IMR 4350, H4350, AA 4350?? What the Heck!

[Minnesota1]

Why are there 3 powders with the same numbers? I am looking for an all around powder for my 270 and 30-06 and I see the 4350 gives a little extra velocity and looks like it could be used with both cartridges. Any input? Or suggestions? I want something that meters well so I don't have to be measuring each and every load.

One would think that a powder company would sue another if they used the same name, numbers. I'd like to know why they are allowed to do this especially because I doubt they are interchangeable and with today's litigious society you think they wouldn't want to confuse anyone.

Thanks,

Bob

[Savage]

Don't know what difference it makes if powders have the same numerical designation as long as they are properly identified by manufacturer, and data is available for each one. The alpha characters are part of the product designation as well as the numerical.
Savage

[Lone Star]

It started with 4831.  Until the 1970s the only 4831 was H4831.  Then IMR introduced IMR4831, which was considerably faster than H4831.  This caused some confusion especially with older data that just said "4831".  The idea behind the various 4350s was apparently to indicate that they were similar to IMR4350.  They were not the same.

To me the worst example was Hodgdon's use of Universal Clays, International Clays, and Clays.



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[TXSPIKE]

I've used IMR4350 for 243,6mm,25-06,270 Weatherby magnum and 7mm mag. rifles.I get very good groups and high velocities with this powder.I have not used the other brands,but it looks like AA4350 test out the same or nearly the same as IMR4350,then H-4350 being just a slightly slower powder.Here is the powder burnrate list. http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp

[beemanbeme]

The numbers indicate the burn rate and the letters indicate who makes it.  Each powder might be slightly different from the other manufacturer in rate of burn.  Any one of the three would work well for what you want.  Just don't assume they will interchange. 

[KRP]

H4350 has shorter grains than IMR4350 so it may meter better.  I drop IMR4350 without problems though.

[yooper77]

I use IMR-4831 in my 270 Winchester and IMR-4350 in my 30-06 Springfield.

I measure each and every load to be as accurate as I can be, also to eliminate any errors.

All loads, I work up from the listed starting load carefully without being over max always inspecting for high pressure signs to achieve superb accuracy, velocity is not a concern.

yooper77

[jhalcott]

  It doesn't matter WHAT the numbers on the can say, YOU can not get 2 different lots of the SAME powder and expect identical results. They are close but not exactly identical, so results will vary. Always work up from a starting load for your safety!

[Lone Star]

Powders burn differently in different cartridges.  From Hornady #6, the following are maximum loads giving the same muzzle velocity in each cartridge:

.270 Winchester
H4350 = 53.1
IMR4350 = 53.0
AA4350 = 53.7
A range of less than one grain difference with AA4350 the slowest. 
Not much difference here.

.270 Weatherby Magnum
H4350 = 58.7
IMR4350 = 58.6
AA4350 = 56.0
A range of almost 3 grains with H4350 the slowest. 
There is enough difference here to get into trouble if data for H4350 was used when loading AA4350.




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