[JeepGeek]

Folks-

Just loaded my first 100 rounds of 9mm. No problems whatsoever. I've got dies for 9/40/45 calibers, with an eye to getting them for Makarov, 30-30, 12gauge, 5.56, .303, 7.62X39 and 54R, and .308. Bullet molds on hand for 9 and 45, with an eye for the above as well as hollowpoint versions of the handgun stuff.

Presently trying to decide on powders for the pistol and rifle loads, an eye being to keep only a few (2, maybe 3) powders on hand to get the job done and then getting a surplus of rounds loaded up as I intend to keep myself shooting the big guns quite a bit before deer season.

So- to recap:

loading pistols:
9X18, 9X19, .40, .45 calibers.

-suggest a common powder for these? I intend to run 124g in the 9, 145g and 180g for the 40, and 230g for the 45. Would prefer a single powder that can be used in all.

Rifles calibers:

30-30, 5.56, .303, 7.62X39 and 54R, and .308
(additionally, 12gauge shotgun)
Please suggest powder for these- preferably one powder that'll do a decent job on all.

It would be outstanding if there were one powder that could do all of these.

I realize the solution I'm asking for will be a compromise. I'm not looking for match grade performance here. The only weapon that needs a really high level of accuracy might be the .303 or the .308, and honestly, in the woods around here, I'll be hard-pressed to find a shot on Bambi at 100 yards, so that's not even a big consideration.

Bear in mind I'm new to this- so if it can't be done, please educate me a bit?

Thanks very much!

[GP100man]

i`d research hodgdons clays series of powders for the pistol rounds you have listed ,rite off hand i would look at universal or tite group.

the long gun calibers you have listed is to wide a selection to say what will work, but i`d bet you`ve already looked at 3031 & 4350 loads or maybe 4046 for the 30`s
just thinking out loud , some more exp. rifle loaders will chime in .
i promise!

GP100man

[JeepGeek]

I know just about nothing about powders, so lay it on me. :)

[bensdad]

I use Bullseye for 9mm and 45acp, cuz I like to live on the wild side. Check your load manual to see if it can be used in your other pistol calibers. I can't imagine why it wouldn't be o.k., but 9 and 45 are the only two I load (so far).

Varget is my only rifle powder so far. I've used it for .223. I see it can be used for 30-06, 308 and even 375 H&H. My guess is it can be used for darn near any rifle.

Shotgun? Buy factory ammo. :D

[JeepGeek]

Looks like Universal Clays works for the pistols.. .which is cool, as that's what I have!

Thanks, now what about the rifle powder? :)

[ants]

IMR 4895 or H4895 are somewhat classic for your rifle calibers.
For 12 gauge and pistol can share the same powders. Clays, Titegroup, Unique and a host of others are good for every pistol you named, plus all your shotshells.

Now, go get some books and do your own research. Everything I learned over 40 years came from books, enhanced by my own experience after I read the books. Time for you to discover and explore published resources. Unfortunately, some of the people on these Forums don't know any more than you do, but they'll try to answer your questions as though they are experts. Better to get it from published manuals.

[JeepGeek]

Thanks Ants- I understand your point. I only meant to use the info found here as a stepping-off point. I'd never use a load mentioned online without finding it on a manufacturer's load data first.

[ants]

You're good to go, Jeep. I understand you.

By the way, my all time favorite pistol/shotshell powder is Titegroup. The granules are small and susceptable to static electricity, so sometimes it gets a little messy on the bench. But it meters very nicely. As you increase or decrease the load, velocity and recoil go up and down predictably. To counteract static electricity, coat your powder hopper and charging die with powdered graphite and the static problem disappears.

4895 in rifle is also highly predictable, but it often fills the case before you get to max load. So max loads are sometimes compressed loads. But that doesn't matter to me because I generally get good accuracy 5% less than max load. For a faster rifle powder, Benchmark is remarkably good in most common calibers and it meters so perfectly. That helps it perform consistently because you get the same charge in every case.

[rcmodel]

Unique for all the handgun & shotguns listed.

WW748 will do very nicely in all the rifles. And it runs through a powder measure like water.

rcmodel

[JeepGeek]

That's exactly the sort of info I'm looking for Ants.

No matter that I can't go max loads-- I specifically am not looking to max out. It is my understanding that best accuracy is usually obtained with less than max charges. I'm not one of these idiots that has to have every shot be a proof load.

[zxcvbob]

Titegroup should be good with jacketed bullets in all those pistol cartridges (but I shoot 99% cast bullets so I don't like it so much.)

Bullseye is another one that I really like and it will do all of your pistol cartridges.

Sorry, I don't know much about loading for rifles yet. But I'll guess 748 or Reloder-15.

You didn't say what kind of 12 gauge shotshells, but you might want to check out Alliant Promo for target loads, and WSF for heavy field loads (they are both good powders for loading pistol too)

[JeepGeek]

shotshells will be mostly for HD and the occasional hunting slugs

[depoloni]

Just my opinion... but I like W-231 (which is identical to HP-38, but lots still vary like always) in my 9mm loads although it doesn't give top velocities compared to HS-6 or several others. 231 also happens to be a "classic favorite" according to many sources in the 45 auto - several competitive shooters I know favor mild loads of 231 behind 230gr bullets for their target handloads. I can't speak directly from experience how, or whether, this powder will suit you well in either the 9x18 or the 40SW though.

From my personal experience, 231 gives me the tightest velocity spreads behind 122gr hardcast and also rainier HP/RN in the 9mm Luger, not the fastest top end speeds but my favorite. I've loaded it in "normal" jacketed loads (rainiers are plated, softer) and found it to be one of the better choices as well. I also load for a P-345 and my father's Sprg 1911 with it, and it's proven it's reputation worthy as a good choice - even better in 45. Considering I also use it for reduced, cast loads in my 44mag it's definitely versatile. Titegroup is reportedly very clean burning and has similar versatility and will be, if it matters, the next "new to me" powder I try.

Amongst the rifle calibers listed, that's a toughie. Offhand I'd suggest H-4895 as being a good performer in several of your listed calibers - it's one of the best in the 30-30 and one of the better ones in .303, .308, 54R... Seems it'd be too slow for a great choice in the .223/5.56 and I can't speak on how it'd like the x39. The choice of powder(s) in both the rifle and pistol calibers you listed should NOT be made without careful research. The load listings at http://data.hodgdon.com amongst others will be more useful than I could hope to be probably. Good luck.

[JeepGeek]

I appreciate the info, but I have no way nor inclination to measure velocity.

I will not be developing my own loads. I will use data out of the vendors' sheets and will go no higher than 95% of max loads in those tables (see previous discussion).

I don't own a chrono, and frankly have nowhere to use one if I did have one. I live in the suburbs, and the only outdoor range is pretty much a cluster in terms of being just a bunch of yahoos blasting lead willynilly. I don't go there much. I may be joining a shooting club that is used by folks that are much more responsible shooters (IDPA, CCW instructors, etc). But that involves a pretty substantial outlay, and I'm not sure yet.

My only goals with reloading are cheaper ammo while still being safe and effective (whether effective means dropping a buck or an attacker).

Yes, I'll be carrying factory ammo for CCW purposes. But if someone attacks me at the house, the first thing to hand will be what they get.

[zxcvbob]

It would be outstanding if there were one powder that could do all of these.

Unique and Red Dot will do every single one of those cartridges, although you might not like the performance you get in the rifles (they'll be plenty accurate though.) And it was made for 12 gauge shotguns.

An 8-pound keg of Promo costs about $80 and is a direct replacement (by weight) for Red Dot. It is heavier than Red Dot, which means it measure better for pistol charges, but requires different powder bushings when you use it in a shotshell reloader.

[Walkalong]

loading pistols:
9X18, 9X19, .40, .45 calibers.

-suggest a common powder for these?
W231, N320, WSF, AA #5

30-30, 5.56, .303, 7.62X39 and 54R, and .308

W748, like rcmodel said, or H335

[jakk280rem]

aa-5,w231, bullseye