May try a new powder. Anyone used IMR

[Skeet 028]

4451 powder. I had an offer to buy an 8 pound jug of the 4451 about an hour ago. cheap...has anyone used it for anything? I have been told it is close to 4350. I do load 243 and 308...and 30-06.Got to look up some loads tomorrow. As I said...cheap...like me

[paknheat]

I think that’s one of the ones that IMR has discontinued. That may be why it went cheap.

I used it in my .257 Roberts for a bit but switched over to Staball 6.5.

Hope you find a load or 3 that works well for you. 8 lb jug should last for a bit.


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[Nevada Ed]

I think that was in a test for temeratures from 0 to 200* by one of the rags.

It actualy got higher fps than the 4350,

and I beleive that the ES was only 1/3 of the old powder, to boot,
in the cold and hot temperature test.

The rags gave the new powers, two thunbs up.

Temperature Effects on Gunpowder Explained - Guns and Ammo

[Drm50]

I load 243 & 308 with 4895, 30/06 & 270 with 4350. Matter of fact I have loaded nothing but IMR in bottle necks except for 222 & 223 which get
ball powders. Never used 4451 but wouldn’t be afraid of it.
At auctions obsolete powders can be a bargain. Just make sure they are sealed and container is in good condition. I bought some Win 630 dirt cheap. Nobody bid on it. Thought I was going to run the powder cheap.
Didn’t happen when the powders everyone knows came up the bids were crazy. It was all from trap shooters estate in 8 & 16 lb sealed kegs. Evidently nobody wanted the w630 because of age or they didn’t know what it was. At price of powder today I’ll take anything at a steal. I can find something to stuff it in.

[DWalt]

It shows to be very close to IMR 4350 in application. Supposed to reduce bore copper fouling and be less temperature sensitive. That is about all I know, I have no personal experience using it.

[STORMINORMAN]

Pretty weird that Hodgdons has load data for it in 30'06, 300 Win Mag, 270 Winchester, & even 7x57 Mauser but NONE listed for 308...?

Seems like that would be a natural?

Cheers!

[Skeet 028]

The powder is sealed and for 75 bucks I bought an 8 pounder. I'll find something to use it in or trade to somebody dumber than me? I've looked at some loads. I think it is a bit slower than what I need...but heck way back I used 4831 surplus for everything...it WAS cheap.I too buy old powders...exp ball type ...they never go bad. I still have a metal keg of Win 230.cans of 630 540 571 and of course Alcan powders

[243winxb]

IMR 4451 is a double based powder containing nitroglycerin. My 1 lb can did well in 243 win & 6.5 Creedmore.
No better or worse then my standard loads of IMR 4350 powder.

You did good on the price.

Hodgdon has data.

[Skeet 028]

When it was offered I had no idea about loads other than told it was like 4350; WhateverI will probably load 243 maybe 270...I don't worry about max loads...cept 100 gr loads in 243 maybe

[muddocktor]

I just looked on the Hodgdon website and 4451 is still listed and offered for sale there, at $357.99 for an 8 lb jug, so you got a heck of a bargain. They do show it out of stock though. At that price I know I would have been all over it too. I reload 260 Remington and 30-06, so it would have been something I would be interested in.

[Nevada Ed]

Originally Posted by Skeet 028

When it was offered I had no idea about loads other than told it was like 4350; WhateverI will probably load 243 maybe 270...I don't worry about max loads...cept 100 gr loads in 243 maybe

I use a light "Target load" of IMR4831 with a 130 gr BTsp Sierra
for Antelope hunting, in Nevada's 100 degree weather, that is very accurate
and very safe, in the pressure department, in the high temperatures, with my Winchester M70, sitting out in the hot sun for hours.

2,700 fps is plenty of fps, to get the job done, with any slow powder.

I don't know if you want to crack a eight pound jug, for just a few 100 loads in your 270;
but I am sure it will do well in most large bore rifles, if you decide to use it.

[Skeet 028]

Well to be honest I still have a bit of Surplus 4831 and many other powders I can use in my rifle loads...and you are correct...it would be stupid to open an 8 pound container of powder to load. I may sell the powder and get 1 pound of something else...but I could not turn it down for the price

[6GUNSONLY]

Originally Posted by STORMINORMAN

Pretty weird that Hodgdons has load data for it in 30'06, 300 Win Mag, 270 Winchester, & even 7x57 Mauser but NONE listed for 308...?

Seems like that would be a natural?

Cheers!

Probably can't get enough of it in a .308 size case to do any good. Same as 4350. I shoot a lot of 4350 and a lot of .308, but not together.