[hershey]

as i continue to learn about reloading i am constantly coming up w/ more questions, it is time to start buying powder for various calibers, i have worked through building up some loads w/ a veteran reloader for my 300rum, we experimented w/ imr 7828 and ended up using reloader 25. be he told me that it wasn't suitable for most of my other needs. my calibers of interest are .22-250 .223, .308, 7mm, 30-06, in rifle, is there one resonably priced powder that can do all these, if not how about two? the same question goes for 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp, will one powder do all these?

[loadedround]

Two powders that will work for all three cartridges are "Power Pistol" and the old standby "Unique". I would suggest you get and read several good reloading manuals for additional information and individual loading data. :)

[GooseGestapo]

Hershey;
If you're loading for a .300RUM, you definitely need to latch onto some WC-860. It's a surplus .50BMG powder that works superbly through the .300RUM.

Jeff Bartlett www.gi-brass.com has it for around $56 for 8lbs. I got mine (16lbs) from Widners www.widners.com when they had a sale for $25 for 8lbs.
Other sources are Pat's reloading, and Hi-Tec ammo.

I too found that of the 7828, RL25, H50BMG, Retumbo, RL22; that RL25 was my favorite (accuracy w/180gr bullet @ 3,250fps), and Retumbo for velocity (3,350fps w/180gr).

However, with 105.0gr of WC860, I'm getting equal to/or better accuracy over the RL25, and at 107.0gr (max. my rifle) I'm getting the same velocity as Retumbo and even better accuracy.

To add to that, I got 500 Remington 180gr Cor-lokts at $48 at the time. They are the most accurate bullet I've found and perform splendidly. They hold together and penetrate much better than I anticipated. I can now shoot my .300RUM (Savage M110 w/26"bbl) for less than I can shoot my Rem. M7 in 7mm08 or even my .22-250 using the premium bullets it insists on.
(yeah, I could get some WC846, and then I could perhaps match the cost of the .300RUM !!).


And thats your answer for the .223-.30/06 question: WC846, uses BLC2/Win748 data. Or, too you can get some surplus 4895 for ~$100/8lbs if you prefer extruded powders. This can be used in the 7mag and .300RUM to load down loaded loads. (but what fun is that?)

If your 7mm is a 7mmRemMag, it will like the WC860 as well, particularily with the heavier bullets (150-175gr). It uses old H870 data. (be advised that there is some lot# to lot# variation, however....)

For the Pistols, there are a variety of powders. Win231/HP38 will be accurate but velocities will be on the low side for the 9mm and .40. I prefer Win.SuperField for a "one fits all" for all three. However, I prefer Hod. LongShot for match grade cast bullet in the 9mm, WinchesterSuperField for all bullets in the.40; and Hod. Clays for the .45; but then, I'm a HighMaster class competitor and insist on uncompromising accuracy from my match grade pistols.

For a one size fits all for the pistols, it'd be Clays Universal........ Or, for a cheaper alternative, Russian "Salut", which is called "Russian Unique". It can be had for ~ $54 for 5lbs.

[GaryL]

I think you will be happier having 2 or 3 rifle powders, and 1 or 2 pistol powders. I think 4895 will cover all the rifle calibers (I know it works very well in 308 and 30-06, and does a decent job in 223, but I can't say off hand about the other 3 you listed).

Unique covers the pistols quite well, but probably isn't quite optimum for all 3. Is there one you want best accuracy in? I found HS5 is excellent in 9mm, but it's also obsolete, so when I run out, I get to start over. I've been told HS6 is similiar, so maybe I won't have to search very far.

[Walkalong]

is there one resonably priced powder that can do all these, if not how about two? the same question goes for 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp, will one powder do all these?

AA #5, Unique, Universal Clays, WSF, W-231 etc, will work for all three pistols calibers mentioned. I would pick AA # 5 here myself, because I have had good success with it.

[45ACPUSER]

A noob reloader ought not to be using surplus powders. Each lot is different, more variable then say the lot to lot variation of cansister grade powders.

[ReloaderFred]

I don't limit myself to any one or two powders for everything. I would rather have the powder that performs best for the particular caliber and bullet combination. I do load for more calibers than most people, but in most cases, I'm on a quest for accuracy and using a powder that will "just do" isn't going to give me the best results. Using a powder that isn't the best choice for what I'm trying to accomplish just goes against trying to achieve a goal. I can see it for casual blasting ammunition, but not for serious "let's see what I can do with this gun and caliber combination" work.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[TX1911fan]

For 9mm and 45 I have AA#5 and Titegroup. I'd like to get one other powder to see how it does, but I've been happy with both of these. I'll probably go with Win 231.

[dakotasin]

my calibers of interest are .22-250 .223, .308, 7mm, 30-06, in rifle, is there one resonably priced powder that can do all these, if not how about two?

for 22-250, h-380 is a great powder. it will also work ok in the 30-06 - but isn't ideal. varget will work in 223, 22-250, and your 308, but is only ideal in the 308. in 223 and 22-250 you will likely be disappointed.

for your rl-25, you will find the 7 rem mag has a good appetite for the stuff. i really like rl-25 in the 7 rem mag.


the same question goes for 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp, will one powder do all these?


i run power pistol in my 9mm, 40 s&w, and 45 acp. don't know if it is ideal or not, but i have had pretty good luck w/ it.

[Halo]

For the pistol calibers, I add my voice to the W231 chorus. Hodgdon HS-6 will work well for all three too.

[tbtrout]

Win 231

[ForneyRider]

I like:

H-Varget for .223, .22-250, 8mm Mauser, 375 H&H. Stuff is expensive but flexible, and accurate. I may try some RL15.

RL 19, RL22 for .270 Winchester, 7mm Magnum.
RL19 for light bullets, RL22 for heavy bullets.

W231 for .45ACP, .41Magnum light loads.

Power Pistol for .45ACP +P, .41Magnum medium loads.

H110 for magnum pistol hot loads.

I'll use W231, Power Pistol for 380ACP.