Introduction
Whether you are developing a new precision rifle load, adapting to supply chain shortages, or conducting analytical propellant comparisons, understanding smokeless powder burn rates is essential. A powder burn rate chart ranks reloading propellants from the fastest burning to the slowest burning.
While these charts are an invaluable tool for finding an alternative powder for your favorite cartridge, it is critical to understand that burn rate is relative. Two powders sitting side-by-side on a burn rate chart are not identical, and their load data cannot be safely swapped grain-for-grain.
Below, you will find the most up-to-date relative burn rate chart, a guide on how to safely use it, and answers to the most common powder substitution queries.
How to Use a Powder Burn Rate Chart
Using a smokeless powder burn rate chart correctly requires a methodical approach to ensure both optimal ballistics and shooter safety. Here is how to navigate the chart for your load development:
1. Locate Your Baseline Powder
Find the powder you currently use—or the one recommended in your reloading manual—on the chart. Powders at the top of the chart (like pistol and shotgun powders) burn rapidly, while powders at the bottom (magnum rifle powders) burn much slower to maintain pressure over a longer barrel dwell time.
2. Identify Adjacent Propellants
Look at the powders immediately above and below your baseline. These are your primary candidates for load development if your preferred powder is out of stock. For example, if you are looking for a powder used instead of H4350, you will look at the propellants sharing that specific burn rate tier.
3. Consider Powder Extrusion and Temperature Stability
Burn rate is only one part of the equation. When selecting a substitute, consider the powder’s physical characteristics. Are you swapping an extruded (stick) powder for a spherical (ball) powder? For precision long-range shooting, also consider the temperature stability of the substitute to maintain low Extreme Spreads (ES) and Standard Deviations (SD).
4. Cross-Reference Published Load Data
Crucial Safety Step: A burn chart is solely a reference for relative burn speed, not a reloading recipe. Once you identify a potential alternative powder, you must consult published load data from the powder or bullet manufacturer. Start 10% below the published maximum charge and work your way up while watching for pressure signs.
Popular Reloading Powder Substitutes & Equivalents
Due to frequent component shortages, handloaders often search for equivalents to industry-standard powders. Here is a breakdown of common substitutes based on relative burn rates:
What powder can be used instead of H4350?
Hodgdon H4350 is the gold standard for the 6.5 Creedmoor and many mid-to-large capacity cartridges. If you cannot find H4350, look for these propellants with highly similar burn rates:
- IMR 4350: Very close in burn rate, though slightly less temperature stable.
- Alliant Reloder 16 (RL-16): Excellent temperature stability and a near-identical application profile.
- Vihtavuori N550 / N555: Premium high-energy powders that yield exceptional accuracy in the H4350 class.
- Accurate 4350 (AA4350): Another excellent alternative in the 4350 burn tier.
What powder can be used instead of Varget?
Hodgdon Varget is highly sought after for .308 Winchester, .223 Remington, and other mid-capacity cases due to its extreme temperature insensitivity. Top Varget alternatives include:
- Vihtavuori N140 / N150: Exceptionally clean burning and consistent.
- Alliant Reloder 15 (RL-15): A classic match powder with very similar ballistic performance.
- IMR 4166: Part of IMR’s Enduron line, designed specifically to mimic Varget’s temperature stability and burn rate.
- Shooters World Precision: A highly capable extruded powder in the exact same burn speed category.
What powder can be used instead of Vihtavuori N555?
Designed specifically for the 6.5 Creedmoor and .260 Remington, N555 is a high-energy, clean-burning powder. If unavailable, consider:
- Hodgdon H4350: The closest direct competitor in application.
- Winchester StaBALL 6.5: A temperature-stable ball powder that meters perfectly and falls into the exact same burn rate window.
- IMR 4451: An Enduron powder with copper-fouling deterrents and a similar burn profile.
What powder can be used instead of Retumbo or H1000?
For large magnum cartridges pushing heavy, high-BC bullets, slow-burning powders are required. If Retumbo or H1000 are scarce, look for:
- Vihtavuori N565 / N570: N565 was explicitly designed to sit right between the burn rates of H1000 and Retumbo.
- Alliant Reloder 26 (RL-26) / Reloder 28: Known for producing incredibly high velocities in magnum cases.
- Ramshot Magnum: A slow-burning spherical powder that meters beautifully for heavy magnum loads.