What are the pros and cons of IMR 4350, Varget and H414? I'll be reloading for 6.5x55, 7-08, 7x57, 308 and 30-06. But this is more a powder issue. thanks, capt david

All three have about the "same" burning speed.

The only way to really find out is to try them all.

What shot good for me, or someone else, has nothing to do for you and your gun.

If you are looking for a one powder solution so you can buy in bulk and save money, of what you listed I'd go with Varget. Works outstanding in a couple and well in the others. It meters nice, burns pretty clean and is ambient temperture insensitive. The others are good and I use them too but this is my 2 cents.

Capt Dave,

Each powder has its own bulking rate (density) even though the burning rates are close,they are not equal. Varget being the fastest of the bunch and similar to IMR 4064 in burning rate and works great in all the cartridges the IMR 4064 work well in, 22-250, 308 Win, 30-06, 35 whelen, 375 H&H, 458 Win mag. I have used Varget in all these cartridges with very good sucess.

With H414 being a ball powder, you can more powder into the case, then say IMR 4350. In some cases this is a good thing in limited size cases, 7-08 and 7x57 being prime examples. I have found IMR 4350 to be a great powder in the larger cases where you may want to fill the case up more, such as 7mm Rem Mag and 338 Win Mag. It also works well in smaller cases where you want to keep the pressures down (6.5x57 in my case). There are no absolutes though and you can only discover through safe trials in your individual rifle.

Good Luck,
BigBullet

I like them all. Varget is alot faster burning than 4350, but works well with light bullets in some of the calibers mentioned. Only thing I have noticed with Varget is its very dirty. When I use it on my 308win, it leaves alot of carbon. I mean alot. IMR4064 doesn't and I get about the same performance. IMR4350 is my favorite for 270win, and 06. It shoots heavier bullets in a 06 (>165gr) really nicely. And you can reach your full potential with it.

In my 708, H414 has been the top performer (velosity/accuracy) but it is temp sensitive and I can see velosity changes with small temperature changes. I have not had much sucess with Varget with 140 grain bullets but others have. I never could get IMR 4350 up to velosity in my gun but H4350 works great so that is what I'm using now.

All three have about the "same" burning speed.

Warning..no way

Varget is way faster

Mike

I think you'll like Varget in your 308, and 4350 in your 6.5x66 and 30-06.

Varget is supposed to be temperature insensitive. In the 308, it seems to be. In many other cases, it is definitely not.

It's awfully hard to beat 4350 in the '06, for 165 and particluarly 180 grain bullets. Those two really fit nicely together.

The 6.5x55 does very well with most any slow powder, such as 4350 and RL22. You may have to try a couple of different powders to find one that just nicely fills the case at maximum safe load. H4831 and H4831SC have slightly different densities, and one or the other of those may also be a good match... haven't tried them, but am about to.

i use varget in 243 30-06 7mm 270 and 45-70 shoots
pretty well in all of them im happy with it