4350

reynolds357 · November 10, 2022, 08:56 PM

Whose 4350 you like best? I used to prefer IMR. Used Hodgdon a little. As of last few years, getting less deviation with Accurate.

FITASC · November 10, 2022, 09:29 PM

It has been a while since I loaded for my hunting rifles, but when I did it was IMR 4350 for 243, 7mm mag (along with others)

GeauxTide · November 10, 2022, 10:35 PM

I only used IMR4350 in an old 7mmRM load with 140 Sierras. I've since gone on to 154 Interbonds powered by RL25. Hornady 11 says 4350 is good for my 280, but I found IMR4831 is faster and more accurate with 139s.

Rimfire5 · November 11, 2022, 06:37 AM

H4350 is temperature insensitive - 8 fps variation from 0 to 125 deg F. - that is a change of 0.064 fps per deg f. so there is effectively no change in velocity from summer to winter in most locations.
IMR4350 is temperature sensitive - 155 fps variation from 0 to 125 deg F. - that is a change of 1.24 fps per degree F. which can be significant.

If you reload cognizant of temperature, then they both perform as expected.
If you have loaded using loads from a manual that has rounds tested at 70 degrees and sit in a blind in 30-degree weather, you won't be getting the expected velocity with IMR 4350. The mv will be 50 fps slower than you thought.

USAF Ret · November 11, 2022, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rimfire5

H4350 is temperature insensitive - 8 fps variation from 0 to 125 deg F. - that is a change of 0.064 fps per deg f. so there is effectively no change in velocity from summer to winter in most locations.
IMR4350 is temperature sensitive - 155 fps variation from 0 to 125 deg F. - that is a change of 1.24 fps per degree F. which can be significant.

If you reload cognizant of temperature, then they both perform as expected.
If you have loaded using loads from a manual that has rounds tested at 70 degrees and sit in a blind in 30-degree weather, you won't be getting the expected velocity with IMR 4350. The mv will be 50 fps slower than you thought.

That was one of the reasons I am starting with the H4350. I read an article on temp sensitive powders.

hooligan1 · November 11, 2022, 09:29 AM

I like IMR 4350 for 3006, H4350 for .270, 6.5 Creedmoor...
The weather isnt a factor in my choices, Consistency is..

FrankenMauser · November 11, 2022, 10:34 AM

Accurate 4350 was my favorite until I had three pounds of it go bad - along with all of the ammo loaded with it.
Haven't used it since, because I haven't been able to get any.

**44 AMP** · November 11, 2022, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Accurate 4350 was my favorite until I had three pounds of it go bad - along with all of the ammo loaded with it.

Just out of curiosity, about when was that?
Any chance it was your fault? (storage conditions?)
Did you contact the maker?
If so, what was their response?

If stored under proper conditions (as I'm confident you did) powder that goes bad, is a bad lot# and the maker needs to know it happened. Even if they don't do anything to compensate for your loss, they need to know it happened, so they can figure out what went wrong, and why.

I've only used the IMR 4350 and it was some time back, but as I recall, it kicks butt in the .25-06 with 87gr HP varmint bullets.

reynolds357 · November 11, 2022, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

Accurate 4350 was my favorite until I had three pounds of it go bad - along with all of the ammo loaded with it.
Haven't used it since, because I haven't been able to get any.

How long did it take to go bad?

cdoc42 · November 12, 2022, 03:37 PM

reynolds357, I've used both IMR and Hodgdon 4350 in my 6.5 Creedmoor and H4350 gives me much better groups with both a Hornady 140gr Spire and Sierra 140gr BTSP.

**Unclenick** · November 12, 2022, 07:03 PM

I had some Accurate 3100 go bad. Took me 30 years to notice it had failed, so it was probably bad somewhere between 20 and 30 years in. Properly stored in a basement in the original container the whole time.

Norma says they only warrant powder for 10 years, but most, of course, last a lot longer. There's a random crapshoot element to how long a canister grade powder will last due to the unknown (to the consumer) age of the lots mixed with it to control the burn rate.

FrankenMauser · November 13, 2022, 03:00 PM

Re: Accurate 4350 going bad:
When? November 2019.
Western Powders issued a recall for certain powders that had been manufactured by General Dynamics prior to 2016.
Accurate Powder recall
I checked what I had left. All was in the recall and all was bad. As was the ammo.
Two canisters had not been opened and were turning brown with an acrid odor.
The open, but nearly full canister, was actively off-gassing brownish-orange vapor.

Original containers.
Storage conditions were stable and as good as can be expected without dedicated climate control. -- No sunlight, ~62-68 F year-round, with very slow (seasonal time frame) changes from high to low. Though not as important with sealed powder containers as with primers, humidity is typically 20% in the winter and peaking at about 38% in the summer; without varying more than a few points except for the seasonal swings. (With 'winter' representing about 5 months of dry, not the "three" months on the calendar.)

Since they had issued the recall, they were obviously aware of the issue. I called and followed their instructions. I got a check for the then-current MSRP of the product.
Cornbush (member here) came out far better. He contacted them about a single pound of 4350 that seemed to have not turned yet, and casually mentioned wanting to get into PRC shooting while the guy on the other end of the phone was having computer troubles. They sent him several (free) 8-lb jugs of powder appropriate for the cartridges he was considering using, as well as a check for the recalled 4350.

reynolds357 · November 13, 2022, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

Re: Accurate 4350 going bad:
When? November 2019.
Western Powders issued a recall for certain powders that had been manufactured by General Dynamics prior to 2016.
Accurate Powder recall
I checked what I had left. All was in the recall and all was bad. As was the ammo.
Two canisters had not been opened and were turning brown with an acrid odor.
The open, but nearly full canister, was actively off-gassing brownish-orange vapor.

Original containers.
Storage conditions were stable and as good as can be expected without dedicated climate control. -- No sunlight, ~62-68 F year-round, with very slow (seasonal time frame) changes from high to low. Though not as important with sealed powder containers as with primers, humidity is typically 20% in the winter and peaking at about 38% in the summer; without varying more than a few points except for the seasonal swings. (With 'winter' representing about 5 months of dry, not the "three" months on the calendar.)

Since they had issued the recall, they were obviously aware of the issue. I called and followed their instructions. I got a check for the then-current MSRP of the product.
Cornbush (member here) came out far better. He contacted them about a single pound of 4350 that seemed to have not turned yet, and casually mentioned wanting to get into PRC shooting while the guy on the other end of the phone was having computer troubles. They sent him several (free) 8-lb jugs of powder appropriate for the cartridges he was considering using, as well as a check for the recalled 4350.

I will have to look at mine. I have some from that era.

November 10, 2022, 08:56 PM	#1
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	4350 Whose 4350 you like best? I used to prefer IMR. Used Hodgdon a little. As of last few years, getting less deviation with Accurate.

November 10, 2022, 09:29 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	It has been a while since I loaded for my hunting rifles, but when I did it was IMR 4350 for 243, 7mm mag (along with others) __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

November 10, 2022, 10:35 PM	#3
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,426	I only used IMR4350 in an old 7mmRM load with 140 Sierras. I've since gone on to 154 Interbonds powered by RL25. Hornady 11 says 4350 is good for my 280, but I found IMR4831 is faster and more accurate with 139s. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

November 11, 2022, 09:29 AM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	I like IMR 4350 for 3006, H4350 for .270, 6.5 Creedmoor... The weather isnt a factor in my choices, Consistency is.. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

November 11, 2022, 10:34 AM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	Accurate 4350 was my favorite until I had three pounds of it go bad - along with all of the ammo loaded with it. Haven't used it since, because I haven't been able to get any. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

November 11, 2022, 06:37 AM	#4
Rimfire5 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 923	H4350 is temperature insensitive - 8 fps variation from 0 to 125 deg F. - that is a change of 0.064 fps per deg f. so there is effectively no change in velocity from summer to winter in most locations. IMR4350 is temperature sensitive - 155 fps variation from 0 to 125 deg F. - that is a change of 1.24 fps per degree F. which can be significant. If you reload cognizant of temperature, then they both perform as expected. If you have loaded using loads from a manual that has rounds tested at 70 degrees and sit in a blind in 30-degree weather, you won't be getting the expected velocity with IMR 4350. The mv will be 50 fps slower than you thought.

November 12, 2022, 03:37 PM	#10
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	reynolds357, I've used both IMR and Hodgdon 4350 in my 6.5 Creedmoor and H4350 gives me much better groups with both a Hornady 140gr Spire and Sierra 140gr BTSP.

November 12, 2022, 07:03 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I had some Accurate 3100 go bad. Took me 30 years to notice it had failed, so it was probably bad somewhere between 20 and 30 years in. Properly stored in a basement in the original container the whole time. Norma says they only warrant powder for 10 years, but most, of course, last a lot longer. There's a random crapshoot element to how long a canister grade powder will last due to the unknown (to the consumer) age of the lots mixed with it to control the burn rate. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 13, 2022, 03:00 PM	#12
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	Re: Accurate 4350 going bad: When? November 2019. Western Powders issued a recall for certain powders that had been manufactured by General Dynamics prior to 2016. Accurate Powder recall I checked what I had left. All was in the recall and all was bad. As was the ammo. Two canisters had not been opened and were turning brown with an acrid odor. The open, but nearly full canister, was actively off-gassing brownish-orange vapor. Original containers. Storage conditions were stable and as good as can be expected without dedicated climate control. -- No sunlight, ~62-68 F year-round, with very slow (seasonal time frame) changes from high to low. Though not as important with sealed powder containers as with primers, humidity is typically 20% in the winter and peaking at about 38% in the summer; without varying more than a few points except for the seasonal swings. (With 'winter' representing about 5 months of dry, not the "three" months on the calendar.) Since they had issued the recall, they were obviously aware of the issue. I called and followed their instructions. I got a check for the then-current MSRP of the product. Cornbush (member here) came out far better. He contacted them about a single pound of 4350 that seemed to have not turned yet, and casually mentioned wanting to get into PRC shooting while the guy on the other end of the phone was having computer troubles. They sent him several (free) 8-lb jugs of powder appropriate for the cartridges he was considering using, as well as a check for the recalled 4350. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.