IMR 4350 and 180gr

sixgunluv · November 13, 2010, 12:24 PM

Hi all,
My Dad made me some loads for my Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe Sporter with 24in barrel. I told him that I wanted 180gr Hornady Interlock's and IMR 4350 powder. He loaded me up a bunch at 53grs. I am NOT looking for a heavy or max load. Is there any reason why I should bump up to 54-57grs. if 53gr shoots good? These will be used for smallish Whitetails in the thick woods...75yds or less.

TXGunNut · November 13, 2010, 12:32 PM

I'm guessing 30-06? If so that's a nice, mild load. Very similar to one that does quite well in my rifles.

sixgunluv · November 13, 2010, 12:45 PM

Oops, yes 30-06. Was looking for a slightly reduced load without sacrificing accuracy. No need for max 06 loads for 125lb deer.

TXGunNut · November 13, 2010, 01:09 PM

I use H4350 in that weight for a very accurate load in a new M70, faster loads didn't do as well. Load actually does better than my 165 hunting load, but only by .25" or thereabouts.
Question is whether your rifle likes it, just need to shoot it and find out. Some rifles like max loads, many simply don't. Cases and barrels will last longer at this level as well.

Hawg · November 13, 2010, 01:16 PM

I use 57 grns. of IMR 4350 and Hornady 165 gr. BTBT. It's very accurate. Lighter loads out of my rifles were still accurate but not as accurate.

TXGunNut · November 13, 2010, 01:36 PM

My first 30-06 liked max loads too, HH. Was quite a shock when my latest didn't like them at all.

Had to do extensive load development for a cartridge I thought I knew quite a bit about.

sc928porsche · November 13, 2010, 07:54 PM

It has been my experience the IMR 4350 works very well in 06 based cartridges. It is one of my favorite powders because it is so consistant.

I use it in the following:
25-06
6.5-06
270
280
30-06
8mm-06AI
35 Whelan
300WM. ( I know, not 06 based)

GeauxTide · November 13, 2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Was looking for a slightly reduced load without sacrificing accuracy. No need for max 06 loads for 125lb deer.

180s are much too much for 125# animals. I'd use 150 or 165 and use a medium burn powder, like 4895, 4064, or 4320. I had a fellow with an old, worn out Rem 721 that was dissatisfied with deer running off from 180gr hits. I loaded him 150 Hornadys at 2700 and he was ecstatic.

elkman06 · November 13, 2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

180s are much too much for 125# animals

I would tend to agree. I keep hearing folks talk about their magnums(wsm) etc back east and keep wondering what they are using them on. 180gr out of an 06 sounds similar to me. However, if you are accurate and very confident w/ that load..knock yourself out. Much better to know your rifle is accurate adn that you will hit what you aim at.
I killed my elk w/ a 140gr Hornaday BTSP this year our of my .270. I regularly shoot a 150gr from my 06 w/ devestating results on elk.
elkman06

surbat6 · November 14, 2010, 01:16 AM

If your rifle shoots the 53 grain 4350 load accurately, I figure it's got more than enough power for whitetails. No need to beat up your rifle, cases and shoulder with wannabe magnum loads.

Saltydog235 · November 15, 2010, 11:25 AM

I shoot 4350 at 57gr for 165gr BT's in my 30'06 and its not a bad load at all. Maybe a little hotter than needed but my gun loves them. Then again, that BSA will shoot about anything you feed it accurately down to 125gr. Though why in the world do you want to shoot a 180gr bullet, use a 150 or 165gr like mentioned above, its more than adequate to do the job you want it to do and then some. My loads dropped a 400lb+ hog with one well placed shot. Put the bullet in the right place and it'll do its job.

sixgunluv · November 16, 2010, 02:18 AM

SaltyDog.... I was hoping not to get pulled into a debate about 180gr. bullets for whitetails....but I knew someone would have to ask. So here goes..it has been my personal experience and also the experience of several others in my hunting camp that the 180gr. bullet for the 30-06 is without question the best weight for whitetail deer at CLOSE distances in thick brush. Why you say? Well at 0-70yds we get excellent expansion and maintain good weight retention for ALL shot angles. Also while no bullet is able to consistently 'buck' brush I and several others have experienced small twigs in close proximity to the target the caused the bullet to either begin to expand too rapidly or begin to break apart just prior to impact. It has been our experience that the extra 15-30gr of weight in this type of scenario allowed for more of the bullet to reach the deer and thus avoid a wounded animal -vs- one that was downed by a heavier bullet that impacted in 2 or 3 pieces.
Feel free to flame my choice of bullet weight....I however will continue to use 180's based on personal experience and the experience of close friends and family. It is also the reason I switched from 130's in the .270 to the 150's for shots that average less than 75yds in thick cover.

November 13, 2010, 12:24 PM	#1
sixgunluv Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Posts: 200	IMR 4350 and 180gr Hi all, My Dad made me some loads for my Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe Sporter with 24in barrel. I told him that I wanted 180gr Hornady Interlock's and IMR 4350 powder. He loaded me up a bunch at 53grs. I am NOT looking for a heavy or max load. Is there any reason why I should bump up to 54-57grs. if 53gr shoots good? These will be used for smallish Whitetails in the thick woods...75yds or less.

November 13, 2010, 12:32 PM	#2
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I'm guessing 30-06? If so that's a nice, mild load. Very similar to one that does quite well in my rifles. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

November 13, 2010, 12:45 PM	#3
sixgunluv Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Posts: 200	Reply Oops, yes 30-06. Was looking for a slightly reduced load without sacrificing accuracy. No need for max 06 loads for 125lb deer.

November 13, 2010, 01:09 PM	#4
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I use H4350 in that weight for a very accurate load in a new M70, faster loads didn't do as well. Load actually does better than my 165 hunting load, but only by .25" or thereabouts. Question is whether your rifle likes it, just need to shoot it and find out. Some rifles like max loads, many simply don't. Cases and barrels will last longer at this level as well. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

November 13, 2010, 01:36 PM	#6
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	My first 30-06 liked max loads too, HH. Was quite a shock when my latest didn't like them at all. Had to do extensive load development for a cartridge I thought I knew quite a bit about. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

November 13, 2010, 01:16 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I use 57 grns. of IMR 4350 and Hornady 165 gr. BTBT. It's very accurate. Lighter loads out of my rifles were still accurate but not as accurate.

November 13, 2010, 07:54 PM	#7
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	It has been my experience the IMR 4350 works very well in 06 based cartridges. It is one of my favorite powders because it is so consistant. I use it in the following: 25-06 6.5-06 270 280 30-06 8mm-06AI 35 Whelan 300WM. ( I know, not 06 based) __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

November 14, 2010, 01:16 AM	#10
surbat6 Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2010 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 164	If your rifle shoots the 53 grain 4350 load accurately, I figure it's got more than enough power for whitetails. No need to beat up your rifle, cases and shoulder with wannabe magnum loads. __________________ I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer.

November 15, 2010, 11:25 AM	#11
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	I shoot 4350 at 57gr for 165gr BT's in my 30'06 and its not a bad load at all. Maybe a little hotter than needed but my gun loves them. Then again, that BSA will shoot about anything you feed it accurately down to 125gr. Though why in the world do you want to shoot a 180gr bullet, use a 150 or 165gr like mentioned above, its more than adequate to do the job you want it to do and then some. My loads dropped a 400lb+ hog with one well placed shot. Put the bullet in the right place and it'll do its job.

November 16, 2010, 02:18 AM	#12
sixgunluv Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Posts: 200	off topic SaltyDog.... I was hoping not to get pulled into a debate about 180gr. bullets for whitetails....but I knew someone would have to ask. So here goes..it has been my personal experience and also the experience of several others in my hunting camp that the 180gr. bullet for the 30-06 is without question the best weight for whitetail deer at CLOSE distances in thick brush. Why you say? Well at 0-70yds we get excellent expansion and maintain good weight retention for ALL shot angles. Also while no bullet is able to consistently 'buck' brush I and several others have experienced small twigs in close proximity to the target the caused the bullet to either begin to expand too rapidly or begin to break apart just prior to impact. It has been our experience that the extra 15-30gr of weight in this type of scenario allowed for more of the bullet to reach the deer and thus avoid a wounded animal -vs- one that was downed by a heavier bullet that impacted in 2 or 3 pieces. Feel free to flame my choice of bullet weight....I however will continue to use 180's based on personal experience and the experience of close friends and family. It is also the reason I switched from 130's in the .270 to the 150's for shots that average less than 75yds in thick cover.