Author Topic: Powders I'd never be without (Read 1434 times)

AtlLaw · « **on:** June 30, 2008, 07:56:23 AM »

I'm working up hunting loads for 6 rifles this year due to some new acquisitions. Last night while parusing my powder supply and thinking about loads I've selected to start with (or fine tune), it struck me that I reach for the same powders quite often. Now I am experimenting with the Hodgdon twins of the IMR's, but, I mostly use:
Varget,
IMR3031,
4350, and
4831.
I've used others, and some, like Rel15, I'll probably never buy another pound of, while on the other hand I'm developing quite a relationship with BL(C)-2.

Now this may be indicative of the cartridges I mainly shoot/reload for; no varmint rigs and only one "magnum," But I figured I could go the rest of my life with only those powders.

Not that I would want to! I LOVE trying different load combinations! And maybe I've been reading to many of those "What if you only had One ..." threads, but, What are your favorite powders for what and why? Maybe you can come up with something I haven't tried!

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:08:48 AM »

If I could only have 2 powders in the gun room , the choice would be hands down IMR4895 and Unique . I load over 20 diffrent rounds between rifles & pistols , with these 2 powders I have found loads that will work in all but one , granted the loads may not be the best as far as group sizes or the fastest in FPS , but they will do what needs done at a hunting level .

That being said , I have on hand over 15 diffrent powder's on the bench and maybe another 10 on the shelf just from working up loads to find the sweet spot in these guns . Do I think you should limit yourself to just 1 or 2 powders , no , there are too many diffrent options that can be addressed with a simple powder change , so why settle for just good enough .

But as I said , if these were the only ones that I could have , I'd buy in 50 pound kegs .

stimpy

Lone Star · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:24:55 AM »

IMR/H4895 is without doubt one to have. Like Stimpy said it will work with almost any rifle cartridge, it is highly versatile. If limited to only rifle powders, then the other would be 4350. Both in Hodgdon's "Extreme" versions, the temperature stability is a big plus for maximum flexibility.

However - I have a cabinet-full of different powders, and the two powders above are used only occasionally. I believe is using the most appropriate powder most of the time, not a compromise. But then this thread is all about compromise......

.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:25:34 AM »

I too like Varget and use a good deal of it. I'd hate to be without RL15 and use it often. I seldom use the 4350s and have never found a load with 4831 I cared for. I do like IMR3031 and find it a very versatile powder and one of the very best in .243 and .45-70. I've used BL(C)-2 mostly in the .223 but it works well there. I've really not tried it in many other rounds.

I'd never want to be without AA2520 or AA2230, W748, W760 and sure wish they'd bring back H450 as it was a real favorite of mine. I love ball powders and hate stick powders. If I can get my hands on some I've gotta try some of the Western Brand ball powders as like the Hodgdon Extreme line they are temperature insensitive but still are ball powders for ease of metering. Nothing I hate more than weighting powder charges but since I now have picked up a Lyman DPS 1200 that might no longer be a concern.

I've only owned one pound of 4895 in my entire reloading career and am not sure it's all gone yet. While I agree Unique is a versatile powder and over the years I have used a lot of it these days I seldom use it at all.

Kinda amazing how different folks chose and use such different powders even in the same or similar applications.

dw06 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:38:42 AM »

Down to just two powders I could make do with IMR 3031 & 4350.

~Ace~ · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:44:08 AM »

IMR 4895 and VARGET .... I can load most Anything, and it shoot Well

AtlLaw · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2008, 11:15:20 AM »

Thanks Stimpy, you start your reply with:

Quote from: stimpylu32 on June 30, 2008, 10:08:48 AM

If I could only have 2 powders

and everybody thinks that's the question! What 2 powders!

Shows ya who people pay attention to around here!

Except you Bill! At least you knew what I was asking!

The question was favorite powders! The ones you try first when developing a new load for a cartridge. No limit on the number! And I forgot Unique for pistols.

burntmuch · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2008, 11:27:29 AM »

Im new to reloading but Ive gotten alot of use out of IMR4064 & RL7 . 4064 for 243, 30-06 ,35 whelen, even used it for my 45/70 with pretty good results. All my reloads were getting me groups under 2 inches. Most are just over an inch. Not great but plenty good for Michigan deer hunting.
RL 7 for my 357 max & 45/70. Just got a lb of LIL GUN. for my 22 hornet.. Hoping to use it for my 357 max too. I think its to early in my reloading life to have a favorate. Give me 3 or 4 years I LL have a favorate Im sure. Jay

30WCF · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2008, 12:22:34 PM »

IMR 4064, 4895, Varget, H110, my short mag loves WXR so I have to keep it around.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2008, 12:44:56 PM »

For my Varmint rifles I would pick 4895.
Handguns I use H110
Amd my 10mm #7

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2008, 01:15:45 PM »

AtlLaw

The reason for my responce was simple , If I get a new rifle round to load I reach for IMR4895 and for Handguns its Unique , I trust these 2 powders and know what their capable of , so that's were I start .

You'll also notice my comment was in the form of a Statement not a Question .

stimpy

buffermop · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2008, 01:25:27 PM »

Red dot and 4895

Tom W. · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2008, 02:00:59 PM »

Varget, IMR 7828, H110, 2400, Blue Dot, Green Dot and Bullseye...
These are what I use the most...

Old Syko · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2008, 02:54:39 PM »

Right now for rifle powders wc844 and 846 top the list with W748, W760, H322 and H380 following close behind. Loading in the volume that I do I can't waste time on powders that don't meter extremely well. I usually just don't have the patience for things like 4350 and 4895 and the like unless it's a run of only a hundred or so for a special purpose.

AtlLaw; Just curious what you're using the 4831 for? I have a large quantity of the stuff that's never found it's niche for me.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2008, 03:08:19 PM »

I think it also depends on what you are reloading for. I think AtlLaw is reloading for bigger cases than I am. I reload for small .224 rounds mostly. (22 Hornet, 221 FB, 222 and 223) so I like RL7, IMR 4189, H4227; BL C2, VV N133 and H322 are good choices for my 222 and 223s. In my Hand guns it is Unique for cast and WW 296/H 110 for jacketed. I have been doing some experimenting with some slower powders in the 223 - Varget, H 4895 and BenchMark, but it will take some very good groups to beat VV N133.

Lone Star · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2008, 04:37:35 PM »

Quote

IMR 4895 and VARGET .... I can load most Anything, and it shoot Well

You'd have a tough time getting a cartridge like a 7mm Mag or .270 WSM shooting near full potential without a slower powder.....those two are pretty darn close in application. But, I like them both!

.

rifleman · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2008, 06:06:35 PM »

Varget
H4831SC
Unique
W748
IMR3031
H414
Blue Dot

Varget is the only one that I buy in 8# jugs.

Dave

beemanbeme · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2008, 03:56:42 AM »

IMR4350, H4895, H380, H335. When Varget first came out as the do all be all powder, I gave it a try with several different cartridges but I have always found another powder that would work better. For some strange reason, I have never owned a single pound of 4064 nor BL-C2. Nor any of the W powders. I think a lot of my habits are driven by what was available at the little gun shop when I began reloading.

I have a 8# jug of AA2230 for the .223's and some data powder that is close to H4895 that the 7-08's like. But I wouldn't stock them as basic got to have powders.

I do load for several larger cartridges (no man killers but 280 and up) and rather than keep a supply of say 4831 for the .280 and 4350 for the 30-06 and H1000 for the 7mag, etc, I find they all do quite well with IMR 4350 so, being somewhat of a minimalist, I just buy a lot of that.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:27:23 AM »

Quote from: Old Syko on June 30, 2008, 02:54:39 PM

AtlLaw; Just curious what you're using the 4831 for? I have a large quantity of the stuff that's never found it's niche for me.

I got it originally to compare it to the Rel22 I was using in the 243 and 300 WM and also for the 270. I'm gonna give it a whirl in the 6.5x55 to. All things being equal I selected the H4831SC.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:32:19 AM »

Quote from: stimpylu32 on June 30, 2008, 01:15:45 PM

The reason for my responce was simple , If I get a new rifle round to load I reach for IMR4895 and for Handguns its Unique , I trust these 2 powders and know what their capable of , so that's were I start .

I know that Stimp. You just gave me the first oportunity to open my smart mouth! Sorry

It'll never happen again ... Yeah, right!

mjbgalt · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:39:49 AM »

in a rifle, i always give varget a shot...has worked in many different applications.

in a handgun, i like longshot in .357 and similar, and 2400 in bigger magnums.

-Matt

AtlLaw · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:49:35 AM »

Interesting results so far. Don't know what it'd be good for, but interesting none the less.! There almost seems to be a common burning rate range.
I must be the only one who isn't in love with IMR4895. However I'm working up some 358 Win. loads with it now so maybe I'll continue to keep some around.
4064 seems to be another popular powder. I've never tried it. What does it excel in?
I've also never tried any VV, AA or Winchester powders. Actually, I've never used anything but H or IMR or Rel powders. No particular reason, just never got around to them. Are they any better or is it a Ford/Chevy thing?

Tom W. · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2008, 07:46:56 AM »

4064 does good in .308, 30-06, and even the .22-250.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2008, 07:48:28 AM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on July 01, 2008, 06:49:35 AM

4064 seems to be another popular powder. I've never tried it. What does it excel in?

I've had very good luck with it using 100 - 110 grain bullets in the .270 and .280, 140's- 150's in the .280 and 180's in the .30-06. I've not yet tried it under any other bullets or calibers. My log's are currently not in front of me, but I cannot recall if I've ever really had a bad load from either of those calibers and bullet weights using 4064. I find it to be a very consistant powder.

jager · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2008, 09:00:55 AM »

I could do OK with the following powders: (1) Bullseye for all small capacity pistol cartridges; #1 pound last for a year of shooting (2) Unique for all pistols plus "reduced" rifle loads (3) H4198 for all "straight walled" rifle cases plus "cast" and reduced loads in all rifle calibers (4) RL15 seems to work extremely well in "metric" cases, as well as all "medium" capacity rifle cartridges (5) IMR4831 for heavy bullets in 30/06 sized cases and many "magnums". While I cannot seem to limit myself to just these 5, I could "get by". I've been looking at all the powders I have in my "storage" closet and was considering "consolidating" my "stash" to a more manageable amount, since there is so much "overlap" in powder burning characteristics. Having said that, while I find the above powers work well with 90% of my needs (I load 23 calibers), they are not the very best for "specific" calibers where Alliant 2400, RL7, H4895, or IMR7828 are "The Best" in my .357Mag, .35Rem, .250Sav, and 7RemMag. BTW, IMR4064 works quite well in .35 Whelen, 9.3X62, 8X57JR, and 30/30. Isn't "capitalism" great where we have such a product selection and a country (right now) where we have the freedom to purchase what is available?

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #25 on:** July 01, 2008, 09:13:26 AM »

AtlLaw, I think you have a 35 Whelen. If so what power and bullets do you use in it? I have tried Rel 15 with Barnes 225 gr TSX and haven't gotten a good grouping yet. I have a 22" barrel on a custom Mauser, don't know the twist rate. I assume it is standard.

davem270win · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2008, 09:59:16 AM »

I love all my children!

You're going at this the wrong way. I buy the powder first, and then keep buying rifles until I find one the powder works in!

Tom W. · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:12:22 AM »

If only my checkbook would let me.....!!!!!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #28 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:02:44 AM »

Quote from: Dixie Dude on July 01, 2008, 09:13:26 AM

you have a 35 Whelen. what power and bullets do you use in it?

Funny you should ask!

I had just a short time to work up a hunting load last year before deer season started so I settled on the 200 gr. Rem CL bullet ahead of enough Varget to duplicate the factory load velocity; about 2640 fps +/-. Reliable 1.4 - 1.6 inch groups. I'll work with that some more this year, but this weekend I loaded up some 180 gr. Speer SNFP's with IMR 3031. I'm going to work with it and BL(C)-2 as both powders should give over 2800 fps with that bullet. I also want to try the 225 gr Sierra BTSP's I've got. And I really NEED a good 250 gr. load on the books, just in case. Of course I'll probably never hunt anything but deer for the rest of my life, but you never know!

Better to be prepared!

I'll let you know how it progresses, but I'm also trying to get 2 30/30's, a 358 Win, a 7x57 and a 260 ready for October! Not to mention my 2 back up rifles; a 7/08 and a 30/06. Hummmm, seems I'm forgetting someone here... $:-\$ Oh yeah! the 35 Whelen!

Say, didn't your post say sumpin about the 35?

John R. · « **Reply #29 on:** July 01, 2008, 01:01:29 PM »

Let's see IMR 4350, Varget, H335,Titegroup, HS-6, H110. I use many other powders, but I couldn't do without these.