IMR 4227

[the_buckshot_kid]

Hi all....Loaded test rounds in my Ruger SBH .44mag 5.5". Using Sierra 240gr and charge weights from 19.5gr to 21.5gr. There was a lot of powder kernels left behind in the barrel and on the bench. What would be the reason? Powder too fast for a shorter barrel?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I am not familiar with IMR4227 in particular but I know it is a very slow powder like H-110 and that for complete combustion you should use a hot primer and have a very good crimp to get things started. It may be that a shorter barrel does leave some powder unburned. You may also not be loading it hot enough. 22.0 gr is a start load and 24.0 gr is Max.

 

[DGW1949]

Burn rates are relative.
IMR4227 is a relatively fast rifle powder but a relatively slow pistol powder.

Check your load data that you are using the right primer type.
Measure the bullet and your expander to ensure that you've got enough neck tension.
Adjust the die so as to produce as little of a bell as practical.
Apply a proper roll crimp.
If all of the above is in order and you're still having problems, call the Sierra Tech line and get their input.

That's all I got, hope it helps.

DGW

 

[Clovishound]

A couple of posts mentioned primers. No one has asked the straightforward question. Did you use a magnum primer?

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

Thanks for the input. I'm using Winchester primers for both standard and mag loads. I suppose the crimp may not be heavy enough .

 

[wizofwas]

I am not familiar with IMR4227 in particular but I know it is a very slow powder like H-110 and that for complete combustion you should use a hot primer and have a very good crimp to get things started. It may be that a shorter barrel does leave some powder unburned. You may also not be loading it hot enough. 22.0 gr is a start load and 24.0 gr is Max.

I'm with Jimbo on this one. Assuming that you're using mag. primers and doing all of the bullet seating and crimping right then the loads are just to light for that powder.

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

Is anyone using the Sierra book for their data? I went by the Lyman 49th and they're saying 19.1 start and 23.3 max(compressed).

 

[tsubaki]

Sierra Edition V lists 22.0gr (1200fps) to 22.7gr (1250fps) of IMR-4227 and CCI350 primers with their 240gr JHC.
Test firearm was a 7 1/2" SBH.

Sierra Second Edition lists 22.0gr (1200fps) to 23.3gr (1300fps) of IMR-4227 and CCI350 primers with their 240gr JHC.
Again, test firearm 7 1/2" SBH.

 

[gman45]

IMR 4227 will leave behind some residue. It's not unburned powder. I use it in 45 Colt, 357 Maximum and just recently in the 44 Magnum. Accurate in all three. I use Federal 150's in the 45 Colt, Federal 155's in the 44 Magnum and Remington 7.5's for the Max.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

IMR 4227 will leave behind some residue. It's not unburned powder. I use it in 45 Colt, 357 Maximum and just recently in the 44 Magnum. Accurate in all three. I use Federal 150's in the 45 Colt, Federal 155's in the 44 Magnum and Remington 7.5's for the Max.

^^^ +1 ^^^ IMR 4227 is one of my most used magnum pistol powders along with 2400. It will leave behind unburned looking powder and crud when using light loads or light bullets. Use it in the upper level loads and it ic cleaner burning than many other powders like Unique and the Dot powders. Double based powders burn much hotter so leave little crud behind,but they have other issues like flame cutting. There is no free lunch and no perfect powder.
Increase the charge,bullet weight and neck tension and crimp. Sweet shooting and accurate when used in the right combination.

 

[pruger45]

Were you using a heavy crimp?

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Yes, heavy crimp without damaging the bullet in any way. Nect tension is important. The expander plug in many die sets is too large to give good bullet pull (retention).
I like the expander to be about .004" smaller than the bullet for heavy jacketed bullet loads. That usually works well with cast bullets in large bores also.

 

[daveg.inkc]

This is one of my favorite powders. Bump it up to 23 grs. I also use Winchester LP primers. Another load is 10 grs of Unique for .44 SBH.

 

[Prescut]

I use a lot of 4227 (my favorite) and I am really happy with it (357mag and max, 44 mag, 45 colt). It is a slower powder like the H110, which uses magnum primers. It is not as hot as H110 and as opposed to H110, it downloads beautifully. I get some residue from 4227, but it cleans easily. The accuracy in a Maximum is what I call outstanding. I REDUCED my recipes and started using magnum primers a couple of years ago. I got a small bump in velocity and the residue was reduced.

I do believe that my hotter 4227 reloads had less left-over residue. However, I didn't like the recoil with those beasts so I keep them medium speeds. The small amount of residue is a non issue. Less than many other powders.

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

Thanks for all the info. I'm not new to reloading but always been rifle cartridges. This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this. Crimp is probably the issue. In my rifle loads I use no crimp at all.

 

[contender]

IMR 4227 is an excellent big bore handgun powder. But,,, like all guns,,, you have to let the gun tell you what it likes.
Start with the crimp, and see what the gun says.

 

[eric conrad]

Buchshot. Look at some of the articles here. www.lasc.us Look for Glen E. Fryxell and The Shooting Sports. Glen likes 4227. Lots of good stuff here.
Eric

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

Ok... loaded up 23gr IMR 4227, 240gr Sierra JHC and a heavy crimp. Don't see any kernels laying on the bench however that's a lot stouter of a load than I care to shoot more than 14-15 times lol. Accuracy could be better at 50yds but it's not awful.

 

[daveg.inkc]

My 7.5 with a scope and Hogue grips is accurate, heavy enough to absorb recoil from a rest is pleasant to fire. I wear palm padded motorcycle gloves. Those make a difference too. That is with 23 plus of IMR 4227. 24 gr if H110. 22 grs of 2400.

 

[lolbell]

Ok... loaded up 23gr IMR 4227, 240gr Sierra JHC and a heavy crimp. Don't see any kernels laying on the bench however that's a lot stouter of a load than I care to shoot more than 14-15 times lol. Accuracy could be better at 50yds but it's not awful.

4227 is a powder for heavy loads, it's not going to preform well in light loads. If you are looking for low recoil plinking loads I would try something like Unique or HP38/W231.