Powder Comparison Test: H4350 vs. IMR 4451
Many Forum members have been looking for a good substitute for Hodgdon H4350 powder, which remains hard-to-find in many parts of the country. One of the best alternatives is IMR 4451, part of IMR’s new Enduron line of powders. Last year, top F-Class shooter Rick Jensen did a comparison between H4350 and IMR 4451, shooting the two powder in a wide range of temperatures. His data suggests that both powders show good temp stability.
Powder Comparison Test: H4350 vs. IMR 4451
Rick Jensen, Captain of the U.S. F-Open Rifle Team, has tested some of the new IMR 4451 powder. Rick and other team members were looking for a good powder that could replace Hodgdon 4350 which is difficult to obtain currently. The makers of IMR 4451 claim that it is not sensitive to temperature and that it delivers competitive accuracy. So far, Rick’s tests, done with a .284 Winchester and 180gr Berger Hybrids, appear to confirm those claims. Rick posts:
“I did a little informal powder comparison of H4350 versus the new IMR 4451. Rifle used was a Kelbly Panda with a 30″, 1:8.75″ twist 5R Bartlein barrel [chambered in .284 Win]. All charge weights were 50.0 grains using CCI BR2 primers. I was very impressed with this new powder and I believe it to be equal to H4350 as far as temperature sensitivity.
I did not test for accuracy but I will tell you my groups were pretty much equal between the two and all were in the .2-.3 MOA range. I will defiantly be shooting more of this powder in the weeks to come, assuming the supply chain will allow. It looks very encouraging to finally have a alternative to H4350 that we might actually be able to buy.”
Chronograph Results with Temps from 23° F to 101°
Here are chronograph results of a comparison test between IMR 4451 and H4350. Rick’s rifle was cleaned and allowed to cool between each test. Five fouling shots were fired before each test. Important: Note that for both Test #1 and Test #2, the powder order is reversed in the mid-temp fields (IMR 4451 first, then H4350). For the low and high temp entries, H4350 is listed first.
Here are the IMR 4451 fired cases, displayed Left to right, coldest to the hottest (in terms of case temp when fired). All charge weights were the same: 50.0 grains.
Similar Posts:
- Rick Jensen Temp-Tests New IMR 4451
- Smarter Shooter: Keep Your Ammo Cool on Hot Summer Days
- Beat the Heat: Keep Your Ammo Cool in Summer
- Don’t Roast Your Ammo — Watch Temps in Hot Summer Months
- Rick Jensen Named Captain of U.S. F-Class Open Team
Tags: Chronograph, Enduron, Extreme Powders, F-Class, H4350, IMR 4451, Rick Jenson
Same company, they should be able to duplicate it. Interesting test.
Did he switch row 2 around to see if we were paying attention?
His velocity changes are more than mine from cold to warmer temps. I was seeing velocity changes of less than 30FPS in 30 to 80 degree weather with 4451. About the same with H 4350 too.
Test #2 56 degrees should be h4350.
I was hoping IMR4451 would work as a viable H4350 substitute after running out of the three pounds of 4350 I found worked best in my 2016 cartridge project, a 284INCH for 1,000 yards.
Range testing loads at 600 yards gave me good results but last weekend I had some unexpected fliers at 1,000 with 4451 that make me take a step back before using it again.
I did manage to score 16#’s H4350 though but not in time for last weekend.
Atmittedly there may be other issues (neck tension’s my focus at present; this cartridge has a neck like Stan Ware’s 30 Wolfpup!) that caused the fliers so to be fair it may not be the 4451 after all. Same charge weights of each gave virtually identical velocities & spreads over my 35P.