New reloader with questions

[ir3e971]

Hi All,

I am just getting started reloading, and have most of the equipment, and am reading several manuals.

Couple of questions that maybe you all can help with...

I am selecting powders to order. I want general purpose type powders, as I am shooting Milsurp rifles (not looking to get max possible velocity, just good shooting rounds), and good practice rounds for the pistols.

For the rifles, 7.63x39, 7.62x54r, and 308win, I was thinking H4895.

Pistol, I am loading for 9mm, and 44 mag. I was thinking HS6. Good choice?

Lastly, Pistol primers. what size and type of CCI primers would I be using with 44 mag and 9mm luger?

Thoughts or advice.

Thanks for the patience.

Bob

 

[Ol` Joe]

You can use just one powder for each group of cartridges but I think you`ll find some cartridges will preform better with one powder over another. The choices you have listed are as good as any for what you want to do. The 9mm takes a small pistol primer, the 44 mag a large. You need CCI 500 small pistol and 300 large pistol primers in them.

 

[Mal H]

I agree with your choices of powders. In the rifle calibers, 4895 (either Hodgdon or IMR) is a winner.

One thing I would change from Ol' Joe's list of primers is to use CCI 350's (large pistol magnum) with HS-6 in a .44 Mag. If you plan to buy additional powders for the .44 in the future, you will probably need both strengths of primer. I am pretty sure the 300's will work well with HS-6, but a magnum primer is usually the recommendation for that powder.

 

[Backfired]

I would definitely stay away from HS6. It has been my experience that it is extremely foul burning in every load that doesn't use heavy bullets at max velocities. Even under those conditions, it isn't clean burning and it has large amounts of muzzle flash and muzzle blast (even in long barrels). Some other THRers might recommend HS6 - one man's drink is another man's poison. Generally, Unique would be my first choice for handguns because of it's versatility.

 

[xring44]

I may have the only .44 magnum in the world that doesn't like Unique, but it refuses to shoot acceptable groups with that powder. It dearly loves Winchester 296/H110 so I feed it what it likes. I have had good luck with Federal Large Pistol Magnum primers and if by chance your .44 has reduced springs in it, I highly reccomend them as they seem to have a softer cup, some of my revolvers with reduced springs will not reliably ignite CCI primers.
A good compromise is the winchester WLP Primers.

 

[ir3e971]

Thanks!

Thanks to all for the advice. I enjoy the forum and breadth of experience here.

Bob