load data up, BE CAREFUL TO AVOID TYPOS.

BabaOriley wrote:

lanenebraska wrote:Try 39.5g of IMR4320

I don't think it's going to hurt anyone in this case, because I challenge anyone to get 39.5 grains of anything in a .204 Ruger case, BUT... Seeing that recommendation, I feel the need to remind everyone that if you're going to put load data up, BE CAREFUL TO AVOID TYPOS.

Right you are! Corrected to 29.5g IMR4320

I appoligize for the Fat Finger