Which powders reload which calibers?

[Potatohead]

Guys and gals,
Is their anywhere I can find a list of the powders and which calibers they are used on most? Or, which powders are ok to use to reload 9mm and 380 mainly?

-OR- I have a burn rate chart, is it safe to say that #s such and such thru such and such are used for this caliber or that?

Asking because I'll be cruising around looking for powders (online or in town) and I'll see IMR 6780 (I made that up) but the bottle of powder, nor the website, usually says what you can use them for. (Unless it says shotshell powder on the bottle or something like that). I have a reloading manual or two but they just list a few powders usually. I'm trying to compile a coherent list so I will know what to get when I see it... could anyone direct me to a source? I will google every powder separately but wanted to see if a list existed somewhere first. Hopefully the burn rate chart is the answer....Thanks! SSL (sorry so long)

 

[cfullgraf]

Check your manuals and the powder companies' web sites and you will get a good idea what powders are good for what.

But, even within a particular cartridge, some powders work better with certain weight bullets so a list would not be hard and fast information.

 

[J_McLeod]

I don't know of any single source for powder/caliber information. Hodgdon's website can be used on a mobile device, so you can check if you're out at the store and see one, if you have a smart phone. You'll probably have to compile it the hard way.

 

[zdc1775]

Reloading manuals are really you best bet.

Try to find a copy of this http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-49Th-Edition-Reloading-Handbook/dp/B001MYEU0E

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks fellas.

You'll probably have to compile it the hard way.

Yea, I'm going to just start googling here in a minute when my little one takes a nap. I have a pretty good list to google. YIKES!

I'll try and post a master list after compilation. Thanks

 

[J_McLeod]

I spent a few minutes of something and was able to make a good spreadsheet for 9mm. Hodgdon data is very easy to format, but the other manufacturers take some work. So I put in Hodgdon, some Accurate data and Alliant's 115gr Data. I can't post excel here, so PM with an email address if you're interested in the document or formatting. Once all the data is in a spreadsheet, it's easy to filter to bullet weight, powder or anything else.

 

[Potatohead]

Awesome. Will do that now. J mac...

I notice on Recobs Target Shop website, they list the uses along with the powder-very helpful to newbs like myself

 

[Rule3]

Reloading manuals are really you best bet.

Try to find a copy of this http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-49Th-Edition-Reloading-Handbook/dp/B001MYEU0E

This^^^^^^

Get Lymans 49th and yes, they actually have this information in the beginning of the manual. Even tell you what type of formulation, flake, spherical etc

Manuals have lots of information other than load data or recipes.

For handguns if I only had one powder it would be HP38/W231 it will do almost anything as will Unique but HP38 meters better. Might not be the all time best for certain Magnum loads but good enough for all around range shooting.

 

[Potatohead]

Awesome, thanks.. I'm jotting down some info, out of boredom as much as anything. Does this list cover most of the brands? If not, who do i need to add? Accurate Arms, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Ramshot, Vihta watchamacallit, and Winchester.

 

[rondog]

Get reloading manuals/books. The charts in them will list many different powders and loads for any given caliber and bullet combo, but there's usually one load that's highlighted as the recommended one.

I also like Win231/HP38 for general handgun loads, Win296/H110/4227 for magnums and .30 carbine, Trailboss for lead .45 Colt loads, and IMR4895 for large rifle. But there are MANY choices.

I see what you're asking for, you might be better off to make up your own list/chart for reference as you find out what various powders are best for. You can also visit each mfgs website, they'll usually have something like "product info" that describes each powder and what they recommend it for.

 

[Haxby]

Hodgdon basic manual is online.
It has powder usage charts & a burn rate chart.
Also has load data for Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders.

 

[Walkalong]

Is their anywhere I can find a list of the powders and which calibers they are used on most?

Any decent reloading manual. Get one.

Hopefully the burn rate chart is the answer..

It is a helpful guide that is useful after you have read your reloading manual from front to back.

 

[Potatohead]

I've got some manuals, thou not the Lyman's 49th...I was just looking for a little better (easier) format without so much repitition etc...I'm creating my own master list now by looking online and using the manuals. Using the old legal pad technique... Thanks for your input everyone! I've got 166 to look up so far! Just going to list the powder and then what calibers it loads, so it won't be to hard. Off work today as you can tell!

 

[Potatohead]

a list would not be hard and fast information.

Good point that did not go unnoticed.

It is a helpful guide that is useful after you have read your reloading manual from front to back.

Also a good point that did not go unnoticed.

 

[GJSchulze]

There are reloading "manuals" that are caliber specific. They are small, plastic spiral bound that are compilations of other sources. Available for less than $10.

 

[oneounceload]

Hodgdon, Alliant, Accurate, etc., all publish their data on line. I am not a tech geek, but I have posts where folks were able to import the load data into Excel on their computers to save you the long arduous task of doing it manually.

Of course, if you are just talking about three or four different cartridge/shotshell possibilities, then manually won't take too long

 

[Potatohead]

GJ, That sounds good. Online?

Unless you were being sarcastic, you never know around here.

 

[Rule3]

Seriously, Lyman 49th list all the powders (most anyway) by brand, and what their main or best uses are. Many powders will do many things.

Online:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

http://www.alliantpowder.com/resources/catalog.aspx

 

[Potatohead]

Yes, now that I look closer it's going to have to come from a lot of manual work. Their are just so many powders that are interchangeable between calibers, like you say. No "one size fits all"...ya'll already knew that I have a feeling

The Lyman 49th sounds like "must read"..

 

[rondog]

The Lyman 49th sounds like "must read"..

It's an excellent, informative book, but I find some of the specific caliber listings to be kinda lacking. Any given caliber in there seems to be missing a lot of commonly used bullets, but you can look at other bullets in there and kinda figure it out. I use my Lyman's book and my Lee together and always compare what the two say, and go from there. But yeah, the Lyman has a LOT of good info besides the recipe tables. Get one.

So you're basically looking for something like this info? So when you see a jug of powder you can know what it's good for?

http://www.hodgdon.com/rifle.html

http://www.hodgdon.com/shotpist.html

http://www.hodgdon.com/extreme.html

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks for links guys, I'm perusing all. Alot of info on that Accurate load data page. Thanks for your help everyone

 

[Potatohead]

I think a list is going to be to "all-encompassing". I see why their isnt one now.

I just called a LGS, they have the 2nd ,3rd, and 4th editions of Lyman manuals. Do you think maybe she just didnt know what I was talking about when I asked her about the 49th? They do have some really ancient looking stuff in there, it's like stepping into 1971 when you go in this particular one.

 

[Potatohead]

It's an excellent, informative book, but I find some of the specific caliber listings to be kinda lacking. Any given caliber in there seems to be missing a lot of commonly used bullets, but you can look at other bullets in there and kinda figure it out. I use my Lyman's book and my Lee together and always compare what the two say, and go from there. But yeah, the Lyman has a LOT of good info besides the recipe tables. Get one.

So you're basically looking for something like this info? So when you see a jug of powder you can know what it's good for?

http://www.hodgdon.com/rifle.html

http://www.hodgdon.com/shotpist.html

http://www.hodgdon.com/extreme.html

Yes, thats exactly what I need. Me feels a bit stupid now, I've been checking mostly retailer sites instead of the actual brands sites....dang..I'm still new at this and I get overwhelmed with data sometimes. I've never been involved with something that has so much data, especially data that is so repetitive,interchangeable, two names for the same thing, etc, as their seems to be with firearms/calibers/reloading..

 

[rondog]

I just called a LGS, they have the 2nd ,3rd, and 4th editions of Lyman manuals. Do you think maybe she just didnt know what I was talking about when I asked her about the 49th? They do have some really ancient looking stuff in there, it's like stepping into 1971 when you go in this particular one.

This one.

 

[Rule3]

Yes, thats exactly what I need. Me feels a bit stupid now, I've been checking mostly retailer sites instead of the actual brands sites....dang..I'm still new at this and I get overwhelmed with data sometimes. I've never been involved with something that has so much data, especially data that is so repetitive,interchangeable, two names for the same thing, etc, as their seems to be with firearms/calibers/reloading..

Don't make it harder than it needs to be You are getting into information overload. The Lyman 49 is a excellent manual. their other manual Lyman Cast is great if you are shooting lead.

As to powders for handguns you can do well with a "trinity" 3 powders is all you need. Fast. medium and slow.

Mine would be Bullseye, HP38 and 2400. Others will vary but with those three or similar I can load any handgun. As mentioned before, for 9mm, 40, 45, 38 special all you need is HP 38 or equivalent.