Author Topic: One powder to rule them all! (Read 1708 times)

DGrig · « **on:** March 30, 2009, 06:00:46 AM »

W/ the difficulty of getting powders presently, I am considering reducing my powder selections. I would like to try to use one powder for all my rifle rounds (.223, .260 and .308). I shoot a Savage .223 bolt, RRA 20" varmit AR, A custom Savage 260 and a Savage 20" .308. I am looking for accuracy. Powders that have come to mind are Varget, IMR4895. What powder to you use, w/ what bullet? Loads?

Skunk · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:28:39 AM »

DGrig,

I use Varget for almost the same exact chamberings (just getting started on .223) and Varget is definitely my powder of choice for all of them. I can't really speak with much experience in .223, but from what I read and heard from other shooters, Varget seems to work very well with at least the heavier bullets. However, there is no question that Varget fits the bill for 6.5 and .308. Just my opinion of course. There are no doubt many powders out there that will work as well as Varget across many calibers.

fastbike · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2009, 07:48:11 AM »

I had good luck w/ Varget and 55gr .223, although it did shoot better at 62 gr and up. I really like Ramshot TAC though. I find it shoots .223 as well as Varget and meters better. While I don't shoot .260 or .308, I have had good results with TAC in 30-30, 7.5 Swiss, 7.62x54R, .303 British and 8x57. It is marketed with .308 as the "sweet spot", so should do well.

It is also typically cheaper than Varget.

1sourdough · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2009, 10:37:20 AM »

I would like H4895 for 223 & 308 & others. It's a little hard to find right now though. When you see it buy a keg.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:50:33 AM »

+1 on the Ramshot TAC powder. It is as cheap or cheaper than most powders in this burn rate range. It is advertised as ideal for the 223 and 308. I have no reason to believe it should not do well in the 260 as well. $137 for eight pounds + $22.50 hazmat + $10 shipping at Midway and is available. That works out to $21.19/pound all included - now go get some.

BTW: Varget is close to the same price per pound - go ahead and try to get some - I do not think you will find it easy to get.

Here is a link to Ramshot powders

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

DGrig · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2009, 12:45:23 PM »

that is interesting. i have had no experience with Ramshot powders at all. what i have used for 223-308 includes: varget, imr4895, H4350, H322 (this has been the best 223 powder to date) Reloader 15 (i think this is the cleanest powder), BLC-2, H335.

v-man · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2009, 01:32:23 PM »

I feel like someone ought tp put in an honorable mention for IMR 3031. I've used it on 223 up to 45-70 and never been disappointed.

DGrig · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:19:43 AM »

any more help out there on this?

burntmuch · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:26:49 AM »

Seems like I use more IMR4064 than anything. Im sure its not the best for all ,but it does work for most of what I have

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:29:17 AM »

If for some reason I could only have 1 powder to load all 3 rounds it would be H4895, it works well in all bullet weights for the 223 , 260 and 308 . It can be loaded way down for managed recoil loads ( SAFELY ) and in all 3 - a little goes a long way .

But honestly -- who can get by with just one powder ?

stimpy

fastbike · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:35:18 AM »

How much more help did you want? You've got over a dozen recommendations for powder. What you should be getting out of this thread is that there are several choices that people have actually used and work well. Your biggest issue is what you can find. Your second issue may be what meters well for you. I use the Lee Autodisk and IMR4064 doesn't meter that consistently, yet Varget is pretty good. Tac meters the best, which isn't a surprise since its a ball powder.

Quote from: DGrig on March 31, 2009, 11:19:43 AM

any more help out there on this?

DGrig · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2009, 01:05:41 PM »

what i look for is consensus. we all have opinions on what is best, but when a bunch have similar opinions, well, it may be worth a try. so thanks for the thoughts. i think i may give H4895 and Ramshot TAC a look.

MZ5 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:01:45 PM »

In an effort to build a consensus (not!

), I'll recommend VihtaVuori powders. They're super-clean, meter extremely well, and give outstanding overall performance for me in a variety of pistol and rifle chamberings. I prefer N-133 in my slow-twist bolt .223, and you can use that effectively for up to ~150-155 .308s as well. For .260 Rem, though, you really shouldn't go faster than N-140, and slower than that is better for most things besides the lightest bullets in that cartridge. So, try N-140 for your 'universal' powder. If you want some N-133, get to the Vihtavuori-Lapua.com website by today; it's on sale!

MnMike · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:07:12 PM »

Just one more vote for Varget. I use other powders, but my first choice for a new caliber is Varget (if there is a load listed for it in that caliber). Possibly my love for it is the insensitivity to temperature. Here in Mn we go from -50 to 110. With other powders, I have had great loads that turn bad in the cold. I could use this alone for most of my rifle rounds if I had to.

mike

Sweetwater · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:51:58 PM »

I like H4895Extreme for that very reason. It seems to be quite tolerant of temperature change.
Over the years, I've used more IMR3031 than anything, closely followed by IMR4350. Yes, they meter terribly, but they do work! Basically switched to H4895Ext for a lot of my loadings, haven't been able to find any Ramshot TAC locally, and have some Reloder 19 and 22 to give a try.

Hope it never comes down to one powder.

IMR4064 was on sale at Wal-Mart right after Christmas - I got 3lbs. It all goes bang.

It will all fill the freezer.

Regards,
Sweetwater

wgr · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:30:31 PM »

Savage · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2009, 03:53:57 AM »

Now days I use what I can get! Currently that's H-4198. Sometimes we just have to make do with a slightly less efficient powder. IMR4895 would be my choice if it were available and I could have but one rifle powder. Second choice would be IMR3030. Haven't tried some of the newer powders, still have a little stock of the H & IMR stuff.
Savage

Ladobe · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 06:27:12 AM »

My powder locker must have a bakers dozen or more of different powders in it because I don't settle for less than what shoots best in each of my firearms. And since I buy based on useage, I also don't have to settle when there is a shortage. H322, 4895 and 1680 get the most use in my P&V hunting, so they are 8 pound jugs.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2009, 06:35:42 AM »

Varget seems to be the most versitile powder out there.

Savage · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:25:53 AM »

I try to keep a pretty good stock of components and save a few bucks by ordering in volume. Fortunately, I still have some of those components. I use what I can get without getting in to my JIC supply. I'm currently concentrating on 5.56 for my ARs, and loading a lot more than I usually do. For that purpose I can still buy, the H4198 so that is what I use to keep from getting into my long term storage stuff. It puts holes in targets in the right places as well as most, so it'll have to do. Bottom line, there's a lot of powders out there that do a passable job with multiple calibers that are still available.
Savage

223Shooter · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:42:16 PM »

223.............Benchmark/H335
30-30..........IMR 3031
35 Rem........IMR 3031
30-06..........IMR 4064

When I started reloading years ago, I purchased many different powders to try. Big mistake. I finally honed in with the above powders which I have been using for a long time. It cuts down on my powder inventory. Works for me.........

smith85619 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2009, 03:44:04 PM »

This thread should be stickied to the top of the forum. I always look at all the powders recommended by each manual and try to find the ones listed for each caliber I want to load for and then buy that powder and try it. I've probably got powder that I will never use, but it's paid for and who knows, I might buy another gun one day that loves it. H4350 is perfect for my 30-06, H110 for my .44, Varget for my 7mm-08. I am still experimenting with this stuff, don't try to get me down to just one powder!

damascus-doug · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2009, 04:23:54 PM »

I started off with IMR 4895 in my 308 and have used it for just about every rifle since. I have since branched out and tried other powders but when I first started reloading I used it for every rifle I had.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2009, 05:10:42 PM »

one powder? that would be Varget. so far i have not had to reach for another powder.

i have used it in 6.5x55, .243, .223, .204, .22-250, and .25-06. all these cartridges performed best with Varget. i used other powders while working up loads but Varget put tiny little groups on the paper.

-Matt

Dand · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2009, 07:53:30 PM »

I was going to suggest looking at Winchester 748 which works pretty well in the 308 and .223. I can't find any loads for the 260 with this powder on the Hodgdon website. I'm a little surprised but it might be the 260 uses a little slower powder.

Whoever recommended H414 - Hodgdon only listed 1 load for the 223 using a 90 gr bullet in their online data.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #25 on:** April 04, 2009, 12:40:18 AM »

if all your loading is full power loads id go with 335/748 if you shoot alot of reduced loads too 4895 would be a better choise.

Swampman · « **Reply #26 on:** April 04, 2009, 02:17:37 AM »

Varget

v-man · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2009, 02:27:16 AM »

DAND,
223 with a 90 gr bullet?

?? Did you mean .243?

Dand · « **Reply #28 on:** April 04, 2009, 08:31:03 AM »

No V-man I meant the 223 Rem. Check the Hodgdon site for 223 Rem H414 powder and 90 gr sierra hpbt. Not a well known bullet unless you are in the long range target business maybe. I tried some of the 80 gr bullets once but they went thru the paper side ways at 30 yards. My rifle twist is 1:10.:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

90 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H414 .224" 2.380" 22.5 2332 41,700 PSI 24.0 2482 52,100 PSI

For the original poster, I think 748 doesn't burn quite as clean as some newer powders but its a ball powder and meters well. I use it commonly in my 223 and 30-30. Don't have any 308 based cartridges. I wasn't aware that H335 and W 748 were so close in performance as suggested by Lloyd - I defer to his vast experience. I haven't used 335 yet but have a can of it.

One other thing to consider is I understand most ball powders have a better shelf life than stick types. If one is stocking up on a single powder, storage could be an important consideration.

v-man · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2009, 03:49:33 PM »

I stand corrected. I have to guess that you load them one at a time and shoot only from a bench. My OAL is is maxed out for my mags when I load 72gr. Also it must require about a 1:7 twist to stabilize it. I'm not sure my 1:8 20" Wilson bull is enough for a 90.