Consolidating components for multiple calibers

[Newtosavage]

Who does this successfully, and what is your method?

I am enjoying reloading, but not all the dozens of combinations of powders and bullets to keep track of.

I finally settled on one common bullet for both my .308 and 7.62x39 (150 grain Sierra Game King) that gives me MOA accuracy out of both rifles.

And I settled on one powder (RL-15) for both my 7x57 Mauser and my .308.

So now for 3 rifles, I can stock just two powders (RL-7 and RL-15) and two bullets (7mm and .308) for my three rifles.

Took a while to get there, but I'm glad I finally did. It's fun experimenting with different powders and projectiles, but after a while - to me at least - it got overwhelming and darn expensive.

I had dreamed of having all .30 caliber or all 7mm for a while, but I'm not selling my 7.62x39 or my 7x57, so I guess that dream is dead. LOL.

 

[chris in va]

I use CCI small rifle primers for 9mm, 45acp and some 7.62x39.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can buy Winchester LPP that are rated for both standard and magnum loads and consolidate there.

 

[MikeInOr]

I replaced 3 different rifle powders with Varget and I am very pleased with the results. Likewise I am pleased with Bullseye for both 9mm and .45acp. Now if I could only find some place that carries Bullseye!

There is reloading to experiment and there is reloading to shoot. Once I have a good load I generally stick with it. Problem is a new gun comes along and it is time to do more experimenting to get the best out of the new gun.

 

[BigBore45]

Depending on what grain bullet you use in your 7x57. You might be able to just run one powder. BLC2.

I do this with all my reloading supplies. Use h380 in 308, 243, 223.

Pistol is easy with powder, the same powder I use for my shotguns.

I only use mag primers. No fuss with changing around primers.

Same bullets in 45 colt and acp.

I do have some smaller number components for hunting loads or long range accuracy loads. But all plinking and practice ammo is sharing as many like components as possible.

 

[TimSr]

I finally settled on one common bullet for both my .308 and 7.62x39 (150 grain Sierra Game King) that gives me MOA accuracy out of both rifles.

And I settled on one powder (RL-15) for both my 7x57 Mauser and my .308.

So now for 3 rifles, I can stock just two powders (RL-7 and RL-15) and two bullets (7mm and .308) for my three rifles.

H4895 works well in all 3 of those calibers.

 

[Newtosavage]

I thought it would too, but I was very disappointed with the results from H4895 in the 7x57 and the 7.62x39 both in accuracy and velocity. I love that powder in my .308 though.

A full charge of RL-7 in the 7.62x39 is almost impossible to beat by any other powder I've tried. Nothing else really even comes close.

RL-15 is a small compromise for the .308 and 7x57, but one I can easily live with. I've gotten slightly better groups with H4895 in the .308, and H4831 in the 7x57, but not so much better that it's worth giving up the convenience of using one easy-to-find powder for both. I've had a hard time finding H4895 and 4831 but the local Bass Pro always has the Reloder powders well stocked.

I agree there is reloading to tinker, and then there is reloading to shoot. I'm trying to get from the former, to the latter.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

H4895 works well in all 3 of those calibers.

H4895 works well in MANY cartridges. It's the Unique or rifle powders only clean lol.

I use H4350 for my 30-06 loads but I could be happy with 4895 considering that's what I use for M1 Garand ammo.

 

[cfullgraf]

I used to try to minimize the different powders that I keep on hand but it never seemed to work for long. I always wanted to try something different for some reason. Most of the powders that I have on hand will work in multiple applications.

For most of my cartridges, handgun and rifle, I have loads developed with different powders incase I cannot find my desired choice of powder.

Bullets I do not worry so much about. They are relatively inert, last for ever in storage, and won't blow up the house so I keep on hand what works best in each firearm or cartridge.

If one is happy with the results using one powder and one bullet for different cartridges, go for it.

 

[TimSr]

I use H4350 for my 30-06 loads but I could be happy with 4895 considering that's what I use for M1 Garand ammo.

It was recent discovery for me for my M1 and M1A.

I had different results then Newtosavage, at least in my SKS with 7.62x39 though. It was very accurate with 150gr .308" roundnose softpoint bullets. The pointed bullets were killing the accuracy in my gun.

 

[Newtosavage]

Interesting! In my Savage model 10, H4895 was pitifully slow and not very accurate compared to RL-7. I was really hoping that would be my "one powder" for all three, but it's just not going to work out that way.

I've been pleased with the versatility of RL-15 however.