Precision Reloading, Powered by Accurate – Empowering you to achieve the perfect shot with every reload.
If you are ready to hit your target with more power and precision, remember our name says it all!
Looking for versatility across a wide range of cartridges? Shop Accurate and hit your target with more power and precision. Accurate—our name says it all.
Multiple sites are now impersonating the Hodgdon Powder Company or our brands like Hodgdon, IMR, Winchester Smokeless Propellants, Accurate Powder or Ramshot.
Accurate 4350 is a short cut, single-base, extruded rifle powder in the extremely popular 4350 burn range. A highly versatile powder, 4350 can be used in a wide range of cartridges from the popular 243 Win to the 338 Win Mag with excellent results.
To maximize performance, the ballistics experts at Hodgdon Powder Co., Inc. have developed a comprehensive Reloading Guide to provide handloaders with current data for Accurate Powders. To view the reloading information in PDF format, click the boxes or links below.
Data Powders are usually surplus products which are periodically made available by our manufacturers/suppliers at a good price. However, these can also be newly manufactured production “overruns” for either commercial or military application. These powders are of the same standard and quality as our regular products.
For your reference, we offer a comprehensive list of Relative Burn Rates* for all gun powders. This list is sorted from the powders with the fastest burn rates to those with the slowest burn rates. To view this list in a PDF format, click the button below.
Maximize your precision and stay accurate with warnings, safety data sheets and current reference data.
Intended for reference use. Each individual hand loader must determine what is the best and safest load for their equipment.
Use these products only in strict accordance with loading instructions provided.
Ammunition hand loading has become increasingly popular in recent years. This section discusses properties of smokeless powder and offers recommendations for its storage.
Special warning concerning chamber dimensions of semi auto handguns that do not fully support the case.
The GOLDEN RULE of reloading is to always to begin at the recommended START load, which is between -10% below the MAXIMUM load for most Rifle calibers and up to 15% below for certain handgun calibers.
The 1st and foremost reason is SAFETY:
Due to a myriad of variables that can exist and which is totally outside the control of the institution which generates the reloading data, it is imperative to consider the safety aspect and begin at a properly reduced low energy level.
The 2nd Important reason is OPTIMIZING for ACCURACY:
The ability to induce a wide range of energy levels, will improve the ability to “find” the optimal “sweet spot” and the smallest possible group for a particular weapon system/platform, and component combination, i.e. primer, case, powder and bullet.
All the testing is done in test barrels according to primarily to SAAMI and in some cases the CIP specifications (International protocol).
Unfortunately, we could not source the product cost effectively for the EU (Czech Rep) anymore.
At this stage we do not know if/when we will have a replacement.
From our our own product lines, depending on the caliber/s we suggest two spherical powders. i.e. Ramshot-HUNTER® or Accurate-MAGPRO®.
We unfortunately had to change the manufacturer for Nitro 100 early in 2009.
This was due to factors outside our control.
We thus do not source our Nitro 100 for the EU (Czech Rep) anymore.
It’s now made in the USA by General Dynamics®.
It’s still a double base powder but it’s a flattened spherical (ball) powder instead of the original extruded flake design.
Since our first priority was for 12ga shotgun application, the new powder is a more optimized powder for light shot loads.
In a 12gauge the loads for the light ? oz and 1oz will very much the same or be slightly higher than the old style N100.
Special note re 1?oz loads
For heavier 1?oz loads the N100 NF will not be as flexible and versatile as the old N100. The best performance with the smaller volume taper cases such as WAA® and Remington STS® will be 1150 fps with Pressures of between 11000 Psi to 11500 Psi.
However, in the larger volume “straight case” designs, such as Federal® and Fiocchi® it will be possible to achieve 1200 Fps, with pressures in the 11000Psi range, in combination with the proper wads.
We are constantly busy compiling load data which will be available as time progress.
The powder flows better resulting in “VMD” bushing data will also be different, see the data for the MEC® bushings below
| Grains | BUSHING# |
| 13.7 | 20 |
| 14.4 | 21 |
| 15.2 | 22 |
| 15.8 | 23 |
| 16.3 | 24 |
| 16.9 | 25 |
| 17.6 | 26 |
| 18.2 | 27 |
| 19.0 | 28 |
| 19.8 | 29 |
| 20.6 | 30 |
Handgun Calibers:
There was am initial caution/warning re handgun calibers however, that was just a prelim measure because the handgun data will be different. We are in process of developing loads for this powder in handgun calibers.
For the interim we suggest a reduction of – 10% for both the start and maximum loads relative to any old original Nitro100 data.
Whenever, it is possible to measure a parameter accurately, it is a huge advantage to know/conclude what is happening. It will immediately tell you whether the combination is in-line with the published reloading data or not. The availability of affordable and accurate chronometers has put this measuring ability within reach of most reloaders today.
Most of our powders are not insensitive, and will show some effect at hot and cold temperatures.
However, we test at -40F and +125F and the deviation in most cases are ca 3% to 5% at these extreme levels. Therefore most shooters do not notice much difference under normal practical hunting conditions.
More elaboration on the subject:
Complete temperature stability can only be achieved with tubular extruded powders designs, either with double base (NG) and/or with other coating technologies.
Because the ballistic performance at extreme temperature is completely dependant on the specific combination, it is very difficult to quantify and qualify.
Our standard powders perform very well at extreme temperatures, and usually pass the strict military requirements by a large margin.
This is a subject that often fraught with misconceptions and inaccuracies.
The term is used loosely by manufacturers without qualifying the subject, and is obviously exploited for marketing purposes and perceptions.
The facts are:
If any of these parameters/aspects go beyond or outside the intended ratio/s, the results will change and the performance will sometimes be different.
It is also very important that when a comparison is made, that all conditions re weapon i.e. components primer, case, bullet and the velocity are equal, and preferably done at the same time on the same day.
It can best be described as a fast burning Rifle or slow burning Magnum handgun double base “hybrid” powder, having the typical chemical composition of handgun powders i.e. 20% NG – and the geometry of a typical extruded single perforated rifle powder.
Rifle applications:
This makes the powder very ignitable, which makes it ideal for low loading density applications, such as reduced loads on bottle neck rifle calibers, and low performance “straight case” designs, such as the old “black powder” calibers i.e. 45-70 45-110 50-110 etc.
The powder is virtually insensitive to powder position, and there is no need for “fillers”. It will deliver consistent results at low performance levels. Although there will be some un-burnt powder (see paragraph below) the performance will remain consistent.
Due to its ignitability, any strength rifle primer can be used.
Handgun applications:
This powder makes for an excellent powder in large capacity handgun calibers such as 44/45 “Magnum” types or “std” cases with similar capacities. With some of these calibers full power or close to full power is achievable, usually at full case/maximum loading densities. The powder can also be at reduced levels in handgun calibers, but with same effect re un-burnt powder. (See paragraph below)
Un-burnt powder granules:
Although, this is a powder recommended for reduced/low performance loads, it cannot be completely efficient (clean burning) at very low Pressure/performance levels of <18000psi.
It still is a modern, high-density, smokeless powder, with limitations regarding complete combustion at very low chamber pressures. With nitro-cellulose based “Modern” powders, the burn rate and pressure are directly proportional.
This means that some level of un-burnt powder will be present, constituting the remainder of some of the powder granules. This cannot be improved with primers or crimp etc, the only way to eliminate this, is an increase in chamber-pressure.
Accuracy is totally dependant on the specific combination, and is therefore impossible to predict.
The dispersion of the bullet is largely determined by the stability of A) the launch platform/system, which off course includes the shooter, as well as B) The external ballistics of the bullet in flight. The launch platform stability is controlled, and determined, by a complex interaction of the different components primer case bullet and gun (as well as shooter) none of which can be considered “accurate” as a separate entity.
It’s is not correct, and a common misconception, to assume that there are so called “accurate- powders, primers, cases, projectiles etc. Any one of these claims can be easily disproved with a different combination. It is true that some weapons are inherently unstable and no matter of combination will reliably deliver acceptable accuracy.
These components aspects/parameters all contribute to the “launch-impulse”, and performance level (velocity and pressure). The dynamic characteristics of this impulse are therefore very specific for each combination. How the launch platform/Rifle reacts to this impulse, determines the launch stability, and as a result the accuracy/dispersion. This specific reaction of the launch platform can be described the “dynamic character or -finger print” of the weapon/ammunition system. That’s why an “accurate load/combination” can only be achieved through incremental adjustments, and/or variations of these different components, and parameters.
The only way to properly do this is, to always start at the minimum or start load, and work up towards the maximum suggested load, with the components at one’s disposal. If the desired accuracy is not achieved, the second phase will be to adjust or change the components, i.e. primer, case, case condition, projectile/bullet or the type of powder altogether. The important thing to remember is to change/vary only one parameter/component at a time.
We refrain from predicting accuracy. Although some people, and institutions, recommend so-called “accurate loads” and combinations it’s not very well founded or scientific because, the assumption is made that all systems and conditions are equal, which is not true.
Because some internal barrel profiles (Mostly for handgun calibers), such as the polygon® and hexagonal® have unconventional “smooth” internal dimensions, its inevitable that the diameters of these barrels be extremely tight, to engage the bullet in order to impart the rotational forces for stability. When cast bullets are used in conjunction with these barrels, it imperative that the dimensions should be sized correctly, and that the hardness be such as not to cause any lead fouling. Any build-up or deposit of bullet material in the forcing cone freebore/lead area might result in a high pressure and the resultant damage to the weapon and/or injury to the shooter.
As long as the numeric/s is/are the same, i.e. examples, “A” or “AA” no9” or “A” or ‘AA” 4350” the burn rate and load data will be the same. The “XMR” and “XMP” prefixes, and/or “BR” post-fixes was eliminated ca 2003 and does not apply anymore.
Also since the Accurate Arms Company does not exist anymore (Since late2004/early 2005 when they sold out to Western powders Inc) the “AA” prefix is also not applicable anymore.
The powders are merely designated with an “A” prefix or the full name “Accurate”.
The “Scot” name used on some of the shotgun powders i.e. Scot Solo1000 is also not been used since 2003.
When No 2 initially came on the market in the late 1980’s it was merely called No2, and it had a higher bulk density i.e. ca 0.750 to 0.800 grams/cc. This resulted in lower loading densities.
Since lower loading densities is not good in HG calibers, re ignition issues, the powder was subsequently “improved” by lowering the bulk density to the current level of 0.650 gram/cc which increased the loading density “improving” the ignition characteristics. This was done in the early 90’s.
The “improved” part of the designation/description was used up to ca 2000 and after that the “improved” was dropped from the designation. Therefore all products since the early 90’s are all still the “improved” low density version even if it does not appear on the label.
It depends on the specific composition of the powder itself, and also the geometry. Modern smokeless powders can be divided into two main groups.
Single base:
Geometry: Extruded Flake/Disc or tubular.
Double base:
Geometry: Ball/spherical or extruded flake/disc or tubular.
Single base powders:
Single base powders are more hygroscopic than double base.
Since the vast majority of this powder consists of just NC Nitro Cellulose, and does not contain other ingredients which will seal the powder composition, it will be more porous, especially some of the extruded flake/disc powders aimed at shotgun or handgun applications.
Double base Powders:
When Nitroglycerin is added, the product is gelatinized or plasticized which will result in the grains being less porous and “sealed” against external atmospheric conditions.
Geometry:
If the individual granules are extremely small the chances of it sticking/clinging to synthetic materials are more possible.
Even double base ballpowders, such as in the case of extremely fast burning ballpowders for Shotgun/handgun applications, which can also be sometimes rolled/flattened, will also tend to cling to the sides of synthetic (static) containers/hoppers.(see question below re static elecricity)
Flash suppressant;
Another component that will casue powders to be more hygroscopic is when flash suppressants, which is basically salts, are part of the composition.
It will also therefore depends on if, and what percentage of flash suppressant is present in specific powder.
In general we can state that:
There are a few things one can do to alleviate or eliminate static electricity.
A) Add a very fine grained “lab grade” graphite powder to the powder, at about 1 teaspoon per lb and shake very well.
This is usually available at hardware stores in the lock/key departments or from laboratory equipment/material suppliers.
This graphite can also be rubbed into/onto surfaces in contact with the powder.
Caution: This powder is extremely fine and will be difficult to get of skin so we strongly suggest using surgical gloves when handling the graphite. Also take care not to spill it on clothes because will be hard to clean. Hard to reach places can be treated with cotton swabs dipped in the graphite powder.
Another option is to rub the inside surfaces of hoppers with antistatic cloths used in cloth dryers.
A third will be to earth/ground the loading equipment. Also be aware of the Relative Humidity of the loading area. The ideal is to keep the RH between 50 and 70%. If the RH goes very low the static will become more pronounced and it might be good to invest in a humidifier. The RH must be monitored with an accurate instruments or a wet and dry ball thermometer unit (which is the most accurate).
