How do you load IMR4350

Status
Not open for further replies.

HOWARD J

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
Messages
2,643
Location
S/E Michigan
Do you try to use a powder drop like RCBS or a Lee powder measure kit
or some other way to load IMR4350 ??
How do you do it??
 
IMR4350 is no more difficult to load than most other powders. I use a Lee Perfect Powder Measure or for small test batches a dipper and scale.

BTW, I like H4350 over IMR4350. In most calibers H4350 will develop less pressure while delivering the same velocities.
 
I am glad to hear that.
I just picked up a 243 Savage Edge-- I was using H4350--it meters nice in my RCBS
powder drop. I had some old IMR4350 never used--it would not meter in my powder
drop so I used Lee dippers & my scale & trickler.--what a pain.
Thanks for the info
HJ
 
I have a RCBS Uniflow that will meter all of the IMR powers without any problems, including 7828 fullsized grains... Now 800X is a cat of a different color!

Jimmy K
 
My method is to hand dip for hunting and accuracy loads. I weigh by the kernel of powder. A kernel will have an effect on your charge weight. I may be getting a little too overboard, but that is how I do it. With the "stick" powders it is easy to drop a kernel or 2 and know that it will balance out your overall weight charge.
 
I usually load powder into the case mouth. If you know of another way let me know. :D
 
IMR series powders that I use are dispensed with a Belding&Mull powder measure.

The Belding&Mull has a main fixed powder hopper and secondary horizontal sliding reservoir. The theory is that the secondary reservoir always has a constant head of powder. When actuated the powder in the secondary reservoir dispenses powder into a removable micrometer adjustable drop tube. One may visually check the powder charge in the drop tube and then pour the powder charge in to the cartridge case. It’s less complicated than it sounds.

Extremely accurate thou a bit slower than conventional type powder measures.
 
I set my rcbs powder measure a little light then trickle up to what I want. I weigh every charge so why not. I use the super short cut (ssc) 7828 in the rum calibers adt it measures much better, but I havent seen it in 4350
 
Imr 4350

Drop right from the powder measure. If i feel the measure cut a stick of powder in half, i discard that one as it will not be the correct weight. Maximum loadings all get put on the scale. :)
 
Drop it from the measure into the scale pan on the light side (never over).
Then trickle-up to zero and pour into case using a Saturn Powder Funnel.
 
Last edited:
I usually load powder into the case mouth. If you know of another way let me know. :D
You could always load it into an empty container from the same powder, then when you have a pound (in a one-pound container), mail it to me.:D

I will take care of it for you:D.

Only mail in a legal fashion:uhoh:.
 
I throw a light charge from my Uniflow into the scale pan. Place scale pan on scale and trickle up. That's for small quantities.
For large batches I just push the dispense button on my ChargeMaster.
 
Arch,

I wasn't aware of the H4350 vs the IMR 4350 being lower in pressure! I use the IMR 4350 in a couple of rifle cartridges, .223 and .250 Savage, will get some H-4350 and try this out. Thanks for your input on this, I've read many items you've posted, very knowledgeable man, thanks again.
 
Drop it from the measure into the scale pan on the light side (never over).
Then trickle-up to zero and pour into case using a Saturn Powder Funnel.


I load all my rifle rounds the exact same way reguardless of what powder I'm using. I don't mind the extra time involved.
 
When I first began hand loading, early 1980s, I bought a Lee Scoop kit with and the conversion table didn't come close at all with IMR4350 for my .270 win. I kept splitting brass until I bought a scale. In those early days of reloading I learned not to trust volmetric measurement unless it is checked against a scale. It's been almost 3 decades since I've separated a cartridge and no coincident that's when I started using a scale. Other than that IMR4350 is a good slow burning powder, so is H4350 and H1000.
 
788Ham,
Thank you for the kind words.

Just be careful when checking the pressures between the two. Many of the calibers listing IMR powders are reported in PSI while the Hodgdon powders are reported in CUP. If you look at enough calibers you will find a few that report both powders using the same method of testing.
 
For 223-4350 is not a good choice of powder.

I use the IMR 4350 in a couple of rifle cartridges, .223 and .250 Savage, will get some H-4350 and try this out.
IMR 4350 & H4350 are a poor choice of powder for the 223. Tho IMR 4350 is listed in old Dupont data at 26gr (C) compressed. A 55gr bullet will go 2415fps with a 31,300 cup . :)
 
for my accuracy loads and when i do backyard bench rest shooting, I take and use ym uniflow measure and dispense bout 5 grains lighter than my charge then, i use the trickle and a scale to weigh it perfectly. For practice target loads I just set my uniflow and weigh about every 10 cartridges.
 
I have an older Pacific Measure and do all my rifle charging with this measure. I have had NO problems with any propellant using this measure to date. Best $10 that I spent in a long time.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top