IMR/H 4350

[pvtschultz]

I was reading through the reviews on some 165/168 gr 30 cal bullets and a common theme that I noticed was them many people were using IMR or H4350 in the 308 WIN and 30-06. I have yet to find any load data for this combination. Does anyone here have any experience with this combination and what sort of MV you were seeing?

 

[I_Like_Pie]

I personally have only used 4350 for .25-06 and .243 and have, like you, not seen reliable data for these bullets in either.

I do know that it will wreck a garand!

 

[tek4260]

I was glancing at my newest Hogdon basic manual, and there is a load for 30-06 that pushes a 165gr Sierra a bit over 3000fps. Ill have to look it up tonight to give you the load.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I was reading through the reviews on some 165/168 gr 30 cal bullets and a common theme that I noticed was them many people were using IMR or H4350 in the 308 WIN and 30-06. I have yet to find any load data for this combination. Does anyone here have any experience with this combination and what sort of MV you were seeing?

Okay, what am I not reading in the question? I mean, I only checked 4 Speer Manuals, 2 Hornady Manuals, 1 Nosler Manual and 1 Hodgdon Manual, but they ALL list 30-06 loads with 165/168 gr 30 cal bullets using either IMR 4350 or H4350 powder.
I personally have used 56.2 grains of IMR 4350 behind 165 grain Hornady BTSP bullets in my 30-06 for mule deer hunting for somewhere around 25 years. Truthfully I've never chronographed it, though I suspect it's running between 2800 and 2850 fps from my rifle's 22" barrel. I DO know it's a very accurate load, and it's put one heck of a lot of venison on our table at ranges from under 25 yards to over 400 yards.

 

[JM]

Not to your question exactly, but in looking for loads for .300 Weatherby 4350 popped up on this forum a lot.

I see lower velocity with 180 gr bullets using IMR 4350 than 7828 or Reloader 25, but in my rifle 4350 shoots as tight as anything else I've tried, and is just a bit easier on the shoulder, so I shoot more. My hunting load is a big dose of IMR 7828 that is plenty tight for hunting, but won't beat 4350 from the bench.

Get you some and let us know what you think. I bet you like it!
Jim

 

[dougader]

I've never used 165 grain bullets. But as posted above, most manuals list loads with IMR/H 4350... Speer, Sierra, Hornady, Lyman.

I use IMR 4350 with 180 grain bullets and IMR 4064 with 150 grain bullets in 30-06.

55-56 grains IMR 4350 pushes 180 gr slugs to 2650-2700 fps.

52-53 grains IMR 4064 pushes 150 gr bullets to ~2960 fps

 

[pvtschultz]

I should admit, I was only looking at Hodgdon's data online for the 308 WIN. There were several guys that left comments on these bullets at MidwayUSA.com and listed IMR/H 4350 as a powder for the 308 WIN. I confess that I only have Hodgdon manuals (and LEE's book, but I haven't looked through it yet...).

 

[Hillbilly Jim]

IMR 4350 has been one of my very best powders in 30-06 for many years. !50 and 165 grain. Just wish I could get another cheap source, last buy was at auction where I paid 40 bucks for 8 pound kegs. Bought 3.

Need more for the years to come.

 

[63November]

4350 is a bit slow for the 308 case since the volume of said case is smaller than the '06 (where 4350 really shines). Too, if you drop down in bore size, but with the same .308 case, the 7mm-08 and 243 both do quite nicely with 4350. A better powder for both cartridges with 165/168 bullets would be something like 4064.

 

[pvtschultz]

4350 is a bit slow for the 308 case since the volume of said case is smaller than the '06 (where 4350 really shines). Too, if you drop down in bore size, but with the same .308 case, the 7mm-08 and 243 both do quite nicely with 4350. A better powder for both cartridges with 165/168 bullets would be something like 4064.

Thank you!

Varget and BL-C(2) have been favorites of mine since I started loading for the 308 WIN with BL-C(2) giving me my best three shot grouping ever (0.23") and Varget giving a good combination of accuracy and speed. Those were both with 150 gr projectiles. Now that Hodgdon has picked up the IMR line and I'm looking at using the Berger VLD Hunting bullets, I was looking to see if there might be 'better' powders. I have used IMR-3031 to launch 125 gr projectiles at MACH 2.84 (3,200 fps) but they tend to come apart violently when they hit critters like deer.

IMR-4064 gives great MV for 165/168 grain bullets, comparable to Varget, but how has the accuracy been? IMR/H 4895 is definately high on the list as well.

 

[comanche]

Last year, I too wanted the answer to your question.
I found no data for 308 and IMR 4350; for the reasons mentioned by 63November.
So, I put on my "mad scientist pocket protector" and built a few.
I came up with a load that runs well in my DPMS LR-308SASS.

case: Federal
primer: WLR
bullet: Hornady 165gr BTSP Interlock
powder: IMR4350 44.3grains (~3.2cc) full to neck; not compressed.
OAL: 2.745"
ave. fps: 2465 (20 rounds. at 3m.)

Carl, I hope this gives you help. Let me know how it goes. thanks.

 

[pvtschultz]

Thanks! While the velocity is not what I was hoping for, that is the answer that I was looking for. Maybe I'll give 4064 and 4895 a shot and compare it to BL-C(2). Too many choices and not nearly enough time (or primers for that matter).

 

[comanche]

Yes, not a barn burner in 308.
In my 243, however, +3000fps. and my favorite powder. That and Reloader 19.