Imr 4320

[A Historian]

Anyone load with this? What are your opinions?

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've used IMR 4320 with 165 grain Hornady SPBT bullets since the 1960's. I've never found a powder that will duplicate it in "my rifle", an original Browning BAR, which is my standby hunting rifle in .30-06. It's a great powder for .30-06, though pretty much out of popular usage these days.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Offfhand]

The classic propellants for .22/250 back when it was a wildcat. Not much mentioned these days, but might be when the newbees discover it and shout hosannas.

 

[HankB]

Like ReloaderFred, I've been using IMR 4320 with Hornady 165's for quite a while . . . though I started in the '70s rather than the '60s. Works well. Also a good powder for 147 grain FMJ-BT plinking ammo. (Bought a bunch of bullets really cheap some years back.)

Also used it in .223, 6.5 Ingram, and .308/7.62NATO with satisfactory results.

I also tried it for 180s in my .30/06 and got acceptable results, but ultimately I standardized on RL22 for more velocity without exceeding sane pressure levels. It's supposedly the "slowest" powder suitable for handloading for the M1 Garand and M1A.

I've read that it's also a very good powder for the .458 Lott.

Hmmm . . . what else . . . I DID have a keg go bad on me, so I haven't bought it lately. Only IMR powder I've ever had "spoil."

 

[NCsmitty]

35 years ago, it was my go-to powder in all the 22-250 that I shot. I never saw a 22-250 that could not group 1" or less with 37gr of IMR4320 under a Rem 55gr Power-Lokt bullet. Now that load is a .5gr over listed maximum at the Hodgdon site.

It's a medium short extruded powder, and meters through measures fairly well. Slower burning than IMR4895, it's very close to IMR4064 and Varget for burn rate.



NCsmitty

 

[A Historian]

I'm actually surprised to get so many replies this quickly. The reason I asked about it is because it seems you rarely hear about it these days - and it also seems that its popularity has never been too high. I just wondered why this is (aside from, you know, always keeping an eye out for things.)

It's always nice to hear about people's experiences with things.

 

[FROGO207]

My primary uses are for 300 Savage, mostly 180 grain some 150 grain. Also use it in some of my 308 hunting loads with 165 grain pills. I got a pound in a trade and wanted to use it up so tried it and like it . You never know.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Imr 4320...

Historian--Tried it in my .30'06 years ago with 165 grain Sierra Gamekings. My rifle liked IMR 4350 better, so that's what I use for it.

Your results may vary--you'll have to try it in YOUR rifle.

 

[_N4Z_]

I have used 46gr of IMR4320 over 180gr Sierra's ProHunters in 7.62x54r, and experienced very good result. Also had not so good results with the exact same loading and rifle at different times of the year. All I can think is tempurature variations.

Spent much time experimenting with 4320, but settled on 4350 for my x54r handloading. More consistent for me.

 

[A Historian]

It's a medium short extruded powder, and meters through measures fairly well. Slower burning than IMR4895, it's very close to IMR4064 and Varget for burn rate.

This is actually kind of why I was wondering why it wasn't as popular as it could be. I've heard people compliment the powder for being a good metering powder - at least when being compared to the other stick powders. On the downside, I've heard people complain about how much more powder they have to use, which is certainly reasonable. (That is, until you hear from some of these same people about their preference for IMR 4350, which generally uses more powder.) But, I guess sometimes the performance you reap is worth the cost.

@ _N4Z_ - That's worrying. I'm generally careful about my loads and temperature, though, so if I ever do decide to pick up a canister, that aspect won't be much of a worry for me. Other than more accuracy, were there other reasons why you switched to 4350?

When I started this thread, I actually just wanted to see who had (and still) dabbled with the powder, and what was the current story with it. After reading a bit more, I think I'm going to have to pick up a pound someplace, just for curiosities sake. You'll never really know until you try, right?

 

[ranger335v]

"I never saw a 22-250 that could not group 1" or less with 37gr of IMR4320 under a Rem 55gr Power-Lokt bullet."

Well, I got good results with 4320 too but a good part of it was that Remington bullet. I sure miss it, never found anything that would equal the accuracy of Rem's PLHPs in .22 and .24. Ah well, too few reloaders bothered to even try them so they were dropped when, around the mid or late 70s?

Powders also tend to run as fads, 4320 is 'out of style' right now.

 

[NCsmitty]

a good part of it was that Remington bullet. I sure miss it

FYI, ranger335v, they are still available. I have some 55gr and 50gr PLHP on the shelf. And your right, they did and do shoot very good.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=1601206515



NCsmitty

 

[_N4Z_]

Other than more accuracy, were there other reasons why you switched to 4350?

No, that was pretty much it.

My handloads are used primarily in matches where small group size and highest score win the day.

I've spent a couple years experimenting and recording results with two particular rifles, and a myriad of different components. Powder wise I've tried RL-15, Varget, H4895, IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064, IMR4320, AA4350, and IMR4350.

For me, in the 7.62x54r caliber, AA4350 and IMR4350 have given the best, most repeatable accuracy, with the Sierra 180 SP ProHunter bullet. IMR4320 did very well too, but not as consistant in my experience. Typically manifested as one or two fliers in an otherwise good, competitve group of 10. Shooter error perhaps, but those boogers are far less prevalent with 4350 loadings.
With 150gr bullets the 4895's, both H and IMR, have shown the best. I had no luck with 4320 and 150gr slugs.

 

[A Historian]

More than fair; good precision is what we're all looking for anyway.

 

[Nevmavrick]

IMR 4320 was the third powder I bought when I started. The first two were IMR 3031 and Hercules HiVel #2, so you can see how long I've been reloading.
It sends me into a slobbering frenzy when I send it downstream in my HiWall .219 Zipper improved. It'll stay around .5" as long as I do my part. It also stays around 3550fps with a 55gr bullet. It doesn't stay that tight with the Remington, but Sierra makes a few "magnetic bullets" that I like to use.
Like so many others, I bought it when I got my first '06, then went to IMR4350, but I've ALWAYS kept some in the cupboard. It's works well with so many standard-size cartridges, that I at least have to try it when I come up with another rifle.
It meters well and has a nice pressure-increase profile. I like single-based powders, eventho' I have a lot of double-based, too.
If you need an excuse to get a pound...just 'cause is good 'nough in this case.
Have fun,
Gene

 

[Old Scratch]

I use it exclusively in loading 8x57 and 7.62x54r. It has considerably less muzzle blast than 4350. Experimented with H-380 in a scoped 91/30 and ended up going back to 4320. Good stuff.