H4350 Most Versatile Powder?

hesse said:

Imr3031 not a powder that pushes top of velocity but seems to turn out solid accuracy in a ton of different cartridges

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Exactly

I would say that H4831 is probably the most versatile due to the burn rate. I could probably use it for a lot of different calibers. H4350 would probably be a close second. Just my opinion though. Probably skewed since I've never actually used H4350 in anything. Just not ideal for anything that I load for, but I am sure that I will use some soon due to my interests in smaller calibers these days.


I load for a decent amount of magnums, so H1000 or N570 is probably more universal for my needs. RL26 would be a good option as well.

I know there are other very versatile powders, & the most popular are listed - repeatedly. And with good reason.
I've been shooting N110 & N120 & I continue to be surprised at how versatile both of them are over a wide range of calibers & bullet weights,

Ninering62 said:

I've used 3031 & 2495 as substitutes for 4895

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Yeah, but it isn't H4895. I hate working up new loads with new powders. I do have and use 3031 mainly for my .30-30s.

Comanche41 said:

Funny this should show up today. Just yesterday I was looking for data for H4350 in a 308 Win w/ 150-168 grain bullets. Didn't find any. Do any of you have good loads for that weight bullet?
Running low on IMR 4064 and it has gotten crazy expensive. I have an unopened 8#er of H4350.

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Try 43.5 H4895 with 165 gr. bullets. This load is working in 8 308's we have. As always start lower and work up, but I have not hit pressure with this load.

Hugnot said:

I like SW 4350, sort of like H4340 - real versatile for .22-.250 up. For .22-.250 down it's SW Precision, sort of like Varget.
In the world of Hodgdon it would be H4350 & Varget. In the world of ball powders it would be CFE 223, Staball 6.5 & Staball HD.
The selection list quickly expands as many other powders are included.
$50 or more per pound makes versatility important.

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Got 16 lbs of cfe 223 and I don't know why!!

I use H4350 the most followed by Varget, the H4831. I don't load for any magnums otherwise I'm sure H1000 would be in the mix.

I think if you had to pick 3 it would be:

Varget
H4350
H1000

And you could cover a huge variety of cartridges!

Hugnot said:

I like SW 4350, sort of like H4340 - real versatile for .22-.250 up. For .22-.250 down it's SW Precision, sort of like Varget.
In the world of Hodgdon it would be H4350 & Varget. In the world of ball powders it would be CFE 223, Staball 6.5 & Staball HD.
The selection list quickly expands as many other powders are included.
$50 or more per pound makes versatility important.

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I'd add H380 as a very solid ball powder contender for all out versatility. There's not a lot that can beat it when it comes to range of useful application. that has published load data with such "underbore" cartridges as the 25-35 Winchester and 6mm-223 alongside such overbore cartridges as the 300 weatherby.

H4831 and SC - I can find and it covers a lot of hunting cartridges for me from 270 on up to 300 WM. Certainly H4350. I cannot get my hands on H1000

For me the needs fall in this order N-133 for the little guys, N-150 medium size . Then Varget ,RL17 , H-4350 . Then H1000 and Retumbo for the big guys , Rl 26 is on the top of my wish list. Funny this thread made me realize how many others are on the shelf that don't see the use anymore but still are great!

I will add my thoughts. I would vote for IMR 4895 as it does a decent job in numerous cartridges. It is even a down load powder using 3/5th of max charges. Just saying.

I think H4350 is fine. I use a fair amount of it. Also alot of Varget and RL-15. IMR 4350 definitely has it's place too and rules my .243's. Then there H4831sc and IMR 4831. They are all welcome in my pantry and whenever I can grab a pound of any of them, $52.00 flies out of my Wallet!!

Will.284 said:

Got 16 lbs of cfe 223 and I don't know why!!

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Because it's fast, it is probably the most temp sensitive powder going but in a 6.5 Grendel nothing touches it for speed.