H4350 vs Varget for 400 H&H

[SkullKeeper]

These North forks are long. As it turns out out I only have about 1lb of target but I have 4lbs of H4350. A lb of Varget is over $100!!!! I was worried about case capacity but I think I will be compressing H4350 after all. I recall that the Lee manual claims a compressed load is more consistent. The I am not getting great accuracy (1.5” @ 100 yards) yet but the velocity is much faster. I am at about 2400 fps. I believe max load for H4350 is 82gr and I am under that still with no signs of pressure

Ok good deal, I appreciate the insight and I’m sorry the Varget is as much as a kidney!

 

[Pheroze]

Ok good deal, I appreciate the insight and I’m sorry the Varget is as much as a kidney!

Yeah it’s absolutely insane. It used to be about $60 not so long ago.

 

[SkullKeeper]

Yeah it’s absolutely insane. It used to be about $60 not so long ago.

I just got 2 pounds from Powder Valley for about $60 each (they had free hazmat)

 

[50Gunner]

SkullKeeper,

Yes, I use a drop tube, carryover from shooting black powder Sharps rifles, I think it settles in all powders a lot better, you can get a drop tube from Buffalo Arms or Shiloh Sharps.

A few cartridges I drop tube for:

358 Winchester, TAC, 200grs, 2700 fps
35 Whelen, H-4350, 310grs, 2410 fps
9.3-62mm, RL-17, 320grs, 2400 fps
400 Whelen, CFE-223, 400grs, 2255 fps
400 H&H, Varget, 400grs, 2400+ fps
416 Taylor, CFE-223, 400grs, 2400 fps
458 Winchester, 2460, 400-500grs, 2600 and 2300 fps.

 

[Pheroze]

I just got 2 pounds from Powder Valley for about $60 each (they had free hazmat)

I am in Canada. Unfortunately I think that’s USD. So about 82 CDN?

 

[SkullKeeper]

SkullKeeper,

Yes, I use a drop tube, carryover from shooting black powder Sharps rifles, I think it settles in all powders a lot better, you can get a drop tube from Buffalo Arms or Shiloh Sharps.

A few cartridges I drop tube for:

358 Winchester, TAC, 200grs, 2700 fps
35 Whelen, H-4350, 310grs, 2410 fps
9.3-62mm, RL-17, 320grs, 2400 fps
400 Whelen, CFE-223, 400grs, 2255 fps
400 H&H, Varget, 400grs, 2400+ fps
416 Taylor, CFE-223, 400grs, 2400 fps
458 Winchester, 2460, 400-500grs, 2600 and 2300 fps.

Very good to know, I’ll order one of those drop tubes. Thank you again!

 

[SkullKeeper]

I am in Canada. Unfortunately I think that’s USD. So about 82 CDN?

Yes that’s about right

 

[Nevada Mike]

To get good, consistent powder packing on loads I use a technique recommended by Mic McPherson - swirl charging. I use an aluminum funnel and swirl the powder while dropping it from the scale pan. I seldom get powder jamming in the funnel and get better capacity / packing in the case. Takes a second or two longer that just dumping the powder into the funnel, but I don't have to stop and deal with jams or use tubes.