Top 3 powders for ALL reloading

[singleshot]

If you could only pick 3 powders for ALL your reloading needs, rifle, handgun, shotgun which 3 would you pick?

I've been toying with this idea lately, and like a few others, I've been thinking about how to "simplify" my powder cabinet.

So what would it be?

One fast, one medium, one slow burning powder? 3 relatively position insensative powders? Best powder for your 3 best firearms and ignore all others?

I've seen plugs for Red Dot, Unique, 2400, H4895, Varget, etc as extremely flexible powders, but what if you could only have 3?

Thoughts?

[rmcc]

Unique for all Pistol/Revolver
H335 for small.mid case rifle
IMR 4350 for mid/large case rifle

[high standard 40]

Based solely on the cartridges I own and load for, Unique, 2400, and H4895 would best cover all my needs. But I would really hate to be limited to those three because they are not the optimum powders for some of my guns.

[MT Gianni]

Red Dot, 2400 & a write in for 4198.

[jmsj]

If I was limited to just 3 powders:
Unique for all pistol cartridges
748 for .223, 30/30 and .308
4350 for 30/06 family and 7 MM Mag
jmsj

[Kraschenbirn]

Accurate #5 for standard-velocity handgun, 2400 for mag handgun and mid-velocity (cast) rifle, H4895 for everything else.

Bill

[Artful]

Unique
3031
4350

wouldn't do for everything but does cover majority of what I own

[xringshutr]

I have to agree with some of the other posters about a slower burner.

My choices:

Unique - pistol/rifle cast loads
Varget - medium rifle/heavy 223 Rem
4350 - Slow rifle

4350 is just too useful in everything from 243 up to the 300 Mag, then Varget takes over from there in the larger bore cartridges. Everyone should have 8= lbs of 4350.....just cause.

The others just explain themselves. :popcorn:

BTW, I would go insane with only 3 powders to choose from. I like options.......and I have a few to choose from currently.

[Rangefinder]

Everything I cast for can run on Red Dot one way or another. Then I use H335, or 4895 the most. Everything else I have is either dedicated to a specific purpose of left over from experimenting.

[TXGunNut]

I could possibly get by with 231, RL7 and H4350, but I'd sure miss my BP! I probably have 12-15 powders on hand and it always seems I need 2-3 more.

[94Doug]

I voted Unique and 2400, and other. Not sure if there is one that could fit that slot however, I am not sure 3 powders would ever quite be enough. It might just be 3031....right now anyway.

[miestro_jerry]

I use a lot of different powders for pistols, rifles and shotshells, but Unique, 2400, and IMR4895, if I have to narrow it down to three, but then many rounds or shells would not get loaded to their decent performace levels.

Jerry

[LUCKYDAWG13]

other would be H110 4350 & 2400

[midnight]

I guess my favorite "other" would be RL22. It can be used in most loads where 4350 & 4831 are used.

Bob

[cephas53]

unique, 2400 and write in for H414

[357shooter]

I only load for handguns, and pick Unique, 700X and H110.

[btroj]

If I could only have 3 powders I would give up almost all jacketed shooting, as if I haven't already.
Unique, 2400, Varget would be fine. The Varget would even allow jacketed loads in almost any practical cartridge while also being good for cast in many rifles cases.

In the end thought I would be happy to be ale to get down to just 8 to 10 powders. I figure I have aout 15 to 20 different ones right now.

[garym1a2]

No bullseye on the list.
I like Wsf much better than Unique.
For Rifles I got good results with Imr4895 and 748:

[Reload3006]

If i could only have 3 powders period
Red Dot
Blue Dot
3031

[hornsurgeon]

red dot, varget, re22 (25-06 w/ condoms)

although i would hate to go without re7, h110, and 3031

[Moondawg]

Actual: bullseye, H-4895 and H-4350

[dragonrider]

Red Dot, Unique, 2400 will handle my needs with Red Dot being by far the most used.

[45-70bpcr]

Yes to Red Dot. Works in my 1911 .45, .38 wadcutters, & 13.0 in Milsurp rifles for plinking.
Varget for mid velocity cast loads in all my .30 cals. including M1a, plus all my "J" match shooting in .223 AR, M1a, and Garand.

[Doc.Holliday]

Red Dot
4320
&
Power pistol

Doc

[tacklebury]

I only use 3 powders and BP:

Unique
Reloader7
H-110
FFFg BP
FFFFg BP

[Hip's Ax]

Forgive me but I am pretty much a rifle target competitor that dabbles in other things. The 3 I must have are Varget, IMR 4895 and H4350. I could get by with these 3 and get all my competition in.

[Lonegun1894]

I voted Unique and 2400. Now I use equal amounts of 3031 and 4064, so it would be a tough call to pick one of the two and give up the other.

[Harter66]

Unique,4895,4350.

Unique has served very well in all of my guns w/cast. Its an old favorite for my shotgun. So I guess its done duty from 24 to 69 cal . 380ACP up to 3"12ga. I picked 4895 as my rifle shoots it best. The 4350 is for the heavies inrifles.

[jdmudcat]

Bullseye for most of my pistol loads.
2400 for Mag. pistol loads.
IMR 4064 for my rifle loads.

I would really miss Unique.

JD

[Bwana]

I really shouldn't; but, sticking to Winchester powders: 231,296,780. Why those three? Because with them I can make everything else I might want.

[Dthunter]

Unique
Varget
R22
Unique in all pistol cartridges I own
Varget for all the medium cartridges I have
R22 for the entire 06 family & 1 mile shooting with my 300 Win mag.
That about covers everything for me.

[Marvin S]

Unique
3031
Black

[subsonic]

Every time I vote in one of these threads I pick different powders.

Today I'd vote for 700-x, AA9, and Varget, but those aren't all listed.

[canyon-ghost]

Unique, 2400, and 4198

[GT27]

My (other) would be TITEGROUP use a little,get a lot!!

[blackbike]

Red Dot
Unique
2400
and
4064
I could make that work, if i had to!

[singleshot]

Thanks to all those have contributed so far!
After 3 days, I've tallied up the votes in the "other" category.

At this point:
4350 with 8 votes
3031 with 5 votes
Red dot with 4 votes
H-110 with 4 votes
Rl22, bullseye, 4064 with 3 votes each.

[burntpowder]

bullseye, 2400 and h-335(wc844)

[Rokkit Syinss]

2400 for cast boolits,
Varget in .223, .308 and .30-06
Whatever works in .45ACP.

[USSR]

For me, it was a toss-up between Red Dot and Unique, but Red Dot would work better for my shotgun. 2400 for magnum handgun loads and .30 Carbine. And, although I use surplus IMR4895, H4895 is close enough.

Don

[koehlerrk]

Bullseye, Blue Dot, and Varget would work for my needs.

[KYCaster]

Well, I gave it some thought and after careful consideration I trimmed my needs down to ten different powders.

To trim the list any further I'd have to give up my accuracy load in several different guns. I'd have to give up my high velocity loads in others. I'd have to give up my competition loads in two.

And last but not least...I'd have to give up the CHEAP mil surp alternatives that most often are not the BEST loads, but are usually the CHEAPEST loads.

EVERYTHING would be a compromise.

MAN, I'm glad I don't have to live in your world!! :veryconfu

Jerry

[Ole]

Bullseye, 2400, and IMR4320.

I would pick Unique if I could only pick one pistol powder.

[jethunter]

Unique
IMR4064
H4831

[DragoonDrake]

TRAILBOSS, 2400, and H4895,

Really not much you can't reload for with those three.

[280Ackley]

unique, 4895 and write in for imr4831 although I would hate being without 2400, 4350 and rl22. But I could easily get by with those 6.

[Reload3006]

now that the survey has gone on for a while ... I would like to say its like having to pick between one of my kids.... I am glad I live in free America and I dont have to choose. Because I have like and use lots of powders.
Red Dot
Green Dot
Blue Dot.
RE-7
2400
Unique
BullsEye
IMR sr4756
IMR 3031
IMR 4350
H414
H110
Varget
WW-748
ww296
I have and like several WW ball powders you cant get anymore I am going to really miss them when they are gone.
Ramshot Tac.
I still have about a pound of ALCAN 5
and about 6 pounds of ALCAN 7 Gosh Smith and Wesson I am still pissed off at you for dropping ALCAN GRRRRRRRRRRR LOL

[lister]

Blue dot cause I've got 6 lbs of Hercules still
ADI 2208
IMR 4227
These fulfill my reloading needs but trail boss is looking like fun in a lot of guns, maybe when the blue dot runs out?

[singleshot]

At this point in the poll I'd like to say I'm a little surprised that those of you that like BP didn't vote for either 5744 or Trailboss...

5744 will work in ALL applications that BP is appropriate "don'cha know"! More cost effective and less hastle...(I know, "singleshot, how could you?!?!?!) Hey, I'm in the AF, not much for tradition for the sake of tradition...[smilie=l:

On the other hand...I CAN make BP myself, smokeless propellant? not so much. Will it come to that? We shall see...

[Bullwolf]

If I had to pick between Unique or Red Dot, it would be tough. Choosing between the two of them is like picking one child over the other. But I could probably do a wider range of what I load the most often using Unique.


So I would say I could get by with just:

Unique (or Red Dot)
2400
3031


- Bullwolf

[BretMavrick]

Bullseye
IMR 4350 or 4895 Tough choice
2400

I found Unique too dirty overall

[white eagle]

I could pick three for pistol and be fairly happy
rifle will never happen
to many caliber choices
if I was limited to one cal then the choice would be easier

[tuckerdog]

had to go with imr4350 for the 3rd that with 2400 and unique will do [almost] everything I do

[MakeMineA10mm]

It can't be done. Well, it can be, but it would mean sacrificing a lot of flexibility for the economy of three powders. Now, if you'd have said FOUR, I think you could do it.

The fact of the matter is, if you throw in Shotguns AND Rifles with the pistols, you need four powders. There's enough cross-over between shotguns and pistols and rifles and pistols, that three powders is do-able with those combinations, but if you want to load shotguns, pistols AND rifles, you're going to need at least four powders, if your calibers have any kind of length and breadth to them. If you're only rifle is a 30 Carbine, or you're only worried about loading ONE shotshell load, such as the classic Red Dot clay-target load, than you can drop down to three powders, but, like I said, you're giving up a LOT of flexibility.

[RugerFan]

I voted Unique and 2400, and other. Not sure if there is one that could fit that slot however, I am not sure 3 powders would ever quite be enough. It might just be 3031....right now anyway.

This would be real close to my needs, but I could really use at least a 4th to cover my bigger rifle calibers. Add H4350 to the 3 above and I could get by.

[lbaize3]

Red Dot, 2400, Varget. Red dot for light pistol loads, 2400 for heavy pistol loads and light rifle loads, and Varget for all of my heavy rifle loads.

I use BL-C2 for all my rifle except 45-70 right now. Varget or AA2495 would load every rifle caliber including my 45-70.

[lylejb]

red dot would work for light / mid pistols, and 12 gauge target loads

herco would work for heavier pistol and 12 ga, as well as .410 shotgun. actually, herco works for most things unique does, including cast in rifles, with a bit more top end potential.

At first thought, 4895 for rifles looks good, but it's not really the best in any of my rifles.

I'd have to go for imr 4350, my -06 just loves it.

[marshall623]

If I could only have 3 powders 1- Blue Dot it could do all my pistol and shotgun needs 2- IMR 4064 its flexable enough for all my rifles 3- IMR 4198 it can double for cast loads and its the main feed for my 30 herrett gotta feed the herrett

[StrawHat]

Black Powder in various granulations, would work in most of my rifles and revolvers.

5477 would work in many.

Bullseye or Unique for the smaller centerfire revolvers.

[wildphilhickup]

#1 = WW231

#2 = PROMO

#3 = FFFg

[revolver junkie]

h4895
bullseye
lil'gun or h110

bout all i use

[kenyerian]

Little Gun
H110
4350

[Nrut]

I couldn't live off of only three powders!
Wouldn't even try...

[Bullet Caster]

I chose "other" because W-231 was not listed. I use W-231 for all pistol. For rifle it would have to be IMR 4895. BC

[MBTcustom]

I have four favorites that go from fast to slow:
Hodgdon Clays
Unique
IMR 3031
IMR 4831
With those four I can reload anything.

[imashooter2]

Write in for Bullseye, 2400 and Varget.

[cdu357]

Bullseye, Unique, blue dot, W-231
For 357 Mag and 38 special

[Throwback]

H4895, Titegroup, Unique, & if I were allowed a 4th, it would be Accurate 9

[singleshot]

I couldn't live off of only three powders!
Wouldn't even try...

For hundreds of years EVERYBODY lived with one powder and now you can't live with 3?:kidding:

[sisiphunter]

Unique. Imr 4350. And likely black powder.....those would be my 3 necessary if I can still cast boolits...if i had to use jacketed i would trade bp for 4198.

[dromia]

Had to vote other as no Vihtavuori powders were listed.

If I had to pick three then they would be N340, N120 and N140. If possible I'd also like to squeeze in a slower powder N160, with those four I'd be good to go for most applications.

For BP Swiss 1 1/2fg would be my powder of choice.

[smoked turkey]

Unique
5744
3031 (write-in)

Thats the way I voted but reading the thread could almost change a persons mind. I mean I like Herco and Red Dot too.

[Alan]

If i could only have 3 powders period
Red Dot
Blue Dot
3031

I would sub 4895 for 3031, but yeah.

[Wireman134]

Out of the listed:
RedDot for light pistol and Sub-sonic rifle
Unique for general pistol and light rifle
H4895 for rifle

[peerlesscowboy]

Assuming cast bullet rifle & pistol; Unique and "other"(4198). If I can choose another "other" it'd be a toss-up between 3031, SR4759, 2400 & 4831.

[mstarling]

Can't do it! I can't get by on three powders for rifles alone as I reload for cases ranging in capacity from 25.4 gr of water to 135 gr of water and bullet weights from 40 gr to 500 gr.

A different question might be more interesting: Which powders cover the widest range of use?

Shotgun: WSF
Pistol: Unique
Rifle: H335, RL-15, IMR or H 4831

Even then would not give me optimum loads for any magnum pistol, 5.56, 6.8, 300 BLK, 30-30, 30-06, 338-06, 338 Win Mag, or .416 Rigby (and others I've not thought of at the moment). And would not cover cast boolits very well!

Do I try to reduce the number of powders I keep ... yes.

[singleshot]

Ok everybody, the poll is closed. I've tallied the "other" votes, but the powders listed on the poll dwarf the "other" numbers, so the results speak for themselves.

Unique, 2400, and H4895 were runaway favorites!

Thanks to everyone who participated, this was very enlightening for me and made me think.

[clearwater]

Slow Powder Reloder 17
Cast Powder 2400
Reduced loads for both, Trailboss