H4350 vs. IMR4350

MCG · August 4, 2006, 08:34 PM

Hope this doesn't sound too stupid, I am new at this. Is H4350 and IMR4350 interchangeable? I currently use IMR4350 for my 30.06 and saw a recipe using H4350 for a .22-.250 and was wondering if I can use the same powder for both loads.
Thanks in advance MCG

stinger · August 4, 2006, 08:35 PM

No, they are NOT interchangeable.

cdoc42 · August 4, 2006, 10:18 PM

According to LoadYourOwn.com, IMR4350 is listed immediately above H4350 in the Burn Rate chart, so I would think they are pretty close. But you should still not assume that means they are interchangeable.

Hodgdon's reloading manual lists H4350 for 50-70gr bullets in .22-250. They do not list a load for any bullets using IMR4350.

For the .22-250 My Speer book lists IMR4350 with 55gr using 36-40gr of powder and a 70gr bullet using 34-38gr.

The Hornady book, with a 50gr bullet and H4350, uses 39-42gr and with a 70 gr bullet, 34-36gr

The IMR Handloader's Guide lists the maximum load for IMR4350 with a 55gr bullet to be 39.5gr.

It is virtually impossible to determine, from various manuals, if they are close to each other. You need to work up a load as you would with any new powder - start at 10% below max and work your way up. Do not assume 35gr of H4350 and 35gr of IMR4350 are the same.

When I started reloading I used IMR4895 in my .270 - much too fast-burning and I locked the bolt up. Needed a rubber mallet to free it up. Started to pay attention to burn rates, moved to slower burning powders, got higher velocity and never locked another bolt.

MCG · August 5, 2006, 06:31 PM

Thanks for the help. I'm moving slowly on this stuff and building up my reference library will take some time. I appreciate the information.

918v · August 5, 2006, 07:27 PM

No they are not at ALL!!!

H-4350 is alot slower burning than IMR-4350

cdoc42 · August 6, 2006, 10:14 AM

"H-4350 is alot slower burning than IMR-4350"

What's the reference you use to come to that conclusion? What is meant by "a lot slower burning?" Is it in the same area as H1000 - IMR 7828?

As I understand it, the burning rate charts are only approximate and can change often, depending on the manufacture of different lots of the same powder.

918v · August 6, 2006, 12:03 PM

Quick Load, and personal experience.

.45 Vet · August 6, 2006, 01:42 PM

It's always been my understanding that the Hogdon powders are very close to their numerical IMR counterparts. Not direct/exact replacement, but usable. Go to Hogdon's web page and you can find load data for both -06 and .22-250 . One of the biggest gains from the H-4350 is that the smaller excruded pellets flow better through most powder measures, IMO.....

918v · August 6, 2006, 07:26 PM

If you use IMR in lieu of H-4350 in a near max load, you'll end-up with a stuck case.

MCG · August 7, 2006, 02:53 PM

Thanks again to all for your help. MCG

xzqzq · January 6, 2011, 06:34 PM

I bought a pound of IMR4350, intending to use it for .300 Savage & 8 X 57 Mauser. The Hodgen data page lists 44 gr w/ 180 gr cast bullet.... but doesn't show any loading for 8mm Mauser... I will use it for the .300 Savage only, but am curious as to why I can't use it for the 8mm Mauser.... Thanks

Snakedriver · January 6, 2011, 07:53 PM

xzqzq, IMR4350 will work great in 8mm Mauser. Both my Hornady and my Speer Loading Manuals specify it in their loading tables, but neither lists a 180 gr. bullet. Both have loads for 170 and 200 grain bullets though. 55gr's Max. for 170's and 53gr's Max. for 200's. I think you can safely interpolate for the 180's if that is what you are using.

ETA: I'd use 54.3gr's Max. in a 180, maybe 54.5 if I was feeling lucky.

ETA2: The two 4350's are definitely not the same and cannot be interchanged.

mehavey · January 6, 2011, 09:03 PM

8mmx57(JS) Mauser: 56,500psi cartridge in modern bolt actions

From Sierra(5th): 1-10/23"
175 SP (#2410) OAL=3.100"
IMR4350:
MIN 48.8gr/2200fps (Quickload says 2,350fps/34,400psi)
MAX 53.9gr/2500fps (Quickload says 2,600fps/46,100psi (102% fill ratio))

If I substitute H4350 in Quickload:
MIN 48.8gr/2,340fps/34,100psi
MAX 53.9gr/2,593fps/45,800psi (104% fill ratio)

The data would suggest that for these load combinations, H4350 & IMR4350 are ostensibly equivalent
*******************

I should point out that Nosler does list a 180gr Ballistic Tip
and their load max's out at 52 grains IMR4350
Nosler lists this as 105% fill ratio, but does not specify an OAL.
Quickload, however, estimates that 52gr IMR4350 --> 105% --> 3.080" OAL for that bullet --> 2,570fps/48,000psi

birdshot · January 6, 2011, 09:12 PM

MCG, you should look up Steve's reloading data on WWW. Steve has alot of loads listed with every powder you would ever want to use.

mehavey · January 6, 2011, 09:23 PM

Birdshot,... somehow I think we're talking back to the future here other than Mr Snakedriver.

But it was an interesting exercise.

August 4, 2006, 08:34 PM	#1
MCG Junior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 7	H4350 vs. IMR4350 Hope this doesn't sound too stupid, I am new at this. Is H4350 and IMR4350 interchangeable? I currently use IMR4350 for my 30.06 and saw a recipe using H4350 for a .22-.250 and was wondering if I can use the same powder for both loads. Thanks in advance MCG

August 6, 2006, 01:42 PM	#8
.45 Vet Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Western Penn. Posts: 387	It's always been my understanding that the Hogdon powders are very close to their numerical IMR counterparts. Not direct/exact replacement, but usable. Go to Hogdon's web page and you can find load data for both -06 and .22-250 . One of the biggest gains from the H-4350 is that the smaller excruded pellets flow better through most powder measures, IMO..... __________________ For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known...

January 6, 2011, 06:34 PM	#11
xzqzq Member Join Date: October 27, 2010 Posts: 29	IMR 4350 I bought a pound of IMR4350, intending to use it for .300 Savage & 8 X 57 Mauser. The Hodgen data page lists 44 gr w/ 180 gr cast bullet.... but doesn't show any loading for 8mm Mauser... I will use it for the .300 Savage only, but am curious as to why I can't use it for the 8mm Mauser.... Thanks

January 6, 2011, 07:53 PM	#12
Snakedriver Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2010 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 135	xzqzq, IMR4350 will work great in 8mm Mauser. Both my Hornady and my Speer Loading Manuals specify it in their loading tables, but neither lists a 180 gr. bullet. Both have loads for 170 and 200 grain bullets though. 55gr's Max. for 170's and 53gr's Max. for 200's. I think you can safely interpolate for the 180's if that is what you are using. ETA: I'd use 54.3gr's Max. in a 180, maybe 54.5 if I was feeling lucky. ETA2: The two 4350's are definitely not the same and cannot be interchanged. __________________ Fear is a reaction................Courage is a decision! Last edited by Snakedriver; January 6, 2011 at 08:02 PM.

January 6, 2011, 09:03 PM	#13
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	8mmx57(JS) Mauser: 56,500psi cartridge in modern bolt actions From Sierra(5th): 1-10/23" 175 SP (#2410) OAL=3.100" IMR4350: MIN 48.8gr/2200fps (Quickload says 2,350fps/34,400psi) MAX 53.9gr/2500fps (Quickload says 2,600fps/46,100psi (102% fill ratio)) If I substitute H4350 in Quickload: MIN 48.8gr/2,340fps/34,100psi MAX 53.9gr/2,593fps/45,800psi (104% fill ratio) The data would suggest that for these load combinations, H4350 & IMR4350 are ostensibly equivalent ******************* I should point out that Nosler does list a 180gr Ballistic Tip and their load max's out at 52 grains IMR4350 Nosler lists this as 105% fill ratio, but does not specify an OAL. Quickload, however, estimates that 52gr IMR4350 --> 105% --> 3.080" OAL for that bullet --> 2,570fps/48,000psi Last edited by mehavey; January 6, 2011 at 09:24 PM.

August 4, 2006, 08:35 PM	#2
stinger Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: west texas Posts: 772	No, they are NOT interchangeable.

August 4, 2006, 10:18 PM	#3
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	According to LoadYourOwn.com, IMR4350 is listed immediately above H4350 in the Burn Rate chart, so I would think they are pretty close. But you should still not assume that means they are interchangeable. Hodgdon's reloading manual lists H4350 for 50-70gr bullets in .22-250. They do not list a load for any bullets using IMR4350. For the .22-250 My Speer book lists IMR4350 with 55gr using 36-40gr of powder and a 70gr bullet using 34-38gr. The Hornady book, with a 50gr bullet and H4350, uses 39-42gr and with a 70 gr bullet, 34-36gr The IMR Handloader's Guide lists the maximum load for IMR4350 with a 55gr bullet to be 39.5gr. It is virtually impossible to determine, from various manuals, if they are close to each other. You need to work up a load as you would with any new powder - start at 10% below max and work your way up. Do not assume 35gr of H4350 and 35gr of IMR4350 are the same. When I started reloading I used IMR4895 in my .270 - much too fast-burning and I locked the bolt up. Needed a rubber mallet to free it up. Started to pay attention to burn rates, moved to slower burning powders, got higher velocity and never locked another bolt.

August 5, 2006, 06:31 PM	#4
MCG Junior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 7	Thanks for the help. I'm moving slowly on this stuff and building up my reference library will take some time. I appreciate the information.

August 5, 2006, 07:27 PM	#5
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	No they are not at ALL!!! H-4350 is alot slower burning than IMR-4350

August 6, 2006, 10:14 AM	#6
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	"H-4350 is alot slower burning than IMR-4350" What's the reference you use to come to that conclusion? What is meant by "a lot slower burning?" Is it in the same area as H1000 - IMR 7828? As I understand it, the burning rate charts are only approximate and can change often, depending on the manufacture of different lots of the same powder.

August 6, 2006, 12:03 PM	#7
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	Quick Load, and personal experience.

August 6, 2006, 07:26 PM	#9
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	If you use IMR in lieu of H-4350 in a near max load, you'll end-up with a stuck case.

August 7, 2006, 02:53 PM	#10
MCG Junior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 7	Thanks again to all for your help. MCG

January 6, 2011, 09:12 PM	#14
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	Steve's reloading data. MCG, you should look up Steve's reloading data on WWW. Steve has alot of loads listed with every powder you would ever want to use.

January 6, 2011, 09:23 PM	#15
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	Birdshot,... somehow I think we're talking back to the future here other than Mr Snakedriver. But it was an interesting exercise.