H4831/h4831sc/imr4831?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Bill Morton

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
1
I am an old guy (64) who has been out of the reloading game for a while and just getting back into said game. I don't really understand the differences between the powders listed in my title. I do understand that, "back in the day", there was a significant difference between the loading data for H4831 and IMR4831 (a couple of grains in the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser in the load I preferred for accuracy and terminal performance on southern (TX) whitetailed deer). Again, "back in the day", late 60's early 70's, H4831 was slightly but significantly, "hotter (faster burning)", than IMR4831; confusing the loading data between the two on one occassion caused some rather surprising but fortunately non-injury results (a couple of, "blown primers", and a face full of the subsequent blow by gas - BTW, I still have 1 pound left out of the 50 lbs of military surplus H4831 my Dad bought in the mid 60's). Enough, "war stories". Can I expect the IMR4831 I bought yesterday to perform basically the same as the IMR4831 of 40 to 50 years ago using modern data? If not, would somebody please suggest a safe powder/charge combination for a 6.5X55 Swedesh load behind a 129 grain Hornady Spire point (yes, I have one box - 100 - of those left) that will produce a muzzle velocity of ~2600 fps? Thanks in advance for helping out an, "of"!:)
 
In my experience, modern day canister IMR4831 is faster burning than H4831. So much so I think it is misleading that they share the same number. I've never used the old military 4831 so don't have an opinion based of facts.

I can't believe that the properties of the old military H4831 have remained constant for the past 70 years. I'd suggest working up a load with your stash rather than relying on modern load data.

I only use 140's in my 6.5x55. 44.0 of IMR 4831 is my pet load.

Laphroaig
 
Last edited:
Can I expect the IMR4831 I bought yesterday to perform basically the same as the IMR4831 of 40 to 50 years ago using modern data?
Click to expand...
Basically, No. Use a starting load and work up ,as always, with each lot of powder . Dont mix the 2 .
 
Id be leery of jumping right into a old load with a new batch of powder.

H4831 and h4831sc are pretty much the same in burn rate and performance. The sc has smaller granulation, thus more can be crammed in a case before compression.

Imr4831 has a different burn rate than either of them and is NOT interchangeable.

Chexk out hodgdons reloading page they have alot of good load data.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com


Hodgdons lists 43grns of imr4831 as the starting load for the 129hsp, 47 is max velocity was reported at 2790ish.
 
I worked up some loads for Fclass tinkering about 6 years ago. I maxed out at 47 grains of H4831 and SC pushing 140gn Nosler CC's. Tried both, SC was easier to measure. IMR 4831 is faster burning and I used it with the 120gn loads but immediately ran into pressure with starting loads and 140gn bullets and Winchester 6.5x55 brass.

They are different powders. As far as the old stuff, just work up. Id bet the IMR-4831 formulation hasn't changed much if at all.

Also what kind of gun are you shooting? Surplus or modern action?
 
The load data for H4831 and H4831sc is identical because they are the same exact powder, one with shorter trainers. As in the past IMR4831 is similar to the Hodgdon version but not the same. Back when you were loading the powder being sold was surplus, today both are newly manufactured powders and probably closer in performance than with the surplus powders of the past. According to Hodgdon IMR4831 is faster than H4831/4831sc.

I would use old data with the old powder if it's still good but newer data with current production powders.
 
Bill, welcome to THR!

You came to a good place to ask of your reloading questions. Lots of seasoned reloading veterans here. :)

That's all I got. :uhoh:
 
I like 4831. Use it in .30-06, .30-06 Improved and 6.5 Swede. According to what some of the powder maker have said, all three types are the same chemical formulation.

In my experience, IMR in current production is the 'fastest' of the three.

H4831 was one of the first surplus powders Hodgdon sold in their starting days. It was 'slower' than the current IMR powder. Current H4831 is 'faster' than the surplus stuff from the 'old days', but the chemists are in the process of getting a bit slower - like the surplus stuff.

H4831SC is the same as H4831; or as 'same' as anything made in batches ("lots" is the official term) can be.

Read the front part of most any loading manual. Every 'lot' of powder is presumed to be a little different. When one changes powder (or lot number) one must work up the load again.

Years ago, I had a load in my Improved .30-06 using 200 grain bullets and a load of H4831. Ran out of powder from the old stash of H4831 and so bought and used some H4831SC with the same charge. Pressures were embarrassingly high. Didn't hurt anything but the cases. (I will say the primers were very easy to remove and leave it at that.)

So, the confusing and self-contradictory conclusion is they are all the same AND they are all different. Always load from bottom up.
 
More data


129 Hornady InterBond, SST or InterLock SP Hodgdon H-4831 33.8 1904
Remarks:
129 Hornady InterBond, SST or InterLock SP Hodgdon H-4831 36.8 2049
Remarks:
129 Hornady InterBond, SST or InterLock SP Hodgdon H-4831 39.7 2226
Remarks:
129 Hornady InterBond, SST or InterLock SP Hodgdon H-4831 42.6 2403
Remarks:
129 Hornady InterBond, SST or InterLock SP Hodgdon H-4831 45.6 2550
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
What is difference in IMR4831, H4831, H4831SC
Replies
12
Views
19K
CarJunkieLS1
C
A
  • Locked
Imr 4831 vs. H4831 for 300 win. mag.
Replies
5
Views
7K
Winger Ed.
W
D
  • Locked
Accurate "Magnum Rifle Powder"
Replies
11
Views
5K
Hondo 60
Hondo 60
H
  • Locked
H4831sc vs. IMR4831
Replies
9
Views
3K
hvychev77
H
T
  • Locked
Reloading for my 270
Replies
14
Views
1K
scottishkat
S
Back
Top