IMR 4350

[SituationNormal]

The only issue that I have with IMR 4350 is the consistency while measuring. When you pull the arm on your measurer, you're never quite positive as to what that load is going to weigh. It may be 54 grains, but then again it may be 53 or 55. Meaning the every load is going to need to be weighed. I guess that's going to be something that all extruded stick powders are going to encounter though. I know that it comes from things like "bridging" in the powder, or the "crunching" as the sticks get cut while trying to return the measuring arm, but it still makes trusting the volume of measure a bit difficult. It's definitely a powder that requires the use of a trickler. I can't imagine using a progressive press either.

[kbrowne14]

Ya I noticed that I really can't use a powder measure.  I was measuring every single load anyway because I am new to this.  I went out and bought a powder trickler and those lee powder scoops.  The powder measure was worthless with at least that powder. 

[SituationNormal]

I'm new to reloading too, and can only compare the IMR 4350 to Varget. I also weigh every load, but noticed with Varget that once I had the powder measurer set that I never had to readjust it. Every load was identical to the one before it. With Varget though, it's a different type of powder. Instead of being small extruded sticks, it's made up of really small round balls.

I still have yet to buy a trickler. So far I've been using a small pair tweezers to +/- the powder. lol

[buckhorn2]

Make sure to don;t confuse loading imr 4831 and H4831 with the same amount of powder. Did it once and it was a hat lifting experence.

[bobcat]

There's not that much difference between H4831 and IMR 4831. I wouldn't think that you'd even notice the difference. Hodgdon shows only 1 grain difference in max loads for the 30-06 using 180 grain bullets. Also, with either of the 4831's in the 30-06, it's really difficult to even fit more than the book max load in the case. You could just fill up the case with as much 4831 as you can fit in it, and you'd be fine, pressure wise. Really the 4831's are too slow for the 30-06. 4350 is a much better choice, in my opinion. I like H4831 in my 270 but in my 30-06 I use H4350.

[kbrowne14]

I have read that h4831 and imr 4350 are too slow for 30-06 with the 150 grains.  But I am shooting 180 grains and people say that both those powders are very good for the heavier bullet.

[Jingles]

You have had some great advice on the 4350 powders.  I personally use a Browning A Bolt in 06 and reload using 4350 but I'm loading  58.5 grains pushing Sierra 180 gr SBT with Mag primers.  I also found that trying different bullets can affect your accuracy too. I tried Nosler, Speer and Hornady and MY best results came from the Sierra 180 SBT < .75 inch groups @ 100 yards.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Make sure to don;t confuse loading imr 4831 and H4831 with the same amount of powder. Did it once and it was a hat lifting experence.

yeah good point on that !!!