IMR 4350 for .308 ??

I have not tried it, but sierra states 45.8/2500fps, 47.2 2600 fps with any of their 150 gr, hope this helps, does not look optimum. Shows better results with heavier bullets. Not shown as the recommended hunting or accuracy load for any weight.

Hope this helps!! Just happened to have the manual on the coffee table
 
maynard said:
If your powder it 30 years old, I would just dump it.
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My Dad is still using H4831 that was purchased directly from Bruce Hodgdon in the early 60's, and it still gives fine accuracy in 7mmRemMag and .243.

And remember, even when it was "new" the powder was surplus from pulled-down 20mm Oerlikon ammo, so this powder could be anywhere from 60-to-80 years old.
 
I tried it with 165g and 180 and found that the 180 travelled as fast as the 165. I believe that the load was 48.5g and the manual said the max was 50g. There was no way that I could get 50g into the case. Velocity was 2550fps with a 18.5 tube.
 
You'll find that 4350 will push a 150 gr bullet 100-150 fps slower than an optimum powder. This doesn't matter much if it shoots straight and provides you with an inexpensive option. But I would sooner use it for bullet weights of 165 grs or heavier.
 
I see there are a few loads listed in some of the manuals. Thanks to all for their input.

FWIW Nitrocellulose powder should be dumped when it starts to smell acidic or you see rust forming on the lid. This stuff has been stored cool and constant for a long time and I have no apprehension about using it for range loads.
 
ipscgraz said:
I see there are a few loads listed in some of the manuals. Thanks to all for their input.

FWIW Nitrocellulose powder should be dumped when it starts to smell acidic or you see rust forming on the lid. This stuff has been stored cool and constant for a long time and I have no apprehension about using it for range loads.
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Friend of mine tried the same thing with some old powder that wasn't 30 years old. The powder was IMR 3031. He used the same load he has been using for several years, only difference was a can of older powder.
Rifle worked fine then during a match he got a sticky bolt handle. Fired another round, same thing. Fired the thrid round and the bolt locked up solid. Then the bolt handle broke off. The only way to get the bolt open was by pulling the barrel. Of course this isn't something that can be do at the range during a competition, 350 km from home.

The load in question was a hot load but had never been over pressure. All charges were weighed, however the powder may have been a little on the dry side which then turned a hot load into a very hot load. The rifle was a 4 lug custom bolt action.

For the sake of a couple 1/2 lbs of powder, I would just dump it. But hey, who am I to tell you what to load into your own gun. It's your gun and your face that is inches from the chamber when you squeeze that trigger. Your milage may vary.
 
maynard said:
Friend of mine tried the same thing with some old powder that wasn't 30 years old. The powder was IMR 3031. He used the same load he has been using for several years, only difference was a can of older powder.
Rifle worked fine then during a match he got a sticky bolt handle. Fired another round, same thing. Fired the thrid round and the bolt locked up solid. Then the bolt handle broke off. The only way to get the bolt open was by pulling the barrel. Of course this isn't something that can be do at the range during a competition, 350 km from home.

The load in question was a hot load but had never been over pressure. All charges were weighed, however the powder may have been a little on the dry side which then turned a hot load into a very hot load. The rifle was a 4 lug custom bolt action.

For the sake of a couple 1/2 lbs of powder, I would just dump it. But hey, who am I to tell you what to load into your own gun. It's your gun and your face that is inches from the chamber when you squeeze that trigger. Your milage may vary.
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Absolutely no proof your friend had his powder stored properly, or his reloads done correctly plus a custom build?? Any way Thnaks for your concern but I have 43 years of pulling reloading handles and doing just fine some years shooting 20-25,000 rounds yes 90% shotgun but still a lot of reloads..That is one hell of a lot of powder and since we always bought in large keg lots most is probally classed as old.
In all those years there was one pound I tossed and that came in a package deal from another reloader.The smell of that powder as soon as I opened it was enough to toss it.To each their own
 
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I am [and have in the past] using a powder that was phased out more than 40 years ago, and that still works just fine.
Stored properly, and check carefully for any deterioration, if good, go for it!
Eagleye.
 
3macs1 said:
Absolutely no proof your friend had his powder stored properly, or his reloads done correctly plus a custom build?? Any way Thnaks for your concern but I have 43 years of pulling reloading handles and doing just fine some years shooting 20-25,000 rounds yes 90% shotgun but still a lot of reloads..That is one hell of a lot of powder and since we always bought in large keg lots most is probally classed as old.
In all those years there was one pound I tossed and that came in a package deal from another reloader.The smell of that powder as soon as I opened it was enough to toss it.To each their own
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Not trying to get into a pissing match here, just letting you know what I saw first hand. The shooter in question has about 10 more years of reloading experience than you have, so that isn't a problem. You seem to think the custom action is a problem? It is a Gaulin action single shot target rifle, it was not something cobbled together by a barnyard gunsmith.
 
maynard said:
Not trying to get into a pissing match here, just letting you know what I saw first hand. The shooter in question has about 10 more years of reloading experience than you have, so that isn't a problem. You seem to think the custom action is a problem? It is a Gaulin action single shot target rifle, it was not something cobbled together by a barnyard gunsmith.
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No sir no pissing match just you have your opinion what should be done with old powder based on one undesirable occurance and I have mine based on 43 years of reloading experience using a lot of old powder but properly stored and taken care of.
The last two months I have been reloading 12ga with a 12pound keg dated 1986.We bought a dozen at the time for 49.99 each and I have some left unopened.Wonder how many guys here would toss them because they are 25 years old. My friend is still using up a 20 pound keg of 3031 my dad bought some time in the 60's I think and he said he has never to this day had a problem with it
Storage is the key.
It is Ok for you and I not to agree. Take care
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Unopened cans/kegs of powder should not be a problem. How well your once opened can of powder is sealed after 25 years is another. Also the pressure of a .308 can be 5-8 times that of a 12 ga shotgun.

If I really felt the need to finish off a couple 1/2 lbs cans of 25 year old powder I would start at the very bottom of the load data.
 
I used up a can of this stuff year before last. Use your google skills to find out how old this powder was.;)

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Back to the original question: IMR4350 for 308 Win

It seems that there are no problem at all and that it might be a work for 168gr bullet and heavier.
Lyman has IMR450 load data for 165gr, 178gr, 180gr, 190gr bullets (high density loads)
Nosler has IMR4350 load data for 165gr and 180gr bullets (high density loads).
Sierra has IMR450 load data for 165gr, 168gr, 175gr, 180gr, 190gr bullets (high density loads)

One important thing to remember, it is a very slow burning powder for 308 Win.
http://kwk.us/powders.html
It's a much better powder for 243 Win or 270 Win.

Alex
 
I have a older manual that lists 4350 powder for a 308, 150 grain. lists some pretty hot loads from what i see here though

min load- 49.0 gr- 2597 fps
mid load- 51.0 gr- 2698 fps
max load- 53.0 gr- 2792 fps

Always start low and work up for you and your rifles sakes.
 
You may or may not get max velocities, but 4350 has always given excellent accuracy in any cartridge I've used it in.
 
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