Powder choice
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bluetopper
Member
My opinion is if you're looking for a powder that will work for all three calibers that is what you will get, they will just work, and you won't get near the performance, burn cleanliness, and accuracy each caliber is capable of.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You need some different books!
There is no way possible to use IMR-4064 in any normal handgun caliber.
But especially not in 9mm & .38 Special.
It will work for the 30-30 Winchester, though there are better powders for it.
I would look at IMR-3031 or WW-748 as good choices for the 30-30.
I would look at Alliant Unique or Win-231 for your two handguns.
rcmodel
There is no way possible to use IMR-4064 in any normal handgun caliber.
But especially not in 9mm & .38 Special.
It will work for the 30-30 Winchester, though there are better powders for it.
I would look at IMR-3031 or WW-748 as good choices for the 30-30.
I would look at Alliant Unique or Win-231 for your two handguns.
rcmodel
243winxb
Member
IMR4064 ? Are you sure you have the right powder number?
Crazy4nitro
Member
*Walks over and Stands next to rcmodel*
I agree with him.
'Nitro
I agree with him.
'Nitro
zxcvbob
Member
Bullseye or Unique for the pistols, not sure for the rifle; maybe W748?
You could use Red Dot or Unique for all three, but you'd be limited to low powered cast bullet loads in the .30-30.
You could use Red Dot or Unique for all three, but you'd be limited to low powered cast bullet loads in the .30-30.
Schleprok62
Member
TiteGroup or Accurate #5 for the pistols...
30-30 - H335 or Varget looks like a good option too...
30-30 - H335 or Varget looks like a good option too...
IMR4064 is a fine rifle powder but as a stick powder its a little difficult to get some powder dispensers to meter well. You made an error in reading, there is no loads for 9mm and .38 spl pistol cartridges using IMR4064.
For pistol you need a faster powder. Unique, Universal, AA#5 if you want to load medium to heavy in these cartridges. Use W231, HP38, AA#2, Bullseye and the like for target loads.
If loading lead cast bullets you can find loads for the 30-30 using Unique powder that will give you velocities up to 1,500 fps or slightly more depending upon the weight of the bullet.
For pistol you need a faster powder. Unique, Universal, AA#5 if you want to load medium to heavy in these cartridges. Use W231, HP38, AA#2, Bullseye and the like for target loads.
If loading lead cast bullets you can find loads for the 30-30 using Unique powder that will give you velocities up to 1,500 fps or slightly more depending upon the weight of the bullet.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Like the others have already said, there is no way you should use IMR4064 for any handgun rounds. That powder is FAR TOO SLOW a powder to be used in a handgun load. I'm sure that would be dangerous.
You have been given many good powder suggestions so there's no reason for me to repeat them.
Please be careful.
You have been given many good powder suggestions so there's no reason for me to repeat them.
Please be careful.
Upon RE-READING my notes, YES I was wrong about the IMR4064. I was thinking 30-30 and 300 mag. and 270. 
My notes ran together(rifle/pistol) seperated now. All comments DULY noted. Re-reads books. I will try the Unique for my pistols and the 4064 for my rifles ANy advice on which powders work best in a Lee dispencer?
My notes ran together(rifle/pistol) seperated now. All comments DULY noted. Re-reads books. I will try the Unique for my pistols and the 4064 for my rifles ANy advice on which powders work best in a Lee dispencer?SCPigpen
Member
Pistol specific & rifle specific powder are a must.
SCPigpen
Member
I have found most work pretty good in the despencers for informal shooting puposes. The small grain sizes usually are more consistant.
moooose102
Member
i dont have all that many reloads under my belt, and am still learning lots, but these guys are right. pistol powder, and rifle powder ARE 2 totally different beasts. if you try to use pistol powder in your rifle, you are going to have MAJOR OVERPRESSURE problems. and if you try to use rifle powder in your pistol, well, that is just going to be a big mess. DO NOT TRY IT! buy AT LEAST 2 different powders for your collection. there are several "universal" rifle, and pistol powders out there. each is pretty universal in their own right. but trying to use one powder in everything is not going to work. think of it as auto racing. if you have a top fuel dragster, and a formula 1 indy car. if you try to use 1 "car" for both tracks. it is going to be ugly. but if you use the appropriate vehicle, in the appropriate track, it going to be a lot of fun!
Linear Thinker
Member
Wax - the powder issue has been exhaustively addressed above, I have nothing to add.
As you are new to reloading, I would recommend starting with 1 caliber, not several. You will quickly get an understanding of what reloading is all about, the safety precautions you must take, and mistakes to avoid.
You seem to already have a manual/manuals, so you are set there. You will find that several are better than one.
Also, I would recommend a single station press, not a progressive, for learning.
If you already bought a progressive, buy a single station anyway - you will need it. They are not expensive, and used ones sell for $10-$30.
Have fun!
LT
As you are new to reloading, I would recommend starting with 1 caliber, not several. You will quickly get an understanding of what reloading is all about, the safety precautions you must take, and mistakes to avoid.
You seem to already have a manual/manuals, so you are set there. You will find that several are better than one.
Also, I would recommend a single station press, not a progressive, for learning.
If you already bought a progressive, buy a single station anyway - you will need it. They are not expensive, and used ones sell for $10-$30.
Have fun!
LT
Thanks LT. I have bought a Lee Anniversery set, I have also bought my dies for what I will be shooting. But as you have said I am going to start 1 load at a time. I am just about finished with my bench. Just buying all I think I need has been fun. Thanks to everyone on this site for the advice, too
Z-Michigan
Member
Of the three calibers, I suggest starting with 38 Spl, as it is very forgiving and straightforward. Just be 100% certain you don't double-charge a case. If you're using an adjustable powder measure, I would weigh the first couple charges and if all consistent then weigh maybe every 10th charge until certain the measure isn't changing its throw amount. I personally have used the Lee dippers for 38 Spl and they work very simply, if one of the dipper sizes lines up with a powder type and charge you want to use. (I don't have anything against measures, I have a Lee Perfoect Powder measure too.)
Matt Dillon
Member
+1 on .38 special. Also, please read several good reloading manuals, not just "recipe" books, but books such as the ABCs of reloading, perhaps the Speer reloading manual, and the Sierra reloading manual to get some good perspectives on all the key tasks that are included in reloading, as well as getting the big picture from start to finish from 3 different perspectives. Don't worry about speed nor quantity, but quality and consistency. Consistency is the key to safety and accuracy!
Oh you poor demented soul that has started down the slippery road to reloading thinking that you can get by with just one kind of powder. If you stick with this you will soon find your shelves loaded with canisters as you strive to find that 'just perfect' powder for each caliber. I am afraid there is really little hope for you, although there is probably a 12 step program for reloaders somewhere.
RJ
RJ
JackCrow
Member
^"...although there is probably a 12 step program for reloaders somewhere."
Yep, it's a progressive program.
Yep, it's a progressive program.
zxcvbob
Member
I just counted; 14 canisters of different powders, and that's just to load 5 pistol calibers. (the kegs of powder are out in the garage)
papajohn
Member
Waxhaw, I'm not familiar with the Lee Anniversary kit, is that a Turret Press? That's what I started with 25 years ago, and it's still all I use. At the moment I have 19 turrets holding dies for 18 assorted rifle and pistol calibers, about 15 kinds of powder, and a LOT of brass on hand. I do NOT use the turret press as a progressive, having neutered it to single-stage the day I bought it. I recommend newbies do it that was as well.
Powder measures from Lee can take two forms, the Auto-Disk version that goes on top of the charging die, or the stand-alone "Perfect" powder measure. The PPM will handle nearly any kind of powder without much fuss, the Auto-Disk is a bit more finicky. Ball powders work well, but if the powder is extremely fine, it can leak out during charging and make a mess. Flake powders like Unique meter fairly well, but a small-flake or "flattened disc" powder is more consistent.
I've tried lots of different loading "systems", now all I do is load in batches. I trust but verify with my powder measures, too much or too little powder is never a good thing, consistency is what you're after. Read those manuals until you understand EVERYTHING they tell you. It's not enough to know HOW to reload, you need to understand WHY you do things a certain way.
There are lots of experienced reloaders on this forum, each one more than willing to help you learn to enjoy this hobby safely. I learned a lot on my own in the early days, pre-internet, and I made some mistakes. You don't have to, there IS help available. Beyond this forum, there's also professional advice, like the Sierra Bulletsmith's helpline, toll-free and staffed by VERY smart folks.
Make haste slowly..........those are YOUR hands and face ever-so-close to those weapons when they fire, not to mention those around you who would likely be a bit miffed if you blew yourself up or sprayed them with shrapnel.
Papajohn
Powder measures from Lee can take two forms, the Auto-Disk version that goes on top of the charging die, or the stand-alone "Perfect" powder measure. The PPM will handle nearly any kind of powder without much fuss, the Auto-Disk is a bit more finicky. Ball powders work well, but if the powder is extremely fine, it can leak out during charging and make a mess. Flake powders like Unique meter fairly well, but a small-flake or "flattened disc" powder is more consistent.
I've tried lots of different loading "systems", now all I do is load in batches. I trust but verify with my powder measures, too much or too little powder is never a good thing, consistency is what you're after. Read those manuals until you understand EVERYTHING they tell you. It's not enough to know HOW to reload, you need to understand WHY you do things a certain way.
There are lots of experienced reloaders on this forum, each one more than willing to help you learn to enjoy this hobby safely. I learned a lot on my own in the early days, pre-internet, and I made some mistakes. You don't have to, there IS help available. Beyond this forum, there's also professional advice, like the Sierra Bulletsmith's helpline, toll-free and staffed by VERY smart folks.
Make haste slowly..........those are YOUR hands and face ever-so-close to those weapons when they fire, not to mention those around you who would likely be a bit miffed if you blew yourself up or sprayed them with shrapnel.
Papajohn
Griz44
Member
That was very good advice. I started with a progressive, then got a single stage for specialized tasks. The real key is take your time, do it right. Check every step until you are comfortable with the outcome. Speed is NOT an asset to the loader, just the shooter. Once you learn to do it right - and safely - the speed will follow. Just keep them in the right order. Welcome to the madness, and pure enjoyment of the process itself as well as the results - which are great ammo, accurate and safe.
Papa, the Lee comes with a single stage press. I have to change the die with each step. And believe me, I am going to take my time. I have read my Hornady book, and a book called "Complete RELOADING Guide" by Traister & Traister, Also the Hodgdon Guide that came with my kit
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