Winchester powder question

[Jeffery8mm]

I am a newb to relaoding so bear with me.  I need input on powder.  Around here at the gun shops they dont carry alot of different powders on the shelf.  Some mentioned here are familiar buy some arent.  The Winchester powders are readily available to me here at the stores.  I dont see alot of mention on the boards about the Win powders.  Are they good?  The main thing I hear is that they meter well in powder drops.

Looking to load
.308
30-30
30.06
150 to 180 grain bullets

do I need the 748 or the 760 or what

Thanks
Jeff

[mountainview]

Jeff,

Check the reloading manuals for those calibers (you can download them from Win Ammo website) and see what powders are called for in each of those calibers. This would give you a better indication of which powder to go with. Winchester claims that you can duplicate their factory loads using 760 powder and I am pretty sure that 760 is used in more 308 and 30-06 loads than 748. I can't comment about 30-30 since I don't load that round.

I've had excellent results from 748 in my 223 but have not been as successful with this in my 30-06. I should add that I need to do some testing before I give up on 748 for my 30 cal.
Safe shooting.

[Questor]

If you can get Winchester powders, you can probably also get Hodgdon powders. Take a look at their Extreme line of powders. It's the only thing I use in rifles.

On the other hand, Winchester powders are excellent too, but are not insensitive to temperature like the Extreme powders are.  Just go to the Winchester web site and you can find the load data. It will be for 748 and 760.

[ricciardelli]

There is nothing wrong with Winchester powders, and there are Winchester powders which are very usefull in the calibers you mention.

However; Winchester has developed a history of discontinuing powders without notice.  It has been speculated that they make 1 or 2 batches of a powder and then it disappears.

Do you really want to base your reloading for all your firearms on a powder which may not be available the next day?

Below is a list of the Winchester powders I have used since I started reloading, how many are still available?

452AA
473AA
AA Plus
W-230P
W-231
W-295HP
W-296
W-452
W-473
W-500HS
W-540
W-540MS
W-571
W-630
W-630P
W-680
W-748
W-760
W-760BR
W-780BR
W-785
W-870
WC-844
WC-846
WC-852
WC-860
WC-872
WAP
WMR
WSF
WSL
WST
WXR

[lowertroll]

From my experience I suggest some personal trials with these:
  308=  Win748, and IMR 3031 & 4064  (4064 is accurate but low velocity)
  30-06=  If you can't do it with IMR4350 or H414 you got troubles
  30-30= Win748 or IMR3031

My best luck with W760 is in light for caliber loads.

[Mark whiz]

Win 748 is a good powder for .308 & 30-.06          but usually for lighter bullets like the 150s.  I've not had as near as good of luck using it with 168gr bullets.

[Kingfish]

W748 and W760 will load all the calibers you listed and may even be a favorite with certain bullet weights or uses. You can always add more powder brands later.

Bill

[mag41vance]

Jeffery,
 This is an excellent load in my NEF .30-30 sb2 single shot.
5 shot group measures 1.192"
take the flier out  and it measures .442" (  :x hate those fliers :x  )


 That load is *110gr Hornady SP spitzer (*not for tubular magazines)
  41 gr  W748
  Winchester Large Rifle Primer.

 Another excellent load in my daughters Marlin 336 .30-30 is 170gr Sierra RN .30-30 bullet, over 32 gr w748, with CCI Magnum LRPrimer. It shoots .75" at 75 yards.

 I haven't found to many loads that if appropriately used, the Winchester Powders won't perform well in.

 I used alot of W296, and w748, and a little 760. all is a little dirty but good.

[Jeffery8mm]

Thank you all for replying!!!
I see that the Win powder does have some fans!  I think it will be what I buy for my first loads.  I am really trying to take this slow at first and not rush into buying a bunch of stuff that will not be what I really need. I think the Win powders will suit me just fine.

Jeff