Favorite rifle powder?

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Kachok

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I load for several rifle calibers and a full spectrum of bullet weights, I have noticed that there are some powders that I can use for a wider range of loading then others and would like your input on what your favorite and most versitle powders are.
Here is my A list.
IMR4350 This is the one I use the most, 150gr-180gr 30-06, 180 grainers in my 308, 120gr 6.5x55 and my most accurate 130gr load for my 270 WSM. This stuff ain't no one trick pony.
RL-22 Anytime I am looking for exceptionally high speeds a full or compressed load of this stuff always delivers like no other in any magnum or long action case, fastest loads in my 140gr 6.5x55, 165-200gr 30-06, and 130-140gr 270 WSM, I don't know what magic voodoo they use in this stuff but it is as slow burning as a Mississippi summer and really drives some lead. According to my reloading manuals RL22 will often drive bullets 100fps+ faster then second place.
Big Game best metering powder I have ever used, combined with the very useful 4350 burn rate and it compresses nicely when needed, this is the ONLY powder I can get my Browning 7mm-08 to group with.
RL-19 Without question the most accurate powder in my favorite rifles, my 30-06 with 150gr will clover leaf all day long with it and my 6.5x55 will shoot semi-smooth one hole groups with a 45.5gr charge and 129gr SSTs. Really good stuff I always have some extra on hand.
 
In 2008 and 2009, I hunted with IMR4895 in 130 gr 270
In 2010 and 2011, I hunted with H4350 in 162 gr 7mmRM
In 2112, I hunted with H4350 in 115 gr 257RAI

For hunting at long range H4350 is the best I have found.
 
Favorite versatile powder for .243 Win, 6mm Rem., 6.5x55, .270WSM, .280 Rem. would be Accurate Data 86, a surplus powder I acquired 24 lbs of when it was available years ago. It is very close to the old Accurate 3100 and sits right around IMR-4831 in burning rate. I have used it with very good results in the 6mm's with bullets from 70 gr up to 100 gr, in the 6.5x55 with both the 129 and 140 gr Hornaday SP's, with 130, 140 and 150 gr bullets in the .270WSM and with 140 and 150 gr bullets in the .280 Rem.
For the .223 and .338 Federal, I really like Ramshot TAC, although IMR-8208 XBR gives a little bit better results in the .338 Fed, and I haven't really played with the IMR in the .223 that much (saving what I have for the .338)
My favorite powders have one thing in common: I got them cheap. Both the Ramshot TAC and the Data 86 were delivered to me for right around $10 per lb when I purchased them. I just ordered a couple of 8 lb kegs of Alliant's new Power Pro 1200-R for less than $20 per lb delivered. I sure hope it becomes one of my new favorites...:uhoh:
 
RL-22 Anytime I am looking for exceptionally high speeds a full or compressed load of this stuff always delivers like no other in any magnum or long action case, fastest loads in my 140gr 6.5x55, 165-200gr 30-06...
Click to expand...

+1. RL22 and my surplus IMR4895 cover just about everything for me.

Don
 
H4895

Commercially available, no temp or position sensitivity, works in just about anything- and well at that.

If you are looking to reduce your # of powders on hand- you cant go wrong with this stuff.
 
I can't pick just one powder because I load rifle ammo what is so different one from the other. You really can't use the same powder for the 45-70, the 223, the 30-06, the 30-30 and a few others.

I use a lot of H4350 but also use H4198, H4895, IMR3031, H335, Varget and LVR.
 
Favorite powder? It depends on the cartridge.

I have H4895, Varget, Accurate 2230, Accurate 1680, CFE223, H322, and W748 in inventory and they all get used.
 
We've got IMR 4895, H4895, IMR 4350, and Reloader 19 on hand, and use these four for most everything from .243 Win, .25-06 Rem, .270 Win, .280 Rem., .30-06 sprg, and .338 Wi Mag.
 
I really love the IMR line. For military rifles they're the best, and allow you to fine-tune by switching from one powder to another. I've never found a one-size-fits-all approach via Varget for example to be as effective. I also love they way they pour and measure.

For handguns Traiboss is a hoot.
 
I reload for 30-30,32 spcl, 243,270, 308, and 30-06, and I use IMR-4064 in all of them. I also use IMR-4350 in 270 and 30-06. But if I only could have one powder it would be IMR-4064.
 
For me it depends entirely on what cartridges I'm loading for. I like IMR-4350 and RL19 for 30-06 and .270 win, and RL22 for 7mm RM. Those are the primary rifle powders I work with, but use others depending on varying bullet weights as well. Some of the super slow burners don't always do so great with light weight bullets in magnum applications such as the 7 mag and a 100 gr. or 110 gr. bullet. So again, it is completely dependant on what cartridge I'm loading, and what bullet weight I'm using too.

GS
 
H4895, is my go to versitile powder. Works well in my 308 pushing 165gr Sierra BTSP's, my .223 pushing 50gr VMax's, my buddies 250 Savage pushing 75gr VMax, another buddies 30-06 shooting 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips and soon in my sons 270 Win for a reduced hunting load pushing some 130 bullet.

It is proabably not the ideal powder for any of the above loads but they are all good shooters and it makes it easier for loading. One day I will have the time and the money to play with other powders. But for now I am very happy to us it as my go to powder.
 
I've only been using W748 for awhile now. It works in all the cartridges I shoot. I just picked up a pound of Varget so I will see how that performs.


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I find IMR4350 to be as versatile as any, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be H380, just because it meters like butter. Set the Uniflow and load all day with no worries.
 
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR for my .308, there's a reason some refer to it as fairy dust. Meters out so well I can all but go auto with my press, temperature stability is supposed to be very good as well.
 
It may be worth your effort, my 4895 loads were good with the .308 but not as good as the 2000 MR.
Really tempted to bundle up real well and go test some rounds I have made up since I bedded my Tikka's action. The suspense is killing me!
 
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