One powder for reloading different calibers

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

BENELLIMONTE

member
Joined
Dec 7, 2007
Messages
324
Location
INTERMOUNTAIN WEST
I am wondering if any of you can suggest one powder that I could load all of the following calibers with:
223 Rem (55 grain bullets)
243 Win (90 -100 grain)
270 Win ( 130-150 grain)
7mm-08 Rem (140-150 grain Nosler Accubonds)
30-06 (165 grain)
300 WSM(180 grain)
300 Win mag (200 grain Nosler Partitions)
338 Win mag (250 grain Nosler Partitions)

Thank you,
 
Just to load and shoot some bullets down range, anything on the burn rate chart from 4895 to Win 760 can be used.

HOWEVER, to shoot well and accurately, you're not going to find one powder with outstanding performance for 223 Rem and 338 Win Mag and everything in between. You gotta give yourself 2 or maybe 3 choices.

Besides, you're going to burn up a lot of powder if you load for all 8 calibers in 10 rifles. You might as well buy 5 or 6 powders and develop excellent loads for each rifle.
 
There is no reason to buy only 1 powder to reload all your different calibers. For most you won't get the best results and you save no money at all. No matter what you will need as much powder as you need for reloading so there's no good reason to limit yourself to only 1 powder and not get the best results fro your time and money.

If 1 or 2 powders did everything well the powder companies wouldn't spend all that money developing and manufacturing 20 different powders, would they?

Good luck finding what you need...
 
Why the big deal about searching for old posts.

If this person had searched previous posts, then I would not have had a chance to read these particular reponses. Also, if he only searched previous posts, he would not get any new or updated reponses.

Who cares if something has already been discussed. If you don't like it, move on to the next thread.
 
I get good results with Varget for both .243 and .30-06. However, I'm not pushing anything larger than 150gr with the Varget in the .30-06.

As another said, powders have "optimum ranges" that you kind of have to follow if you want the best results.

I went with Varget because it isn't temperature sensitive. Warm weather or cold, the POI pretty much stays the same. Hunters who develop loads in warm weather and then shoot in winter should like this. Target shooters who get "sighters" may not really care... :)
 
+1 for Varget,
It's versatile enough for the non magnum calibres.
But for the magnums, ya might consider another, slower, powder to give better magnum calibre results.
 
Gentlemen,

Thanks for the advice. I really wasn't expecting I would find just 1 powder for all the mentioned calibers. I probably should have asked for the top 3 choices for those calibers. I was interested & a bit surprised by the tone of the response to my question.
 
BENELLIMONTE,

First, I don't have an answer for you.
Second, I may have a way for you to find the optimal solution.

I took a large 'burn rate' chart and put it into an EXCEL workbook. I added some columns and subdivided the data into manufacturers-keeping the original list order--this makes searching very fast. Its 265 (or so) powders across 16 manufacturers.

Adding more columns for the calibers I load (by bullet type/weight). Then with several loading manuals, starting with Speer 13, I simply ranked the powders by velocity (that's how they are listed in Speer 13); 1, 2, 3, ...

I load mostly for pistols and I found a number of commonalities--some powders span 4-6 calibers.

I've been reloading for almost 2 decades so this didn't really reduce my collection of powders, but it did give me 5 or 6 powders that I now buy only in bulk quantities.

The Excel workbook sounds like a lot of work--and it was, but if you can use it, I'll share it via e-mail. It may help to just take a look even if you don't actually add any information for your own use.
 
I have removed several posts, one of which was completely uncalled for and several suggesting that the OP use the search function first.

Frankly, folks, I'm a little tired of that old refrain. Most often the question asked is a new one, or perhaps an old one with a new twist. Telling someone they should do a search is rarely the right answer to a simple question. If you don't have a valid response - don't respond.

If someone can show me the search parameters and arguments they would use to answer the OP's question, I would like to see it.

If your post is gone, you now know why. If your post remains, thank you for trying to help out a member.
 
BENELLIMONTE said:
Gentlemen,

Thanks for the advice. I really wasn't expecting I would find just 1 powder for all the mentioned calibers. I probably should have asked for the top 3 choices for those calibers. I was interested & a bit surprised by the tone of the response to my question.
Click to expand...

IMR-4895 for .223 through .30-06, IMR-7828 for Magnums
 
My only reason for suggestion he search for threads like this one was only to help. I recalled there were a few recent posts about this that would add to the information he got from this thread. I can't speak for anyone else but I hope the OP didn't get the wrong impression from my post because along with the rest of my post my suggestion was only meant to help.
 
I like IMR-4064 for .223-.30-06. Don't have much experience with the mag loads. You will probablyfind that many powders (IMR-4320, -4198, and -3031) will give you "good" performance in different calibers and bullet weights, but will seldom give the "best" performance in everything you listed. This is part of the fun of reloading. You can try out lots of different combinations.
 
H-4895 will run everything from 223 to 300 win mag. It probably won't accel at any one caliber, but its suitable for all. Just like Unique for pistols.:D
 
You realize that you cannot achieve optimal results in all the calibers that you listed with 1 powder. Why limit yourself with all the great powders available? A minimum of 2 different powders is necessary, with 3 giving you a better chance of getting accurate, full power loads. A medium burner, a medium-slow burner and a slow burner. You still have to work up to get the accuracy you want.

NCsmitty
 
Before posting a new thread, ill try this one. I have a similar question, and was wondering about a powder that would work for .223, 7.62x39, and 7.62x54r. As far as efficiency/accuracy goes, i would hope iit could go in that order as well [.223 most important, 7.62x54r least]. However, if one will be pretty nice for all, thats good too! =D

Thanks fellas,
Brian
 
[.223 most important, 7.62x54r least]
Click to expand...

aliveisalive,
A well suited powder for .223rem is likely gonna be suited to 7.62x54r also, 7.62x39mm is where you might run into issues, as it will want a faster powder to give best results.

If I had to pick one powder for all 3 calibres, I would try something in the H322, H-Benchmark, IMR3031, All-10X burnrate range. Buy in 1lb's to try first, before stocking up.

Personally I like to use H-Benchmark in .223rem (It's a bolt rifle so, gas operation isn't a consideration either) and .308win, though I have used H4895 with good results in both calibres also.

Some folks I shoot with like H-4895 and/or H-Varget for .223rem, these powders are also a suitable burnrate for 7.62x54r.

As for 7.62x39mm, H-4227 and IMR 4227 are much better suited for it. IMO
 
Ants is correct - the whole point of handloading is to work up loads that are more accurate for your particular weapon than what can be purchased commercially. One powder won't do that for all those calibers. Might be better off looking for bargain ammo if improved accuracy isn't your motivation.
 
Remo-99,
I have to disagree about using 4227 in the 7.62X39mm round, H4198, H335 or H322 will work much better IMO. As for the 7.62X54R my opinion is H335, Varget or 4895 will work well. For the .223 I feel H335, H322 and IMR-3031 will work very well.

I would think if you are looking for 1 powder for those 3 calibers H335 will probably do a good job on all 3 without compromising performance in any of the three. If you shoot in extreme temperatures you might want to substitute H322 for H335.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Oneeyejd
  • Locked
300 Win Mag Loads
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Oneeyejd
Oneeyejd
H
  • Locked
nosler accubond
Replies
9
Views
410
Saint Dennis
S
T
  • Locked
.300 win mag 150 gr. accubond load?
Replies
16
Views
6K
TonyM
T
H
  • Locked
300 win mag powders
Replies
10
Views
2K
Trent
Trent
T
  • Locked
7mm rem mag 140 grain nosler partition too light for cow elk?
Replies
10
Views
4K
GooseGestapo
GooseGestapo
Back
Top