IMR Powder Concerns

[gadawg31]

Ok, don't beat me up too much, because I know a similar question has been asked in various forms in here. I just want to get opinions/actual experiences with the following powders. At this point I don't care about the bullet, since it will add too many variables at this point. I have four different IMR powders and want to see the overall consesus as to which one is more preferred in rifles, particularly 270's: 4831, 4350, 4895 & 4064. I have used the 4895, but none of the others and really can't afford to go out and buy one of each, that is why I am asking for some opinions. Thanks.

JD

[jwrowland77]

The only rifle I load IMR for is my 7mm RM. I load IMR 4350 and I love it. I actually enjoy shooting my 7mm RM now. Before at the range 20 shots was about my max but now since I reload I was anole to shoot 40 during my workup. I actually just recently bought another 2 lbs same lot number as workup of the IMR 4350.

[gadawg31]

Sorry for the follow-up question, but I was doing some reading on here and something that several people have said keeps sticking in my head. Fast powders and slow powders, depending on the bullet. I guess this will make a big difference on my previous question, regarding powder recommendations. I genereally only use 130 & 150 grn bullets, sierra and nosler BT. I am currently researching this, but if anyone has any insight, please share. Thanks.

[the jigger]

I don't shoot a 270,however IMR4831 is my go-to powder for two 25/06's and a
243 when using bullets of 95gr and above. IMR4064 is a powder of choice in my
220Swift and 22-250.

[William T. Watts]

4831 is my prefered powder for 270, high loading density (well above 80%), highest velocity of the powders listed for both the 130 & 150gr projectiles with excellent accuracy. I consider this number the best option available for 270 caliber, 4831 works well in a 280Rem, 25/06, 243, etc! William

[gadawg31]

Thanks guys. I just read that something that basically states the heavier the bullet, the slower the powder and vice versa. If this is true, then my powder selection is cut in half, at least it would seem. I know I didn't want to bring in bullet weight, but like I stated earlier, I have only been shooting 130 & 150, but mostly 130. So if the slow/fast theory is correct, then the faster powders (H4895) would work better.?. Thoughts?

JD

[Brian Pfleuger]

You want to use slower powders for heavier bullets because, generally speaking, the more you fill the case, the better.

It's not a rule though. You usually want to be at 90% minimum case fill for your final/max load but even that's not absolute.

[Jim Watson]

Some old guy name of Jack O'Conner made the .270 famous with H4831.

Current pressure tested data shows IMR 4831 with the highest velocity for the brand but 4350 and 4064 close enough to be worth trying for accuracy if you have some.

But your OP is not clear. Do you HAVE four different powders or would you "have to go out and buy" something other than 4895? Which I would not pick for .270 except for light varmint bullets.

[William T. Watts]

88% loading density is pretty darn high, that's what Nosler rates this powder at with a max loading which is excellent, last thought use MAG primers only with this powder.. William

[Brian Pfleuger]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data that are estimates only for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Running quick samples is QuickLoad using a 140gr bullet in 270,

You're at a compressed load with 4831, almost exactly 100% with 4350, 89% with 4895 and 93.7% for 4064.

4895 would be last one my list but it might work very well. I'd start with 4350 probably.

[gadawg31]

JimWatson, sorry for not being clear. I only have IMR4895 and was looking at the others as potentials. I find it really interesting that two of you had that response to 4895. That is why I come to these forums, because I get to see the different opinions/experiences. The 4895 was actually the first powder I was recommended and was praised like a god, so it goes to show that all powders don't fit everyone. Good info. So far, I think I am going to try out the IMR 4831, 4350 and maybe the 3031, since I shoot 130grn mainly. I have also experimented with some reduced loads using 43grn 4895 w/a 130grn Nosler Balistic Tip Accubond. I didn't see a whole lot of difference, nor did my son. So I am back to table on that issue. Thanks all for the info. Lots of decisions to make.

JD

[hounddawg]

shooting 140's in my .260 and it loves IMR4350

[Jim Watson]

Save your money on the 3031, it is even faster than 4895.

I'd just get some 4831 OR 4350 and go with it for a while.
No reason to burn powder, bullets, and barrel life trying everything on the market if you can do well with one of the old standards.

[cw308]

I use IMR 4064 for years, it's like a all in one powder for me, from 223 to 30-06 very accurate in my 308. Hope I helped in some way. Be Safe Chris

[gadawg31]

JimWatson, have you ever experimented with reduced loads? If so, would you think that 3031 could possibly be better than the 4895? On the other side of this, what would you use 3031 for?

JD

[Tom68]

dawg, i'm like many of the previous posters: H4831SC is my standby in the .270, although I've gotten near as good a result from IMR 4350, both using the Nosler 130gr BT.

I can tell by your OP that buying a new powder for experimentation sake isn't your highest wish, but for reduced loads i've used A-5744; .270, .243, .30/06 and .308 all worked well with this powder. I did have to email Accurate for load data, but they were very quick with a reply.

I have IMR 4895 and 4064 on hand, but quite honestly it has never occurred to me to try them in the .270 since the slower powders worked so well.

[Slamfire]

I think you could load 98% of the cartridges out there with just two powders: IMR 4895 and IMR 4350.

For the 270 I am using IMR 4350/H4350/AA4350. Not a nickel’s worth of difference between the three, buy by price. IMR 4064 shot very well in the 270, have not tried IMR 4895, it will probably work fine. I will have to try more loads with Varget, it holds great promise as a IMR 4895/IMR 4064 substitute.

FN Deluxe  24" Barrel 				
							
100 gr PSP Remington Factory		
				
29 Dec 2011 T =  50 °F		
				
Ave Vel =	3024			 
Std Dev =	11			 
ES =	27			 
High =	3035			 
Low =	3008			 
N =	5			
				
								
								
130 gr Winchester Power Point SP Factory 					
								
29 Dec 2011 T =  51 °F						
								
Ave Vel =	2789			 				
Std Dev =	17			 				
ES =	42			 				
High =	2809			 				
Low =	2767			 				
N =	5							
								
								
130 gr Federal Hi Shok Factory						
								
29 Dec 2011 T =  51 °F						
								
Ave Vel =	3028			 				
Std Dev =	38			 				
ES =	103			 				
High =	3088			 				
Low =	2985			 				
N =	5							
								
			
								
130 gr R-P Bronze Point 55.0 grains H4350 wtd lot 22655 R-P cases WLR OAL 3.250"	
								
8 Feb 2012 T =  50 °F 							
								
Ave Vel =	2757			 				
Std Dev =	20			 				
ES =	38			 				
High =	2772		 	 				
Low =	2734		 	 				
N =	3							
								
130 gr Nosler BT  55.0 grains H4350 wtd lot 22655 R-P cases WLR OAL 3.3"		
								
29 Dec 2011 T =  50 °F 						
								
Ave Vel =	2833							
Std Dev =	15							
ES =	39							
High =	2848							
Low =	2809							
N =	5								

130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled)  55.0 grs IMR4350 wtd lot RBS (60's) mixed cases Fed 210S OAL 3.225"
					 	 		
8 Feb 2012 T =  50 °F 							
								
Ave Vel =	2942			 				
Std Dev =	5			 				
ES =	10			 				
High =	2948			 				
Low =	2938			 				
N =	5							
								
								
130 gr Nosler  55.0 grs AA 4350 wtd lot 9-95 Rem cases WLR OAL 3.250"		
								
8 Feb 2012 T =  50 °F 							
								
Ave Vel =	2961							
Std Dev =	6							
ES =	16							
High =	2967							
Low =	2951							
N =	5							
								
								
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled)  49.0 grs IMR 4064 wtd lot 2449R Win cases  Fed210S OAL 3.225"
					 			
8 Feb 2012 T =  50 °F 							
								
Ave Vel =	2859			 				
Std Dev =	16			 				
ES =	34			 				
High =	2878			 				
Low =	2844			 				
N =	5							
					
								
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled)  46.0 grs Varget wtd lot 4295 Rem cases  Fed210S OAL 3.225"
					 	 		
8 Feb 2012 T =  50 °F 							
								
Ave Vel =	2740		 	 				
Std Dev =	11		 	 				
ES =	28		 	 				
High =	2753		 	 				
Low =	2725		 	 				
N =	5							
								
								
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled)  46.0 grs Varget wtd lot 4295 Rem cases WLR (brass) OAL 3.225"
					 			                                             
8 Feb 2012 T =  50 °F 							
								
Ave Vel =	2765		 	 				
Std Dev =	23		 	 				
ES =	58		 	 				
High =	2783		 	 				
Low =	2725		  				
N =	5							
								
							
150 gr Speer Flat Base  53.0 grains H4350 wtd lot 22655 R-P cases WLR OAL 3.250"	
								
29 Dec 2011 T =  51 °F 						
								
Ave Vel =	2704			 				
Std Dev =	18			 				
ES =	49			 				
High =	2727			 				
Low =	2678			 				
N =	5								

[gadawg31]

Tom68, I'm seeing a trend with the fast vs slow powders. With that said, let me see if I am absorbing any of this. Basically the 4895 & 4064 are med/high burn powders, where as the H4831 and 4350 are slower? Is this correct? This kind of information is what I am trying to experiment with, but I just can't see buying a lot of powder when there are so many before me that have already tried them. I know I am playing stats here, but when I have 7 of 10 say their 270 eats this bullet and likes this powder, then I would be more persuaded to go ahead and buy that powder and try. Does that make sense? I think from what I have gathered so far, I am going to try out the H4831 and IMR 4350 and see which one works best. As for the reduced loads, I have only little knowledge and I went to the manufacture for that. Still tinkering with that info.

JD

[riche]

I'm with CW308, I use IMR4064 for all my rifle reloading, and I reload 30-30, 32spcl, 243, 270, 308, and 30-06.

[hooligan1]

Gadawg31, I have handloaded for 6 .270 winchester rifles, most all of these rifles shot best with IMR 4350, only one of those rifles could I obtain 3/4 or less MOA with IMR 4831.
My Savage 110, is most accurate with H4350, with two different brands of bullets both weighing 130 grns.
I shoot my rifle almost weekly and I have tried numerous powders but for accuracy and repeatability I always come back too IMR 4350 and H 4350.
For the .270 winchester, you wont go wrong with those two awesome powders.

[hodaka]

I've never owned a .270 but have a 25-06 and had a 6.5-06 for a number of years. You should get your best results with either 4831 or 4350. Both are close in burn rate with 4350 slightly faster. Depending upon the bullet you choose, one of these may work better than the other but you will just need to experiment to find out. I agree with your conclusion.

[crowbeaner]

If you are loading for a 270 and looking for one powder to use for all bullet weights, might I suggest WW760/H414? Loads are real simple:
WW brass, WLR primer, 52.0 to 53.5 (max) for 130 grainers
WW brass, WLR primer, 48.0(max) for 150s
Save your 4895 and 4064 for light weight bullets.
I've shot these loads in over a dozen 270s, and ALL shot them well.
IMR 4831 and 4350 work fine, but everyone has a preference just like your rifle does. IMR powders are also usually more expensive per pound.

[GeauxTide]

4831 would be the preferred powder with 130gr bullet.

[kraigwy]

I like IMR 4350 for my 270 Win & 300 WM
IMR 4895 for my 308s and 30-06
IMR 4065 for my 375 H&H
IMR 4831 for my 416 Rigby

[johnjohn]

I have a .270 and use IMR 4831.Works for me.