Cast boolit powders!

[1Shirt]

I am trying (emphasis on the word trying) to reduce the different types of powders that I have, and minimizing types on hand. Will always have Unique and 2400 on hand for cast, cause they just plain work for me within vol limitations. I shoot cast all the way from hornet and 3 other 224's thru 45-70, via 6.5's, 7MM's, a few 30's, 375H&H, and 444's. If you are an experianced cast shooter and wanted to have just two other powders for the ctgs. I have listed, what would they be, and why! I also shoot p-dogs with Jacketed, so that is a consideration as well.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[popper]

So far I just use Lever & H4895 for 30 cal, 231 for 40SW. I need to work up a good accurate load for Unique & 2400 with PB 165gr. I have powders for j-word stuff - probably never run out since I started casting.

[shooter93]

2 may be tough but maybe something in the 4895/8208 range and 4759. 3031 covers a lot too. I have pistols narrowd down and I'm working on rifles now myself. Good luck.

[williamwaco]

I would not limit myself like this but If you are determined to do so, consider:

Unique
2400
4198
3031

Why?
Because I have used all those powders for many years with cast and jacketed in many cartridges, including all those you mentioned except never a 6.5, and have been perfectly happy with the results.

[Maven]

I used to think IMR 4198 was an excellent CB powder until I tried AA 5744. My targets and chrono. data, especially the SD's convinced me it was superior to 4198. However, I also find myself using more Unique in243Win. -> 8mm Mau. cartridges and really like it because it is much more economical than 5744, because I can use a fixed rotor pistol powder measure to throw charges, and because I get accurate results with it.

[shooter93]

Something that may help is the new Lyman cast bullet book. Look at all the rounds you load and see what powders show up the most.

[Larry Gibson]

SR 4759 and H4895.

Larry Gibson

[garym1a2]

Bullseye

[gon2shoot]

4198,4895

[ShooterAZ]

2400, Unique, Titegroup, and Clays for my pistols, IMR3031, IMR4895, 2400, SR4759, 5744 for my rifles.

[runfiverun]

unique,2400,aa-2230,IMR-4895 and RL-19
red dot would be on the list too for shotgun/handgun stuff [and would replace unique if i really had to pick]
these would cover everything i have, including target/hunting/varmint jaxket loads too.
the only other powder i would include would be 800-x to replace the 2400 so i could load steel shot too.

[Kraschenbirn]

While, like most long-time reloaders, I've got a fairly eclectic assortment of powders on hand, I believe I could cover all my rifle cartridges using AA2015, H4895, and IMR4198...andI could probably get by with only the AA2015 and IMR4198 if I absolutely had to. For handgun, I only shoot cast so I could get by with just 700X and 2400 if absolutely necessary

Bill

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I wouldn't do it myself, but If I HAD TOO !!!
since you already have 2400 for 22 horn.
RL-7 for everything else up to light 30s
WC846 for heavy 30s and up

[btroj]

I would prefer 2400, RE7, 4895. I don't use enough Unique to care about that one. For handguns I prefer 231.

[RugerFan]

IMR 3031 works very well for me with a variety of .30 cals.

[MakeMineA10mm]

RL-7 is a stand-out cast powder for 444 & will work well in 45-70. If one of your .224s is a Deuce (222), RL-7 is excellent in it too. Your other calibers sound like you're going to need a medium-speed rifle powder, but I have very little experience in that environment with cast.

[fouronesix]

I don't push any cast bullet very hard and concentrate on accuracy so that simplifies my choices. Currently I use Trailboss for all my regular handgun cast loads- 38 spl, 357, 32-20, 38-40, 44-40, 45 ACP and 45 LC. For all my rifle cast loads I primarily use Reloader 7, 4895 or 5744. I use dacron filler for many of the reduced rifle loads. Then for muzzleloaders and BPCR I use black powder.

So I could live nicely with Trailboss, Reloader 7, 4895, 5744 and blackpowder. If push came to shove and could have only ONE powder for cast bullets I guess it would be either 5744 or black powder.

[Dean D.]

My personal "absolute bare bones" list that covers everything I load for is: Unique, IMR-3031 and IMR-4064. There are a lot of other powders that I really like that may actually be more accurate in given instances but if I could only pick 3 for versatility sake it would be those 3. The .35 Whelen is the largest capacity cartridge I load for so I don't use many slower powders.

[plmitch]

IMR4895,Unique,2400

[Starvnhuntr]

SR-4759 or trail boss

[Moonie]

For what I load for, 5.56, 300BO, 40, 45(colt and acp), 400Corbon, 6.8SPC, 30-06 and 8x57 my list of must have is as follows:

H4895 (very popular you will notice)
Unique (also popular and can be used in pistol and rifle)
W296/H110

Adding in my wifes 12 guage skeet shooting I'd add Clays, it also works well in light pistol loads and is very clean.

[shooter93]

Truth is with Unique and 4895 you can find an accecptable load for a HUGE number of cartridges.

[Moonie]

Truth is with Unique and 4895 you can find an accecptable load for a HUGE numer of cartridges.

Got that right, they should be at the top of everyone's list.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I'm living on Red Dot and 2400 at the moment, seems to get 'er done.