260 Rem H4350 vs IMR 4451

[dstoenner]

Has anybody compared these 2 powders for accuracy in a 260 REM? H4350 just does the job in every way but is somewhat dirty. I have used CFE223 in my 223's and it does reduce fouling so wondered if the 4451 that reduces fouling will also be accurate here.

Thanks

David

 

[dstoenner]

SO is anybody using 4451 for anything? Any experiences with it at all?

David

 

[shoot4fun]

I am now using IMR4451 in my 7MM08 with 168 VLDs for shooting out to 1000 yards. I used H4350 for a long time there but I am liking the 4451 so far. I am in the middle of load workup for my 260 now and may just give 4451 a try there too.
But, to your original post, I don't think you will find 4451 any cleaner burning than H4350. That has not been my experience at all. Thing is, and it may just be in my head, I think 4451 cleans up easier. I run about four patches of Bore Tech C4, then a nylon brush followed by dry patches and it cleans up fast.

 

[dstoenner]

Shoot4fun,

Thanks for your response. Good info. How did you find load density of 4451 compared to H4350 in your 7mm08?

David

 

[Ringostar]

I've tried 4451 in a 260 and 6.5x47L. I'm very pleased with results. My loads came out 3-4 tenth lower than H4350 loads.

 

[Patton243]

I'm using IMR 4451 in my 243 Winchester and 300 WSM. The stuff is very consistent and there's no temp sensitivity as IMR suggests. I don't have a 260 Remington, but I'd imagine it would work well too for a medium burning cartridge. In both cases I'm getting more velocity with 4451 over H4350 with similar accuracy.

 

[dstoenner]

Thanks for all the inputs. I think this is enough to convince me that I should get at least 1 pound and give it a try.

David

 

[jbell]

If you find that H4350 is too dirty for you try and increase your charge weight, you may be on the slow side. Just watch for pressure. I have also found RL17 to work very well in my 260 shooting a 140G Hybrid, it shoots clean too.

 

[alphapygmy]

I'l be trying to do a work up soon with 4451 in my 260AI with 130 Berger AR Hybrid. If I get it done halfway timely I post my results.

 

[justinp61]

Last fall I tried to find a accurate 260 load for deer using 123gr SSTs and 120gr nosler partitions with 4350. My rifle is a Savage mdl 16 with a 22" 8 twist pencil barrel. So far I'm not impressed, thinking about trying some Varget and 4064. I also have some Berger 130gr hunting VLDs to try, just not sure what powder to start with after the dissapointing H4350 results.

 

[alphapygmy]

Last fall I tried to find a accurate 260 load for deer using 123gr SSTs and 120gr nosler partitions with 4350. My rifle is a Savage mdl 16 with a 22" 8 twist pencil barrel. So far I'm not impressed, thinking about trying some Varget and 4064. I also have some Berger 130gr hunting VLDs to try, just not sure what powder to start with after the dissapointing H4350 results.

In all 3 of my 260's Varget outperformed H4350 with 123's. YMMV

 

[dstoenner]

If you find that H4350 is too dirty for you try and increase your charge weight, you may be on the slow side. Just watch for pressure. I have also found RL17 to work very well in my 260 shooting a 140G Hybrid, it shoots clean too.

My 130 load is 44.5 and my 140 load is 42.5 Is it your opinion that these are light? In my new 30 inch med palma barrel the 130 is running 3010 and my 140 is 2815.

David

 

[dstoenner]

In all 3 of my 260's Varget outperformed H4350 with 123's. YMMV

Last fall I tried to find a accurate 260 load for deer using 123gr SSTs and 120gr nosler partitions with 4350. My rifle is a Savage mdl 16 with a 22" 8 twist pencil barrel. So far I'm not impressed, thinking about trying some Varget and 4064. I also have some Berger 130gr hunting VLDs to try, just not sure what powder to start with after the dissapointing H4350 results.

4831 worked well for my 123 load. I used 47 gn in Lapua case. I just found that H4350 was better.

David

 

[jbell]

My 130 load is 44.5 and my 140 load is 42.5 Is it your opinion that these are light? In my new 30 inch med palma barrel the 130 is running 3010 and my 140 is 2815.

David

No, that sounds pretty good.

 

[Das Capitolin]

If ever a person needed a propellant table from QuickLOAD, it's David.

 

[shoot4fun]

Shoot4fun,

Thanks for your response. Good info. How did you find load density of 4451 compared to H4350 in your 7mm08?

David

There could be an inside joke there. I was, at one time, cramming 47.2 grains of H4350 behind 168 SMK. That is load density for sure!
But really, the kernels of IMR4451 are heavier and I am lightly compressing with 168 VLDs in a mid 44'ish grain load.
I've considered trying it in the 260 but I still have 8 pounds of H4350 to burn thru.

 

[KMG]

If you find that H4350 is too dirty for you try and increase your charge weight, you may be on the slow side. Just watch for pressure. I have also found RL17 to work very well in my 260 shooting a 140G Hybrid, it shoots clean too.

Not to de-rail the thread, but what is your 260 load with the 140 hyb & rl17?

 

[jbell]

Not to de-rail the thread, but what is your 260 load with the 140 hyb & rl17?

My 260 does better with 42.3g of RL17 (a bit more accurate than H4350), and my Creedmoor likes 42.2g of H4350. The 260 is loaded in Lapua brass with either CCI BR2 or 210GM (I don't see any difference in the primers) and 140g Hybrids. The Creed is in Hornady brass and either primer also and 139g Scenar. Both are full length sized with 0.0015" ish neck tension and annealed when needed and primer pockets uniformed, nothing else.

 

[alphapygmy]

Played with IMR4451 and the Berger 130 Hybrids in my 26" 260AI. It shot pretty good, well under .5 MOA at 300 yards for 5 shot groups. My Labradar is supposed to be here in a couple weeks so I don't have speeds yet. It seems slow though. My standard load is 142SMK with 46.8 H4831 at 2825 fps, needing 3.5 MOA up at 300 yards, the 130 Berger loads needed 4 MOA up. There was a good node for me between 43.0-43.4 so I've been loading them at 43.2.

 

[Lightload]

I tested 4451 in my 260 with 123 SMKs. 43 GRS is in a nice node. It's looking good but I have more testing to do. I'm very close to 1/4 min @200yds but I have more work to do. I do not like the way 4451 flows thru the funnel. Wants to bridge all the time. H4350 doesn't do that.