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Accurate 4064 compared to IMR4064

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22 February 2012, 08:17
joe25/06
Accurate 4064 compared to IMR4064
Anybody use the Accurate variety? How does it compare to the IMR? Would loads worked up with IMR transfer to using the Accurate without too many problems? I just never see the Accurate mentioned.

Thanks
22 February 2012, 22:29
Stonecreek
The Accurate "variety" of 4064 appears to be a bit slower than the IMR "variety". Actually, they are two completely different powders. Accurate simply chose to name the product they market "4064" since it is very close in burning rate to the well-known IMR product.

I've been using some of the Accurate 4064 and like it due to its having a much shorter cut than IMR 4064 that meters much easier and more accurately. Since it tends to be on the slow side compared to IMR 4064 you should be fine using IMR data and working from there.
23 February 2012, 03:08
larrys
Accurate says they are exactly the same, just different lots. There was an article on it in Reloading magazine a year or so, as I recall. Same with 4350. Several years ago that was not the case, but it is still my understanding. Call them. 406-234-0422


Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson
23 February 2012, 04:02
Doubless
I have posted this in other threads, but I had the same question about 15 years ago. I called Accurate Arms and asked exactly what joe asked. I was told that Accurate Powders were "one grain slower" than the IMR powders of the same number, and that held true for IMR 4831 vs. Accurate 3100 as well. I was also told that Accurate was made with nitrocotton and the IMRs were made with nitrocellulose, so the AA should be a bit cooler burning.

I went from 59 grains of IMR 4831 to 60 grains of AA 3100 and have never looked back.

Hope this helps. In my book, they are NOT the same powders, but the information I got was long before they were bought out by Western Powder. Things change...
23 February 2012, 06:08
larrys
All I know is the MSDS sheets show the same nitrocellulose base and same exact burn rates and what Western told me a couple years ago. The Accurate reloading guide I have, admittedly old #3, says they are identical in every way to IMR. That's why I recommend calling Western. Let us know what you find.


Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson
23 February 2012, 14:41
vines
i was buying AA powder back in the day they was real cheap. now the prices all are about the same, so I just stick with IMR 4064 & 4350. But i still use the AA #9
23 February 2012, 18:49
Ghubert
As a note of general interest AA powders are actually made by Lovex in the Czech Republic.

They claim their powder to be nitrocellulose based.

The link is to their reloding guide, together with the equivalents given on the second link this may be of some use to American reloaders loading for European calibres.

http://www.explosia.cz/en/stre...ng_EN_2011-02-17.pdf

http://www.reloadingsales.webs....com/powder_info.htm
23 February 2012, 21:58
Stonecreek
Ghubert: Accurate powders are sourced from a number of different countries and factories. For example, their "old" AA2200 Data powder was Czech, while their current AA2200 Data powder is labeled "made in USA". The two powders seem quite similar in all respects.

I'm not certain the source of AA 4064. However, I can tell you that it is physically a great deal different from IMR 4064, at least that which was manufactured and sold under the DuPont label. The DuPont IMR 4064 had a much longer grain than the current AA 4064. Whether the IMR product has changed in the meantime I can't say since I haven't bought or used any IMR 4064 for many years.

By the way, don't take what whomever happens to answer the phone at the seller's HQ tells you for Gospel. Phone answerers are often uniformed or misinformed.
23 February 2012, 22:57
joe25/06
I called and was told exactly what they told doubless.Single based, short grain powder, similar to, but not the same as IMR4064. They said it is basically one grain slower, and loads developed with the IMR can be safely transferred to their powder and adding one grain SHOULD result in similar velocities/pressures. this was from a fello in the ballistics lab.

Thanks for the inputs.
23 February 2012, 23:47
wasbeeman
I'd treat it like any other change in components, back off a ways and work up again.


Aim for the exit hole
24 February 2012, 02:13
larrys
Great! Thanks for the info.


Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson