One of the most popular powders among both target shooters and hunters is Hodgdon’s famed H4350. Let’s take a closer look at this versatile powder!
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About Hodgdon H4530
H4350 is an extruded propellant in our Extreme series that has been one of our most popular powders with shooters for decades. During that time, Hodgdon has modernized H4350 by shortening the grains for improved metering and making it insensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
H4350 is ideal in the WSM family of calibers (270, 7mm, 30, 325) and is also the standard in such cartridges as the 243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, 270 Winchester, 338 Winchester Magnum and many more. For magnums with light- to moderate-weight bullets, it can’t be beat!
Available in 1 lb. and 8 lb. containers.
Burn Rate
Hodgdon H4350 falls into the medium-slow burn rate category, similar to IMR 4350 and IMR 4451.
When choosing a burn rate, you should consider the cartridge, bullet weight, and desired velocity. H4350 is versatile— it has a great burn rate for a wide variety of cartridges. Here at Ultimate Reloader we have seen excellent results with the following:
- 375 H&H
- 30-06
- 6.5 Creedmoor
- 25-06
- 6mm Remington
- 6mm Creedmoor
Density Comparison
Just like when Gavin tested Winchester StaBALL 6.5 and Varget, we performed some “informal” density calculations for H4350. This was a casual test. We poured 200ml of H4350 into a measuring cup on a non-precision scale. (Our precision scales don’t handle this kind of weight).
Here are the results:
Hodgdon Granule Characteristics
H4350 is a short stick powder. When viewed under a microscope, it looks similar to other short stick powders like Hodgdon’s Varget. Common today, these short stick powders make it easier to accurately dispense powder charges from common mechanical measures. Though Hodgdon’s H4350 has been around for a long time, like many other things, it’s been modernized. One of these improvements was shortening the grains for improved metering.
Using the scale, the approximate dimensions for the powders (diameter or length as shown above):
| Powder | Length/Dia (in) |
| N555 | 0.0430 |
| H-4350 | 0.0547 |
| STABALL 6.5 | 0.0313 |
Performance Results
H4350 has performed superbly in my 30-06 hunting loads. Loading a 165 grain Nosler over 59 grains of H4350, I achieved 2,940 fps with a standard deviation of 9. This load doesn’t just look good on paper, but has proven itself in the field on elk, bear, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope. It is easily accurate out to 350 yard shots and beyond, depending, of course, on the skill of the shooter.
Here’s a summary of some loads that Gavin and I have used with H-4350:
H-4350 has also performed with heavier bullet weights – 180 and 200 grain 30-06 bullets.
The 25-06 shines with a charge of around 53 grains of H4350 and a 100 grain bullet. This combination reached 3,309 fps when I tested a 100 grain Barnes TSX bullet with a 53.5 grain charge.
H4350 in a 6mm Remington can send projectiles approximately 3,100 fps with a 95 or 100 grain bullet.
The much newer 6mm Creedmoor mustered just over 3,000 fps with the Hornady 108 grain ELD-Match bullet and H4350 as well as provided superb accuracy.
For folks who like bigger rifles, I’ve used a charge of 75 grains H4350 with several different 300 grain bullets for my 375 H&H. All of the loads developed a bit over 2,500 fps. As a side note, I switch to magnum rifle primers with that large of a powder charge.
Highlight: 25 Creedmoor
Gavin has shown great results with H-4350 for multiple Creedmoor cartridges, including 25 Creedmoor!
For this 25 Creedmoor load, Gavin took data from Blackjack Bullets (here shooting the 131 ACE), and worked up a series of 3-shot OCW string based on the following components:
As seen in the picture above:
- Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor Small Rifle Primer cases
- Blackjack 131 grain ACE 25 caliber bullets
- Federal Small Rifle primers
- Hodgdon H-4350 powder
As you can see in the image showing the target above, this load was quite a performer!
Conclusion
H4350 has treated me well over the years — mostly in my hunting rifles. I’ve since added the 6mm Creedmoor to the list. This powder remains highly regarded by both target shooters and hunters looking for a high performance, versatile, and temperature insensitive powder.
Get H4350 at Midsouth Shooters Supply
If you are looking to buy H4350, check out the stock at Midsouth Shooters Supply!
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Thanks,
Guy Miner
Your review of H4350 was interesting, but frustrating, too. I can’t find H4350 anywhere, locally or on-line. I checked Midsouth again as you suggest: “out of stock – no backorders” on H4350.
So Gavin, you have 16 lbs. I’ll buy 8 from you. Name your price.