Powder Substitutions

[ArtP]

Any of you guys bought another brand of powder with a similar name to continue with load development when your preferred powder is out of stock forever?

I have a 30-06 that very much likes H4350, but I'm out. I'm thinking of trying Accurate 4350. Load data for the two is very, very similar.

Comments welcome regarding substituting other common powders, for example IMR 4350 vs. H4350, Accurate 4064 vs. IMR 4064, etc, etc.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

We do what we have to.
Other members say things are getting better but around here they have gotten worse. On the internet I can't find anything in stock.
If you were lucky enough to find Accurate 4350 then grab it and run.

Let us know how it works.

 

[Sam1911]

As long as you're following published load data, all will be well!

 

[Savage99]

The component shortages are a problem.

I could not get more H4350 either and got some RL 17 which shoots ok but.............

I know what your saying.

 

[ArtP]

It's not a question of if it works or not, it's about how similar the results might be. I'm not looking for something to fill my cases, rather something that might perform the same or similar.

I got holes touching with H4350. I tried Varget through a similar velocity range and got 3+ MOA.

 

[USSR]

It's not a question of if it works or not, it's about how similar the results might be. I'm not looking for something to fill my cases, rather something that might perform the same or similar.

I got holes touching with H4350. I tried Varget through a similar velocity range and got 3+ MOA.

Art,

Simply no way of knowing if one powder will perform the same, better, or worse from one rifle to the next. The only thing you can do is try similar burn rate powders. Would be helpful if we knew what weight bullet you are using.

Don

 

[ArtP]

I'm currently using Hornady BTSP 165's, but have some 150's as well. In a week or so I'll have some IMR 4064 as well.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I got holes touching with H4350. I tried Varget through a similar velocity range and got 3+ MOA.

That's two very different powders there. H4350 is pretty slow and Varget is on the fast side.

If you can't try H4350 try some IMR4350, RL17 or H414. They are of similar burn rates.

 

[gamestalker]

Until just recently, things were looking pretty good around here. Do what you have to.

I spent an enormous amount of time cross referencing powders yesterday for the very same reason. It appeared the powders most available right now are Accurate powders, so it looks like I'll be using them. But it's times like these that can open a whole new world of experiences, some good, and some maybe not so good, well see.

GS

 

[Jesse Heywood]

If you are looking for substitute powders look in your reloading manuals for powders with similar results. There are too many variables to make a list.

 

[41 Mag]

I have a 30-06 that very much likes H4350, but I'm out. I'm thinking of trying Accurate 4350. Load data for the two is very, very similar.

Very similar isn't always quite the same. As long as you keep that thought in mind, and stick to the load data for each respective powder for the caliber your loading for you should be fine.

That said I have shot a whole bunch of all three of the 4350's. If I were to classify them as to an order of burn rate I would say that IMR is the faster, Accurate is sometimes in the middle and sometimes a little slower than Hodgdon which is usually on the slower end.

I say this because I had found that the majority of the IMR has always been a bit faster in the loads I used it with in a straight up comparrison with Hodgdon even if the lot numbers were not the same. The Accurate, when I was using it, was hardly ever the same unless you had the exact same lot. One time it might be up to three grins faster than the last lot, so it really was one that you needed to drop your load a grain or two each time and work back up with, even using middle of the data loads.

I know there are others which are similarly numbered as are the 4831's but I know for a fact IMR has always been faster than Hodgdon with those.

As for some of the others I really don't have that much experience with them. I sort of stick with powders in a certain range, and once I find a good load I am happy.

 

[NCsmitty]

I checked just now, and www.wideners.com is showing A4064, A2700, and A4350 in stock now. These in stock Accurate powders should give you plenty of lee way to develop loads in the 30-06. A2700 is similar to Win760/H414 in burn rate, and the others should be close to the their namesake in the Hodgdon line.
There are no popular Hodgdon powders available there at this time, but it doesn't hurt to look.

Checkout the load data available from Accurate so you can compare. They also show the Ramshot powders that they also make, in the data.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/


NCsmitty