H4350 VS AA 4350 VS IMR 4350

[Terry]

Has anyone tested these?
How do they compare?
I know the burn rates vary from each other.
Any difference in accuracy or temperature sensitivity?

 

[Immike]

The IMR 4350 is temperature sensitive powder. The H4350 not nearly as much. Only 2 I have used of the 3.

 

[jefats]

I've used Hodgdon and Dupont with various calibers and good results but not Accurate Arms yet. However, I have read recently that all three are actually the same powders. Anyone else hear/read the same?

 

[Deton8tor]

I have used H4350 and IMR 4350. The IMR is temperature sensitive, but not terribly. I get better velocity from the IMR and the groups are just as good, maybe slightly better. I developed the load when it was 90*.

It changed a few weeks ago when it was around 38 - 40*. Just came up a few clicks and was back on. Keep in mind I am not in the class of shooters as you and others on here.

 

[flatlander]

I seriously doubt all three are the same powder - ADI in Australia makes Hodgdon's extruded powders, IMR's plant is in Canada, and the last time I checked, AA's extruded powders were made in China.

 

[Laurie]

I seriously doubt all three are the same powder - ADI in Australia makes Hodgdon's extruded powders, IMR's plant is in Canada, and the last time I checked, AA's extruded powders were made in China.

Dennis is correct. I didn't know that AA-4350 was made in China now (had wondered when we'd start seeing propellants from that region though). It used to be made by Explosia in the Czech Republic (still available in Europe as Lovex SO70) as were most AA powders, but after Western bought AA, it changed suppliers across the board. Most or all AA ball powders come from the same source as Ramshot, a modern plant in Belgium.

 

[WyleWD]

Terry, when I decided to try working up a load with 4350 in my 6xc (that you've shot against a few times) I tried both at several different outdoor temps, over a chrony, at distance, etc. Frankly, in my rilfe neither showed a definate edge over the other in either accuracy or this "temp. sensitive" thing. I decided to use the H4350 only because it seems to be in more stable supply around here. Just my experience with it. Never tried the AA only because I never saw it anywhere around here locally till last fall.

Was there a bad case of mirage last weekend in Indiana?? ;-) WD

 

[Gary in MD]

I have all three powders. I have used IMR 4350 the most over the years, with very good results in the 243 win, 257 wby 270 win, and 30-06. I recently tried using AA4350 for some fireforming loads in my 6mmai because I didn't want to burn up my n160, the loads with the AA 4350 were some of the most accurate I have fired out of the rifle, but a little dirty. I bought the H4350 because it is supposed to be more temperature stable but I haven't conducted any tests yet.
Gary

 

[Gary in MD]

For what it's worth... my 8lb jug of AA4350 says it was made in Israel. I've had it for qite a while.
Gary

 

[Laurie]

I've had it for qite a while.

I reckon that's quite an understatement!

Yes, the original AA powders were made by IDI (Israeli Defence Industries) back in the 80s (?). Israeli AA-2520 was briefly legendary for 308 M1As and M14s in XC shooting and the company traded on this for years calling it the 'Camp Perry powder', although later (Czech?) lots of the powder didn't perform as well.

 

[Lazydays]

I seriously doubt all three are the same powder - ADI in Australia makes Hodgdon's extruded powders, IMR's plant is in Canada, and the last time I checked, AA's extruded powders were made in China.

Dennis is correct. I didn't know that AA-4350 was made in China now (had wondered when we'd start seeing propellants from that region though). It used to be made by Explosia in the Czech Republic (still available in Europe as Lovex SO70) as were most AA powders, but after Western bought AA, it changed suppliers across the board. Most or all AA ball powders come from the same source as Ramshot, a modern plant in Belgium.

actually there is little if any gun powder made in this country. The group in East Europe quit manufacturing the powders were came to love (like AA3100). Some of the new stuff maybe Chinese, but if it is they didn't tell me about a year ago when I had a lengthy conversation with them.

Back to the three 4350's. The burn rates are ever so slightly different. AA4350 is the fastest with IMR being a little slower and Hogdons being right behind it on the chart. I own and use all three, and each seems to fit a nitch the others can't. I personally have had better luck with 4831 and 3100 than the Hogdon 4350.
gary

 

[Citysmasher]

I seriously doubt all three are the same powder - ADI in Australia makes Hodgdon's extruded powders, IMR's plant is in Canada, and the last time I checked, AA's extruded powders were made in China.

Dennis is correct. I didn't know that AA-4350 was made in China now

Nope. Canada. Just got the email from Accurate.

AA4350 is made in Canada.

 

[jefats]

FWIW
AA website says AA4350 is made in Canada. The website may not be up to date however.

 

[Laurie]

If Canada, that suggests it's manufactured by the IMR Powder Co. under contract. Powder is becoming multi-national like everything else and multi-site owners will increasingly switch production around between plants to suit workloads and cost structures. If Eurenco closes the Vihtavuori Finland factory, we'll almost certainly still have 'the same Viht powders', but now made in France or Belgium. Will they then really be the same despite the designation on the bottle, and how about lot to lot consistency if a grade is shuttled around between plants?