Author Topic: If I could choose only one powder, what would you suggest? (Read 1667 times)

shoots4fun · « **on:** September 16, 2005, 03:15:09 AM »

I'm reading my manuals and gathering as much info as I can prior to reloading my first rounds. For reloading equipment, I've got the Lee Anniversary Reloading Kit. I've got new Remington Brass and Core-Lokt bullets 100 grain and 150 grain in .243 and .30-06 respectively.

The Lee Primer doesn't allow for the use of Federal Primers, actually, the only primers it recommends (since they have been tested with it) are the Winchester and CCI Primers. I'm wanting to know if there is one powder I could buy to serve both calibers well for non-competition target practicing and deer hunting. Also interested in which primer might be recommended as well. It's my understanding that both rifle cartridges can utilize the same primer although my local gun shop recommended the Magnum primer for the .30-06 (I'm just not sure if this was due to recommended powder though). The Gun shop, well 4 guys at the gun shop, gave me their opinions, and out of the 4 guys, I received 3 recommendations on powders. One was the 4064 (the 760 guy calls this a "rat turd" type powder), another was the Winchester 760 ball type powder (which was said to work best with the powder drop that comes in my reloading kit). I don't know if they were recommending either of these for both calibers as I was mainly talking about reloading for my .30-06.

Steelbanger · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:23:59 AM »

For those two cartridges with the bullets you list I would suggest IMR 4350. Velocity is high, accuracy is great and what more could you ask? I use regular Federal 210 primers in both but either of the other two will work also. It is my thought that you don't need magnum primers.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:42:11 AM »

If I were going to limit myself to one powder, I would go with either IMR-4831 or N-204.

5Redman8 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:52:38 AM »

Without my loading manuals in front of me, how would VARGET do for both. I know it is at home in the 308. It being as stable as it is, i would be tempted to try it.

Kyle

mountainview · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2005, 04:27:34 AM »

Check your reload manual on what primer to use to be on the safe side. I'm not surprised on the range of recommendations you got for powder. In the end your firearms will have a say since some powders will work great and some not so great. I suspect that is one of the fun things about reloading, you never know what combo will work 'til you try it and there are a lot of combos to try. I've used IMR 4350 and Win 760 in various calibers and had good results with both but still got the hankering to try some other powders out and see if those groups don't get just a little bit tighter.

shoots4fun · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2005, 04:41:35 AM »

Thanks for the input, I do plan on trying other powders, sooner or later. Was just looking for something I could use on both right off the bat just to make it easier on my part.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 16, 2005, 04:51:30 AM »

I'm a little late on this but, IMR 4350.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2005, 06:05:50 AM »

Quite honestly I just would not. If you're not going to experiment with various powders and bullets to see what your rifle likes best them you might as well just use factory ammo and forget reloading completely. That's my take on it. Trying to compromise and use ONLY one power for multiple calibers and rifles to me just doesn't make sense.

Yes some of what's been mentioned generally do work well in both. Will they in your rifles? Who knows. Even if they work will they offer you any advantages over factory ammo? Probably not.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2005, 06:22:22 AM »

Yeah, but Bill, man's gotta start somewhere!! :grin:

shoots4fun · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2005, 06:35:46 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Quite honestly I just would not. If you're not going to experiment with various powders and bullets to see what your rifle likes best them you might as well just use factory ammo and forget reloading completely. That's my take on it. Trying to compromise and use ONLY one power for multiple calibers and rifles to me just doesn't make sense.

Yes some of what's been mentioned generally do work well in both. Will they in your rifles? Who knows. Even if they work will they offer you any advantages over factory ammo? Probably not.

I do plan on experimenting, I'd just like something to hang my hat on first without switching powders. Even shooting the same powder between the two calibers I can see would have its advantages over factory ammo. For one, I've got a box of 20 fired rounds for my .30-06 and there are some primers in that box that look like the cartridge was over-charged (freaky squared corners), yet other primers look like they were just pressed in with the exception that there is now a dimple in them. For another, I'd only have to reload 157 rounds to pay for my reloading equipment, when comparing prices of reloaded cartridges versus my usual 13.00/box of 20. Like Butlerford45 says, I'm just starting somewhere.

Questor · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2005, 07:13:45 AM »

I think you should consider each of the cartridges separately, then research the best powders for each. You'll probably end up with two best powders. The 243 and 30-06 are just too far apart for you to limit yourself to just one powder. I would recommend taking a strong look at Hodgdon's recommendations.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2005, 08:29:11 AM »

Quote from: Questor

I think you should consider each of the cartridges separately, then research the best powders for each. You'll probably end up with two best powders. The 243 and 30-06 are just too far apart for you to limit yourself to just one powder. I would recommend taking a strong look at Hodgdon's recommendations.

Not argueing your logic, infact, I agree; however, IMR 4350 happens to be frequently listed in the accuracy/consistancy/most favorable listing for both of these calibres.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2005, 08:30:10 AM »

Quote from: Questor

I think you should consider each of the cartridges separately, then research the best powders for each. You'll probably end up with two best powders. The 243 and 30-06 are just too far apart for you to limit yourself to just one powder. I would recommend taking a strong look at Hodgdon's recommendations.

Not argueing your logic, infact, I agree; however, IMR 4350 happens to be frequently listed in the accuracy/consistancy/most favorable listing for both of these calibres.
Personal experience indicates it works well for both.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2005, 01:30:45 PM »

Yup Bill I agree it do work pretty well in both. But it's not best in either. And no one powder is best in either over the full span of bullet weights. I use at least 6-8 powders for thos two calibers alone.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2005, 01:32:34 PM »

Quote from: Steelbanger

For those two cartridges with the bullets you list I would suggest IMR 4350. Velocity is high, accuracy is great and what more could you ask? I use regular Federal 210 primers in both but either of the other two will work also. It is my thought that you don't need magnum primers.

As long as we are talking Big game hunting weight bullets, +/- 100 grs .243 and 150-180 for the 30/06...Some, including myself, would swear to you, there is no better powder for those two cartridages than the afore mentioned IMR 4350.

I also agree with Grey beard, if you intention is to keep it simple. You may want to try factory stuff first. Factory ammo has come a long way in the accuracy department.
Personally, I would buy a couple boxes of Federals Premimum stuff in each caliber. You may find one off the shelf that does everything you need.

Good luck!

CW

Robert357 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2005, 09:12:49 PM »

I am sensing something that I was thinking when I started reloading.

I wanted to have a few powders on my reloading bench as possible to allow my to buy in bulk and minimize possible mix ups.

After reloading for 32 ACP, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 9mm, 45 Long Colt, 7.62x39, 30-30, 30-06, 7.62x54R Russian, and 7.7x58 Japanese, plus gas checked reduced load cast lead bullet rifle loads; I usually only have three powders on my bench.

H-4895 --great for most rifle loads and reduced cast bullet rifle loads
Alliant 2400 - magnum pistol and reduced cast bullet rifle loads

One of the following pistol powders: Hodgdon Universal, H-TiteGroup, or W231, with Titegroup being my favorite

deerman12 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2005, 04:55:47 AM »

I would pick Varget. I would use the magnum primers in both. I have had good luck with this powder in the 243, 300SAUM, 22-250 and the 25.06. It is a little more expense than some($20-23 a pound). I have also had good luck with H4831 in both on the calibers you mention.

Val · « **Reply #17 on:** September 17, 2005, 05:03:44 AM »

I use IMR4350 with my 30-06 with 165 grain pellets and with my .243 with 100 grain pellets. Both are sub MOA loads. IMR 4064 works with the 70 grain pellets in the .243.

High Brass · « **Reply #18 on:** September 17, 2005, 06:34:40 AM »

I use IMR 4350 for 243 and 30-06. Is it "the" best? I dunno. I've used three different powders in my 243 and they have all done very well, not enough difference to get excited about. It's handy when you're rifle will digest just about anything well enough to satisfiy the shooter.

IMR 4350 is one of the most versatile powders out there. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that I would guess that tons of deer meat have been put in freezers across America as a result of a primer igniting IMR 4350. It has one of those burn rates that makes it suitable for a variety of cartridges.

Other choices would include H4350(not interchangible with IMR's version) IMR 4831, RL 19, H414, IMR 4064, and Ramshot Hunter. I'm going by load manuals and burn rate charts here. I have experience only with IMR 4350 and H4831 in both cartridges which I found to be a bit too slow burning for these applications.

bajabill · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2005, 07:09:01 AM »

I would use Varget, and dont expect to be satisfied, regardless of your first powder choice :shock:

shoots4fun · « **Reply #20 on:** September 17, 2005, 09:35:39 AM »

I picked up some IMR 4350 and some H414.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2005, 09:47:42 AM »

4350. Buying all the powders that work well in a 30-06 can send a fellow to the poor house. I agree that you shouldn't limit yourself but if you start out with one powder and work it until you've got the best out of it before you go to the next one ain't no bad idea. 'Course that's coming from a fellow that has a whole locker full of left over half filled cans of powder.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #22 on:** September 17, 2005, 01:37:14 PM »

Quote from: beemanbeme

'Course that's coming from a fellow that has a whole locker full of left over half filled cans of powder.

HEY, you been peekin at my powder storage???

If you look close there is a number of cans of 4350!!! :-D

rickyp · « **Reply #23 on:** September 17, 2005, 02:28:10 PM »

cwlongshot, You are better stocked then the all the dealers with in 20 miles of me.

When I pick a powder I too try and find one that works well with the most rounds I have. I have several reasons for this 1) is the limited supply with in 20 miles of me 2) in my state we can only have something like 8 pounds of smokeless total and something like 3 pounds of black powder. ( It would be very expensive for me to buy mail order because of the powder limit. now that is if I want to stay legal

High Brass · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2005, 09:19:48 AM »

cwlongshot,

If your house catches fire(God forbid) I dare say that the fire dept. won't show up until the day after!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #25 on:** September 18, 2005, 11:05:34 AM »

Yea, the thought is constantly on my mind...
I have a line on a magazine for powder storage. It is the real deal, vented to the outside and bomb proof!!!

I just need to get it out of where it is and into my basement!!

THATS the trouble now!!!
Got some free time and a good back? I'll supply the Pizza and beer!!! Come on up and we can move it in!!! :-D
:lol:

:-D
CW

Slamfire · « **Reply #26 on:** September 18, 2005, 06:56:30 PM »

If my powder locker looked like that one I'd probably get confused enough to light up a good seegar, and go watch TV. The H4350 is a good recommendation, and ball powers in the same burning rate range should work as well. They have the advantage of metering well. I think the Winchester WLR primers are hot enough to ignite any of them in a .30-06 charge weight.

TCBrian · « **Reply #27 on:** September 20, 2005, 07:09:08 AM »

In my 30-06 IMR 4064 way out performs 4350 in bullet weights of 150gr or less. The 4350 works better with 165 gr bullets on up. A 30-06 is best served with 165s or heavier anyway for hunting, so I would go with the 4350, since it will probably give better velocity in the 243 with 100 gr bullets and work satifactory with 150s in the 06. Once you burn up those 150s, go up to 165s and you increase your ballistic coeffecient and long range tragetory. The 30-06 cases powder capacity seems to be better matched with 165 and 180s too, but that is just my opinion. I have also heard nothing but good things about varget, but haven't tried it yet.

Good shooting,
Brian

Zeak · « **Reply #28 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:01:22 AM »

Yes I would start with IMR 4350 but try experimenting with other powders and loads. Thats what is so fun when it comes to reloading and the satisfaction when you get a good accurate load. Zeak

gwindrider1 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 20, 2005, 12:19:45 PM »

While I would not advise one powder for everything, IMR 4831 has been amazingly useful in a variety of cartridges for me. Consistently producing the best velocities and accuracy.

Study the manuals, pick the top three powders, and give 'em a try, and, always be cautious! Best of luck! :-)