Which Powder?

[tkcomer]

Hey all. I just found this board today. I’m getting back into reloading after a 15 year lapse. Basically, I’m starting over. I still have the reloading equipment. I pitched out a few cans of opened powder. I have two cans of IMR 4227 and a can of 800 X, though I can’t remember what I bought that for. Basically, for economics, I’m looking for a single powder for the 357/44 guns and a single powder for the 223/243/308. I’ve never loaded for the 308. Don’t even have the dies yet. I don’t have the right dies for the 223. I learned the hard way I need base sizing dies. I’m leaning toward Winchester 748 for the rifles. Seems to be listed for all the combos in my old 2nd edition Sierra book, but a lot of powders have come out since that book was released. 748 is what I used in the 223/243 combo. Metered well. I remember I didn’t like the way 3031 metered. The pistol powder is what has me confused. I used to use Unique in 357 and 2400 in the 44. Now then, is 748 still a good powder for the rifles? And what would be a good single purpose powder for the pistols? I will load anything from 125 gr to 158 gr bullets in the 357. Pretty much stay with the 240 grain in the 44. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[mrkubota]

H110 for .357mag/.44mag (and magnum primers)
BLC-2 for .223rem/.308win

 

[NailGun]

tkcomer, Welcome to the board. I have been using Hodgdon Lil-gun for our .357 Rem Mags. with good results. I see that Hodgdon has loadings in .44 Mag for Lil-gun also. With Lil-gun, you would need to stick with bullets 158 gr. or heavier though. We use W-748, H-4895, H-Varget for the calibers you listed. My personal favorite is H-4895 because it can be loaded for high velocity, or be safely cut way-way back (according to Hodgdon website) for reduced velocity plinking loads. I have found H-4895 to be a very versatile and consistant powder. I think W-748 meters better though. Varget is clean, consistant, and accurate too. Lots of choices! Good luck and happy shootin. NailGun

 

[tkcomer]

I’ve read a lot on the H-4895 on this board. Seems to be one of the favorites of the 308 crowd. It is also listed for the 223/243 and I have load data for that. It looks like the max load for that has less velocity than the load below max in the 748. I know that velocity doesn’t necessarily mean accuracy. Glad to hear it meters OK. Out of curiosity, and to see if they still would work, I just loaded six 148 WC shells in the 357. Kinda nervous as I don’t have load data on it. IMR seems to list only maximum loads. 8.3 gr. I reduced that to 7 gr. Seems to shoot fine. Clean powder. No where near as dirty as 2400. Consistency in the powder is a problem for me. Not sure if it is the powder or the 20 year old 5-10 RCBS scale I use. On the bright side, my 15+ year old primers worked fine. Slowly working my way back into this. What was old hand is all new to me. Just as scared now as I was when I first got started.

 

[Jim Watson]

What did you put in those .357s? 800X? That's ok, except the large flakes don't measure very close. You can burn that and the 4227 up in magnum revolvers; then get some H110, N110 (not the same stuff) or Lil'gun.

Many, many target shooters use Varget for .223 and .308; I do for .223 because it is noticeably more accurate in MY rifle, but if it would shoot a ball process powder as well, that is what I would use. I do in .308.

748 is still a good rifle powder, there are some Hodgdon Sphericals and some Accurate Arms ball process powders that measure smoothly. I am loading .308 with AA2520 for Long Range and it does fine.

 

[tkcomer]

Yes, it was the 800 X in the 357. Thanks for the opinion. I like to check every 10 rounds for consistency. It was always just a little over or under on the scale. I’ve cranked out 70 rounds. I may up the charge to 7.5 in the next batch. Recoil was mild in my 6” King Cobra. I don’t reload for accuracy in the pistols. They are play toys. A lot of cans destroyed years ago. The rifles, that’s another story. I just want good repeatable results out of them. I’m going to get up an order soon and I’ll get a new reloading book. Just trying to find the “best” powder before I do. My old Sierra book doesn’t list very much. But I’ll be honest. I have a Remington 700. In 308. Varmint model. Stainless with the fluted barrel. Composite stock. I’ve only fired it 5 times. I bought it in ‘94’ to kill groundhogs but that winter, the coyotes showed up. In ’95 there was not an active hole on Dad’s farm, my uncle’s farm, nor my grandmothers farm. So the rifle just sat. A police officer in this area just got out of sniper school and wants to go shooting. I know I’ll get smoked by him. Dad is gone and my grandmother is gone. Kinda the reason I lost interest. But this sniper dude has me going again. Things have changed. I’ve got my interest back. That’s why I’m here trying to pick brains. I have no load data for a lot of the powders you list. I know there is no book that can list every combo out there. Brings up another question. What would be a good book? Sorry for asking so many questions.

 

[tkcomer]

On the Varget powder. I have a lot of CCI 200 primers. Does the Varget perform OK with these primers, or do I need to step up to the 250 magnum primers?

 

[mrkubota]

My youngest brother has had excellent results using Varget and Federal Match primers in his .308:

As usual... start 10% lower and work your own load up in your rifle to be safe.

 

[Run&Shoot]

No on magnum primers

On the Varget powder. I have a lot of CCI 200 primers. Does the Varget perform OK with these primers, or do I need to step up to the 250 magnum primers?

1) Only use primers listed as tested for the load data tables. This assumes that you are loading per current reloading manual tables, right? If you use another brand of primer then start 10% below max and work up from there if you want. BUT, certainly do NOT use magnum primers when the load tables specify only small or large rifle.

2) Varget is on the fast side of medium, and the .223 and .308 are relatively small capacity rifle cartridges so there is absolutely no need for magnum primers.

Bottom line, use the CCI 200 primers, but if they are not the ones used to develop the load data you are working from then begin with the starting weight of powder and work up from there. Keep an eye on the primer and case conditions for any sign of over pressure, or use a chronograph and stop before going over the listed max velocity in the data table.

Also, be sure to use the same catridge overall length as specified in the data table as seating depth affects resulting pressure significantly.

 

[tkcomer]

I don’t have any load data on the Varget powder. Just trying to find out what I need when I order up some supplies. I’m totally out of rifle powder. I plan to order a book to help me figure out powder charges. I did use 748 and the CCI 200s in my 243, but things have come a long way in 15 years. Thanks for the info. I just wasn’t sure if Varget needed a hotter primer.

 

[tbtrout]

I like match loads in the .308 with IMR 4895 and LC brass, Sierra 168HPBT and Federal match primers. For the .357/.44 mags I use Win 296. Great results with all. Also I started using Trail Boss with lead bullets for the pistols.
Easy on the hand and wallet.