Accurate, Hodgdon and IMR 4350 Comparison

[TonyR]

I'm looking for how these three compare from the same gun, bullet and primer combo. They are almost exactly the same in QL but I'd like some real world experience for ES, SD and MV.

 

[bheadboy]

I find the hodgdon and imr stick similar but not the same. the rest each have their own personality and unless they are the same mfg, with diff labels where lot difference is the key, they are not interchangeable

Bob

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have had better luck with Imr 4350 but find that h 4350 meters better.

 

[Steve Blair]

Tony, [br]
I've only worked recently with H4350 and AA 4350 in .308/230 Hybrids. AA 4350 is slightly slower than H4350. It seems to take ~.50 grain to reach the same pressure, but the velocity is a few fps better. Both have fairly small kernels.

 

[TonyR]

Tony, [br]
I've only worked recently with H4350 and AA 4350 in .308/230 Hybrids. AA 4350 is slightly slower than H4350. It seems to take ~.50 grain to reach the same pressure, but the velocity is a few fps better. Both have fairly small kernels.

Thanks for that, Steve. Was there any difference in ES, SD, vertical or whatever between the AA and Hodgdon? See you in Raton.

 

[Steve Blair]

ES was comparable, both in the 8-15 fps range using Lapua Palma brass and either Russian SRM or CCI 450 primers. H4350 tuned at ~2470 from 30" Krieger and AA 4350 ~2500. I did not get to the point of long range comparisons. F-Open ate all my time. [br]
Looking forward to seeing you in Raton.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks, Steve. That is what I wanted to know. I'll be testing it after the Worlds and I was looking for some idea what to expect. Travel safely.

And thanks to the others who replied.

 

[savagedasher]

Hodgdon en is a extreme powder so it is far more temperature insensitive and smaller kernels

 

[TonyR]

Hodgdon en is a extreme powder so it is far more temperature insensitive and smaller kernels

+1 on that but H4350 has become what "mudcat" calls "unobtainium" so I was looking for something similar for long range practice and mid-range matches that is available. I was able to get some AA4350 so I thought I would give it a try even though I would prefer the H4350 because it is so stable. But, you never know. The AA might be suitable for my purposes.

 

[Steve Blair]

Hodgdon en is a extreme powder so it is far more temperature insensitive and smaller kernels

[br]
That didn't sound right to me, so I compared AA vs. H 4350. They are both single base powders in a very similar energy and burning rate range. It may be that Hodgdon applies additional coatings that aid temperature stability but all single base powders are pretty good. [br]
As to kernel size: [br]
Please see the attached image. AA on the left, Hodgdon on the right. Five kernels of each weigh .100 and .140 grains, respectively. Each kernel, then, weighs approximately .020 and .028 grains, respectively. I do not see this as a big deal, but the AA powder has both physically smaller and lighter kernels. That probably explains its slightly higher bulk density. [br]
Please forgive my poor photography.