IMR 4350 for 300wm

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Aabradsh

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Hey guys.

I have a rifle coming in .300wm. I’ve picked up a bunch of factory ammo for it to do barrel break-in, sight it in, build a brass stockpile, and familiarize myself with the setup, but will be reloading for it once that ammo runs out.

I’m hoping to shoot 180gr Federal Fusions in it and have picked up a couple boxes of these projectiles. As for powder; I have a few pounds of IMR 4350 that I used to use in a .270 and 6.5CM. For 180gr bullets, the Hornady loading manual lists H4350 and the Hodgdon website lists load data for IMR 4350 similar to Hornady’s H4350 data.

Does anyone have experience loading IMR 4350 for a 300wm? Were you getting respectable accuracy and velocity?

Thank you for the info.
 
I tested 66-68gr of IMR 4350 with the 165gr CX.
velocity ranged from 3000-3125 FPS
accuracy was ok for the gun. 1-1.5 MOA average with 3 shot groups.
SD was around 15-20

I settled on 68GR of VV N160
3100FPS
Slightly better accuracy. around 1.1MOA average with 5 shot groups.
SD of ~8

I like N160 and N560 for lighter 300 WM stuff, and H1000 for long heavies. I find most of my 300WM loads end up being pretty conservative. I'm shooting a ~10lb CZ 600 at black bears ~200 yards and in most of the time. so i don't need to lean on this cartridge much. When I do lean on it, I like H1000 with the 220gr SMK. I did up some Mk 248 Mod 1 clone ammo.
 
Aabradsh said:
Hey guys.

I have a rifle coming in .300wm. I’ve picked up a bunch of factory ammo for it to do barrel break-in, sight it in, build a brass stockpile, and familiarize myself with the setup, but will be reloading for it once that ammo runs out.

I’m hoping to shoot 180gr Federal Fusions in it and have picked up a couple boxes of these projectiles. As for powder; I have a few pounds of IMR 4350 that I used to use in a .270 and 6.5CM. For 180gr bullets, the Hornady loading manual lists H4350 and the Hodgdon website lists load data for IMR 4350 similar to Hornady’s H4350 data.

Does anyone have experience loading IMR 4350 for a 300wm? Were you getting respectable accuracy and velocity?

Thank you for the info.
Click to expand...
68 gr imr4350 w 180gr bullets was my go-to 300wm hunting load for years. 3070 fps 22" barrel.
 
Always found that the IMR powders had more snap than the same designation Hodgdon powders.

IMR 4831 and 4350 are oldies but goodies in the 300 Win Mag fast and accurate.
 
It will work, but because you will only achieve 92-93% case fill at max load, It will not be optimal. You will leave some FPS on the table, and the less than optimal fill may cost you some accuracy. Instead, try a powder with a slower burn rate, such as IMR 7828 SSC, IMR 7977, or H1000 which will give you a fill ratio of close to 100%.
 
I’ve used both 4350s but more IMR; decent enough accuracy. Usually give up a little speed compared to my standby H1000. One thing I know for sure is that the reduction in recoil is considerable; which isn’t that surprising when you lower velocity a bit and use 10 grains or so less powder. That may or may not matter to you but its very real. As an aside it’s day and night with a RUM. Threw that in for free.
 
I agree IMR7828 is another dandy powder with some real get up and go...I use it in my 7mm mags and 338 Lapua's.

H1000 was another Hodgdon lackluster dog for me...IMR powders rock even though they are made in Quebec.;)

1769565390980.jpeg
 
7828 or RL22 are pretty close to optimum in 300wm, but you're not giving up so awful much with 4350. .

7828 was hard to find for a few years. Sometimes you make do with what you have.
 
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