4350?

[Sheldon J]

OK I've been reloading for a great many years, but mostly handgun. Then came the .416 the .300 and the .30/40, and I started cooking my own. All was fine in this world until I ran into some reasonably priced IMR4350 (8#) at a gun show. Yes I brought it home.

Now here I am looking at the books and see that there is a H4350 and a Accurate 4350 as well. Being as the different manuals are somewhat biased as to type of powder listed I grabbed for some of the other reloading manuals for some sit and study time.

After all this Reading about the only difference I can see in load data is the case volume, and the max load with the CUP being higher. The starting load is identical for a given bullet (which is where I like to hang out) to within .1-.3 of a grain.

So from some of you that have BTDT can I safely extrapolate the base start load data for say the H or the Accurate to the IMR when no IMR data is given?

 

[trueblue1776]

Have you tried the Hodgdon/IMR/Win data center?

I believe the 4350's for IMR and Hodgdon are slightly different, I use H4350 for my heavier x54r.

 

[fineredmist]

4350 is 4350 no matter whose name is on the can BUT the burning rates are different. Each manufacturer uses different coatings on the powder which change the burn characteristics. For your own safety use the recomendations of the maker of the powder.

 

[strat81]

Always use data for the brand you have. That is, do not use H4350 data if you have IMR4350. Data is easily accessible and sometimes free.

 

[Slamfire]

I did a bunch of reloading tests of IMR, AA, and H4350 for 190SMK’s in 308, and 168SMK and 200SMK’s in 30-06.

My lots of IMR and AA 4350 gave me basically the same velocity given the same charge. I would like to say that IMR powder has been a lot more consistent, lot to lot, decade by decade, than AA. My data with other types of AA powders, I have gotten variations as much as a grain to get the same velocity. I called AA and they told me they mixed their 4350 to give the same pressure curve as IMR. Which is all nice in theory, but my experience with AA powders is that you need to do your own verification tests.

Its good stuff once you have it dialed in. Buy a keg or two and increase the time between lot testings.

My lots of H4350 were slower, and it took a grain more H4350 to get the same velocities as I got with AA or IMR 4350. In the 308, I could not stuff enough H4350 to break 2400 fps with a 190SMK. And it was not like IMR4350 was a velocity champ with that bullet either.

I have not done too many powder to powder comparisons with these in other calibers. Needless to say the IMR 4350 types give excellent performance in the 30-06 with 168, 175, 200 grain bullets, that extra air space in the 30-06 can be a wondrous thing. The 4350 types have given excellent results in 270, 7*57mm, even the 243. But not in the awful 243 that I had. That barrel is gone. Great velocities though, if deer would only die due to sonic booms, I had a sure killer.

I created a 2536 fps load in the 7.5 *55 Swiss using 51.0 grains AA4350 and a Nosler 168 Match bullet. Just about duplicates the Swiss service round, same accuracy, one tenth the cost! (Just joking, about half the cost!)

 

[brasskeeper]

I would not use load data from any other 4350. If its IMR powder use IMR Data.

http://www.imrpowder.com/

 

[Snapping Twig]

IMR 4350 is excellent powder for the 30-06. I've tried others, but I came back to IMR 4350 to stay.

 

[Sunray]

"...different manuals..." Get a Lyman manual. It has more loads with more powders than any bullet maker's book.
Hodgdon owns the IMR brand name. Go to their site for Data. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[ArchAngelCD]

H4350 and IMR4350 are not the same powders and the data is not interchangeable. Also, The H4350 will produce higher velocities with lower pressures than the IMR4350. (as much as a 8000 psi difference, even more with H4895/IMR4895) After saying all of that I'm wondering why I still use the IMR powders!! LOL

 

[ShunZu]

Ditto the "not interchangeable" advice... I wouldn't interchange powders any more than I'd put diesel fuel in my Corvette.

As I've said before here, IMR4350 is my favorite powder for: .243, .308, .30/06, 300WM. I've been reloading for over 35 years (started in my teens using those lil ole Lee loaders) and like someone said above, once you get your favorite loads dialed in for each rifle, life is grand.

'Course, after you FIND that pet load, ya have to go buy another rifle to start the dial-in challenge all over again.

 

[Sheldon J]

I checked their web site and they actually have less reloading data than my book, but I will keep my eye open for a newer Lyman book, mine is very old, I like to keep several different varieties around.
On the fun side I plan to take run over to Schantz in the morning, they are a reloading specialty place a friend has told me about.

 

[Sheldon J]

Good news

I have a new favorite place to visit for reloading supplies they have H4895 in 8# for about a C note. No wonder I never heard of them before, who would have thought a place called "Schanz Tire and supply" would have all those reloading goodies!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've found in several cartridges that the same trend as others have noted.

In particular, the 7mm-08, but simular results in .30/06, .338/06, .257wbymag, .300RUM, .270, and even more.

The max on H4350 is slightly higher, and it does take about 47.5gr of H4350 to give the same velocities as 46.5 of the IMR in a 7mm-08 with 140gr bullets.

There is however, NO COMPARISON, as to the accuracy. IMR wins hands down every time I compare them.

My 7mm-08 max's out with IMR4350 at 46.5gr (you can't seat a Hornady SST or Nosler B.T. over any more without crushing the bullet !!). Whereas the "H" will allow you to go to 48 or even 50gr with some bullets.
At the range however, the IMR will give "ragged holes" whereas the "H" produces 1.5 or so MOA. This is also very evident in my .257Roberts.

I do like the H4350 though. It's just different enough to be different in a good sort of way. Never tried any AA4350 though...
And then, there's H414, and Win760..................... (both very simular to IMR4350, even down to recommended charge weights)

Like Varget, vs. IMR4064, and Reloader 15. I like all three, but use them in different applications.