Just wondering why I seldom see references to IMR4320 on the various boards. I have used it for at least 40 years in .220 Swift, .22-250, .243, and even .270 Win (although I prefer 4350 in .270). It meters very accurately, and it's speed seems to be appropriate for a large number of calibers.
I think the main interest in 4320 is in the larger bore specialty pistols, it is the powder of choice in my 375 JDJ, and the 338 GNR (338/405 win). you chrony your rifle loads with it? if so how does your 270 load compare with IMR 4350? I always preferred IMR 4831 in cases that size, the 4350 is great in the 243 giving good accuracy and velocity.
RR
I always preferred IMR 4831 in cases that size, the 4350 is great in the 243 giving good accuracy and velocity.
RR
Yea, i agree ridge, every time i work up loads with both the 4831 always gives me at least 25-30 fps more and groups just as well. Every 06 case gun that i load for gets 4831 except my rem 760 in 30-06. fot some reason my pump likes the 4350 better.
Herman, Ridge,
My old .270, which will stay under 1" with any load I have tried, also really likes 4320 and 130 gr Hornady or Speer. But, I find that I get at least 100 fps more velocity with fewer pressure signs with 4350. It shoots well with 4831 also (I have never seen a .270 that didn't), but the load i use with 4831 fills the cases brim full, and is a PITA to seat bullets. Jack O'Connor once told me that he used 62 gr. 4831 with 130's, but I have no idea how he got that much into a case.
My farm beater, a Howa 1500 .243 has a POS tupperware stock that has had the forend tip shimmed with business cards (an old BR trick), will usually stay around .5" for 3 shots with 4320 and 100 or 85 gr. Sierras.
Although I used very mild loads for competitive bench rest shooting and chuck hunting, my big game hunting loads have always been loaded hot. They would be over max in the current manuals, but were listed around max in the '50's-60's manuals. But that's me, I definitely do not recommend it.
Back in the '60's, when the government was making noises about controlling components, I laid in a very large supply of powder, bullets and cases. I recently used up the last of my 4831 (less then $1 a pound), I am now using up the last of my 4320, 4064 and 4198 ($4 a pound). I recently purchased some 4350 and i shake as I think of the price i paid.
just before they discontinued the 4320 (they quit making it for a few years in the early-mid 80's) I bought a keg, still have 1/2 of it left just got in the habit of using it in my 375. I also try and use mil-surp powders if available because average prices here are now 26 bucks a pound for commercial powders. I'm phasing out my usage of Re-22 due to severe lot to lot variations. temp sensativity of ball powders I can deal with but hate to work up a new load every keg of powder.
I don't shoot many mid sized cases these days, the 6mm and 25 wssm get IMR 4831 or 4350, my gibbs will be running H-1000 on the next batch of ammo, as will the 7mm STW, I have enough WC872 to see out the barrel in my Allen Mag, My next barrel will run off of WC868 simply because the monster case takes alot of powder and the mil-surp powders are cheap.
RR
Imr4320
