Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Wich Hodgdon extreme powder duplicates IMR4064?

I'm down to my last pound of IMR4064 and I was looking for a match to it made by Hodgdon. Why? Just looking for a less temp sensitive more consistent powder. Varget, H4895? My rifle likes IMR 4350 but shoots even better with IMR 4064. If there isn't a Hodgdon match to 4064 I may just go with H4350 or just stick with ol faithful.

Varget

What cartridge?

Used a lot of 4064 in my 35 Whelens until a couple of years ago when I switched my "go to" load to use Varget.

If you look at the Hodgdon Burn Rate Table: http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html IMR 4064 is between the hotter H4895 (#87) and Varget (#99). I'd try both to see which one works best. I'd agree with RDW, if we knew what cartridge, we might be able to narrow it down further. For Example, Ramshot TAC (#86) works better (velocity and accuracy) than Varget (#99) in my 358 Win. Ramshot TAC is a spherical powder and is not as temperature sensitive as other powders.

Sorry, 30-06. I run 150's and up in it. 4064 is super accurate with 150's 165's 180's and I run R22 with 200's

Thanks Biggs300. Looks like Varget would be the best choice and closest for the lighter weights and H4831SC the best for 180's and 200's.

Superformance looks like a good performer as well. Any experience with it?

does it get cold enough in Michigan to be concerned over 4064?

I've used it in cold weather in MN and never was handicapped...

I'd tend to go with Varget tho if I had to use a Hodgdon/ADI powder...

It depends on what part of Michigan he is in. I have seen -36* mornings when I lived in Chassell.

With that being said I never has a real issue with 150's and 4064 in my 30-06. I have switched to 130 TTSXs and Varget for the time being, though.

I would try ADI 2208.

I use H-4350 in my 30-06's. I've found it to give the best compromise between velocity and accuracy. Lots of other guys have found the same with both IMR-4350 and H4350. I chose the H-4350 because of its better temperature resistance.

Not so much worried about loss of velocity in the winter, as getting an over pressure load in the summer. It is going to be in the 20's here today. 110 is not uncommon in August or September.

For 150's man Varget will make you happy! I would not say H4350 has any flies either. I load 165's in my 06 and run 49-grains of Varget. I love the stuff and had good luck with 150's as well, NP and NAB.

I hunt Baraga County in the U.P. usually every year on the Peshekee Grade in Arvon township or in Herman. It can get quite bitter cold. I also have hunted up in Keweenaw County from time to time and may go again this year. It can get damn cold up there even in November.

When I was up there I hunted in Southern Houghton County near Sidnaw in the Hiawatha National Forest. Keweenaw County is pretty desolate. As thick as the forest was there I never worried about the temperature sensitivity of the 4064. The deer never cared either, they still fell the same as they did in Southern Michigan

I never noticed it much either running IMR 4064 or IMR 4350. I have used them for years (20+) and I've hunted in some pretty frigid temps. '95 comes to mind when we had 300+ inches of snow fall. We lost 75% of the herd and broke some record lows. I guess if it aint broke.... Although I may try some superformance and I have heard nothing but good things about H4831SSC for 200 and 220 grainers.

So would I, it's very similar, identical you could say, to Varget...:D

Here is another powder which might just be on the shelves. IMR 8280 XBR. To quote from link below: "IMR has tested this powder from -40 to +165 degrees Fahrenheit with virtually no performance variation"

http://www.imrpowder.com/8208xbr.html


I read about it on Accurate Shooter website:

Try Alternative Powders with Similar Burn Rates

For those customers who can�t find their favorite powder (such as Varget or H4350) right now, Chris suggests trying similar-burn-rate IMR- and Hodgdon-brand powders that are currently available in ample quantities. For example, Chris suggested that Varget users try IMR 4064. This powder offers excellent accuracy and a very similar burn rate. Likewise, if you can�t find H4350 you can try IMR 4350 or H414. Fans of H335 powder will find that Benchmark and CFE 223 are suitable replacement powders.

Of course, when changing to a different powder you can�t simply substitute loads. That�s a big no-no. You need to consult a good load manual or find a safe starting load on the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center. But you may find that, with a little load development effort, your �second choice� or �third choice� powder options shoot just as well as a previous favorite. We know guys who switched from Varget to IMR 8208 XBR in the .308 Win and they liked the 8208 XBR so well they never looked back.

AR 2208 and Varget is the same powder.
Either, is a load for load substitute for 4064 in most cartridges though batch variation dictates working up as with any powder change.