Powder Choices- Newbie Question

[tn_junk]

I am fairly new to reloading, and am interested in trying to find a powder to load both my .357 mag and .357 max. I see that Accurate #9 is a standard .357 mag load but find no .357 max data. I would love to load both with this powder as one can buy GI surplus for $80 per 8lbs. I am currently using H110, with good success in .357 mag. Have not yet loaded any .357 Max because my brass just arrived last night and my barrel won't be here till sometime next week.
Also, maybe a real dumb question, would it be possible to work up a load for my .30-30 using AA9? Presently using H4895.

Thanks

alan

[Graybeard]

You really should stop worrying about trying to load everything with the same powder and buy what is best for each cartridge you wish to load for. It just makes no sense to try to use one powder for everything. Doing so is either going to give you sub par performance or even be down right dangerous. Use rifle powders for rifle cartridges and the proper handgun powders for handguns.

[LaOtto222]

I sure wish I could use one powder for everything, one bullet for all .224's, one primer for all small rifles, one primer for all large pistols, it just is not going to happen unless you make compromises, like Gray Beard pointed out.

[tn_junk]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll quit trying to be cheap, bite the bullet, and spend a little extra.

alan

[stimpylu32]

alan

When i first started to load i was under the same thinking , but have learned over the years that there is no one powder that does it all . As of last night i have over 30 diffrent rounds that i load for and have well over 40 diffrent powders on the shelf , along with 10 diffrent types of primers and god knows how many diffrent bullets .

Each one taylored to a diffrent gun . As for the 30/30 you have a good powder for it already in the H4895 , if all your shooting in the 357 mag and max is jacketed bullets then H110 is a very good choice , but if you go to try cast bullets maybe Unique or Trail Boss would be a better powder for them with lead .

stimpy

[Lone Star]

Since Accurate does not list AA-9 in its .357 Maximum data, they must not consider it appropriate for the cartridge. None of my current loading manuals list it either.  AA-9 is a bit on the fast burning side for this large-volume cartridge.  I suppose you could work up your own loads, but like the others have said, trying to find a one-size-fits-all powder is a futile task.


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