338 Win Mag, IMR 4451

[msilbernagel]

Hello Everyone,

I'm working with my son-in-law to work up a load for a 338 Win Mag, with Hornady 200gr SST bullets.

Naturally, finding the power you'd like can be challenging - but I do have an unopened 8lb container of IMR 4451,

Challenge is - Neither Hogdon nor Hornady offer information on loads using that powder, though the H4350 and IMR 4350 seem like good choices in their load data.

Scanning forums and previous posts I find little that seems definitive. So - here's my question:

How close are H4350 and IMR 4451? A few have mentioned using IMR 4451 as a replacement but weren't clear on exactly how close it comes.

From what I have read, and lacking hard data, I am inclined to do ladder tests using the H4350 min/max, work up to Max watching for pressure signs, and monitoring velocity with the magneto speed. Thoughts / comments on this notion?

Any favorite loads using that bullet or something close?

This doesn't seem like a popular / common enough cartridge.. so good load data seems scarce.

Thank you

Mark

 

[ASD9055]

I'd suggest finding someone with either Gordon's Reloading Tool or QuickLoad to run some simulations for you and/or reach out to IMR/Hodgdon

 

[msilbernagel]

I'd suggest finding someone with either Gordon's Reloading Tool or QuickLoad to run some simulations for you and/or reach out to IMR/Hodgdon

I'll probably do both.. thanks. Anyone on this forum willing to run a simulation using 24" barrel, 200Gr ELD-X, and IMR 4451?

Thank you

 

[Ray123]

Manual max loads for 338 Win Mag imr 4451 for following bullets:
72.7 gr imr4451 180 gr Nosler BT
75.7 gr imr 4451 200 gr Speer ...Speer manual caution higher charge than most...
72.2 gr imr4451 185 gr Barns TXS
69.5 gr imr4451 215 gr Sierra
68.0 gr imr 4451 225 Nosler Accubond
68.9 gr imr 4451 210 Nosler
69.4 gr imr4451 225 hornady SP
66.8 gr imr4451 250 gr Hornaday SP
These ARE MAXIMUM...start lower.

 

[msilbernagel]

Manual max loads for 338 Win Mag imr 4451 for following bullets:
72.7 gr imr4451 180 gr Nosler BT
75.7 gr imr 4451 200 gr Speer ...Speer manual caution higher charge than most...
72.2 gr imr4451 185 gr Barns TXS
69.5 gr imr4451 215 gr Sierra
68.0 gr imr 4451 225 Nosler Accubond
68.9 gr imr 4451 210 Nosler
69.4 gr imr4451 225 hornady SP
66.8 gr imr4451 250 gr Hornaday SP
These ARE MAXIMUM...start lower.

Thank you.

 

[mcdil]

To answer your question as a direct comparison to H4350 and IMR 4350, this is what I’ve found while doing pressure testing out of my 300 WM and 153gr bullets.

H4350 - 73.0gr - 60,500 psi - 3363 fps
IMR 4350 - 73.0gr - 60,000 psi - 3358 fps
IMR 4451 - 72.0gr - 61,500 psi - 3341 fps

It definitely ramped up faster than both 4350s by a little acting like a slightly faster powder, at least for the lots that I have. It is great to work with on the bench though. Slick as snot. Such a shame it’s not going to be made anymore.

 

[SeabeeKen]

My version of grt and ql dont show a 200 gr eldx

 

[msilbernagel]

My version of grt and ql dont show a 200 gr eldx

My bad.. The ELD-X are for a different caliber. The 338 uses 200gr SST. Thx

 

[msilbernagel]

As an update, we settled upon 71.4gr of IMR 4155, Hornady 200gr SST, CCI 250 primer. MagnetoSpeed says.. 2900 fps.

Thanks everyone.