H4350 -vs- IMR4350

[alstar80j]

Good morning all.......... According to my "Burn Rate" chart, IMR4350 is at 137 and H4350 is at 140. Will I see a big difference in these two as far as velocity and performance goes being so close together ?? I'll be loading a 95gr. Nosler Partition, in a Winchester.243 cal. Will the Hodgdon have a slight edge with the slower burn rate for accuracy at approx 3100fps.using 41gr. ??

 

[JamesnTN]

Not to really sound like a smartass here, I have some rifles that'll shoot H-4350 and not IMR 4350 and vice versa. One would think a powder this close with same charteristics would provide close to the same level of accuracy this just isn't so.

I can only advise to pick up a lb of each and go try them both and see what works best. I'm sorry I couldn't provide you a definete yes or no on your question it's just a question that only your barrel can answer.

 

[FrankintheLaurelMts]

Maybe it's just me but I always seem to have better accuracy with the H-4350...everything from 6mm Rem, 25/06, 7mm Mag, 300 SAUM, 300 WM and .338 WM.. and a few others that I've tried it in...it's the only powder that my family uses in our hunting equipment in cold weather...as a matter of fact if I had to choose only 1 single powder that I had to use the rest of my life, It would be H-4350.period..not sure how my 6 PPC's, 6 BR's or 6/284's would feel but it is great powder..my next toy "6.5 X 47" may be able to use it but I haven't gotten that far yet in the research yet to actually find out..awesome stuff H-4350..

 

[mikeinct]

In a large OVERBORE type cartidge I would use the H-4350 as my first choice & try IMR 4350 if you dont get the accuracy you think is possible...I use both IMR & H brand but in diff cartridges for Diff reasons...Lately I'm trying to get H-brand ball powders to work as well as Extruded types [good luck] just to help speed up my loading process...mike in ct

 

[alstar80j]

The temp factor is a good point. Up here in WNY, temps can go from -20F to 95F during the year. That's why I started with Varget with Sierra 85gr. HPBT's. It's a great combination and I intend to stick with it., if it's not broke, DON'T fix it !! ) The Sierra's are for chucks and general shooting. I want to use the Nosler 95gr. Partition for deer sized game. Nosler recommends IMR4350. So far, I like what the Hodgdon powder has done and do not want to switch brands. I guess proof will be at the range to start.

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

I have found that all three of the "4350" powders are at best "similar" to each other. You should always develop the load as if they are totally different powders. I have always preferred using the H-4350 simply because it is a short cut, and is thermally stable, as compared to the IMR & Accurate Arms versions. The only other extruded powder that exhibits the traits of the Hodgdon powder are the VihtaVuori 500 series powders. The only ball powder that exhibits many of the traits of the Hodgdon "Extreme Series" powders is a new one from the folks at Ramshot. In fact, the new powder, that is called "Hunter" is very similar in burn rate to the "4350" powders. I have been shooting it in my 6.5 X 55 & I have been extremely pleased with the groups, and velocities, that it has been giving. I have found it to be a lot more stable in temperature extremes than the H-414 that I have been using previously. I am going to try it in my .243AI, and my fast twist .22BR, since it has been showing as a powder worth trying in my QuickLoad simulations.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine