Author Topic: One rifle powder? (Read 1656 times)

mechanic · « **on:** November 13, 2008, 04:22:00 PM »

If you could only have one powder for rifle reloading, large and small caliber, which would you choose? I will load from a 243 to a 45-70, loading for accuracy, no max. loads.

Ben

Swampman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2008, 04:31:51 PM »

Varget

james · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2008, 04:44:44 PM »

Ya beat me to it Swampman.....I just bought another 8 lb. jug of Varget as that is what I use the most. I use it in .223, 6.5x55, 7mm08, and 308. It is not supposed to be temperature sensitive. I work up loads and reload a lot in the summer and shoot more when the weather is cool. So far it has worked very well for me and I can't tell much difference when it is hot and humid or cool and dry. 4895 works better in my 06 and 4350 is more accurate in my .270 so I don't use Varget in everything. It should work nicely in your .243 but you can probably find a better powder for large calibers like the 45-70.
good luck
james

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2008, 04:49:53 PM »

Here's some good .45-70/Varget data.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/.45-70+Government?packedargs=pagenum%3D2

rifleman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2008, 07:57:24 PM »

Varget

Tom W. · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2008, 10:29:18 PM »

Yup. Varget will work in just about everything. I have.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2008, 11:23:39 PM »

For once I agree with swamp. Varget is usually one of the most accurate powders I've tried, from 223 and 243 to 35 whelen and rem and everything without a belt in between

spinafish · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2008, 11:54:12 AM »

DITTO! I use for everything from 45-70 to 6.5 TCU

mechanic · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2008, 01:57:51 PM »

Thanks fellas.

I'm cleaning up the old reloading equipment my Dad had 20 years ago due to the price of ammo. I figured I would get the right info here rather than from the guy who sells me gear.

I don't reload pistol ammo. I remember we used Bullseye for most of the pistol cartridges we loaded, but Dad had 20 or more types of rifle powder. I want to keep it simple. I also remember hating the Bullseye because it was so crucial to weight each charge and check yourself several times. Just a little of that went a long way, just a few grains was a double charge.

I picked up a large load of his old reloading equip. from my brother who was not using it anyway, and found most of it perfectly usable after all these years. My one purchase will be a digital scale instead of the old balance beam. I never really trusted that thing.

Thanks again,

Ben

john keyes · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2008, 07:46:37 PM »

H4895

onesonek · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2008, 01:31:57 PM »

For basically everything I shoot, and from an economic with an extremely frugal point of view,,,I could get by with Varget. From an overall performance point of view with the same cartridges in mind, I would have to say H4350 is better.

Dave

GameHauler · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2008, 02:41:22 PM »

Quote from: onesonek on November 15, 2008, 01:31:57 PM

For basically everything I shoot, and from an economic with an extremely frugal point of view,,,I could get by with Varget. From an overall performance point of view with the same cartridges in mind, I would have to say H4350 is better.

Dave

I was waiting for you to chime in here SQUEAKY

Thanks again for all your help

and I have told my family I want one of your holsters for christmas

Mike

onesonek · « **Reply #12 on:** November 15, 2008, 04:13:59 PM »

A holster for Christmas is slightly off topic, but a good idea none the less

Dave

Skunk · « **Reply #13 on:** November 15, 2008, 04:28:31 PM »

I have to go with Varget too. It seems to work great for all my rifles.

plumberroy · « **Reply #14 on:** November 15, 2008, 06:06:10 PM »

IMR3031 is my choice 45-70, 22-250,30-30 AI and several others I have reloaded over the years. only rifle I don't use it for is my 338 win

GameHauler · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2008, 02:00:52 PM »

How did this get lost in ONE DAY

Even with Dave posting the link

fknipfer · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2008, 06:54:46 PM »

Only rifle powder I would use on everything is H4895. Always consistent, and no wild rounds.

fknipfer

catman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2008, 05:55:03 PM »

I use RL15 in 30-30,.308 & 30.06 and yes I do like Varget in there too..

Steve P · « **Reply #18 on:** November 19, 2008, 10:46:35 AM »

I do not have Varget in my cabinet. I have pounds and pounds of other stuff, but no Varget. (hmm maybe I should)
If I had to pick one powder that would shoot in every rifle I have (22 hornet - 45-70) I would pick Unique.
If I had to pick one rifle powder that would shoot in every rifle, it would probably be between 4895 and 4350.

Steve

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 19, 2008, 12:21:34 PM »

Steve P

I too have a ton of diffrent powders , as for the Varget I have not been as impressed as some have , with all the rounds that I load I have only found one that it excells at and that's the 243 with a 58g V-max .

With all others I have a powder of one brand or another that does a better job , that may also explain why my gun room looks like a gun shop display .

stimpy

AtlLaw · « **Reply #20 on:** November 19, 2008, 01:11:17 PM »

one powder? one powder?? $:-\$ Sorry, I just can't get my ol' head around that concept...

I do like Varget though...

Don Fischer · « **Reply #21 on:** November 19, 2008, 02:06:12 PM »

The smallest cartridge I have presently is a 243, largest a 30-06. Hands down IMR 4350.

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #22 on:** November 20, 2008, 05:55:58 AM »

4064 is a good all around powder.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #23 on:** November 20, 2008, 10:44:52 AM »

4895 or 3031 for those applications.

corbanzo · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:15:15 AM »

If I had to pick one... I would probably go with one can of rl-22 and one can of 4007 and one can of 4895......

I would say that 4895 is probably the most versatile out there, and there is so much leeway in the way you can load it also.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 27, 2008, 12:23:14 PM »

One powder to do all??? Simple: FF