Favorite Loads In Each Caliber

[Joe Texas]

Working up loads with new components is my favorite part of reloading. Still, I like to have a pet load for each caliber/gun. If you could only have one load per caliber, what would they be?

Here are my absolute favorites in each caliber I load for:

• 38 Special
148 grain Hornady LHBWC
3.0 grains Titegroup
1.16 COAL

• 357 Magnum
158 grain Hornady XTP/FP
16.7 grains W-296/H110
1.585 COAL

• 9mm
115 grain HAP
4.2 grains Titegroup
1.065 COAL

• 45 ACP
230 grain FMJ/plated
5.0 grains AA#2
1.215 COAL

• 45 Colt (Ruger only)
250 grain Hornady XTP
26 grains W-296/H110
1.59 COAL

• 223 Remington
69 grain Sierra Match King BTHP
23.8 grains VV N135
.02 off lands (longer than mag length)

• 308 Winchester
150 grain SIerra Game King BTSP
44.5 grains Varget
2.795 COAL

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I can't recall all my loads. But some of my faves are...
44 mag for range use. 10 grains of unique with 180 grain cast up to 240 grain.
45 colt 8 grains of unique. with 230 and 250 grain cast.
.223 55 grain bullets. 14 grains of 2400 for light loads and 24 grains of varget for higher velocity loads.
30.06,7.62x54R and 7.65x53 13 grains of red dot for light loads. Behind a 150-160 grain bullet. I don't load much high power in these. I have plenty of factory ammo for them for hunting.

 

[mdi]

Off hand I don't have data for all the calibers you mentioned, but my "JIC" 9mm load is about 4.5 gr. Universal under a 124 gr. JHP. With mixed brass and CCI primers I'm getting about 1,120 fps. Works in my 4, 9mm pistols. For my 45 ACP "JIC" loads I like a classic load of 5.0 gr. Bullseye under a 230 FMJ, mixed brass with CCI primers. Getting about 850 fps in my 1911 and roughly 1,000 from my HP carbine. Works quite well in my 3, 45 ACP guns.

FWIW; I have my "JIC" loads, meaning "Just In Case". These are loads that work and perform well in all my guns chambered for that cartridge. I keep 800-1,000 rounds of 45 ACP on hand and around 1,000-1,100 rounds of 9mm, just in case...