Must have powders?

[Dannix]

I'm taking advantage of PowderValley's special and buying a pound of everything I think I may want to try in the near or relatively near future, as everything local is so outrageously expensive for me.

What's on the list:
Accurate #7
Ramshot Silhouette
WSF
3N37
H4198
Varget
I already have Universal, Unique, and 748 on hand. Any "must have some of this around" powders to add to the list? I'm currently only shooting 9x19 and 30-30, but may add 38/357, 45ACP, and/or 7.62x40 (7.62x.223) in the nearer future.

[zxcvbob]

Promo (cheap version of Red Dot), and maybe a pound each of Bullseye and PowerPistol.

[Guesser]

I use a lot of SR4759 and Re7 for cast in rifles and A#2, Bullseye, Unique in handgun.

[Dannix]

How well do Promo and Bullseye meter? What's their knack as fast powders -- 45ACP? I'm seen them around. Thanks for mentioning them. I'm skipping PP for 9mm as I'd like a lower flash powder.

I'm considering 1680 and 5744 for 7.62x40. What's the difference between 1680 and 5744? They are right next to each other on the burn rate charge, and have similar specs on AA's website:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/products/rifle/

[hoosierlogger]

Id get some 2400 for the .357 if that is pretty likely to get on the list.

[zxcvbob]

Promo meters about like Unique. It's a very fast powder, and kind of fluffy. It gives me the best accuracy of any powder in every cartridge I've tried -- even if you can't keep the powder charges down to ± .1 grain variance.

Bullseye is not as fast as everyone thinks it is, but it is very high energy because the nitroglycerin content is so high. I use it in 9mm +P loads with 135 grain cast bullets. (WSF might be a better choice for this) It's also the classic powder for .45 ACP military loads. BE is a flake powder, but the flakes are tiny and it measures quite well.

[AZ-Stew]

Bullseye and 2400. I think you have enough burning rate range listed it your list to cover your other needs.

Regards,

Stew

[Tazman1602]

might add 2400 and some bulleye also. Good list!

DOH! Should have read AZ-Stews post first....................

[HeavyMetal]

WSF will work in the 9 the 45 and some 38 special target loads I have no experience with the 7.62X223 round so other than the idea the Varget might work well in that round is certainly worth doing some checking at the makwrs web site.

Many people suggest 2400. It does work but has been so completely filthy and the amount of unburned powder left behind has completely turned me off of the stuff.

For magnum rounds, and the 410, WW296 is the ticket for loads that need to get the job done!

[Thecyberguy]

TRAIL BOSS for reduced loads in both rifle and handgun.
Have a good 'un, thecyberguy

[sargenv]

I seem to change powders like I change shoes... about every year.. though I've been on the receiving end of cans that other people stopped using so I've been able to try a lot of different stuff.. I don't really think there is one end all be all.. up till this year I didn't actually have ANY Unique in my storage.. Someone made me a deal I couldn't say no to.. and I'll likely eventually use it for some medium shotgun field loads if nothing else.. that's the beauty of pistol powders.. most can be used in a scattergun and vice versa..

[runfiverun]

aa-1680 is slower than h-110 it's not quite fast rifle range.
but in the big magnums it's awesome.
i use it the 25-20 [along with aa-2230] in the 357 max [along with 2230 again] the 375 mag the 445 and would use it other stuff but it's hard for me to get in bigger than a lb container.
i also have some loads in the 375 win38-55 with cast for it.
i'd bet it's awesome in a 454 casull also, but iv'e used longshot there and like it.
5744 is a most recommended cast boolit powder in rifles, it was the trail boss of it's day.

[Dan Cash]

Unique
2400
Reloader 7
Reloader 15
Reloader 19

Makes every thing go good, .30 Mauser to heavy .45-70 smokeless and all the stuff in between:
.30 Mauser
.38SP
.357 Mag
9mm
.40 S&W
.41 Mag
.44 Spl
.44 Mag
.45 ACP
.45 Colt
.222
.223
.22-250
6.5 x55
.250 Sav
.25-06
7mm Mauser
.30-06
.300 Sav
.30-30
.30-40
.303 Enfield
7.92x57
7.62x54R
.35 Rem
.35 Whelan
.375 x 2 1/2 Flanged express
.45-70

[Gunsmoke4570]

I use ALOT of Bullseye and 2400. Had great luck with bullseye in 38 spcl, 44 spcl, 45 Sch, 45 ACP, 38 Super mid range loads, and others. My best loads in 357mag with heavy bullets are with 2400 and 44 mag really does well with 2400.

[Wayne Smith]

IMR 3031 has always been my go to for the 30-30. Bullseye for the 9x19 too.

[waksupi]

FFFg...

[lylejb]

Like everyone's saying, a fast burner like red dot / promo would be great in the 38 and the 45 acp, and would also work in the 30 30 with cast. I think red dot is more versatile than bullseye, and very close to the same burn rate.

You've already got unique...so that brings us to a slow burner for the 357.

Win 296 / h110 is great for full house mag loads, but isn't supposed to be reduced. 2400 won't produce as high velocity ( but it's close enough) and is more flexible. It would also work in the 30 30 with cast.

I don't have a 7.62x40, so I can't help there.

[shooter93]

If you have Unique and 4895 you can make an acceptable load for most rounds.

[Phillip]

This is what I use for my reloading powder....

Hodgdon Titegroup / Vihtavuori N320
45LC
45ACP
45Auto Rim

IMR-4064
30-30
308
30-06

[skeet1]

I was trying to find a powder that has some of the broadest uses and I came to the conclusion that it was UNIQUE for me. On Thursday I drove over to Winfield, KS to Powder Valley and bought 8 lb for $98.50. Alliant Powders seem to be some of the best buys in powder.

Skeet1

[JScott]

I know others may work just as well but I get mighty uncomfortable if there isn't a couple pounds of Win 231 around.

[JDFuchs]

Win 231
Trailboss
2400

[Ohio Rusty]

I have 4 powders I am fond of. My first favorite is Trail Boss. I have used that in many different loadings for my pistols, and it performs admirably for light and mid range loads, and burns very clean. Next is Unique. I like that in .38 and .357 for different boolit weights from 110 to 158. Next is 2400 for magnum loads in my .44. It has a wider range of powder loads for the .44 compared to 296/H110. lastly id VhitaVouri N310 for my .380. That is such a small capacity case that VV powders work well in that size boolit. I bet it would work well in anything from .25 up to 9MM loads.
Ohio Rusty ><>

[Beau Cassidy]

Trail boss, Winchester Super Target, and 5744.

[JIMinPHX]

Bullseye, Unique, 2400, H-110, RE7, RE15

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
PISTOLS= UNIQUE, 2400, WC820 ALSO FOR SQUIB RIFLE & SHOTGUN
RIFLES = IMR 4350, WC860, :Fire::Fire:

[chuckbuster]

4895 4831 h110 unique

[Moonie]

If you have Unique and 4895 you can make an acceptable load for most rounds.

I was thinking the same thing, Unique and H4895 covers everything I load currently, .223, 30-06, 8x57, 400 corbon and 45acp and 12 gauge.

I do keep some Clays around as well.

[Dannix]

Bah! Double so. My browser ate two attempted posts. Here's a reduced version. Thanks for all the recommendations and particularly the comments with the recommendations!


Why are faster-than-9mm-powders used for 45ACP when 45ACP is both launching a heavier bullet and has a lower maximum pressure level?
I'm still clueless on the practical difference between 1680 and 5744, and if they even have separate niches. Thoughts?
Reloader 7 and IMR3031 -- How do these compare to 4198? When would you use one, and not another? Cons of each?
2400, H110, Win296. So apparently H110 and Win296 are good for full power loads, and 2400 is flexible and good for less-than-max and reduced loads but has cons HeavyMetal described.

So ideally there would be an alternative for 2400 without it's cons. Any potentials? BlueDot (though I've heard none of the dots meter well), Accurate #9, v-N110, SR4759?


aa-1680 is slower than h-110 it's not quite fast rifle range.
but in the big magnums it's awesome...5744 is a most recommended cast boolit powder in rifles, it was the trail boss of it's day.
Trail Boss is apparently WAY faster than 1680 / 5744. Am I missing something here?


There was a powder I read here a while back that apparently burned HOT and a few here posted they avoided it. It was...I forget. LittleGun, TightGroup, TrailBoss, some non-number powder like these. Thoughts?

[zxcvbob]

I avoid Titegroup because the tiny charge (it's both fast and dense) is hard to see in the case, and it burns really hot -- makes a lot of smoke from the bullet lube, and it scorches the brass. I have a few ounces left and am looking for a way to use it up. (it might be really good in 9mm...)

It measures well and it's cheap to use. A lot of people seem to like it, so maybe it's just me.

[leadman]

WC680, which is almost the same as 1680 was the original powder for the 7.62X39, which is very close to your 30-223. That said if you are going ro use cast in the 30-223 5744 would probably be more accurate.
Never have gotten good accuracy in a rifle cartridge larger than the 22K Hornet with WC680. It does work very well for heavy bullets in the 44mag, 445 superMag, 357Max.

[cattleskinner]

The powders I use the most are:

Varget-223 and 308 based cartridges
Unique-Everything pistol(380, 9mm, 45acp, 45 colt)

-I have also used Longshot, Bullseye, Red Dot, and 2400 which are all good for pistol. Can't help much on the rifle powder as I am pretty smitten with Varget.

[Dannix]

Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it. I'll be putting in my order tomorrow. In some ways I'd rather be putting it to another firearm, or a progressive or turret press, but I figure stocking up on components is a better investment for the time being. Thanks again.

[SciFiJim]

So, What did you settle on for an order and what do you currently have on hand? I am going through the same process and trying to figure out an order.

[EOD3]

My "preferred" powders are:

I thought I'd whip-out a short list of powders BUT, I don't use a "short list" of powders so:

I use a lot of H110, 2400, TiteGroup, Power Pistol, and Blue Dot for revolver loads.

I use BLC-2, RL15, RL19, RL22, Varget, IMR4350 and H4198 for rifle loads.

There are at least another 2 dozen powders in the locker that are for sometimes loads and experiments.

[lylejb]

There was a powder I read here a while back that apparently burned HOT and a few here posted they avoided it. It was...I forget. LittleGun

Exactly.

Littlegun has had multiple posts of causing faster throat / forcing cone erosion. It's a slower powder, intended to get higher velocity out of the magnums, and some small rifles such as 22 hornet.

Data shows a max velocity 200- 300 fps faster than w296 / h110 in several mag pistols. Again, this is full tilt magnum loads.

I've never tried it, and won't be any time soon. The extra wear on the gun isn't worth the small gain in velocity. I can get all I want from win 296.


Trail Boss is apparently WAY faster than 1680 / 5744. Am I missing something here

Trail boss was made for reduced cast loads for cowboy action shooters. It's good for light to maybe medium loads.

It's big feature it that it's a very low density powder, it occupies about double the volume for equal weight of other fast burning powders. This fills the case much better than the typical tiny charge of other fast burners.

IMR also says a double charge won't fit in a case, and that a full case will not excede proof pressures in any caliber. This adds a margin of safety. DON'T TRY THAT WITH ANY OTHER FAST POWDER!

I don't think you can fit enough Trail boss in a case to get above a medium velocity, that's just not what it's for.

[watkibe]

SR 4759 is one powder I always keep on hand. All my rifle cast boolit loads use. I haven't tried it, but XMP 5744 from Accurate is supposed to be for cast bullets too.

The most versatile handgun/rifle/shotgun powder is Unique.
The most versatile rifle powder is H4895.

[Dannix]

watkibe, is SR 4759 the one that doesn't reduce well or does reduce well? SR 4756, SR 4759 -- I read here one reduces well and the other one not at all, but I can't remember which or find the original post.

I haven't put in the order yet simply because I have not taken the time to do so, and I'm still chewing cud on a few similar burn-rate choices. Here's my thinking at the moment. If I skip on anyone's favourites, sorry about that and feel free to enlighten my thinking on the given powder. SciFiJim, please refer to the first post for what I currently have on hand. I'm on a tight budget; indeed, this will be my biggest "non-need" expenditure for the next six months at least, so perhaps you'll elect to go for a longer "have a little of this on hand" powder list.

Primers
I decided to go for a little of everything, but mainly lean towards small pistol and use Winchester LRs for when I develop higher power 748 30-30 loads.
WOLF LARGE PISTOL PRIMERS (KVB45)- per 1000
WOLF LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS (KVB7)- per 1000
WOLF SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS (KVB9)- per 1000
WOLF 223 PRIMERS (KVB223M)- per 1000
- I thought about just going for the slightly more mild Wolf SRMs, but I figured why not go for the 223s.
Winchester LR primers

Powders
HODGDON H4198 - 1 LB. - 30-30 reduced loads (when's that 110gr soup can GB ready?!) and 30x.233.
BL-C(2) / 4895 / Varget. Just not sure. We'll see what happens when I order. The real fight is between 4895 or Varget. I've decided the budget can't handle both. I just read this This 7mm TCU post (http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/7tcu.htm). Maybe 4895 would be better for 110grainers in a 30-.223? 4895 would be a safe investment considering it's versatility. I keep going back and forth on this. The 110grainer I'd used in the .30x223 is rather short, and therefore if Varget is a good slower-powder load for .223, then it should be good for a .223 with a heavier bullet, but probably unchanged or very similar case capacity. Edit: Hum, That Varget 120gr load on the castbullet.com article linked above looks a lot slower that the one 1680 load here (http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1827). Bah. I'll just say 4895. Maybe you guys will convince me to add 1680 or 4227 to the list.
ACCURATE #7 - 1 LB.
Ramshot SILHOUETTE - 1 LB. - looking into it for low-flash reasons
WINCHESTER SUPER-FIELD (WSF) - 1 LB. ( 124-147gr 9mm)


What's skipped or put on the "try later" list:

4227. Looks like a good one. Will try some time, but trying to save schekels.
IMR 3031. I haven't come across one reason why guys like it over similar burn rate powder.
Reloader 7, 15, 19. Same as above. Haven't come across on comments about it such as how it meters, reduces, temperature sensitivity, burn temp, et al. Reloader 7 particularly caught my eye, but with my budget 4198 seemed like a safer expenditure.
2400. Skipping because of the cons HeavyMetal mentioned. Potential good substitutes of Accurate #9, v-N110, or SR4759?
Solo 1000 - Maybe I'll play with it later for 9mm. Some lot to lot variables issues apparently.
Bullseye. I figure why bother with potential kaboom issues when there are other choices. I may reform though, especially considering I'm planning on trying some supposed fraught-with-peril 8-10gr Unique 30-30 loads.
A#2. I'll hold off until if/when I get a .45ACP and decided to play beyond my current stash of Unique or Universal.
Unique. I already got a pound of it, but concerning future acquisition, my impression is anything Unique can do, Universal can do better. True?
1680. Apparently very intolerant of reduced loads, and ... I forget, but I read on the interweb somewhere it burns hot or something. I'll put it on my maybe-try-someday for my planned 30-.223 build.
5744. I figure why bother when 4198 seems to fit the bill so well here. Perhaps it burns cooler than 4198 or has a more gradual pressure peak making it more boolit friendly than 4198?
Win 231/H110. Holding off until I want to load some magnum loads if/when I get a wheel gun.
Trailboss. Will try someday.
FFFg. Because I'm afraid I'll get hopelessly addicted. I'll put this on my don't-try-until-ready-to-start-a-subhobby list. :mrgreen:
LilGun/Tightgroup. Burn temp concerns. Lots of alternative to choose from anyway.
3N37. I've decided to hold off on VV for now. I would like a nonsupercrazypressure 124gn @ 1200fps 9mm load at some point though. May try 3N38 N320 at that time. (9mm Major: 124gr at 1378 fps, 9mm Minor: 124gr, so I think this is a rather achievable goal).
H322. I don't think anyone on the thread recommended it, but I had a very helpful PMer recommend it. Looks like another good one to have on hand if the budget was bigger.

[runfiverun]

i like the 1680 it is super similar to sr 4759 but i use it in the super mags and love it there, i am also gonna try some in the 0-6 when i get some weather [they are loaded and ready to go]

5744 is closer to 2400

the unique universal is apples, it's just nice to grab some unique when doing something new in a handgun [iv'e never had any luck with it in a rifle]

rl-19 my go to rifle powder.
favorite in the 0-6 family of cases meters like ***** but shoots very good. i hold groups of 1-1/2" in the 25-06 at 300 yds with it in my ruger, it also does nicely in the 358 win with both types of boolits.
and is my powder of choice in the x57 guns too.
need more of this and less 4831 around here.

i also use aa-2230 for the 223 rem and jaxketed, 2400 and i-4895 in cast.
2230 is also a good powder in the 25-20& 30-30 with cast, i also use it in the 357 max with a heavy boolit but could use aa-1680.
if i had to really narrow things down for the shotguns handguns and rifles across the board my list would really look like this.
red dot. [shotgun target loads and handgun]
800-x. or steel [ handgun and steel shot loads] these don't meter either.
2400. [handgun and rifle loads]
1680. [ big supermag handguns and some rifle loads]
2230. [same thing but for j words too]
4895. [medium rifle for both cast and jacketed] heck i could fill a 44 mag case with this and it would work.
it's also my powder of choice in the military cartridges, even the garand.

rl-19. [ for the high vel cast loads and jacketed rounds from the x57 family up through some of the belted]
i haven't tried it in the 0-8 family yet but i bet it would work well there also.

[dromia]

I always have the following on hand, buy in 1/2 stone kegs, all Vhitavuori.

N320
N340
N110
N120
N140
N160

Given up on using the US powders due unreliability of supply and cost here in the UK. Converted to Vihtauori and have a had as good if not better results.

Currently loading for in smokeless:

22 Hornet
222 Remington
6MM Remington
6.5 Carcano
6.5 Mannlicher Schoenauer
6.5 Swede
7.62 Nato
30/30
303 British
30-06
310 Cadet
8mm Mauser
8 x 56R
8 x 58R
357 Mag
44 Mag
455 Webley

[alamogunr]

Primers
I decided to go for a little of everything, but mainly lean towards small pistol and use Winchester LRs for when I develop higher power 748 30-30 loads.
WOLF LARGE PISTOL PRIMERS (KVB45)- per 1000
WOLF LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS (KVB7)- per 1000
WOLF SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS (KVB9)- per 1000
WOLF 223 PRIMERS (KVB223M)- per 1000
- I thought about just going for the slightly more mild Wolf SRMs, but I figured why not go for the 223s.
Winchester LR primers


Dannix, I may have misread your posts or the Powder Valley offer, but I believe the PV special offer is for TULA primers, not Wolf and requires 2 cases(10,000) primers.

By the way, I appreciate your asking about powders. I have used this thread to make up my own list.

John
W.TN

[Dannix]

Good call John, it's TULA primers.

I was going to put in the order this evening, but I got distracted reading up on powders.
4895. I'm going to pick up a can of 4895 for sure, just to have it.
Varget / N540 / N550 / IMR-4320. N133 was recommended to me for light 30-30 loads, and I noticed 6mmbr.com recommends Varget, Reloader 15, N140, N550 for 70-80gr .223 loads (http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html). I've read some lot-to-lot variation issues with Varget expressed and Reloader 15 temperature sensitivity issues (both on the 6mmbr forum if I recall correctly). Edit: Quantitative R15 temp. sensitivity here (http://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page3.php#308win) -- Not all that egregious it seems. N540 and N550 are similar in burn rate to N140 and N150, but with greater energy content (per manual (http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/pdfs/Reloading-Guide.pdf)), so if N140 and N550 are recommend by 6mmbr as good for heavy .223, perhaps N550 would be ideal for 110grn .30x.223. IMR-4320 sounds good based on its manf description (http://www.imrpowder.com/imr4320.html). I actually emailed Hodgon and VihtaVouri to see what they would recommend trying. We'll see what they say. I tried emailing IMR, but their help email address is dead.
IMR-4064 is a bit faster .223 option than IMR-4320, but I heard a remark it may be very temperature insensitive. Got to look on this. Edit: here (http://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page3.php#308win).



1680. Apparently very intolerant of reduced loads, and ... I forget, but I read on the interweb somewhere it burns hot or something. I'll put it on my maybe-try-someday for my planned 30-.223 build.
Here's the con of 1680 I read:

.357 Maximum
Ball powders have been implicated in contributing to top-strap cutting and forcing cone erosion (especially W296/H110). If your gun is going to be used for competition, with thousands of rounds put through it annually, then it's probably best to stick with extruded stick powders (e.g. 4227 or even Re 7). If the gun is going to be used to hunt with, and maybe have a couple hundred rounds a year put through it, then the damage from slow ball powders will likely be minimal as long as heavy bullets are used. My favorite powder for the .357 Maximum overall is IMR 4227. The now discontinued Winchester 680 is also an excellent powder for the .357 Maximum in terms of top velocities and accuracy. I have a stash of W680 that I have held on to, specifically for the .357 Maximum. The newer, and still available AA 1680 is similar (a little slower), and also works nicely in the Max (keep in mind previous comments about ball powders if you're going to be shooting your Max a lot with either 680 or 1680).
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell357Max.htm



watkibe, is SR 4759 the one that doesn't reduce well or does reduce well? SR 4756, SR 4759 -- I read here one reduces well and the other one not at all, but I can't remember which or find the original post.
SR 4759 is the one that reduces well.

This bulky powder really shines as a reduced load propellant for rifle cartridges. Its large grain size gives good loading density for reduced loads, enhancing velocity uniformity.
http://www.imrpowder.com/shotpist.html

[runfiverun]

sr-4756 is grained like 2400 powder and does well in revolver cartridges and some shotgun applications too.
it does not need to be red lined to burn well either.
any of the fine grained ball powders could be the one above outlined in green.

i avoid 4227 because it has issues with heat.
it is an okay winter powder but it burns too dirty for me, except at the very top end loads [like 300 gr bullets in the 445 supermag at max velocities]

if you look at the lists posted by most and seen the calibers they actually shoot.
it would change the way the list was taken.

[Dannix]

Thanks for your post runfiverun. I'll add sr-4756 to my "totrysomeday" list and move 4227 to the "maybesomeday" list. You're right as rain on context. I try to take comments with a grain of salt and and appreciation for case capacity, pressures, and bullet weight considerations. This is why I really appreciate the comments made in connection to powder recommendations.

That the powder type itself of fine grained ball powders was a potential trade-off was one I had never really appreciated. What's the "why" behind this? Do "large/coarse" ball powders have the same drawback, to a lesser extent or not at all? Any lists available of what is considered "fine grained" ball?

N550, from 6mmBR's 22BR T2K with 90gr JLKs (http://www.6mmbr.com/T2K22BR.html) article.

Second, do not be disappointed with the 500 series VV powder as you work up loads. Until you reach a certain point in load density and pressure, accuracy will just plain suck. At some point, when the planets get aligned and the world is right, and the pressure curve is kosher, the groups will suddenly shrink dramatically. The 500 series of VV powders are only efficient and accurate at peak pressures. When you reach the operating pressure for the 500 series of powder, groups shrink dramatically, as if a light switch has been thrown.

Working up the loads for the 22BR didn't yield any surprises with the components that I had chosen. At 30.5 grs, the VV N550 loads began to really group into knotholes. 31.5 grains of N550 yielded some pretty impressive groups, as well as chrono numbers that were encouraging. I decided to back off .2 grains, as shooting in South Texas, I might be shooting these loads anywhere from 45 degrees to 110 degrees. The VV 500 series is fairly temperature insensitive, not as good as Varget, but decent, but on a few occasions in the past I have had a few "pressure excursions" that were unsettling in .223, and didn't want to go there with my T2K. Dropping the loads .2 grains didn't appear to change the accuracy and gave me a little insurance. At 200 yards, the warmer N550 loads were consistently under 1/2 MOA. I expect a bit better results when I use the fireformed brass, instead of the new Lapua that was sporting .010" runout
http://www.6mmbr.com/T2K22BR.html


5744. One member here finds it hard to burn. Link (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=100722) and quote:

I don't have much problem with 5744 in a lever action rifle where the bottom opens every time a new cartridge is jacked into the chamber. However, I would worry about using it in anything that had a closed bottom that could trap powder.

5744 is the worst powder I have ever tried when it comes to burning. One time, I was using it in a 44-40 handgun. There were so many unburned grains that I tapped the gun on the shooting table after each cartridge was pushed out. After 5 were removed, there was nearly enough unburned powder on the table to load one more cartridge.

Going to magnum primers and a heavy crimp did help just a little bit, but very little. It is not quite as bad when using it at higher pressures, but even at approx. 35,000-40,000psi, it still leaves a lot of unburned grains.

[krag35]

Trail Boss (picked up 2 bottles of it to try in 444 Marlin)
4756 (got a killer deal on it when a store was closing it out )
Unique
Blue Dot
H-110 (When this is gone, it is done, I don't get as high of velocity W/ BD but better accuracy)
5744
XMR 2015
AAC 4350

380 ACP
38 Spcl
357 Mag
44 Spcl
44 Mag
243 Win
30-30
30-40 Krag
30-06
444 Marlin
16 GA
12 Ga

Muzzle loaders get Pyrodex P or RS

[Dannix]

Just put in my order. I added 4895 to the list as a conservative, safe move, so for the "wild card" I decided to go with 4350 to try in the .30x.233. I was about to go with N550, but N550's 150% price premium prompted me to make an impulse purchase with 4350.

I'm not sure if 4350 will prove to be a good choice or if I should have gone with Accurate's 4350 instead of Hodgdon's. I figured with both a much heavier, 110grn bullet and a likely greater case capacity than heavy .223, it was worth a go. One potential issue is that I'll probably go for a 14.5" barrel, which may hamper any potential fps gain over, say, 4895, and only result in greater barrel burning. We'll see, maybe this summer.

[cptkeybrd]

my list includes
Bullseye
Red dot
2400
Trail Boss
WW231
Unique
Wst
4756
H4831
Imr 4350
Varget
H4895
223,243,270,380,357,40sw,45, 12ga
most used is 231 and Unique
gonna try Autocomp for 40

[*Paladin*]

I always seem to have the following:

Varget
RL15
H335
4350
4831SC
Red Dot
Bullseye
Unique
Power Pistol
Titegroup

The ones I use the most of? Varget, Red Dot, Unique, 4831, Titegroup. With those I would have all of my calibers covered. The others are, for the most part, left overs from working up loads.

[Rangefinder]

I have at least one Red Dot load for everything I cast for with exception of the obvious muzzle-stuffers. A little bit goes a long way. It's not the absolute best for everything, but it can get the job done if I'm out of my preferred powder for something. It's a must-have in my book.

My "Always-Have" is a short list:
Red Dot
H335
H380
IMR4895

Anything else on the shelf is part of the current experiment.

[Dannix]

Well, wanted to follow up with what I wish I had also gotten:

Promo. I should have listened to zxcvbob. I took his advice skipped BlueDot for AA#7 (for 9x19); should have gone one step further.
Trail Boss. Seems like every boolit shooter with a rifle or magnum should have some.

(What I got, with unique, universal, 748 already on hand: H4198, H4895, AA#7, Silhouette, WSF, H4350, N133)


I had sprung for 4350 at the last moment as I had noticed 6mmbr (http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html) recommended powders as slow as N550 for 70-80gr .223. I later chatted via email with with Kevin of nammoinc.com when I enquired at VV what sort of powder would be appropriate for a ".30x.223" e.g. 30Apache/30TCU/7.62x39USA/7.62x40. I was surprised when Kevin stated "N120, N130 and maybe N133 are going to be better options." I asked him about his thinking behind it, and he responded with the following:

The relationships of powder burn rate and cartridge design are fairly complex, but can be pretty well summed up as their expansion ratio; the ratio of the volumes of the combustion chamber compared to the volume of the combustion chamber and bore. Suffice it to say, when you change the bore diameter of a basic case, such as the 223, by going to a 30 TCU or Apache, those powders which were ideal for the 223 are no longer viable for the necked up round. Works the same way in reverse, too. Where a slower powder is ideal for a heavy bullet 223 Rem load, something faster is going to be called for in a 7 TCU, 30 Apache, what have you. You can change expansion ratios in a number of ways, such as changing the bore diameter, as in this case, altering the cartridge involved (from a 223 to say, a 22-250) or shortening or lengthening the barrel. Any of these will change the expansion ratio, and that will often indicate a need to alter the propellant of choice. There's some interior ballistics programs out there that calculate these relationships, and there are some articles that explain them quite well, albeit with some tedious calculations involved. Once you've worked through a few, however, you'll start to get a more intuitive feel for how such changes are going to affect your loading.

Come to think of it, I had seen the term expansion ratio here. It just didn't sink in that expansion ratio, not just simply case capacity, played a role in guestimating an appropriate powder for a wildcat.

[geargnasher]

This is one of the best threads I've seen in a while.

I don't have any recommendations on powder from that list for anyone else's guns but my own, and picking the ones I know certain guns in my collection like wouldn't to anyone else any good.

If stocking up on really cheap powders just to have a good library, buy some slow, medium, and fast stuff and time will tell you which ones you should buy again or look to buy in bulk.

Gear

[btroj]

+1 Gear. What works for you might not work for me.
Like our casting styles the powders we gravitate towards tend to be what has worked for us in our guns. I shoot a lot with my father in law. He and I will load the same cartridge but with different powders. We each have grown to like certain ones. No right or wrong, just different.
I have lots of powder that is left from a previous project. I try to use them in newer cartridges but it seems most of my slow burners are sitting idle. They just don't get asked to play with cast.

Brad

[Von Gruff]

I thought I was rationalising all my shooting and reloading supplies .............:mrgreen:..................

I find now that I have Red Dot as a most prefered powder for the volume shooting in 7x57 and 404.
Have Blue Dot for mid range loads of cast in the 7x57 and 20 VarTarg j words.
H4198 for top Berger loads in 20 VarTarg.
H4350 for top vel cast and J words (Woodleigh and RWS) in 7x57 and 404.
Varget for heaviest cast loads in 404
BL-C2 for supreme hunting loads GS Customs in my 7x57

On my reduced income now I couldn't do Red and Blue Dot, H4350 and H4198.
Fortunately I have good stocks of these on hand.

Von Gruff.

[RayinNH]

The only downside with Promo is, it's available only in 8# jugs...Ray

[EOD3]

The only downside with Promo is, it's available only in 8# jugs...Ray

8 pounds for the price of 7 and a nice warm feeling knowing you're protected from sudden powder price increases... What downside you talking about paleface? :mrgreen: I know, I know, but nobody really needs groceries anyway. :bigsmyl2:

[Mal Paso]

Many people suggest 2400. It does work but has been so completely filthy and the amount of unburned powder left behind has completely turned me off of the stuff.



You're just not using enough! :bigsmyl2:

+12 for 2400

[RayinNH]

8 pounds for the price of 7 and a nice warm feeling knowing you're protected from sudden powder price increases... What downside you talking about paleface? :mrgreen:


I wholeheartedly agree. I can't find it locally. It's just that the OP said he wanted to try different powders, eight pounds is a lot of trying if he doesn't like it.

Paleface? I'm from New England, most of us are kind of pale. Not quite as warm here as other climes.:mrgreen:...Ray

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I just

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I FORGOT TO LIST FFG &FFFG.:Fire::Fire:

[EOD3]

I wholeheartedly agree. I can't find it locally. It's just that the OP said he wanted to try different powders, eight pounds is a lot of trying if he doesn't like it.

Paleface? I'm from New England, most of us are kind of pale. Not quite as warm here as other climes.:mrgreen:...Ray

I guess you have to be properly aged to remember the "HOW Paleface" movies... [smilie=l: :redneck:

[EOD3]

You're just not using enough! :bigsmyl2:

+12 for 2400

Werry werry funey, but true. 2400 is not first pick for Cowboy shoots but it'll blow a hole clean through Yogi (a bear for you youngins) :p

[Alchemist]

AA 5744, Bullseye & Reloder7