Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles IMR 4350 for 6.5x55 loads? Other calibers?

I was recently gifted about 10 lbs of IMR 4350. I was wondering if this would make a good powder choice for 6.5x55?

I have a bunch of once fired brass for the Swede and some 129gr Interlocks, so I’m curious if this powder could be a good fit?

I see manuals list recipes for IMR 4350 in 6.5x55, so I suspect it’s at least an okay choice.

Any other cartridges where IMR 4350 shines? I could easily be persuaded to buy a new rifle so this powder doesn’t go to waste.

A lot of folks will tell you the Swede likes slower powders like the 4831's, RE22, etc. However, I have a Tikka 6.5x55 that loves H4350 with 140 grain bullets and would think you should be able to find a good load with your IMR 4350. As to other cartridges that work well with 4350, there are too many to list but the 30-06 is the first that comes to mind...

Yes, IMR 4530 works very well in the Swede, which is one of my favorite hunting cartridges. It also works well in 30-06, 270, 280, 7X57, and several other common rounds.

260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor, 243 Win

IMR 4350 is my first choice in 270 Win and 30-06.

Using IMR 4350 in a Swede and it's a nail driver. Put together ladder loads though from book data and starting from the low end only made to the mid level loads when I started getting pressure signs.

Excellent choice for both the 7x57 and the 30/06.

Which book and bullet?

IMR 4350 was my favorite in the Swede with 140 gr bullets. VERY accurate! It is also my favorite powder in the 30/06 with 180's. I've used it with good results in a 250 Savage (Ruger RSI) with 100 gr bullets, and a N0. 1 in 9.3x74R with 285 grainers. Good powder! Terry

My Swede, FN 98 with Shilen barrel, has turned into a Lapua snob...

Fav bullet is the 139 Scenar over MRP in Lapua brass...

DF

Started reloading back in the day with IMR 4350 in my old Model 70 in 270 Win. Keep using it still. We have both aged well. :-)

Worked well with 130 gr Partitions... and later with 150gr Partitions. Very consistent groupings if I did my part well.

Lately have been pushing 130 gr Hornady Interlocks. Still works well.

Doesnt go thru the powder measure as well as some powders, but i dont care.

With all that powder you can try a bullet variety and find a good combination. Including different seating depths...

Very strange, i was running max book charges the other day in my m96 carl gustav. No problem at all. 143 ELDX, Lapua brass, cci 200 primers.

I use IMR 4350 in my Barrett Fieldcraft 6.5 Swede. The velocity isn't the highest with the 130 Scirocco at 2660, but it's super accurate and just plain kills stuff. I also use it in my 270 with 130 gr. Speer Grand Slams, my 257 Roberts and 90 gr. Barnes X bullets and my 7 RM with 145 gr. Speer Grand Slams. I have a good load with 4350 for the 7 RM, but I have a better load with IMR 4831.

I currently load with IMR 4350 for 6.5x55, 243, 25-06, 270 Win., 270 WSM, 7mm RM, and 30-06. Great versatile powder, though not as temperature in-sensitive as some.

Thanks for the responses!

I’ll be loading some 6.5x55 with IMR 4350 in the near future.

It would difficult to find a medium type of cartridge, such as the Swede and all those mentioned...and a couple hundred others, in which IMR-4350 won't usually work and work well. It's just a darn good powder.

It sounds like this was a very useful gift.

Lies, lies, lies! All these guys are lying to you. IMR-4350 is HORRIBLE powder and will ruin your rifles if you use it.

Instead, you can ship that 10 lbs of garbage and I'll be happy to dispose of it for you!

Just kidding.....IMR-4350 is a fantastic powder for all off the mentioned above!

I've used it in the 6.5 Swede. It worked fine, but I didn't work with that rifle much before getting rid of it. IMR4350 is my favorite .30-'06/150 gr. powder.

+1 on IMR 4350 in .30-06, I use it with 165gr. Sierra Game King it's an accurate combination that is deadly on whitetails. Also use it with the discontinued 275gr RN Hornady bullet in .338 Winchester Magnum a combination that yields 3 whot cloverleaf groups at 100yds. and is an excellent load for elk.