Brno
Member
Pet load in my 7x57 has been 48 grains of IMR 4350 with a 154 grain Hornady Interlock for years. I've tested it up to 50 grains with no apparent problems, but settled on the 48 gr. load a long time ago because it's well under max in my rifle, consistently prints nice tight groups, and been a stone-cold killer on deer, elk and antelope.
I haven't had to load for this rifle in a few years, but now I need to whip up a batch of ammo for the coming big game seasons so I bought a new canister of IMR 4350 to duplicate my old pet load. Thing is- I've read that burn rates can vary from lot number to lot number in any given powder, and it's wise to work up to an established load when using a new lot number of the same powder - in this case, IMR 4350.
Really? I've never done that. And I've never noticed any difference in pressure signs or performance. Have I just been lucky?
All things being equal - same brass, primers, bullets, charge weight, seating depth, etc., what risk is there in just loading up with my old tried and true recipe? I'm also wondering if I can substitute H4350 for IMR4350. They look to be interchangeable (the data looks to be exactly the same in all my manuals).
I haven't had to load for this rifle in a few years, but now I need to whip up a batch of ammo for the coming big game seasons so I bought a new canister of IMR 4350 to duplicate my old pet load. Thing is- I've read that burn rates can vary from lot number to lot number in any given powder, and it's wise to work up to an established load when using a new lot number of the same powder - in this case, IMR 4350.
Really? I've never done that. And I've never noticed any difference in pressure signs or performance. Have I just been lucky?
All things being equal - same brass, primers, bullets, charge weight, seating depth, etc., what risk is there in just loading up with my old tried and true recipe? I'm also wondering if I can substitute H4350 for IMR4350. They look to be interchangeable (the data looks to be exactly the same in all my manuals).